It is sad when an animal trusts they are in a safe environment and the caretakers are just as cruel as the ones they think they are being saved from. These animal caretakers should be held to a higher standard and we should have even tougher laws for their violation of the community and the animals who trust them.

This is really sad considering it is a SHELTER to help animals. The shelter is in New York and they are famous for turning healthy adoptable dogs into dead dogs. NYCACC

On Thurs, March 15th, just one month after walking out the front door, Beatrix was back at ACC.  But she wasn’t the same dog. She was brought in at deaths door – emaciated, hypothermic with a body temp of 92.6.  She was dull, depressed, covered in bloody diarrhea.  She was covered in bite wounds.  Multiple bite wounds.  Our sweet tiny Beatrix was attacked by dogs, her neck so badly bitten that blood gushed from her wounds. Bandages were placed on her neck with pressure to staunch the flow of blood. Warm IV fluids were given to raise her temp. We immediately posted her and put out a desperate plea “Someone please help her.”  A rescue called in and was told she was being treated.  For 2 days, no new information surfaced. ACC sent out no pleas. We learned today that Beatrix did not make it, that she is gone.  At some point she was transferred to a vet but it was too little too late. The wounds she suffered were too severe. She had lost too much blood.

What happened? What went wrong? A month ago she was moved to the safe folder. Today we move her to Gone. Once again, ACC failed a perfectly healthy, perfectly adoptable dog.  But they did more than fail her.  They betrayed her. We all know the level of “care” at NYCACC is substandard. We all know that they are too quick to kill-- to walk these healthy or easily-treatable dogs to the room of death.  But now we all know that there are some fates that are worse than that room.  Part of “rescuing” is to keep these animals not only from death, but also from abuse, hunger, thirst and pain. Beatrix was not shielded from any of this. She was adopted to someone that either did not care and let her loose to fend for herself... or something far worse.  Something far more sinister. It is difficult to imagine that someone adopts any dog with the intent to cause harm, but it is damn near impossible to imagine that anyone could adopt Beatrix with the sole purpose of destroying her in the most inhumane way.

Will we ever know which it was – carelessness or ruthless intent?  Probably not but the bottom line is the same either way.  NYCACC adopted Beatrix out. Once out of their “care” she was starved and abused. Her flesh was torn from her body by her own kind. She was brought back, her tiny body clinging to life. And now, she is gone.  Beatrix was failed. Beatrix was betrayed. She is gone, but she will certainly not be forgotten. We will remember her.

We want to see the person responsible for this horrific cruelty brought to justice. We want answers and we know you will too. So NYCACC… what are you going to do?  Beatrix is dead.  Will anyone be held accountable for her death?

 Beatrix's thread on Urgent: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=365822880097264&set=a.172404072772480.42595.152876678058553&type=3&theater

         No-Kill Nightmare: Caboodle Ranch Raided

Bruce King, General Manager, Environmental Health Service for the City of Detroit, that oversees Detroit Animal Control, issued a statement today to the press.  They went ahead and killed Ace.

The injunction issued by the Wayne County Court was not received by Detroit Animal Control or the City of Detroit. At the end of business today, the dog referred to as Ace was euthanized following expiration of the four day holding period and departmental policy.

We are not insensitive to the overwhelming appeal from citizens for an alternative approach. We are, indeed, heartened by these appeals. However, if we grant this one exception, we are simply not set up for what will undoubtedly lead to overwhelming appeals in similar cases.

This situation regarding the dog retrieved from the Ace Hardware store has now started to impact the safety of the residents of the city of Detroit. Urgent calls for help from elderly citizens, school principals, postal supervisors and the police are going unanswered because our Detroit Animal Control dispatch line is overwhelmed with calls from outside of the city, state and even the country.

Detroit Animal Control is operating under policies and procedures enacted to control the stray animal population and prevent injury to persons; especially children and the elderly. DAC is acting in accordance with the Stray Holding Law facilitated by the Michigan Department of Agriculture that mandates quarantining stray animals for 4 days; while ensuring they are provided care. Further, DAC does not adopt out or release pit bulls or pit bull mixes and will not release any dog (regardless of breed) unless proof of ownership can be established through a dog license or supporting documentation such as prior veterinary records.

There have been a number of people who have claimed ownership of the dog that have failed to provide adequate proof, including identifying the dog in the kennel, or having the dog recognize or respond to the individuals’ calls.

