Innocent Till Proven Guilty   

Presumption of innocence is a legal right and given in criminal trials. It states that no person shall be considered guilty until finally convicted by a court. The burden of proof is thus on the prosecution, which has to convince the court that the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  These are cases pending against Pet Stores and Sanctuaries and Animal Shelters. As soon as information is available I will post it.


Memphis Animal Shelter – 3 Arrests, 10 Aggravated Animal Cruelty Felony Charges – VIDEO

By Deanna, on March 8th, 2012 |

Kill All Pitbulls! More On the Torture that is Still Happening!

You see dogs yanked around by the chokepoles, lifted up, slammed into cages, dangled in the air. Tiny sick dogs are cruelly dragged around, dogs are teased and taunted, doors are closed over and over again, four times, on a little puppy’s leg.  It’s a game to these people who are supposed to be caring for these poor unfortunate animals.  It makes me sick, literally sick to watch and even to write about this.

MAS Director James RogersMAS Director James Rogers

After years of allegations of abuse, promises of reform and now a 3 month undercover investigations, finally some arrests at Memphis Animal Shelter.  Three shelter workers,Billy D. Stewart, 28, Frank Lightfoot, Jr., 59, and Archie Elliot, III, 35 have been charged with multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty, Stewart and Lightfoot, Jr. with four counts each and Elliot with two counts.

Billy D Stewart

Archie Elliott III

Frank Lightfoot

All three have currently been suspended with pay. I take serious issue that these cretins are still being paid when there is video and expert police undercover evidence of their cruelty but that’s the way these things work, whether we like it or not!  The city is working to terminate them from the shelter so at least the wheels are in motion. Wharton said with all of the claims of abuse he felt an undercover was officer was necessary. “Only by getting somebody inside there who is credible and willing to talk and to name names and to give dates and to give places, only through that were we able to get to this point.” Although there have been allegations, Wharton said no evidence of dog fighting or starvation was found during this investigation.  Honestly, watching some of the video of what’s been going on in MAS, I’m surprised that there were only three arrests.

Mayor Wharton promises closer monitoring in the future but seems to me he said the same thing a couple years ago when the horrific conditions at the shelter came to light and in the meantime horrors have continued almost unabated. See Mayor Wharton’s statement below:

Do I think this is the end of problems at MAS?  I doubt it will even scratch the surface.  I cannot even begin to express my anger that the torture and abuse has been able to continue day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year!! This hellhole needs a total housecleaning and restaffing.  Staff and volunteers need to be trained, cameras need to be put back into use and oversight needs to be constant. Those animals (the furry four-leggers) are innocent, defenseless and voiceless.  I like to believe that most shelters, though often underfunded and understaffed, actually try.  That they have heart and work with compassion and empathy.  Often it’s thankless and hard work but the animals who wound up in these places do so through no fault of their own and don’t deserve anyone to take out their anger and cruelties on these, some of the most helpless members of our society.

To read more: http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/news-updates/memphis-animal-shelter-3-arrests-10-aggravated-animal-cruelty-felony-charges-video

 

Victory! Angel's Gate Founder Charged

Susan Marino, Angel's Gate Animal Hospice Owner, Charged With Cruelty

MARY ESCH   01/ 6/12 04:09 PM ET   AP

Angels Gate Animal Cruelty 
This Dec. 7, 2010 photo provided by PETA shows a cat named Cindy who, according to PETA, suffered high fever and infection that caused her to have a severe head tilt, at Angel's Gate hospice in Delhi, N.Y. The hospice that has been lauded on national TV is being charged with cruelty. (AP Photo/PETA)

DELHI, N.Y. — Susan Marino started Angel's Gate animal hospice more than a decade ago to care for animals with special needs: Dogs paralyzed after being hit by cars; cats with severe deformities; a Labrador retriever born without lower limbs, now fitted with orthotics.

