Animal neglect, UPDATE Post #52 [Archive]

jaimebaker

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:10 PM

I've never felt so helpless. We have a neighbor that has two dogs behind her house in a kennel. Starving cats that roam loose along with two dogs in the house (one is normally chained to the back porch). She gets her daughter all these pets and then the daughter gets bored, the animals go neglected, etc, etc. As a matter of fact, I fed what I thought was a skinny, wormy stray cat for 3 weeks before she wandered over saying it was hers. Hell, she had a Shitzu last year and when my husband asked what happened to the dog she couldn't even remember it!!!! :mad:I've watched her starve and neglect every animal she has and I'm OVER IT. I called Animal Control and apparently they know of no animal cruelty places to call. I called the Sheriff's department and they said they could just send someone out to talk to her but they can't do anything because A) the animals are in a kennel and have a dog house B) they have water (only because of two weeks of rain we've had has filled the bucket) and C) evidence of being fed (there are empty dog food bags in the kennel). You look at this photo and tell me these animals are not starving to death.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/cruelty.jpg

My husband wants to just go see if she will hand them over and we can get them back in health and find them loving homes. This woman is a REPEAT offender and I just can not fathom there is nothing we can do. Somebody please help.:cry:

cholmberg

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:23 PM

disgusting. I don't see how authorities could call that okay condition. Any that came straying to my property would not find their way back, and I'd deny having ever seen them if she came looking. But that doesn't help those in the kennel. =( If you get mad enough, contact local news and see if they'd want to come to your house to get some video of it and how the local authorities won't do anything about it. . .. nothing gets things done like bad publicity.

luvmytbs

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:23 PM

Jaime,

just like in cases of horse neglect, do not offer to take their animals as they will just get more and start all over again.

If you have state police in TN, call them. Check on your animal cruelty statutes so you are prepared to cite them. Make it very clear that animal control and the sheriff are refusing to do their jobs if your statutes includes "to provide vet care" for instance.

While there may be food and water on the premises doesn't mean a thing, they have to provide those on a regular basis.

We had a case here in KY where the horse owner had over 20 round bales of hay sitting outside of the pasture while his horses were skin and bones on the other side of the fence. He was still guilty of neglect.

bludejavu

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:34 PM

Animal control disgusts me in our state (Georgia). When we acquired our farm 14 years ago, the owners abandoned two very aged, thin as a rail horses on our farm. After multitudes of phone calls, it became obvious the owners were not coming to get the horses, even tho they kept promising such. I called our Georgia Ag Dept. who sent an inspector. These horses were on 100+ acres of pasture with a lake. Both were missing most of their teeth and both were around 250+ pounds underweight. The inspector said there was nothing he could do because the horses were surrounded by pastures and had access to water - nevermind that they couldn't grind the grass they grazed and it fell out of their mouths, or that their feet needing trimming badly, or that they were unvetted or dewormed. We ended up taking matters into our own hands which could have landed us in a lawsuit with the owners (our attorney warned us of this), and put them down. I have nothing good to say about animal control as I have heard of case after case similar to yours and mine. Animal control is not worth the tax money that supports it IMO!

Good luck with the dogs - maybe they just need to disappear ;).

jaimebaker

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:44 PM

Jaime,

just like in cases of horse neglect, do not offer to take their animals as they will just get more and start all over again.

THIS is exactly what we fear.

I've got to run and go pick up my kid and will come back and read the other posts. Thank you for any advice, or just a shoulder to cry on.

LisaB

Sep. 24, 2009, 02:52 PM

These dogs should be seized. If they have a body score of a 1 or 2, then off they go. Call up some of the local rescue places and ask for guidance. The AC should be ashamed of themselves.

JSwan

Sep. 24, 2009, 03:54 PM

These dogs should be seized. If they have a body score of a 1 or 2, then off they go. Call up some of the local rescue places and ask for guidance. The AC should be ashamed of themselves.

I agree. I'm used to seeing very fit hunting dogs, and they do often appear to be thin to people more accustomed to seeing fat house dogs.