Bruce King
General Manager, Environmental Health Services
Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion

Well, his contempt for saving Ace is clear in his statement. And I would like to remind this POS that his story of not receiving court orders is full of shit. If the television stations and other news media knew about it, thousands on Facebook knew about it, then he did. Not only do we have his contempt of citizens of Detroit, animal lovers, and his own City Council (Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh advocated for Ace’s release), we have his blatant Contempt of Court.  Hopefully Bruce King’s buns will be served up on a platter to the Judge.

Bruce King, General Manager, Environmental Health Services Dog-Killing Bureaucrat.  Picture from his Twitter Account.

Storm’s thataway, Detroit.

God help you.

Lack of laws thwarted action sooner on Mason Creek Kennels in North Carolina so you know there will be no consequences for his actions.

On Thursday, animal control officers raided Mason Creek Kennels, where they seized 276 dogs, mostly smaller breeds, including some with serious ailments and infections and living in small, feces-encrusted cages. Greg Greene, Caldwell County's animal control director, said officers had gone to the kennel several times in recent years and had asked the owner, William "Bill" Thomas Allen, to make changes. "He used to do a real good job and had a nice facility," Greene said of the kennel on Free Mason Road in Hudson, about 70 miles northwest of Charlotte. Initially, Allen complied, Greene said, but over the past two years, the standard of care for the animals had declined steadily. But it wasn't until this week that investigators felt they had legal justification to seize the animals from the kennel, where they found dogs kept in dirty kennels or small, stacked cages. Now, Allen will face charges of animal neglect and cruelty - both misdemeanors. "There are no laws on the books about puppy mills," Greene said. "We have to wait until they fit the criteria for neglect and cruelty." It's unclear how many of the nation's 10,000 commercial dog breeders would qualify as puppy mills, said Kim Alboum, the N.C. director of the Humane Society of the United States, which assisted in the rescue of the dogs.

Complaints in the past: Rescuers said they saw the results of long-term neglect: severe ear infections, nails grown into the pads of their feet, matted fur so bad it's torn the skin, uterine infections from being overbred and female dogs with infected mammary glands. Those examinations - and the extent of the dogs' injuries and illnesses - will help determine the severity of the criminal charges Allen will face, Greene said. Last week, Allen surrendered 37 dogs to animal control. Most of them were older females that were no longer able to produce puppies. All had to be euthanized, Greene said.

The number and e-mail where they can be reached:  Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/06/18/2387835/officials-lack-of-laws-thwarted.html#ixzz1Rj87EfSv

Please feel free to contact us anytime… William “Bill” and Deborah Allen 4871 Free Mason Road, Hudson, NC 28638  Bills’ Cell 1-(828) 962-2542

Hundreds of Dogs Seized from Animal Shelter

A place that was under contract as an animal shelter to Richland County.  A place with rotting corpses of dogs.  A place of severely ill animals that had to be PTS.  No water.  Frozen water and unheated buildings.  Dogs with severely matted fur.  Feces and other waste.  People who drove to her ranch in anticipation of adopting a puppy fled in horror and disgust.  And for the few who adopted dogs, they lost them to parvo or paid tons of money in vet bills.  Authorities removed 370 dogs and other animals in 2009. This heavyweight gross sickening woman was originally given 40 criminal misdemeanor charges and citations.  After a 3-week trial a jury found her guilty on six counts only – starving a dog to death, failing to provide water to animals, failing to maintain sufficient cleanliness for animals in her care and mistreatment of a specific ram, bull dog and border collie. The six guilty counts support a maximum sentence of 54 months in jail or three years probation and up to $10,000 in fines for each count. She will be sentenced on April 29.  Don’t expect too much from that sentencing.

Jennifer Petkus’ Thyme and Sage Ranch in rural Cazenovia, WI, has been under contract to act as an animal shelter for Richland County but it became obvious to Dr. Lisa Kerwin-Lucchi, a vet with the Dane County Humane Society, in March that Petkus’ idea of a shelter was a cruel and inhumane hell hole for dogs.

Kerwin-Lucchi was contacted as early as February by the ASPCA to begin collecting evidence for a search warrant for Petkus’ “animal shelter.” In March, Kerwin-Lucchi used a hidden camera to capture the conditions at the Thyme and Sage Ranch; dogs without access to food and unfrozen water, dogs with severely matted fur and inadequate bedding for unheated buildings, in addition to other injuries and poor conditions.