A registered nurse who for more than 35 years specialized in emergency and critical care, mental health, and the care of critically and terminally ill children and their families, Marino went back to school and became a veterinary technician, got a certification in canine rehabilitation and a license to rehabilitate wildlife and had her efforts noticed by Oprah Winfrey and Rachael Ray.

In videos on the Angel's Gate website and Facebook page, dogs romp on spotless white tile floors and doze in peaceful piles on dog beds. At breakfast time, a worker sets out 25 bowls of meat in a room filled with dachshunds, shih-tzus, beagles and other small dogs, some of them dragging themselves to their bowls because they're missing limbs or are paralyzed. Marino hugs, kisses and cuddles with the animals.

Video shot by PETA presents a different picture. Daphna Nachminovich, a cruelty investigator for PETA based in Northrup, Va., said the group acted on complaints including one "from a job applicant at Angel's Gate who spent several hours there and was sickened by what she saw."

"There were animals suffering horribly at death's door, without the relief of euthanasia," Nachminovich said. PETA's video, posted on YouTube, includes a frantic scene of dogs barking and fighting in the kitchen, apparently at feeding time, with Marino yelling and trying to break up the squabble. When The Associated Press visited Angel's Gate in April, dogs were dozing on cots or playing with toys in large, bright rooms with clean tile floors. Many were disabled and some with spinal injuries dragged their hindquarters. Cats were in little cottages equipped with climbing poles, cubbyholes and scratching posts. It was apparent that remodeling had been done recently on some of the main buildings, and more construction was in progress. All of the facilities were clean and neat.

"She was very aware that the boom was about to fall" when PETA began investigating in November, Cheever said. "She put a lot of energy into cleaning up her operation. By the time I went there in May the physical plant wasn't as dirty, but was disorganized." Rosemary Throssell, a dog breeder who provides a custom-made raw meat diet for Angel's Gate animals, said PETA's allegations are unfair. "Those animals have a fantastic quality of life," said Throssell after she and her husband attended a brief court appearance for Marino on Wednesday.

The video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vC4ntPXWHkwM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/06/susan-marino-angels-gate-cruelty_n_1190200.html


Woman claims Animal Services worker killed her dog

By Jamel Major 
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - A Memphis pet owner says a former Memphis Animal Services worker, already charged with animal cruelty, killed her dog. As Memphis police investigate the death of Max, a nine-year-old lab mix, a veterinarian has ruled that heat stroke is what caused the animal's death while he was in the care of animal control officer Demetria Hogan.  Hogan was recently fired from the shelter in connection to the case of missing dog - Kapone. "I felt that woman killed my dog due to her neglect," said Max's owner, Martha Mitchum. Hogan was sent to Hillshire to pick up Max on July 12, after a call came in as an injured dog hit by a car. However, investigators say Hogan didn't return the dog to the shelter for more than two hours.  When Hogan did arrive, Max was found dead in the back of her truck.   Dr. Rebecca Coleman determined the dog was not killed as a result of injuries from being hit by a car.

"I feel that if she arrived at the scene at the time she claims she did, and picked up my dog and taken him back to the shelter right away, I think he'd still be alive here today," she said. According to the necropsy report, Max died as a result of heat stroke. The manner of death was accidental, and there was also no evidence of trauma. Coleman also concluded in the report, "the lack of physical injury is inconsistent with a history of injury caused by a vehicular encounter." Meanwhile, Memphis police are still investigating Max's death. There is currently a $11,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of Kapone, the missing pit bull that vanished while in Hogan's care in June.