Those dogs aren't hunting fit and though they look to have some hound in them they're not hunting dogs. They're in very poor condition. You don't need to be a vet to be able to tell the difference.

jaimebaker

Sep. 24, 2009, 04:32 PM

I agree. I'm used to seeing very fit hunting dogs, and they do often appear to be thin to people more accustomed to seeing fat house dogs.

Those dogs aren't hunting fit and though they look to have some hound in them they're not hunting dogs. They're in very poor condition. You don't need to be a vet to be able to tell the difference.

The dogs have been in her possession for over a year and have been out of that pen TWICE for 'walks'. The pen is smaller than 10'x10'. I just got home and I'm going to start emailing some organizations in the area. I will see if the cops show up tonight to talk to her. Not that it will do any good. If something isn't done I'm prepared to go to the local news and newspapers.

I know nobody has fussed at me yet, but before someone thinks I have been idly sitting by watching this happen, I haven't. We have a privacy fence around out backyard which prevents me from seeing her property. Thank goodness. Let's put it this way, her back porch has so much crap on it the cop asked if anyone even lived there. It's been raining here for almost 3 weeks. Hubby just now got the chance to mow the yard. It was when he was going around the outside of the fence he saw the condition they were in.

bort84

Sep. 24, 2009, 05:52 PM

What lovely dogs too! Ack! I bet she paid money for those and now refuses to shell out the cash (or effort) to feed them. Urrrrgh. People are ridiculous. My boyfriend says I get too worked up about animal issues when there are far more people issues, but I can't help but think if we can't even keep our population from abusing animals, how can we keep them from mistreating their fellow humans?

Any idiot can tell those dogs are underfed. I don't care if they have the fluffiest dog bed and the most swank dog house money can buy; they CLEARLY are not getting enough groceries!

Since you do have a picture, maybe you can find someone who's willing to listen by showing them that. There is NO excuse for that condition unless they were just rescued last week. Bleh.

If you can get some sort of media story thought out, like, animal control will do nothing to help these poor dogs, what's the deal? you may be able to get somebody interested in poking around enough to get something done. I can't imagine you showing that photo to animal control and them telling you there's nothing they can do. WTF?

Calhoun

Sep. 24, 2009, 06:36 PM

Poor dogs! Keep us updated.

BLBGP

Sep. 24, 2009, 06:43 PM

Have you called your local Humane Society? (different from Animal Control): http://www.newleashonline.org/#

jaimebaker

Sep. 24, 2009, 07:19 PM

Have you called your local Humane Society? (different from Animal Control): http://www.newleashonline.org/#

I have and basically their hands are tied too. In order for anything to get done, I have to move up the ladder at the Sheriff's department and get charges filed so they can seize the dogs. THEN the Humane shelter can step in. The cop that showed up actually said 'Well, there's feces in the pen so they must be eating SOMETHING':mad:

In case anyone might not be able to see what I see, here's another shot. I can count every vertebrae in the dogs' backs. I'm thinking of taking video footage, because the photographs just simply don't show the atrocity I am seeing. Rib CAGE entirely visible (not just some ribs showing), hip bones protruding, sternum prominent with no muscle on the sides of it, and the backbone. Sickening.

http://www.tristanbaker.net/eBay/cruelty2.jpg

I'm prepared to contact the local news on this. She needs to be stopped. This is a pattern with every animal she has owned in the 3 years she's been here. They either run away, get out and get run over, or just disappear and we don't know what happens to them. This woman has horses too (or used to) but fortunately she boards somewhere so maybe somebody has already confiscated her horses or she sold them. I wouldn't leave her in charge of a houseplant.

Jaegermonster

Sep. 24, 2009, 07:28 PM

If the police and/or animal control, humane agencies etc can't do anything to help you, then call the media.