Tuesday a search warrant was executed by Richland County Sheriff’s Department along with animal protection representatives from across the country to rescue about 300 dogs. At the time 100 were seized along with 8 horses and a goat with the rest to be removed as room is made from them. There were also six rotting dog carcases found and a ram that had to be euthanized. The ram had a broken leg and was so ill that it couldn’t even lift its head. Petkus refused to allow a vet to humanely euthanized the animal previously. “Even I didn’t know the extent of what was up there until I was physically at the property (Tuesday),” Kerwin-Lucchi said. The dogs are being taken to the Dane County Humane Society for evaluation and treatment. The ASPCA as well as other organizations and PetSmart Charities are all pitching in and helping.

Petkus was charged with 11 misdemeanors; one count of improper shelter to animals and 10 counts of intentionally mistreating animals. She also faces five counts of unlawful deposit of animals carcasses, a civil forfeiture. If convicted she faces up to a $10,000 fine or nine months in jail for each misdemeanor. Civic forfeitures carry a penalty of between $200 and $5,000.

The judge gave her a 10-thousand dollar signature bond an ordered to stay off her Cazenovia property until the investigation is complete. Once she is allowed to return, Petkus is expected to care for her remaining animals and allow veterinarians and law enforcement to check up on them. To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/hundreds-of-dogs-seized-from-animal-shelter-video

By Andrea, on January 11th, 2010 | Comments (24)

One of the most unconscionable acts is to deliberately set fire to an animal shelter.  On December 20, around 4 PM, fire was discovered at the Southern Pines Animal Shelter of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The fire was contained quickly but not before the adoption office and two others were completely gutted.  Four cats perished in the fire. An investigation confirmed that the fire was a result of arson.

Robert Misseri, one of the founding members of Rescue Ink, contacted me directly and asked if I could spread the word about the fire at the Southern Pines Animal Shelter.  A bigger blow to the shelter was the arrest of the arsonist.  One of their own employees! Ricky Pierce is charged with arson and commercial burglary. The burglary charge stems from the theft of a computer hard drive from one of the kennel buildings.   Pierce worked for the shelter for about six months and was well-liked, but the staff stated he was angry at a recent change in his position.  Pierce started in an office position doing adoptions and other paperwork and greeting clients. About two weeks before the fire, Pierce was moved to the kennels. The four cats kept in the office were office pets and were disabled. Three were lame and the other was blind.  A shelter employee would know that disabled animals would have no chance of trying to hide or save themselves.   That in itself is monstrous and horrifying.  Just think of the devastation and lost lives if this fire spread to the kennels where the rest of the animals were located.  The staff is heartbroken over the loss of their pets.

Source: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/justice-round-up-122110

More than 100 Starving Pitbulls Rescued

Jerry Lee Southern

Caretaker for the Dog Home from Hell.   Read Deanna’s story here. Southern was charged with 70 counts of animal cruelty in connection with the 106 dogs found chained and hungry at his property.  A plea agreement was reached and 65 counts were dropped. Southern was sentenced to a 15-year-suspended sentence, 90 days in the county jail with credit for time served, and he must pay $10,000 with $5,000 going to the Ponca City Humane Society; $2,500 to Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, (BADRAP), the rescue organization in California that assisted and rescued some of the dogs, and $2,500 to Oklahoma Alliance for Animals. He was also ordered not to have any other dogs other than the family pet that is currently owned. The ADA said by Southern giving money to the animal charities, it would be more beneficial than sitting in prison. I dunno…I think sitting 15 years in an empty barrel, 24/7, tethered by a 3-foot chain, starved and sitting in his own excrement is a much more fitting punishment.

Original Story:

Last week an anonymous tip led authorities to a property in the 7500 block of East Dry Road, seven miles west of Newkirk, OK. What greeted them when they arrived was 96 pitbulls, starved, emaciated, dehydrated and a number of them injured. Most were on 3 foot chains and had been there so long that deep groves were dug, some almost a foot deep where they paced their days away.

“The dogs that were chained had plastic barrel houses with little to no bedding and the ground was covered with old and dry feces, ” Sanders said.

“A few of the dogs had obvious injuries,” she continued. “One small black dog was literally missing the end of her nose. She looked to have been wounded in the past and healed back without nostrils. One large, white male was missing part of his tail with the remainder having large, open wounds.”

