Source: Associated Press, Nov 19, 2009
A shelter’s decision to euthanize a dog that was thrown from the sixth-story roof of a Brooklyn building has inspired new state legislation.
State Assemblyman Micah Z. Kellner said on Thursday that he introduced a bill requiring shelters to release any animal they plan to kill to a legitimate rescue group that offers to take in the animal.
Animal activists were outraged last week when the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals put down the pit bull mix named Oreo. The ASPCA said it tried to rehabilitate Oreo, but she was too aggressive.
Before Oreo was euthanized, at least one upstate sanctuary had offered to take her in. The ASPCA said sanctuary was not appropriate in her case.
ASPCA attorney Debora Bresch says the agency is reviewing how the bill fits with existing law.
Source: wset.com, Nov 6, 2009
A dog has been rescued after being stuck in the mud for more than 24 hours. Danville Humane Society officials found him on the Riverwalk trail near Dan Daniels Park after walkers reported hearing the dog whimpering.
The humane society knows this dog. They say a woman came to the shelter on Wednesday to drop off the dog, but when she took him out of the car, he got scared and ran away.
Meko Purdue was out walking on the Riverwalk trail with family, when she heard something strange.
“I heard the whimpering and the crying and we looked over we saw the dog,” Meko said.
She and her sister, Chablee, called 911.
“I looked over the ledge and I saw his face, and I was like it’s sitting there and I kept hearing it and hearing it and then that’s when everyone came over police and everything and they were like ‘we don’t see it at all’ and I’m like ‘it’s still under there’,” Chablee said.
Animal Control and Humane Society officials found the dog down a steep bank.
“You could just see his head through the branches and leaves and everything stuck in there, he was hiding underneath the tree,” Linda Cottrell with Animal Control said.
Rescuers were able to get him out. Paulette Dean with the Humane Society is sure he was out there overnight. She says a woman tried to bring this dog to the shelter on Wednesday.
“When she got him out of the car he got scared and he ran and she let go of the leash so she told us that this dog was now running towards the river,” Dean said.
If it hadn’t been for Meko’s call, they might not have found him.
“I’m glad we walked back through here, because a lot of people have been walking back and forth and I can’t believe no one heard him. It was pretty loud. I just feel like we were in the right place at the right time,” Meko said.
He really is a sweet dog. He was taken to the vet and expected to make a full recovery, and he’s available for adoption immediately. If you live in Danville or Pittsylvania County, call the Humane Society.
Source: WREG.com, Oct 27, 2009
The City of Memphis Animal Shelter was the scene of a early morning raid by Shelby County deputies Tuesday morning.
Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons and Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell say deputies with the Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the shelter located at 3456 Tchulahoma Road and temporarily secured the facility as part of an investigation into alleged animal abuse and cruelty.
District Attorney Gibbons requested the Sheriff’s Office investigation of the City of Memphis Animal Shelter earlier this month after receiving a tip from a citizen on the conditions at the shelter.
Sheriff Mark Luttrell told us, “We are finding that some of the allegations that we have heard are true. That will just take a more through investigation to determine just how bad the situation is but on its face, we can definitely see that there are some problems here.”
According to the search warrant, “detectives have learned that some animals have been deprived of food and water while at the Memphis Animal Shelter…” and while in the shelter’s care, “some dogs have been starved to the point of requiring euthanasia.”
According to the search warrant, some of the dogs “are involved in court cases involving dog fighting and have been marked ‘Hold for Court.’”
Additionally, the warrant says that shelter employees keep “…dogs that are to be quarantined for rabies with dogs that are not required to be quarantined in the same kennel.”
“The information we received about the conditions of the Memphis Animal Shelter clearly warranted a criminal investigation, and it is very possible that one or more individuals could face criminal charges based on the outcome of the investigation,” said District Attorney Gibbons.
Janet Hooks, Director of The Division Of Public Services and Neighborhoods, suspended 12 employees to allow investigators unfettered access to the shelter and the animals. No one has been charged.
While deputies are executing the search warrant, the facility will not be open to the public, and deputies will supervise limited employees inside the shelter. Animals brought to the facility during this time will be transferred to another shelter in Shelby County.
Trained investigators with ASPCA and emergency responders with the American Humane Association are at the shelter assisting the deputies.
Source: MediaNewsWire.com
Thanks to the efforts of local animal advocates, nearly 50 Chicago area pet stores have signed The Humane Society of the United States’ puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, but instead support local animal adoption programs or provide literature that helps customers learn how to locate a reputable breeder. The HSUS applauds these independent retailers because their actions prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to operate a successful pet-related business.
“These stores have set a positive example of corporate responsibility for other businesses to follow,” said Stephanie Shain, senior director of The HSUS’ puppy mills campaign. “Pet stores that profit from the cruel puppy mill industry need to step up and do the right thing by stopping their puppy sales. Shelters and rescues are brimming with all types of dogs in need of homes.”
Store owners and managers who sign The HSUS’ pledge receive a placard proclaiming, “We love puppies; that’s why we don’t sell them,” to display in the store, as well as materials about adopting a dog or finding a responsible breeder. The HSUS encourages shoppers to purchase pet supplies at stores displaying the puppy-friendly sign.
The independent retailers in the Chicago area that have most recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:
Animal Feeds & Needs ( Arlington Heights )
Bark Bark Club ( Chicago )
Barker and Moewsky ( Chicago )
Bentley’s Corner Barkery ( Arlington Heights )
Birds and Beasts Pet Shop ( Crystal Lake )
Cody and Carl’s Blvd ( Barrington )
Dog-A-Holics ( 2 locations Chicago )
Doggy Style Pet Shop ( Chicago )
Earth Pups ( Chicago )
Famous Fido ( Chicago )
Fetch! Dog Boutique & Spa ( Chicago )
Follow Your Nose ( Evanston )
Four Legs Pets ( Algonquin )
Groomingayle’s Pet Salon ( Glenview )
Kriser’s Feeding Pets for Life ( three stores in Chicago, Park Ridge and South Barrington )
Liz’s Pet Shop ( Chicago )
Orland Pk Boarding Kennel & Natural Pet Food Center ( Orland Park )
Pans Pet Place ( Morton Grove )
Parker’s Pets ( Chicago )
Paw Lickin’ Good Treats ( DeKalb )
Pawprints of Richmond, Ltd ( Richmond )
Pet Central Inc. ( McHenry )
Pets Etc ( Naperville )
Reeses Barkery & Pawtique ( McHenry )
Ruff Haus Pets ( Chicago )
Suburban Pet City ( Oak Park )
Tails in the City ( Chicago )
The Animal Store ( Lincolnwood )
The Barking Lot ( Chicago and Deerfield )
The Dog House of L.G. Ltd. ( Long Grove )
The Houndry ( Chicago )
Thomas Tails ( Crystal Lake )
Three Dog Bakery ( Chicago )
VIP Pet Salon ( McHenry )
Wet Nose ( Geneva and Oak Brook )
Wicker Pet ( Chicago )
Wigglyville ( Chicago )
Policy Helps Dogs Across the United States
The majority of pet stores that sell puppies carry dogs from puppy mills, which are mass production facilities that churn out large numbers of puppies under inhumane conditions. The breeding dogs at puppy mills spend their entire lives in cramped cages or kennels with little or no personal attention or quality of life. Consumers who purchase puppies from pet stores or over the Internet without seeing a breeder’s home firsthand are often unknowingly supporting this cruel puppy mill industry.