Casey09

Sep. 24, 2009, 07:34 PM

I don't know if networking would help or not, but you might try googling "Dogs Deserve Better" and contacting them. They appear to have experience in dealing with these types of situations, Animal Control, etc.
It must be heartbreaking. I know that people have different ideas on pet care, but those dogs definitely appear to be underweight. Best of luck.

sickofcollege

Sep. 24, 2009, 09:00 PM

Jaime

I just want to thank both you and your husband for actually noticing and doing something about those poor animals. It breaks my heart that peoples' laziness and lack of sense, in turn, makes animals suffer.

Please don't give up on those dogs. If you stick to your guns I have a feeling you'll make a huge difference in their lives. Hopefully, those lazy, disgusting, ignorant, and selfish individuals who are your neighbors get punished in some way.

Best of luck with everything and keep us updated!

:cry:

jaimebaker

Sep. 24, 2009, 10:05 PM

Thank you for the links and suggestions everyone. I don't even know if the cops went back to her house tonight. I wasn't watching the window all night but didn't hear the dogs barking (as they do when strangers pull up).

I feel so freaking helpless. I learned a long time ago you can't reason with people like this. She'll just get more animals to starve.

I checked out the Dogs Deserve Better links and there wasn't anyone in middle Tennessee listed but I will email them and at least see if they can't point me in the right direction.

You all won't believe the stuff this cop said. He actually said 'Yeah, I know they look skinny and all, but they might be burning a lot of calories by just jumping up and down in the pen'. :o I had to call the cops last year because a pit bull was on my front porch trying to tear my door down to attack my pets (and I had a toddler inside as well). This guy was one of the cops that showed up then. My husband dealt with him today and the cop remembered the pit bull incident. When my husband said 'yeah, the dog saw our dog and cats inside and tried to tear down the door growling and snarling' and the cop replied 'Well, dogs will be dogs'. I guess I'm real lucky I wasn't the one dealing with the cop or I would have probably been in jail due to some choice words I would have liked to have with him. D- bag.

I do have a REALLY good last resort. Our local news has a segment called 'That's Messed Up' about local 'injustices' so to speak. I'll sick that guy on her if something doesn't happen SOON.

LisaB

Sep. 25, 2009, 08:23 AM

This county sounds a lot like our county 15 years ago. Old farmers who didn't give a crap about any animals. Then this beast of a woman really cracked whips and wouldn't take crap from anyone got hired. How, I have no idea. But she completely turned around our AC. She got burned out rather quickly but luckily the seal was broken and we still have a crack team at the AC.
I think it also has to do with us getting industrialized at both ends of the county. We have housing developments and such and our county is changing in that regard.
It may be time to think about campaigning against your AC and getting new blood in there.

hossluva

Sep. 25, 2009, 08:49 AM

cowgirljenn

Sep. 25, 2009, 11:36 AM

Look up the laws for TN and then go over the heads of the police/sheriff's department to the county/district attorney. Call their office and get them to get the officers to enforce the law.

jaimebaker

Sep. 25, 2009, 12:33 PM

Have you tried County K9 Rescue, 116 Rocky Rd., Lebanon - 615-444-8011? There's also Life House Animal Refuge/Rehab., 9126 Saundersville Rd., Mt. Juliet, 615-754-2498.

The poor pooches... It's a shame that animal cruelty seems to be shrugged off so easily in your area. Get them on the news and maybe someone will start caring.

I haven't yet, but thank you for the numbers. I did manage to find an SPCA in the state and I've got two emails from some gals over there saying to call this afternoon. That seems to have gotten some excitement going. I'm going to call them after lunch.:)

jaimebaker

Sep. 25, 2009, 12:33 PM

Look up the laws for TN and then go over the heads of the police/sheriff's department to the county/district attorney. Call their office and get them to get the officers to enforce the law.

The local Humane shelter said this as well. Well, more like, I needed to keep moving up through the Sheriff's dept until someone got off their a$$ and did something.

sdlbredfan

Sep. 25, 2009, 01:41 PM

jaimebaker

Sep. 25, 2009, 02:01 PM

Do you know the neighbor's name, or can you find it via search-it-all.com via the address? Once you know identity, also look at pet-abuse.com (I think that is it) that keeps a list of animal abusers. Media contact is great, you can always send it anonymously as 'starved dogs at such and such address, animal control and sheriff do absolutely nothing, etc'.