Jason Meduna

Horses neglected at sanctuary Alliance, NE (US)

County: Morrill Charges: Felony CTA Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
Jason Meduna

Case Update
A Morrill County judge ordered a former rancher accused of neglecting and starving more than 200 horses to 40 months to 120 months in prison. Jason Meduna, 43, had been seeking probation sentence after a jury convicted him last month of 145 counts of intentional animal abuse, a Class IV felony. However, Judge Leo Dobrovolny said during sentencing that Meduna had yet to accept responsibility for his action and sentenced him to prison. In announcing his sentencing, Dobrovolny said he broke out the charges into two groups, separating charges into groupings of more than 100 counts relating to live animals suffering from malnutrition and ill health and nearly 30 charges for dead animals found on the ranch. Dobrovolny sentenced Meduna to serve 40 to 120 months in prison and the rancher, who touted himself as a horse lover, can’t own, possess, or reside with animals for 30 years.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15445/NE/US/

Original story: The operator of a Nebraska training ranch and sanctuary for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) mustangs is facing cruelty charges in connection with the alleged maltreatment of an undisclosed number of animals. On Saturday, Morrill County authorities arrested Jason Meduna, operator of the 3-Strikes Ranch in Alliance, Neb., for animal cruelty, according to Morrill County Chief Deputy Scott Streeks.   According to the 3-Strikes Ranch Web site, Meduna trained BLM mustangs that had been repeatedly passed over for purchase or adoption. Meduna had acquired more than 210 wild horses and burros since 2007, said BLM spokesperson Cindy Wertz. BLM investigators removed one adopted horse from the ranch prior to Meduna's arrest, Wertz said.

This is an ongoing problem with this offender. Lets get him away from these wonderful Cats.

When you pay to pet a cub, what are you really supporting? This video shows you how people pimp out tiger cubs to support themselves while making no provisions for the lifetime care of the big cats they are breeding and buying. Watch this video about two such pay to play schemes run by Kathy Stearns of Dade City's Wild Things and Joe Schreibvogel of G.W. Exotics. Help us put an end to big cats being kept as "pets" here: http://capwiz.com/bigcatrescue/home/ OR  http://www.bigcatrescue.org/video/00389.htm

The animals removed were part of an animal sanctuary operated by Karl Mitchell. The federal government pulled the facilities license. Mitchell kept the animals anyway. In addition to the federal government, Mitchell has also been under investigation for animal neglect here in Nevada and in California. 

Caught On Tape: Alleged Animal Shelter Abuses In Los Angeles County

Reporting
David Goldstein

Coopersburg man ran illegal kennel and is a American Kennel Club Judge.

A Coopersburg lawyer and dog breeder has been charged by state dog-law enforcers with operating a kennel without a license for allegedly keeping or transferring more than 25 dogs a year. M.J. Cohen, who also is an American Kennel Club judge, had 69 dogs at his Coopersburg home when dog wardens served a search warrant Monday night, said Justin Fleming, spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture. The dog wardens also found records indicating Cohen had sold 37 puppies this year, Fleming said Friday. Cohen, a breeder of Great Danes, was issued a cease and desist order to bar him from euthanizing, buying or selling any dogs, and Smith said Cohen could face additional charges. Fleming said Cohen was not arraigned because he does not face criminal charges, but citations similar to traffic tickets. Cohen could not be reached Friday evening for comment. Of course not !!

To read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-coopersburg-kennel-charges-20100611,0,2958459.story

Almost a month after the raid on the Memphis Animal Shelter, MAS, it’s beginning to look like what they found is just the tip if the iceberg.  As the investigation continues, records, what few and disorganized there are, show that about 18,000 animals went through MAS from January  through mid-November.  Over 12,000 were euthanized but there was also a figure of more than 200 animals that died while in the shelter’s care.

These animals, these 227 unfortunate animals’ deaths’ remain unexplained and may never be explained due to how terrible the paperwork was kept at the shelter. Two weeks after the raid, there were already many changes at the shelter but we’re still waiting to see criminal charges filed against those responsible for the horrific conditions that we are now finding out are even worse, if possible, then we even thought.  It looks like that may happen soon and it cannot be soon enough.  The DA’s office is still waiting for the final investigation report…. so I guess we’ll keep tuned and hope that there will be some kind of justice for those so cruelly and wantonly killed.

