I'm a vet in "companion animal" practice, working only with pets. I love my job, and I enjoy writing about it - in newspapers, on my blog, wherever. I have a weekly column in the UK's Daily Telegraph, as well regular features in several Irish newspapers. I live in Ireland with my wife and two young daughters, as well as a menagerie of animals and birds. Visit my blog to find out more.
I'm a vet in "companion animal" practice, working only with pets. I love my job, and I enjoy writing about it - in newspapers, on my blog, wherever. I have a weekly column in the UK's Daily Telegraph, as well regular features in several Irish newspapers. I live in Ireland with my wife and two young daughters, as well as a menagerie of animals and birds. Visit my blog to find out more.
Long Island authorities are continuing their investigation of a woman in Selden whose back yard contained the buried remains of at least 20 dogs.
Sharon McDonough, 43, has been charged with animal cruelty, WCBS-TV reported.
“This is one of the worst cases of animal abuse I have seen in the last 25 years I have been doing this,” Chief Roy Gross, of the Suffolk County SPCA, said.
It all started Thursday, when a local rescue group contacted police about conditions at the house. When authorities arrived, they found five dogs crammed in small cages. By Saturday, police were digging up the backyard.
Investigators are looking into complaints about animals disappearing from the neighborhood, and allegations that McDonough tortured, killed, and buried them behind her house.
McDonough remained free Sunday night after pleading not guilty, but authorities say she could face more serious charges after investigators determine how the animals buried in the backyard died.
The live animals recovered from McDonough’s home, including several dogs and a cat, are doing fine. They are currently up for adoption at the Suffolk County SPCA.
I'm a vet in "companion animal" practice, working only with pets. I love my job, and I enjoy writing about it - in newspapers, on my blog, wherever. I have a weekly column in the UK's Daily Telegraph, as well regular features in several Irish newspapers. I live in Ireland with my wife and two young daughters, as well as a menagerie of animals and birds. Visit my blog to find out more.
The Humane Society of the United States thinks it’s time animals have a representative in the White House — a human one.
Both the society and the Humane Society Legislative Fund are asking the Obama Administration to appoint an Animal Protection Liaison who would work with the executive agencies and Congress to advance animal protection policies.
The liaison would get involved in matters such as protecting dogs from abuse at large-scale puppy mills, enforcing the federal laws against animal fighting and inhumane slaughter and defending the international ban on commercial whaling.
“These are just some of the critical animal protection issues that depend on the active involvement of federal agencies — in fact, there are 18 different agencies that oversee animal welfare!” HSUS says.
“We have developed a change agenda for animals, which outlines 100 immediate steps the Obama Administration can take to help animals — including millions of pets, farm animals, laboratory animals, and wildlife. With your help, we can ensure the Administration is addressing these critical animal protection issues in an ongoing and sustained way.”
The Humane Society is urging people to sign the online petition to ask President Obama to appoint an Animal Protection Liaison.