Oh yes, I know her name. She's literally 40 feet over from our house. I checked Pet-Abuse.com yesterday, nothing on her that I could find but I plan on contacting them.

Kaleigh007

Sep. 25, 2009, 02:29 PM

I would be more than tempted to go over and get the dogs and take them somewhere safe...they would just disappear! I have done it and did not feel a little bit guilty about it!

LuvMyTB

Sep. 25, 2009, 02:40 PM

I try not to anthropomorphize (sp?), but those 2 dogs have the saddest, most depressed looks on their faces. :( Thank you for trying to help them--they look miserable.

busterwells

Sep. 25, 2009, 03:01 PM

If the police and/or animal control, humane agencies etc can't do anything to help you, then call the media.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest. I had a situation where friends and I got the media involved (local news station), that seems to get the ball rolling.

BuddyRoo

Sep. 25, 2009, 03:04 PM

Good luck. I hope you can help them.

jaimebaker

Sep. 25, 2009, 03:05 PM

I would be more than tempted to go over and get the dogs and take them somewhere safe...they would just disappear! I have done it and did not feel a little bit guilty about it!

I know that seems like the thing to do, but we filed a complaint/report with the Sheriff's department and they have all of our information on file. So, us doing some vigilante justice probably wouldn't be the smartest thing since it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who did it.

Arcadien

Sep. 25, 2009, 03:56 PM

Thank you for stepping up and taking action. Even trying!

I'm wondering if you could send those pics & a story to Animal Planet - they have more "Animal Cops" shows all the time and tho I don't always agree with what they do, they would surely be appalled and might find some agency that could go in - with cameras no less. Public shame & humilation might be the only way to get to people like this.

What sickens me the most is, kids who grow up seeing animals treated like this, accepting it as normal. :(

Good work, keep us posted on any progress!

jen-s

Sep. 25, 2009, 04:29 PM

Thank you for what you are doing. The pictures are just horrible and I can only imagine how much worse it must be in person. I'll be hoping and praying that this is resolved quickly for the sake of all involved. Please keep us posted as things progress.

jaimebaker

Sep. 29, 2009, 12:08 PM

Quick update. I went over to check on the dogs...with food in tow. They came to the side of the cage, and I started shoveling handfuls of food through the cage holes. I REALLY would like to know the last time these dogs saw food. I'm LIVID. By the time I picked up what had spilled outside the cage, they were licking the ground (and this was a good sized bowl). So, now I've got more fuel and I'm PISSED. I called the county extension office and left a message. She's out of the office today. And I'll call her again tomorrow. Tomorrow when I go over to take them food, I'm taking the video camera and I'm going to record the pathetically feverish eating. I don't just want the dogs taken from her, I want criminal charges filed on her. I want her fined. I'm sick about this. Nice cozy place in hell for folks that think this is ok If I can't get the county extension lady to do anything, I'm calling the SPCA. I have been in contact with them the whole time but we are waiting to see if the county extension will do anything.
__________________

Kaleigh007

Sep. 29, 2009, 04:03 PM

Good for you! Don't give up..sounds like you are the dogs only hope of surviving. I wish I could pick the punishments for people that do this to animals.

Tamara in TN

Sep. 29, 2009, 05:04 PM

If I can't get the county extension lady to do anything, I'm calling the SPCA. I have been in contact with them the whole time but we are waiting to see if the county extension will do anything.
__________________

Hi Jaime

well the law here in TN says that as long as animals are managed in the usual fashion as all other animals of their breed/type/sort there is nothing outside the law...

so if all guinea pigs in the state of TN are kept in 6 inches of dirty water and you find a GP in 6 inches of dirty water you cannot do anything about and neither can the county agent...