If you'd like to donate or help please call:

Breeder charged with cruelty, 90 dogs surrendered Stuarts Draft, VA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009
County: Augusta Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Kyle N. Brydge

A Stuarts Draft dog breeder was charged late Wednesday with 100 assorted misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and failure to provide adequate care, according to Augusta County Animal Control arrest warrants. Kyle N. Brydge, 45, owner of Oak Leaf Kennel on China Clay Road, was ordered held without bond Thursday afternoon. Of 102 total charges, he faces 70 counts of Class 1 misdemeanor cruelty to animals; 30 counts of Class 3 misdemeanor failure by a pet shop owner to provide adequate care; and one count each of failure to maintain proper business records and failure to properly license a dog older than 4 months. Brydge last week relinquished more than 90 dogs to state and local authorities after a routine inspection by a state veterinarian, according to Augusta County General District Court records. On Tuesday, a judge’s order barred Kyle and Kim Brydge from owning companion animals for two years. Brydge failed to provided adequate care, food, water and shelter for 99 dogs -- mostly small breeds -- the order states. Exactly how many dogs were seized remains unclear: court records variously name 94, 97, or 99 seized dogs. Those animals since have been sent to animal shelters across Virginia, according to Augusta County authorities. Brydge has declined to comment. Oak Leaf Kennel was operated on Brydge’s 17-acre property, which has a special-use permit from Augusta County permitting 106 dogs to be kept there, according to county records. Class 1 misdemeanor charges carry a maximum 12-month jail sentence. Other misdemeanors are punishable by fines.

Case Update

Ex-Tiger Ranch owner Lin Marie pleads guilty to animal cruelty charges.

The owner of a defunct, no-kill cat shelter in Frazer pleaded guilty yesterday to 12 animal cruelty charges. Tiger Ranch owner Lin Marie, 47, of Miller Drive, Frazer, also pleaded guilty to two counts of evidence tampering. She also agreed to pay $200,000 in restitution. In exchange for the plea, prosecutors dropped almost 600 animal cruelty and other charges against Lin Marie.  Additionally, Marie agreed Monday to pay restitution to the Pennsylvania branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Jugan told the court that although the SPCA has spent about $500,000 to house, feed and care for cats taken from Tiger Ranch during the raid, it has agreed to accept a lower figure. Jugan said Marie was given a $100,000 credit for the SPCA taking her horses and some other items. Marie has received a little more than $200,000 in legal defense and other contributions, Jugan said. Marie's lead attorney, Robert Hollister, of Montrose, in the northeast corner of the state, declined to say how much of the fine will be paid with contributions to Tiger Ranch or how much of the money will be used in legal defense. Hollister also declined other comment. In court, Jugan emphasized that the prosecution is seeking a jail sentence for Marie. In addition, after she is released, Marie is not allowed to "own or control" any animals while she is on probation. Marie, who has worked in a veterinarian's office, is allowed to continue in that job pending sentencing. Judge Rangos ordered a mental health evaluation of Marie because of the guilty plea to animal cruelty. She also ordered a separate pre-sentence investigation to be completed. During last year's raid, many of the cats were dead or dying. The SPCA took custody of about 600 cats, SPCA spokeswoman Kim Wolf said from Philadelphia on Monday. About 240 cats survive. Wolf said the SPCA is working on a way to give the cats back to their owners and to allow adoption of the others. In court, Hollister and Jugan said cat owners who can prove they own a particular cat will be given an opportunity by next Wednesday to get the cats. Proof of ownership would include a photo, veterinary bill or vaccination records.

If you'd like to read more:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/valleynewsdispatch/s_633575.html

Kathy Bauck Sentenced for Animal Torture Conviction – NO JUSTICE!

Kathy Bauck, notorious former owner of Pick of the Litter kennel was convicted of 4 misdemeanor charges, 3 of torture and 1 of animal cruelty, in March. Now Judge Waldemar Senyk has handed down the sentence and I am just beyond anger and sadness at the total lack of compassion and justice this sentence shows; 20 days in jail and a $500 fine! Unbelievable!! Pathetic!!

