Pit bulls struggle to trust after horrific abuse May 15, 2009

Source: BostonHerald.com, May 11, 2009

One month after officials rescued two badly mauled pit bulls from a Dorchester dog-fighting dungeon, the Animal Rescue League of Boston is struggling to rehabilitate one of the traumatized canines, an anxiety-stricken puppy named Raven.

“He doesn’t know how to sit or how to play – he doesn’t know how to be a dog,” said veterinarian and licensed dog trainer Amy Marder, Director of the Center for Shelter Dogs at the rescue league. “He’s pretty damaged.”

Estimated to be eight months old, Raven’s handsome gray coat is ravaged by bite marks. He suffers from a jaw injury and a heart murmur – but those were the least of his problems when authorities removed him from what they described as a “filthy, blood- and urine-soaked” cage in a pitch-black basement on April 11.

“He had very severe infections which brought him close to death,” Marder said of Raven.

The other surviving pitbull, Sidney, is recovering at a dog sanctuary outside Boston. While Sidney is expected to make a full mental recovery, Raven is highly anxious and undergoing the equivalent of pooch psychotherapy. The first step, Marder said, is basic behavior training.

“We have to start slowly,” she said, “because if he doesn’t understand what you’re trying to say, it could actually make things worse.”

Authorities expect to charge a 36-year-old suspect, whose apartment was host to the torture chamber where cops found a 10-by-20-foot dog-fighting ring made of blood-spattered plywood, a blood-soaked, sharpened probing stick and the remains of a dead dog, police said.

On Thursday, Raven bolted into a room at the animal rescue league, his tail lowered with anxiety as he zipped aimlessly from one corner of the room to another. He barely acknowledged the presence of three women. But when a man entered the room he looked up, signaling that his captor was probably male, Marder said.

“He doesn’t have the ability to form normal relationships with humans,” she said.

Marder threw a stuffed animal and Raven didn’t react. A child-sized doll was so scary that even the lure of food wouldn’t bring him closer.

“He probably has never seen children in his life,” Marder said. “His life was bowls of food and fighting. What a life.”

There was, however, some progress: after strategically dangling Raven’s favorite dog treat before him, he finally sat on command.

“What a good boy,” Marder said.

Texas dog reunites with family after 8 years May 8, 2009

Source: Chinanews.com, May 7, 2009

A Texas puppy, who went missing eight years ago, has surprised her owner with unexpected arrival.

Dancer is all grown up now and she no longer recognizes her name and instead responds to the name “Fern”.

Owner Alison Murphy of Austin isn’t sure where Dancer has been but says obedience school is the next stop for her newly recovered pet.

According to reports the dog was left last week at the Humane Society in New Braunfels, about 45 miles away Humane Society in New Braunfels. A musician in New Braunfels found the dog running around his neighborhood and took her home. He kept her a few days, and then went to the Humane Society to see if the dog had a microchip, and perhaps, an owner.

She had both, though she hadn’t seen her owners in eight years.

“She looks the same,” Murphy said. “She’s just a little more gray.”

McLennan County authorities shut down alleged puppy mill; 150 animals homeless, TX May 4, 2009

Source: WacoNews.com, May 4, 2009

In what sheriff’s officials are calling one of the worst cases of animal cruelty McLennan County has ever seen, 150 puppies are homeless today after they were seized Friday from their Elm Mott home by animal control officers.

“The conditions were deplorable,” said Chief Deputy Randy Plemons of the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office. “Two to three puppies were held in cages that you’d put rabbits in. They were walking around in inches of manure. Their food was placed on top of moldy food.”

Deputies also found a barrel of dead puppies, he said.

“I can tell you that this was one of the worst things we’ve seen as far as animal cruelty,” Plemons said of the raid on the Lincoln City house.

Karen Froehlich, director of the Waco Humane Society, said she could not comment on the alleged puppy mill. She said the puppies seized from the Lincoln City home are not the property of the shelter, as a judge has not yet ruled on their custody.

The Waco Humane Society is asking for foster families to house other shelter puppies temporarily so the shelter has room to care for the puppies seized from the Elm Mott property.

Plemons is in the process of compiling the details of the case, including arrests.

More information was not immediately available.

Raleigh County Animal Shelter ‘desperate’ for dry dog food; weather, economy likely to blame April 17, 2009

Source: The Register-Herald.com, April 16, 2009

Gallagher is a pit bull mix who had a home, but fire destroyed it.