I know this being retired from humane society work in one county,as well Calvin and I get to go with him as advisers to the current County Agent on horse neglect/abuse calls...

your best shot honestly is to call the local news station....thin hunting dawgs are pretty common and that would I imagine be their defense

you and I know different of course

good luck

jaimebaker

Sep. 29, 2009, 11:33 PM

your best shot honestly is to call the local news station....thin hunting dawgs are pretty common and that would I imagine be their defense

you and I know different of course

good luck

That's s in my arsenal of plans. And also, the 'thin hunting dog' thing I know. But not starving dogs of hunting breed that have set foot out of their pen TWICE in the year she's had them. I think for the 'thin hunting dog' excuse they'd have to go hunting. Or, I dunno, get out and run around or something. When I went to feed them, I noticed they had been digging under their pen. There's always hope they get out. They'd be better off hunting for their own food than trapped in a cage with nothing. They simply will NOT make it through the winter in the condition they are in.

Guilherme

Sep. 30, 2009, 06:34 AM

Animal Cruelty is defined in TN by 39-14-202. It is not a "robust" statute and the standard of care is relatively low. This is the decision of the State Legislature. Police, humane officers, etc. must enforce the statute as written, not as they would have it written.

The best that can be done is education of the "collector." But if that fails then that's the end of the story.

Going to the media is one approach, but it's dicey. First, you have to get the media's attention. Second, they have to air the story. Third, there has to be some criminal actitivity for officials to act (see the Statute to see what the extent of official action can be).

While it may offend the sensibilities of many, in TN an owner has a fairly broad range of options when it comes to care. The provision of "bottom of the barrel" care means no crime has been committed. Unless the care (or lack of it) puts the animal in danger of immediate, catostrophic consequences there is little that formal authorities can do.

G.

Part time volunteer for the District Attorney General, 9th Judicial District, State of TN

jaimebaker

Sep. 30, 2009, 06:40 PM

Well, what if we had camera evidence over a 24 hour period that she's not feeding those dogs? Because, we know she's not feeding them.

What do I need to do, wait for one to die and then report her AGAIN? That's a very honest question, not a smart a$$ one.

As part of the TN code of what constitutes as Animal cruelty

fails to provide necessary food

Tamara in TN

Sep. 30, 2009, 09:57 PM

jaimebaker

Sep. 30, 2009, 11:09 PM

that's actually a good idea...a very good idea :)

best

I already have the camera here. Records every 6 seconds I believe. I've brought the idea up to hubby. We shall devise a plan.

MelShiloh

Sep. 30, 2009, 11:58 PM

Jaime you're my hero. Thank God for people like you and your husband that care enough to do something. Please keep us posted on what happens. The whole thing makes me absolutely sick.

Michele

LauraKY

Oct. 1, 2009, 11:30 AM

jaimebaker

Oct. 1, 2009, 12:25 PM

Couple of options if your local animal control can't or won't do anything:

Contact PETA (I know, they can be radical, but they're great for an issue like this). Their emergency 24 hour hotline is:
757-622-7382 and dial 2.

Contact the Humane Society of the U.S. (they are NOT your local humane society). The director and info for Tennessee is:
Leighann McCollum, Tennessee State Director
615-734-9537

My experience has been that they are very cooperative!

The gal I'm dealing with over at the SPCA has contacted Leighann but I haven't heard anything back yet. However, the SPCA has a temporary place for them lined up. She wants to come get them this weekend. I told her we need to talk to the lady first and see if she'll just hand them over (which I think she'll do with no problems...I hope anyway). Since the SPCA can't really fine them or press criminal charges, that's about the best situation we can hope for. I've got to talk hubby into going over there though. I have a NASTY temper when it comes to the things like this and he REALLY doesn't want me to be the one to go talk to her. I told him if he wants to 'keep the peace' around here, he should go over and tell her he's got a buddy looking for a couple of hunting dogs. Instead of sending me over. The BIG problem with the situation is, if we get them out of there she will just get more. She's nothing but a hoarder. But law enforcement won't help, animal control won't help, so I feel that my hands are simply tied. The best I can do is save the lives of these two dogs.

Keep your fingers crossed for us that we can get them out of there!

jaimebaker

Oct. 3, 2009, 01:54 PM

I wanted to update. I got an email yesterday from the Director at the local shelter saying she is going over there personally on Monday or Tuesday and see if she will hand over the dogs to her.