Bauck, who has a history of animal cruelty and practicing veterinary medicine without a license has been charged in the past and seems to manage to plea down and wound up with practically no punishment. Minnesota is pathetically lax when it comes to laws covering breeders or in her case, puppy millers, and she has again and again taken advantage. “She has been cited for inadequate record-keeping, animals with swollen limbs, missing skin, animal fighting with each other inside her facility, unsafe and unsanitary housing. You name it, she’s been cited many times by the USDA,” Jill Fritz, Minnesota Humane Society Director said. Originally facing 9 felony counts of animal cruelty, practicing veterinary medicine without a license and torture, by the time she went to court most had been thrown out and she faced only minimal charges and was convicted of only 4 misdemeanor charges. Amazing that in light of the incredible video that by shot undercover showing the cruelties and horrors she inflicted on the dogs at the kennel. If you have the stomach for it, you can view the video HERE. It’s tough to take and even tougher to believe that anyone could view that and not remove every dog from that kennel and lock that bitch up for good! Well, good ole Judge Waldemar Senyk decided that sentencing her on only one count of animal torture would be enough to encompass all the charges and only gave her a slap on the wrist, bad girl!! She could have gotten up to 90 days in jail per each count and/or up to a fine of $1,000 per each count but guess Senyk either didn’t watch the video, slept through the proceedings or just plain doesn’t give a damn, take your choice. Looks like Kathy Bauck will be back to torturing, abusing and practicing in no time, not that she ever actually stopped. Pick of the Litter kennel is now “owned” by her husband and daughter but there’s no doubt who runs this hellhole.

If you’d like to let the Honorable Judge Senyk know what you think of this sentence, the contact info is as follows:

Honorable Judge Waldemar Senyk
121 West Junius Avenue, Suite 310
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Fax 218-998-8414
Phone: (218) 998-8420

As difficult as it will be, try to be polite and professional but express your displeasure and dissatisfaction. No doubt we’ll be hearing more in the future… I want to say more but thing will only deteriorate to an unpublishable point!

http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/kathy-bauck-sentenced-for-animal-torture-conviction-no-justice

Steve Croley, owner of High Caliber K-9 kennels, where 7 dead and 12 starving dogs were found in October was sentenced to jail time this week in accordance with a plea agreement reached in December.  Originally charged with nineteen counts of animal cruelty and neglect, Croley was arraigned on only four counts in court due to some procedural situations which you can read more about in the original story.

The plea agreement was that Croley plead no contest to 4 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and the sentence would be 30 days in jail on each count; restitution of $1,646 to Animal Charity, a humane agency on South Avenue that rescued dogs from the property; and a provision that Croley not own or harbor animals during his probation. Although the judge could have imposed more time and fines than worked out in the plea deal, up to 90 days in jail and $750 fine for each count, Croley would have had the option to then withdraw his plea and go to trial.  Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr. basically stuck with the agreement.

Even as Judge Douglas said he found it hard “to understand what happened, why it happened,” he only sentenced Croley to 4 months jail, with 13 days served, the time he sat in jail prior to posting bail, restitution of $1,796 and serve three years’ probation, during which time he is not allowed to own or harbor any animal. He was also fined $1,000 and has six months to pay the fine and restitution. “We feel good about the decision,” Nikole Owen, Animal Charity chief executive officer, said after court. “Initially we thought he would not receive jail time.”

 To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/dog-killer-high-caliber-k-9-owner-gets-jail-time-for-starving-dogs

  Troy Tagtmeyer owned a breeding kennel, Neco Kennel, on County Road 31 north of Stratton in Colorado. In May, authorities found 40 dead dogs. They’d been left locked in their kennel to starve to death and some were in such bad shape that they couldn’t even recognize the breed. Of the six dogs that were still alive, one later died from dehydration and malnutrition.

Tagtmeyer was charged with 46 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Later a 47th count was added for attempting to deceive a state animal welfare investigator.

One of the saddest things about this case is that in February Tagtmeyer lost his kennel license after a failed inspection, was told to close his kennel and given two weeks to place the dogs in suitable homes.

“There were repeat issues of cleanliness, some animal care issues and waste disposal,” Anderson said. “At that time, we were told the kennel was closing.” Follow-up was done by phone and mail, no one ever went back to make sure that the order was carried out until a state investigator visited the property when the 40 dead dogs were found. This horrific situation could have been avoided! And when authorities removed the dogs from the kennel, Tagtmeyer was actually allowed to keep several dogs that were in his home, pregnant dogs, because the warrant did not include the house.

Faced with the 46 Class 6 felony charges for aggravated animal abuse, Tagtmeyer could have been facing, for each charge, a one-to-two-year sentence with a $1,000 to $100,000 fine per charge. Additionally, with aggravated circumstances, prison time could reach a maximum of four years per charge. And now what is he going to be facing with the plea deal which drops everything but one animal cruelty charge? Possibly 4 years probation and 90 days of electronic home monitoring. Needless to say, when word of the pending plea deal came out last month, it angered a lot of people and rightly so!

What the hell is wrong with people?! They’ve got a kennel that belongs to this waste of human life, a revoked license, history of problems and failed inspections and of course 40 dead dogs that were cruelly starved to death and they can’t figure out a way to put together some kind of a case that will hold up to send him to jail? Words cannot even begin to express what I think and feel about this appalling, insane, unbelievable situation. Travesty of justice is far too mild a phase! I can’t even continue…

 To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/justice-drops-the-ball-again-41-dead-dogs-plea-deal-and-probation

For the second time in less than a month, authorities armed with warrants hit a Ballantine, Montana dog breeder, Linda Kapsa.  Earlier in December 10 dogs were seized and 13 dead dogs were found.  Earlier this week, 189 dogs were removed and another 11 dead dogs were found, 10 frozen outside and one laying beside Kapsa’s bed.

“The law of the West is you don’t abuse your animals,” said County Commissioner Jim Reno. “Leaving little puppies out in below-zero weather, outside, without obvious food or shelter — that doesn’t make it here.” The seized dogs were all English Shepherds but authorities are wondering where the 50 pugs they had seen last time at shady Lane Kennels disappeared to. The dogs were living in dilapidated outbuildings, mobile homes and running loose, many without food, water or shelter.  Many were covered in feces, matted fur, ice, and suffering from parasites, malnutrition and exposure. Most of the dogs were shy and timid, totally unused to human contact. “They don’t know how to take treats from us. They’ve never had a treat,” said Tonya Davison, a volunteer from the Beartooth Humane Alliance.

Linda Kapsa

Seems like the law did catch up to Linda Kapsa, the Montana dog breeder with a history of animal abuse and neglect.  Check out Deanna’s original post. Linda Kapsa pleaded no contest  to one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty and was sentenced to serve 20 years with all time suspended. She will spend no time in jail.   She was also ordered that she keep no more than three spayed or neutered dogs as companions during that twenty years and a probation officer will be able to visit the property at anytime to check on the welfare of the animals. Kapsa will also be able to keep several goats, chickens, horses, and cockatiels. She was ordered to pay $120,000 dollars in restitution – $50 dollars every month for the next 20 years.

To read more:  http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/justice-round-up-100509

More to add:

Linda Kapsa

Linda Kapsa, serving a 20-year suspended sentence for felony aggravated animal cruelty, is asking a judge to reduce her sentence and allow her to keep more animals.  She was also restricted by the number of animals she could keep – three dogs, 20 chickens, 10 goats and four horses. She believes her public defenders failed to properly represent her and also stated that prosecutors violated a plea agreement by failing to make sure that volunteers who cared for her dogs would be given first choice at adoption. Kapsa seeks to increase the number of animals she can have and reduce the term of her probationary sentence. And this one takes the cake.

Cheryl Ann Magnotta                                                                                                                                         21 dogs abandoned, breeder charged
Bradford Township, PA (US)

Defendant/Suspect: Cheryl Ann Magnotta
Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 County: McKean Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Pennsylvania Law enforcement officials encountered a grisly scene when they found the decomposed bodies of as many as 20 dead Great Dane dogs at a Bradford Township home.  Bradford Township Police said the carcasses of approximately 20 Great Danes were found Thursday by a man who had gone in to clean a deserted home at 320 W. Corydon St. near the Dorothy Lane intersection. A township officer said the home had been owned and occupied by Cheryl Magnatto, who had been a licensed Great Dane breeder in the past. Officials said Ms. Magnatto had not lived at the house for the past several months as the home had been repossessed by a lending agency. Police have been attempting to locate Cheryl Magnatto. They said the carcasses of the large dogs were discovered by Jack Buckles who had been hired to go to the rundown home on Thursday to begin cleaning and restoring the property so it could be put on the market.  During the search they found the bodies and bones of adult and younger dogs in two boarded-up back buildings used as kennels, in shallow graves behind the buildings and even under old tarps and rugs on the ground. "Some of them (search team members) were running out in the bushes and were gagging," Mr. Buckles said. Mr. Danias added, "We tried to gather up everything but there is still a few pieces of bone here and there. It was pathetic."

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