The year-old dog’s family had to move into a homeless shelter, and Gallagher — who sustained first- and second-degree burns in the fire — was sent to the Raleigh County Animal Shelter, adoption counselor Jim Kenney said. Gallagher was adopted but later returned. The person who adopted him could not care for him because of personal health concerns.

Another family gave Gallagher a new home Thursday afternoon. But more than 50 other dogs like him may soon have no food.

The animal shelter, Kenney said, is on the verge of running out of dry dog food, and shelter officials are asking the public for donations. Any type of dry dog food is acceptable.

“We are in desperate need for dry dog food,” he said. “We would be just glad to get anything. If people in general were more aware, maybe they would respond and help out their local animal shelter.”

Both the weather and the economy have basically packed the shelter, Kenney explained. Right now, the facility houses 55 to 60 dogs on a daily basis.

Animal shelters normally have a high number of animals when weather warms up because of puppy and kitten litters, and more animals are roaming freely. But Kenney says the economy is likely aggravating the situation. More people are giving up their pets at the shelter or turning them loose. Animal control officers often find the latter.

Wal-Mart stores donate food, but the supplies are still dwindling.

An area of the building where food is kept is normally filled with 50 to 60 bags of dog food. The shelter had only 10 to 12 bags of dry dog food as of Thursday.

Some dogs at the shelter, Kenney noted, need high-protein food. Often, animals brought to shelters are in poor health or just have an extremely thin build. This food can increase their strength, and people are more likely to adopt a healthier animal.

Kenney said donating dog food — and several other needed items — is a way people can help shelter pets when they cannot adopt. The shelter has enough cat food for now, but he emphasized any type of donated pet food, as well as items like leashes, collars, treats and cleaning supplies, are always appreciated.

He also strongly urged people to do their part to lower pet overpopulation.

“Please, please have your pet spayed or neutered,” he said. “That can prevent situations like this. That is why the shelter stays full. We also have a low-income spay and neuter program.”

The shelter is accepting drop-offs at its facility on Grey Flats Road. It is open between 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Those with further donation questions can call 304-253-8921.

Bonded cat-dog duo seeks new home! April 13, 2009

Frieda, a two-year old female Chihuahua, and Morgana, a nine-month old female tabby mix, huddled together in a purple backpack last week after they were surrendered to the Marin Humane Society (MHS).

Morgana and Frieda are the best of pals.

The unlikely pair are victims of the shaky economic times; Frieda and Morgana’s owner recently lost her home as a result of the financial crisis.

“Frieda and Morgana are best friends, so we want to find them a home where they can be together,” says MHS spokesperson Carrie Harrington. “Bonded pairs of the same species are not unusual. But adopting an already bonded cat-dog pair is rare — and very special.”

MHS began accepting applications for Frieda and Morgana this morning at 171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd. in Novato. Shelter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be open on Easter Sunday. The adoption fee for the pair is $225. Visit the MHS website or call 415.883.4621 for more information about Frieda and Morgana and other animals available for adoption.

‘Puppy mill’ shut down, woman charged, Canada April 3, 2009

Source: Sun News.com, April 3, 2009

Edmonton — Dozens of dogs and cats were rescued and an Edmonton woman is facing charges following the city’s first “puppy mill” bust.

“These animals were being housed in cages, very tiny cages, living in their own feces and their own urine,” Edmonton Humane Society spokeswoman Shawna Randolph said of the 32 dogs and 10 cats rescued Wednesday night from the amateur breeding facility in the west end.

“In many cases, these cages did not have water, did not have adequate food.”

The animals, now in the care of the EHS, were discovered by an insurance contractor working on a damaged sewer line in a house near 172 Street and 60 Avenue earlier this week.

“I’ve seen some nasty, disgusting stuff, but nothing comes close to this,” said Gordon, who asked to have his last name withheld.

He said the animals’ owner – who surrendered them shortly after the investigation began Wednesday – was a woman in her 50s.

“She had it hidden. She had it all barricaded off, you couldn’t see, you could only hear it. And the smell … I mean we had to wear respirators in there, you just couldn’t breathe … It was sickening.”

The smell emanating from the busted sewer pipe was “a pleasant odour” compared to what the rest of the house – covered in animal feces, he added with a chuckle.

“I kept hearing them. I could hear them, but I couldn’t see them and that smell was just too much. I broke down her barricade and I went to see what was going on in there,” Gordon continued.

He added he was shocked by what he saw: Rows upon rows of small cages, some with three animals in them, stacked more than a metre high, and animals living in their own waste without food or water.

He said he saw two dogs which appeared to have been shaved with a razor, several dogs too weak to stand up and most without food or water.

A feces-covered table had syringes and other vet supplies on it.

“I don’t know what she was doing … the first thing that we said to ourselves is, ‘Who would buy them? They’re so sick.’ When I saw the two dogs that were shaved and bleeding and cut like that from reckless shaving, I thought maybe she was killing them and selling them to restaurants or something.”

Randolph said about 20 EHS employees worked until around midnight Wednesday taking the animals to the shelter, checking their health, vaccinating them and determining their breeds, genders and estimated ages.

“And then the animals settled into the shelter here and they enjoyed the comfort of a blanket, of toys, something that we are very confident that they did not ever experience before,” she added during yesterday’s emotional news conference at the shelter.

“It was just so heartwarming to see them snuggling up and in some cases just running around and enjoying their freedom.”

A vet with the EHS said the animals will likely be adoptable, most to specialized homes, as they are likely to have some “long-term issues” and are not used to being handled.

One of them, however, may already have a home that’s sure to appreciate the furry addition.

“I’d like to get one, actually.” Gordon said happily on Thursday night. “If they’ll let me I’m taking one.”

The woman is expected to be charged with causing or permitting animals to be in distress in the coming weeks.

If convicted, she could be banned from owning animals for life and be required to pay a fine of up to $20,000.

Puppy mill uncovered during fraud investigation April 1, 2009

Source: Tri-StateOnline.co, April 1, 2009

GOLDEN VALLEY – Mohave County Sheriff’s Office began a fraudulent schemes investigation when a local Kingman veterinarian, Darla Wright, of Wright Veterinary Services, and a Veterinarian Clinic out of Las Vegas were victims of forgery.

Health certificates certifying health examinations conducted on dogs sold by K & S Puppy Ranch in Golden Valley were forged using the victims’ business letter heads and falsifying the veterinarian signatures.

The investigation began after a dog was sold to a customer in California from the K & S Puppy Ranch and the dog became sick. The new owner went to a local veterinarian in California with the certified health documents provided by K & S Puppy Ranch. At that time, Wright was contacted and discovered forged documents of her business and her signature were being used.

Karen Grogan and Shirley Williams are owners of K & S Puppy Ranch.

At about 10:15 a.m., search warrants were executed at the business at 4107 Highway 68, at Grogan’s residence in the 3500 block of Maverick Road and at Williams’ residence in the 4900 block of Hoover Road, said MCSO Spokeswoman Trish Carter.

The search warrant at Williams’ residence revealed 32 dogs and five puppies. The search warrant at Grogan’s residence revealed 17 dogs.

Williams and Grogan were given 24 hours to seek veterinarian services for some dogs that needed medical attention. Mohave County Animal Control personnel will follow-up to ensure medical attention is sought.

Both Williams, 74, and Grogan, 57, were charged with animal cruelty, no dog license for each dog and operating a kennel without a license, all misdemeanors, Carter said.

K & S Puppy Ranch business does have a valid operation permit, but Williams and Grogan don’t have permits to operate commercial kennels at their homes.

Mohave County Planning and Zoning and Mohave County Environmental Health will continue with their investigation with violations observed during the execution of the search warrant.

Carter said the fraudulent schemes investigation is continuing with possible charges.

Animal Planet Special Takes a Look at ‘Puppy Mills’ March 26, 2009

Source: Pet product News, Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Animal Planet is set to air a special Animal Cops: Philadelphia episode in April that focuses on substandard commercial dog breeders. The special, entitled Puppy Mills: Exposed, aims to “take viewers inside the world of puppy mills,” according to the network.

“Puppy mills are a blemish on a country that loves and respects its dogs,” Marjorie Kaplan, Animal Planet president and general manger, said in a statement. “Puppy Mills: Exposed tells the truth about these operations — no matter how disturbing — in order to incite emotions and action in everyone who watches.”

Puppy Mills: Exposed premiers Monday, April 27, 10 p.m. (ET/PT) as a special episode of Animal Cops: Philadelphia.

The one-hour show starts with the law enforcement officers of the Pennsylvania SPCA as they recount the case of Limestone Kennels, where more than 80 dogs were reportedly rescued from last year. According to Animal Planet, officers at the site found multiple dogs packed into cramped cages, food dishes contaminated with feces and animals with multiple birth defects, including dogs with missing eyes. The special then explores similar stories in Tennessee and Florida.

Lastly, viewers hear from a woman in Miami, Fla., who bought her puppy from a pet store. Shortly thereafter, her puppy became sick. In its release about the special, Animal Planet stated that “like most people, the owner had no idea that virtually all pet store puppies come from large commercial breeding facilities — many of which can be considered puppy mills.”

Humane Society Silicon Valley set to unveil state-of-the-art animal shelter, CA March 26, 2009

Source: Mercury News, March 26, 2009

Humane Society Silicon Valley will debut its new, state-of-the-art animal shelter in Milpitas at an all-day open house on Saturday.

The $25 million facility, funded through donations, will serve as a regional animal community center. It features a low-cost spay/neuter medical center, a community dog park and training center, doggy day care, boarding and grooming, a veterinary hospital with a public viewing room, an education center, a pet store and a pet-friendly cafe.

Christine Benninger, president of the Humane Society chapter, said the center’s many new features will help change the way people think about an animal shelter. No longer will it be a warehouse full of cages of unwanted pets, she said.

This new shelter features cageless animal habitats to simulate home environments and will be able to handle up to 10,000 animal adoptions a year.

Saturday’s open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 901 Ames Ave. near Milpitas Boulevard and Montague Expressway.

The event will feature a performance by Raggs, the singing canine from the Raggs Kids Club Band, as well as animal balloon making, coloring, a scavenger hunt, face painting and other arts and crafts for children. Tim Jeffreys from KUFX 98.5 (“KFOX”) is scheduled to be there from noon to 2 p.m.

And you’ll have a chance to make a video statement, pledging to help animals in your community in the shelter’s Community Room. Humane Society staff members will edit the video and post it on the society’s Web site and on YouTube.Staff will also be available with information for those wishing to volunteer at the new shelter.

Animal adoptions, however, will continue to be done at the Humane Society’s shelter in Santa Clara for the next two to three weeks. That building has been sold.

Laura Fulda, Humane Society spokeswoman, said the new facility is California’s first regional animal community center and is one of the first environmentally certified “green” centers of its kind in the United States.

The center has an extensive on-site solar system that is expected to generate 40 percent of the facility’s energy needs from renewable sources, a kennel cleansing system that reduces water use while ensuring proper disinfecting, and artificial turf and native plants in the dog park areas intended to reduce the need for irrigation water.

Located on nearly five acres of land, the 48,000-square-foot center has homelike habitats for dogs, cats and rabbits.

As of February, Humane Society Silicon Valley had raised $20.4 million for the new center. It hopes to raise the rest soon. Donors can make payments on the shelter’s Web site at www.hssv.org or get more information at (408) 727-3383, ext. 878.

Dozens of puppies found in squalor at South Side home, IL March 26, 2009

Source: Chicago-Sun Times, March 24, 2009

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart could hear the yapping of tiny lap dogs — about 70 Chihuahuas, Malteses and dachshunds — from outside a West Englewood house where police raided a puppy mill Tuesday morning.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart carries out a puppy as authorities removed dozens of dogs living in squalor from a home on the South Side.

Many of the dogs inside 6440 S. Bell were crammed in bird cages, standing in their own feces without food and water. Some dogs were too big for their cages, which were stacked four high all over the house. Other puppies were locked in closets and on the back porch.

“You could smell the place from outside,” Dart said. “No dogs deserve to be treated in this inhumane manner.”

Demetria Newell, 38, was charged with 67 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, one count for each animal found at the house.

Responding to a tip, the sheriff’s office teamed with Chicago Police and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials to investigate. An undercover officer posing as a customer met with Newell, who was selling the purebred dogs for between $475 and $650, Dart said.

Newell also allegedly told the undercover officer that if he had a problem with a puppy’s health that he could bring it back and she would provide medical care. Police found syringes and antibiotics at the scene, said sheriff’s spokesman Steve Patterson.

The dogs were taken to Chicago Animal Care and Control at 2741 S. Western where they will be evaluated by veterinarians and possibly put up for adoption.

In addition to the puppies, police confiscated one pound of marijuana, a handgun and $3,000 cash. Newell’s live-in boyfriend, David Hayes, was arrested and charged with felony possession of marijuana. Dart said police also are considering gun charges against Hayes.