Past that, the SPCA has a cruelty officer ready to go too if she won't hand them over. So, the wheels are turning. If she can get the dogs out, I'm going over to the shelter once they settle in and will get some more pics. My photos just don't show what they really look like. Due to the large amounts of white, the contrast is just too much to show the skin and bones. These really are some of the worst starving cases I've ever seen. For those that have seen those ASPCA commercials, they look like that dalmation in the commercial.

GoForAGallop

Oct. 3, 2009, 02:06 PM

jaimebaker

Oct. 3, 2009, 02:21 PM

You're an amazing person, kudos to you!

BUT, really quick.....BE CAREFUL about going onto her property, really. Because those photos or the video of you feeding the dogs is easy proof that you were trespassing on her property, and she could turn right back around and press charges against you.

Not that I'm saying don't feed them...feed them and give them some love and send them all the jingles that this COTH board is generating. But just be careful about video/pictures.

Actually, that's why I haven't posted a video yet. But for the photo thing, I'm a professional photographer and have several zoom lenses. There's no way for her to prove I stepped onto her property. The dogs are less than 30 feet from our property line, so yeah, got that covered. ;) HOWEVER, according to ASPCA website (I think that's the right one), if you know the animal hasn't eaten within 12 hours, you can feed or water them, provided they remain confined and the owner can not press charges against you. Furthermore, you can bill the owner for any food as well. I can't remember if I got that off of the ASPCA site or one of the Tennessee Animal Cruelty sites. But I didn't feed them until I read that.

I've tried to cover my butt as much as possible though and have gone through all the proper channels. I'm just hoping they get out of there.

jaimebaker

Oct. 3, 2009, 02:25 PM

Yep, here's the page

http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/tn_cruel.htm

And here's the paragraph

(a) In case any impounded animal is without necessary food and water for more than twelve (12) successive hours, it is lawful for any person, as often as necessary, to enter any place in which any animal is so confined, and to supply it with necessary food and water so long as it shall remain so confined. Such person shall not be liable to any action for such entry, and the reasonable cost of such food and water may be collected from the owner or keeper of the animal. The animal shall not be exempt from levy and sale upon execution issued upon a judgment therefor.

GoForAGallop

Oct. 3, 2009, 04:25 PM

Awesome!! I just didn't want it to come back and bite you in the butt later on...no good deed goes unpunished and so on. :)

jaimebaker

Oct. 3, 2009, 04:45 PM

Awesome!! I just didn't want it to come back and bite you in the butt later on...no good deed goes unpunished and so on. :)

Oh, I hear ya! Trust me, I wouldn't have done it (feed them) if I hadn't read that cause yeah, it would definitely come back and bite me in the butt.

vacation1

Oct. 3, 2009, 06:25 PM

Just wanted to wish you luck. Those poor dogs. Hoarders may or may not be in full command of their actions, but the authorities in your area are being paid to handle situations like this, and they're openly shrugging off their responsibility. Three sides of a dog's sternum should not be visible to the casual observer, as in that one photo. Do the cops really think they have to wait until they can see the fourth side before they have a duty to act?:mad: Lazy &*(&^#$.

RedMare01

Oct. 3, 2009, 07:13 PM

I don't think two dogs qualifies someone to be a hoarder. Most likely, she simply doesn't care about them at all.

Caitlin

jaimebaker

Oct. 3, 2009, 07:21 PM

I don't think two dogs qualifies someone to be a hoarder. Most likely, she simply doesn't care about them at all.

Caitlin

That's just what she has outside. I know of lizards, cats and dogs inside.

All I know is when one animal goes, dies, whatever, she gets two more to replace it. And it goes on...and on....and on....