To read more: http://www.wmctv.com/story/15117596/woman-claims-animal-services-worker-killed-her-dog

Update: Hogan's latest charge comes after a Memphis Police investigation into the death of a lab mix found hit by a car on Hillshire off Whitten Road July 12th. According to the original police report, four neighborhood kids were the ones who first spotted the injured dog in the middle of the street. They told police and police contacted the Memphis Animal Shelter who sent Hogan to pick up the dog and bring it to the shelter. However, the dog didn't make it to the shelter in time. The shelter vet said it was found dead from heat stroke on the animal control van. A police affidavit of complaint stated the call about the dog went out to the animal shelter from police around 1:30 in the afternoon. Hogan arrived at the scene around 2:30 and didn't return to the shelter with the dog until 4:00. It's about a 15 mile drive from where the dog was found to the shelter.  "If she's found guilty she's facing up to 11 months, 29 days in prison. Upon a second conviction though, it could result in a heftier penalty. It's considered a Class E felony upon a second conviction," Higgins said. http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/crime/former-shelter-worker-faces-more-charges-mfo-20110901


Nearly 700 cats taken from Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary
 June 11, 2011
Steve and Pennie Lefkowitz, Alachua County Animal Services along with two other organizations seized 697 cats and one rooster from the Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary near High Springs. The seizure, which occurred over a two day period beginning Tuesday morning, was part of a criminal investigation and in response to concerns of alleged hoarding, said Animal Services Director David Flagler.

Most of the cats were being kept in pens scattered across the eight-acre property, but some were kept inside the home and elsewhere. There were deceased cats found, including some in a refrigerator and at least one in a cage, said Flagler.

According to The HSUS, a veterinarian on the scene Tuesday determined that many of the cats were underweight and suffering from medical ailments such as upper respiratory infections and parasite infestation. The ASPCA Forensics Team was deployed to Haven Acres Tuesday where they were charged with documenting conditions and gathering evidence.
To read more: http://www.alachuacountytoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1585:-nearly-700-cats-taken-from-sanctuary&catid=102:local&Itemid=426

 

 

ASPCA Helps Rescue Hundreds of Dogs from Failed Ohio Sanctuary

dog

On Tuesday, February 22, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team assisted in the removal of 349 living and 76 dead dogs from One More Chance Rescue and Adoption, a failed sanctuary and shelter near Springfield, Ohio. The dogs—many of whom are in critical condition and varying stages of illness—were found in former hog barns throughout the property, housed in stacked crates.

“The conditions these animals lived in were deplorable,” says James Staley, executive director of the Clark County Humane Society, who called the ASPCA for assistance with the dogs’ removal. “These dogs were forced to live in their own waste, alongside rats and other vermin. Add to that the stress of coping in a crowded and poorly ventilated environment, and you have animals whose overall health is severely compromised.”

Knowing that time was running out for the sickest dogs, the ASPCA, Clark County Humane Society and several other groups worked together to remove all the dogs from the property in just one day. The dogs were transferred to an emergency shelter in Franklin County, where they are being triaged by veterinarians from various groups including Ohio State University.

The process of bringing these dogs to safety began last week when local authorities inspected One More Chance, operated by Jeff Burgess, 56, and declared it a public nuisance. On Thursday, February 17, a search warrant was issued, and responders set to work constructing a shelter on Madison County fairgrounds. Unfortunately, Madison County officials later determined that sheltering could not occur on the fairgrounds, leaving responders scrambling to find a place to house the rescued dogs.

The ASPCA remains in Ohio to collect evidence for potential criminal charges and to assist in bringing care to the rescued dogs. Stay tuned to ASPCA.org for more information on this case.

To read more: http://www.aspca.org/News/National/National-News-Detail.aspx?NDate=20110225&NType=National#News1


Tinley Park Patch

Police & Fire

Sheriff's Officers Remove Animals From Local Shelter In Chicgo.

More than 100 animals taken away, according to reports. Director of Painted Pastures Animal Rescue and Sanctuary is taken into custody.

Cook County Sheriff's officers along with members of the Animal Welfare League of Chicago Ridge removed animals Friday afternoon from Painted Pastures Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in unincorporated Tinley Park. According to a report on NBC Chicago's website, more than 100 animals were taken from the sanctuary, including more than 65 dogs. Dead animals also were found on the property, according to the report, which cited a source close to the investigation. A woman a Patch photographer identified as Dawn Hamill, director of operations at Painted Pastures, was seen being taken into custody by officers. Sheriff's office spokeswoman Liane Jackson said no information would be available about the case until charges were filed. A spokeswoman from the Animal Welfare League also would not release any information about the removal at this time. A call to Painted Pastures was answered by an unidentified man who said a statement would be made "approximately one year from now" and then hung up. Painted Pastures, 5555 W. 175th St., is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter and sanctuary.  "As a no kill shelter and sanctuary, our mission is to rescue and offer care and rehabilitation for neglected , abandoned, or unwanted companion, farm, and exotic animals," reads a statement on its website.

Postings on Pleasant Pastures Facebook page related information about a disgruntled employee who was spreading rumors that the sanctuary was bankrupt and closing. The posting, which is reprinted as it appears on the Facebook page, went on to blame the employee for possible overcrowding issues.

Read more: http://tinleypark.patch.com/articles/sheriffs-officers-remove-animals-from-local-shelter#c

Credit: Mary Compton http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/e5ffdd53219eebf31ce269b12c1c2a72

 


ASPCA Arrests Manager of Popular Dog Boarding Facility Bark and Play in Brooklyn NY

On August 25, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested Matthew Soto, co-owner and daily manager of Bark & Play, a dog-boarding and day-care facility in Brooklyn, NY. Soto has been charged with five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty for severely neglecting several dogs boarded at the kennel.

Dog

Tango, pictured here at the ASPCA, is recovering from his injuries and will soon be made available for adoption.

Tango and Sweets were just two of several dogs who had been boarded at the kennel by local rescue groups. "Rescue groups would pay the facility to temporarily board dogs until they found homes for them," says Stacy Wolf, the ASPCA’s Vice President of Chief Legal Counsel for Humane Law Enforcement. "However, several dogs had been left there for months." Soto faces up to two years in jail if convicted. Since the June seizure, Bark & Play has closed its doors to the public. http://www.aspca.org/news/national/08-27-10.html#1

Bark and Play MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/barkandplay  

 


Petland: Caught Selling Sick Puppies…Again. New Victims Come Forward May 19, 2010



  • Bella was purchased at a Petland in Montgomery, Ala. A month after she was purchased, she was diagnosed with juvenile papillary squamous cell carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer. She had to have part of her jaw removed and required radiation therapy.

Scores of new complaints from heartbroken puppy buyers are streaming in to The Humane Society of the United States after "Animal Planet Investigates: Petland" premiered May 17. The exposé also featured tragic stories from several buyers who discovered their puppies were ill. After the airing, The HSUS began receiving additional complaints from across the U.S. about Petland puppies with severe congenital disorders and diseases like parvovirus and pneumonia.  http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2010/05/new_petland_complaints_051910.html

Couple’s puppy dies of Parvo, Petland’s suppliers exposed as puppy mills


The couple came forward to WHO-TV news in Des Moines. The news station did better than just reporting the sad story; they investigated the Petland store’s puppy suppliers and questioned its owner, Tim Mohrfeld.

Click here to watch part one

Click here to watch part two

(Petland store owner, Tim Mohrfeld, courtesy WHO-TV news in Des Moines)

 


Raid at Adams feed store uncovers 240 dead animals Dalworthington Gardens, TX (US)

                                               

See the news broadcast below: 


Incident Date: Wednesday, Apr 29, 2009
County: Tarrant Charges: Misdemeanor Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Adam Zduniewicz

A feed store owner faces two animal-cruelty charges after a raid that investigators said revealed numerous dead animals at his business. Adam Zduniewicz, 44, owner of Adam's Feed Store at 2601 W. Arkansas Lane, posted $5,000 bail on two Class A misdemeanor charges.

References

 

Make a Free Website with Yola.