GoLightly02

Oct. 3, 2009, 07:46 PM

excellent advice.
Poor creatures, those hounds are bone-racks. Not Hunting thin.

jaimebaker

Oct. 7, 2009, 04:07 PM

The dogs were seized yesterday by the Humane Association and the cops. She turned them over officially last night and the SPCA will be coming to get them at some point to take them to their temporary home until they can be adopted out. Both were females (not brother and sister as she told my husband) and are doing good. They got their vaccinations today. Makes me proud that they actually went to sleep last night with full tummies. You've never seen two happier dogs to get out of a pen. And they hopped right in the van and got into the crates. Sweet babies. The Humane Shelter Director said the woman needed criminal charges filed against her. I assume that won't happen if she handed over the dogs, but at least not she knows somebody else is watching the situation.

vacation1

Oct. 7, 2009, 04:37 PM

Yay! :) It's nice to hear a story turn out well. And hopefully it'll end that revolving door with the owner, and possibly get her some help if she does have some problems, which the hoarder-like behavior kinda suggests.

jen-s

Oct. 7, 2009, 05:10 PM

That's great news! Now hopefully she'll be so embarrassed at having dogs seized that she'll think twice about getting more in the future. Any word on the indoor critters?

starrysky

Oct. 7, 2009, 05:25 PM

Yay Jamie! You must feel great that YOU are the one who saved these puppies!

jaimebaker

Oct. 7, 2009, 06:31 PM

That's great news! Now hopefully she'll be so embarrassed at having dogs seized that she'll think twice about getting more in the future. Any word on the indoor critters?

No word on the inside critters yet. Not sure if they now have cause to investigate or what all happens in those cases. And that's my hope, that she now knows that *somebody* is watching and she can't get away with this crap. Maybe it will stop. And if it doesn't....I'll be watching:cool:

I asked the Director of the shelter if she thought I was crazy when she first got here. She told me 'No, you aren't crazy. I have to seize these dogs immediately'. She had to wait for the cops to arrive (the owner wasn't home at the time) and she left a note on the door. I talked to her today and she said the owner got in touch with her last night and turned them over. Thank goodness because that would have yet another hurdle to jump over, and I was getting exhausted by all the brick walls I was running into.

jaimebaker

Oct. 7, 2009, 06:37 PM

Yay Jamie! You must feel great that YOU are the one who saved these puppies!

I do admit to feeling pretty damn proud of myself. :yes: I've taken in a lot of strays in the past, and rescued my share of pitiful animals but I was in a situation where I could not take these two on. And I REALLY wanted this woman to wake the hell up, and me going over saying 'Hey, can I have those two dogs' would not have done the job. I cried in front of the Director yesterday just thanking her. Thanking her for listening to my pleas and for just giving a damn. I felt so helpless when we started making the phone calls and getting the cops involved. Nobody seemed to care. But, in less than 2 weeks we got them out. I couldn't have done it by myself though. I had a gal over at the SPCA that was doing a whole lot of emailing and networking to help me.

I'm just glad I'm not crazy. I'm glad that someone saw the same thing I saw. Which were dogs that were skeletal and living in their own feces, with empty dog bags in a kennel and water that hadn't been cleaned in God knows when. Now they are clean, vaccinated, getting food and getting some much needed human attention.

bludejavu

Oct. 7, 2009, 06:54 PM

Kudos to you for following this all the way down the line to where action was finally taken! Perserverance was worth it and those dogs are going to be so much better off now - all thanks to YOU!!!:cool:

BuddyRoo

Oct. 7, 2009, 06:57 PM

jaimebaker

Oct. 7, 2009, 07:12 PM

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Now....to encourage this kind of action in the future, what are the odds that we could do a small letter writing campaign thanking those involved? The SPCA gal, the Director, the police? Anyone involved. I think that we spend a lot of time criticizing these folks and when they DO do the right thing, not much happens.

I personally would like to write some letters. What do you think?

I'm way ahead of ya:) I plan on writing thank you letters and making donations to both the SPCA and the Shelter. The cops are not high up on my list since they were the ones who did nothing. Said they would send somebody out and never did. And just basically said 'well, their skinny but there's crap all in the pen...they must be eating something'.

But I've definitely got some stuff in the works. Cookies, donations, and thank you notes:yes: