Soldier Stomps on and Kills Newly Adopted Dog and Breaks Puppy's Leg Before Bringing Him Back to Shelter

Pet Guardian Angel staff members says a Fort Bliss soldier was arrested for killing one dog and hurting another after just adopting them from the facility two weeks before.

"It's hard to believe people can do that to an animal," said Sheila Smith, an administrative assistant at PGA.

Staff members at the nonprofit animal shelter couldn't believe what they heard when a Fort Bliss official arrived at the facility.

"That's very upsetting. We trust these people. We try to screen them as best we can to see if they can be responsible pet owners," said Smith.

Smith, who helps get animals at PGA adopted, said a young military couple adopted two dogs from PGA two weeks ago. Now, they hear the one named Tinkerbelle is dead. And a puppy named Wrigley has a broken leg and was returned to PGA. PGA staff said Wrigley was taken to Eastwood Animal Clinic for a broken leg at the expense of their organization.

The staff said the Fort Bliss soldier, Frank Zimmerman, beat the dogs.

KFOX spoke to the soldier's wife over the phone and she said Zimmerman didn't mean to hurt the animals. She said when the dogs weren't listening he would take his anger out on them. She said, "Frank beat Tinkerbelle with a leash and he stomped on her until she died."

"Not all military people are like that. Again, it's the way they're raised," said Smith, who was active military for years.

It is unclear what charges, if any, were brought against Zimmerman, but PGA staff says animal cruelty needs to be prosecuted better in El Paso.

"They need to be more strict. If someone is willing to harm an animal he's willing to kill a person. That's our concept," said Smith said.

Click here for video.


Sources:
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/18962490/detail.html

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15353/TX/US/

Free spay/neuter in San Antonio!

The City of San Antonio is taking another big step towards controlling the pet population.

Tuesday, the city announced a new partnership with "SPAY SA."

Once a month, the city will sponsor a free spay and neuter clinic. Spay SA says it will enable them to do an additional 1000 surgeries each month. That will help bring San Antonio closer to being a "no kill" community, and it will also help save the city money.

"In the long run, if we can reduce the number of stray animals, we can reduce the number of Animal Care Services, 10 years down the line," explained Kathleen McGowan of Spay SA. "So, our budget can reduce. Therefore, have a big impact on the city."

The city estimates it costs $3.00 per taxpayer to put down an animal. To sterilize the animal, it only costs 40-cents.

For more on getting your animal spayed or neutered, CLICK HERE.


**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

70 Dead Siamese Cats in Bags...

Authorities are trying to find out who stuffed 70 dead Siamese cats into seven large trash bags and dumped them onto a road in suburban San Antonio.

San Antonio television KABB reports the dead cats were found Thursday in the Guadalupe County town of Marion. The animals were all adults.

Guadalupe County Sheriff Arnold Zwicke says the cats appeared to have been kept in a freezer or refrigerator. They've been buried at a site in Guadalupe County.

Marion is located 23 miles east-northeast of San Antonio.

This sounds like a breeder to me.  With this economy, nobody really has money to buy a cat.  This is such a disgrace that a breeder, who supposedly cares about the animals they breed, would dump dead cats on the side of the road like trash.  I despise breeders simply due to the fact that I am out there, dealing with the pet overpopulation problem, and I see cats dumped, hit by cars, abused, etc.  We have far too many animals and breeders are only adding to the problem.  

I do believe that there are responsible (used in the loosest sense) breeders who do care about who buys their animals.  There are other breeders who don't care who buys them as long as they are gone. 

If you want a specific breed, contact breed rescues.  Breed rescues typically have one breed of cat or dog and that is all they deal with.  Also try general animal shelters because often times, they have a breed of cat or dog that you might want to adopt.  

Why buy from a breeder when you can save a life that was born to a stray-not to a deliberately impregnated animal.  Adopt-don't buy!

Low cost vaccination and microchip clinic in Leander, Texas Jan 24!

10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway (also known as 3737 CR 272)
Leander, Texas 78641
(512) 260-3602

Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics

The HSWC holds low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics on the fourth Saturday of every month from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Check our calendar for the next date. No appointment necessary.*

At the vaccination clinics, we offer the following products and services:

Rabies Vaccination

Canine DHLPP Vaccination

Canine Heartworm Test

Feline FELV/FIV Combo Test

Feline FVRCP Vaccination

Feline FeLV Vaccination

Bordetella Vaccination (Dogs/Cats)

Microchipping

We also offer Iverhart Max Heartworm Preventative for dogs. To purchase heartworm preventative you must get your dog tested at the vaccine clinic and purchase it that same day.

Frontline Flea/Tick Preventative is available for purchase at the office any time.

Check our fee schedule for current pricing.

Please note: The HSWC cannot accept feral or aggressive animals at the vaccination clinic. If you have to have your pet sedated in order to receive vaccines, we are unable to treat your pet. We apologize for any inconvenience.

For more information, contact our Front Desk staff at (512) 260-3602 or email info@hswc.net. Visit their site, www.hswc.net

*We ask that you not arrive more than thirty minutes prior to the clinic as there is no place for you to wait prior to the check-in time of 1:00 P.M. Because our clinic is so popular, please understand that wait times can be long. We suggest you bring water for your pet. Remember all dogs MUST be on a leash and cats MUST be in separate carriers. The clinic is a great deal for you and your pet, so bring a book and come enjoy the time you spend with us!

Arraignment of alleged dog fighting participants in Houston Jan 8

The arraignment of Ellis Wayne Island, Jr, an alleged participant in the recently busted dog fighting ring in Houston, is Thursday, January 8.  


Ellis Wayne Island Jr., told the Houston Chronicle after his hearing that he did not have a leadership role in dogfighting. He would not say, however, whether he ever attended dogfights or participated in them.

"I'm no ringleader. I'm no kingpin," Island, 45, said after a brief hearing in the court of state District Judge George Godwin.

Island's initial court appearance was reset to Jan. 8 because he has not yet hired an attorney to represent him against three counts of dogfighting.



For background on this case, visit my post from November.


For more information on this case, please visit pet-abuse.com. 

Low cost vaccinations and spay neuter options in Texas.

Spayed and neutered pets live longer and healthier lives than unaltered animals, and their owners save lives by helping to reduce animal overpopulation in our community. EmanciPET is a nonprofit, low-cost spay/neuter clinic working to control the pet population and liberate pets from euthanasia. Our clinic in East Austin is open SIX days a week.

SPAY

Female Dog $59
Female Cat $39

NEUTER

Male Dog $49
Male Cat $29

Discounts may be available--restrictions apply. Please call for more information.

Appointments are required and can be made by phone or email.

Call: (512) 587-SPAY

Email: emancipet@gmail.com

Visit their site for prices and for other low cost services.

EmanciPET
7201 Levander Loop, Bldg J
Austin, TX 78702

**If you read this after the date listed, contact the organization/clinic.  Often times, they offer these services on a regular basis.  If not, these clinics may offer the low cost clinics once a month.  You can use the same contact information listed above.**

Another cat food recall...

Kroger is asking customers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, east Texas, and Shreveport and Alexandria, La., to check the pet food they have at home for specific packages of Pet Pride pet food. These products were included in a September recall due to potential contamination with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

The three products listed below were included in the Mars Petcare US recall on Sept. 12, 2008. Customers should look for these items:

Pet Pride Indoor Cat Food, 3.5-lb.  Best by JUL 29 09 or earlier dates    Pet Pride Indoor Cat Food, 18-lb.   Best by JUL 29 09 or earlier dates

Pet Pride Weight Management Dog Food, 17.6-lb. Best by JUL 29 09 or earlier dates

For these three recalled products, the number 17 is found under the "best- by" date followed by five other numbers that vary. The number 17 specifies the plant where the recalled products were made.

If customers have any of these products, they should return the packages to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Salmonella may cause illnesses in dogs and cats and in people who come in contact with the pet food. Healthy people potentially infected with Salmonella may show signs of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea, fever and vomiting. For tips on safe pet food handling, visit www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/foodbornetips.htm.

Customers with questions or concerns may call 1-800-632-6900.

SOURCE Kroger

http://www.kroger.com

Huge dogfighting ring busted in Houston!

In three counties near Houston, Texas some people are now facing felonies due to their involvement in a dog fighting bust. Eight suspects have been arrested and 43 others have been indicted. As many as 100 people attended the fights, some betting as much as $1000.

Acting on an outside tip from a man in another state, undercover investigators attended these fights over a 17 month period. Investigators have seized 187 dogs who await their fate with death. Pit Bulls are killed all the time and especially fighting pit bulls. These dogs are victims. They are taught right and wrong from unethical people. They can be trained to be good dogs again. Read an update on the Vick dogs.

In Texas, anyone who owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in dog fighting; or attends as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting-has committed a felony.

Drugs, weapons and stolen property were also found.

Sources: www.chron.com, www.hcnonline.com, www.animallaw.info

Wayside Waifs sends volunteers to Houston on VOLUNTEER's expense

Yesterday, I was at a meeting and a friend was telling me how Wayside Waifs asked her to go to Houston to help rescue animals. She was told to bring a tent to sleep in and pay her own way. Although the volunteers are expected to pay their own way, I can predict the headlines:

Wayside Waifs sends volunteers to help animals affected by Ike.This implies they paid for it. There will be no disclaimer saying that the volunteers had to pay their own way. For those of you who don't live here or don't know, Wayside Waifs has tons of money. They are the most well known shelter in Kansas City and many people donate money to them.

On a side note, they are not no-kill and I am not even sure they could be considered low kill.

Here is some financial information from Wayside Waifs for 2006 (I assume the most recent year available)

For a comparison, here is the information for the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City is about 25 miles away from Wayside Waifs.

After the show: Oprah on Puppy Mills

I just finished watching the Oprah Winfrey Show on Puppy Mills.

After years of hoping throughout the animal welfare community, Oprah has made a show about puppy mills. She has saved more dogs than we can ever know. Her celebrity status allows her to reach more people than we can and I think she did a great job of speaking out about animal welfare. I am very satisfied with the show; I think she provided a very complete view of how puppy mills contribute to the pet overpopulation problem.

This show documented, through undercover video, the terrible lives of dogs in puppy mills. They explained that the lives of the mothers are the most deplorable. The mothers are bred repeatedly with little or no break between litters and are killed after they can no longer can reproduce.

Oprah spoke with Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. Although I generally mistrust HSUS, I was pleased with the information he provided. He said that "as a nation, we are better than this" (this is not an actual quote, I cannot remember exactly what he said). I believe this was an excellent thing to say to really reach Americans.

I believe we are better than this.

A very emotional part of the show was when they showed a dog being euthanized. I am still not sure what I think about it but it was difficult for me to watch. It was not gory or violent--but still difficult to see. The dog appeared to be sleeping and the animal control officer of Fort Worth, Texas who allowed the cameras inside, stated that the dog was unconscious. They showed the dogs and how the animal control officers make the decision about which dogs will be euthanized the next day.

They also showed dogs in trash bags being thrown into a dumpster with a forklift. That image will stay with me for a long time. It was incredibly sad.

Overall, this show was excellent and very informative. The only thing I would have added to the show is that the same things can happen to cats. I wish that they would have focused on the fact that more cats are euthanized than dogs and can also be bred by irresponsible breeders--though much less. Despite that, the show was excellent and I am excited to see if anything positive happens because of it.



Click here to be taken to Oprah's Website.

HSUS MySpace Page | Stop Puppy Mills Website

Did Texas animal control poison man's dog?

TEXAS CITY — An outbreak of an unknown illness at the county’s animal shelter in Texas City has prompted officials to euthanize 16 dogs and temporarily suspend all canine adoptions.

A La Marque man said his $1,500 pit bull mix breed died Monday at the shelter. He accused the shelter of poisoning the dog named Capone, because it attacked and killed a neighbor’s dog in February. The shelter denies the poisoning allegation.

Kurt Koopmann, a spokesman for the Galveston County Health District, said Thursday the illness outbreak could be distemper.

“We have implemented controls to lessen the chance of the spread of disease.” Koopmann said. “We don’t want to adopt animals that may be ill.”

Adoptions have been stopped for 10 days, Koopmann said, until laboratory results pinpoint the animals’ affliction.

“The dogs are examined four times a day,” Koopmann said.

“And if any symptoms are present, then they are euthanized.”

The shelter continues to take in stray dogs, but they are separated from those in quarantine, he said.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease caused by a virus that attacks dogs’ respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems.

More...

Free spay, neuter services planned for El Paso, Texas

The El Paso City-County Health and Environmental District's Pet Care-A-Van this month will offer free spay and neuter services in five East El Paso locations this month.

The mobile clinic, which includes a veterinarian and support staff, today is expected to visit the Oz Glaze Senior Center, 13969 Veny Webb in Horizon City.

Tuesday, it will make a stop at the Eastwood (Album) Park, 3110 Parkwood and will be at Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol, on on March 24 and 25.

The clinic on March 27 heads to the K5 Bakery and Grocery store, 513 Ascencion, and will visit the La Fe Montana Vista Community Center, 14618 Greg, on March 28 and 31.

Stray dogs have been a concern for some residents in East El Paso and the service is meant to stem the number of animals euthanized throughout the county.

No appointment is needed for the spay and neuter services, but the clinic is limited to just 25 animals each day. Participants are taken on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Rabies shots and registration of pets also will be offered, with each service costing $10.

Dog and cat owners are asked to follow several guidelines for the service:

# Do not feed the animal for 12 hours before the registration.

# Animals must be older than 4 months and younger than 6 years for the service.

# The pet must be in good health.

# Current proof of rabies vaccination is required.

Information: 274-4270.

Scientists testing oral contraceptives for wild animals

If you’re a land owner and animals such as coyotes or wild pigs are driving you hog wild, help may soon be on the way to control their numbers in a humane way – in the form of a birth control pill for animals being developed at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The concept would be to get it to wild animals through baited food, researchers say.

Researchers are testing oral contraceptives – used in much the same way as in humans – and the results are promising, says Duane Kraemer, a professor in veterinary physiology and pharmacology and a world leader in embryo transfer who has been involved in cloning four different species in recent years.
Kraemer, one of the pill’s creators, and other members of the research team are testing the contraceptive for use on wild animals, but the applications could most likely be used in pets, he believes.

“No one method will be useful in all situations,” he stresses.

“This approach inhibits maturation of the egg and therefore prevents fertilization. The animals continue to cycle, so it will not yet be ideal for many pet owners. But there is an advantage for use in wild and feral animals.”

Kraemer says the research team has recently started tests on domestic models for predators – animals such as feral pigs and cougars – but if successful, it could be used on a wide variety of animals, including dogs and cats, he explains. The team also has submitted grant applications for similar projects on coyotes and deer.

“A spinoff of this contraceptive could probably be used on many different species,” he adds.

The $90,000 project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private donations.

The pill works by inhibiting the maturation of the egg, not the entire cycle, Kraemer says. The technical name for the drug is called a phosphodiesterase 3 inhibitor, and it is one member of a family of drugs being tested.

Similar compounds have been tested in laboratories elsewhere in mice and monkeys, and similar results have been obtained by in vitro (in laboratory) methods in cattle and humans.

The compound can be mixed with animal feed and must be eaten daily during the critical time. It may also be encapsulated to decrease the frequency it has to be consumed, Kraemer says.

“We believe we are the first to test this compound for this specific purpose,” Kraemer notes. “We’re trying new uses for this previously approved compound.”

When perfected, the pill could eventually be used as an oral contraceptive for pets, but that may be a bit in the future, Kraemer says. In dogs, for example, the ovulation process is especially complex, but researchers are confident such a birth control pill can one day be successfully developed.

The need is apparent: According to the American Humane Society, about 7 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year at animal shelters. One female cat can lead to the production of 420,000 offspring in her lifetime.

In Texas, feral hogs have become a severe nuisance to farmers and ranchers, and the state has an estimated 3-4 million feral hogs, by far the most in the country. Deer are also becoming a problem to more communities each year because of overpopulation of deer herds.

Other species such as coyotes and even wild horses also need sufficient management control, experts note.

“The need for such an animal contraceptive is certainly there,” Kraemer adds.

“We are confident we can develop this pill in the not too distant future, but we still have plenty of tests to complete. It’s an exciting and much-needed project, but more funds will be needed, especially since deer and wild pigs are consumed by humans. One of the more interesting challenges will be to develop methods for feeding it to the target animals without affecting other species.”

Source: Texas A&M University

Low cost vaccination and microchip clinic in Leander, Texas Feb 28!

10930 E. Crystal Falls Parkway (also known as 3737 CR 272)
Leander, Texas 78641
(512) 260-3602

Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics

The HSWC holds low-cost vaccination and microchip clinics on the fourth Saturday of every month from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. Check our calendar for the next date. No appointment necessary.*

At the vaccination clinics, we offer the following products and services:

Rabies Vaccination

Canine DHLPP Vaccination

Canine Heartworm Test

Feline FELV/FIV Combo Test

Feline FVRCP Vaccination

Feline FeLV Vaccination

Bordetella Vaccination (Dogs/Cats)

Microchipping

We also offer Iverhart Max Heartworm Preventative for dogs. To purchase heartworm preventative you must get your dog tested at the vaccine clinic and purchase it that same day.

Frontline Flea/Tick Preventative is available for purchase at the office any time.

Check our fee schedule for current pricing.

Please note: The HSWC cannot accept feral or aggressive animals at the vaccination clinic. If you have to have your pet sedated in order to receive vaccines, we are unable to treat your pet. We apologize for any inconvenience.

For more information, contact our Front Desk staff at (512) 260-3602 or email info@hswc.net. Visit their site, www.hswc.net

*We ask that you not arrive more than thirty minutes prior to the clinic as there is no place for you to wait prior to the check-in time of 1:00 P.M. Because our clinic is so popular, please understand that wait times can be long. We suggest you bring water for your pet. Remember all dogs MUST be on a leash and cats MUST be in separate carriers. The clinic is a great deal for you and your pet, so bring a book and come enjoy the time you spend with us!

City Bans Tethering, Chaining Dogs

FORT WORTH — The Fort Worth City Council today approved an ordinance banning dog tethering. The new ordinance, which becomes effective this week, makes it illegal to use a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable or other device to attach an unattended dog to a stationary object or trolley system. A dog still must be confined within a secure enclosure at all times.

This new ordinance is partly due to a new state law passed in 2007, which allows tethering during certain time frames, under certain circumstances and using certain types of restraints.

“There is evidence that tethering dogs makes them more dangerous,” said Assistant Public Health Director Scott Hanlan. “Unfortunately, our animal control officers encounter on a daily basis tethered dogs that are neglected and left without food, water or shelter.”

One study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that animals that are kept roped or chained are 2.8 times more likely to bite people than dogs not kept roped or chained. In addition, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends never tethering or chaining a dog, because it can contribute to aggressive behavior. Anti-tethering campaigns are also endorsed by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Humane Society of the United States.

Under the new ordinance, the tethering of dogs will still be allowed under limited circumstances when the owner is present. The exceptions include a lawful animal event, city dog park, veterinary treatment, grooming, training or law enforcement activity.

Those who violate the new ordinance could face a fine as high as $2,000. However, Animal Care and Control staff emphasize that they will work with residents to educate them on this new law. Staff members also will provide residents with information on low-cost, more humane ways to restrain dogs before issuing citations for violations that don’t pose immediate threats to people or animals.

The issue of chained-up dogs is one element in the larger problem of irresponsible pet ownership faced not only by Fort Worth but by communities across the United States. Fort Worth animal control officers impounded 25,500 animals last year. Unfortunately, about 70 percent of those animals never made it out of the shelter alive.

For more information, call the Animal Care and Control Division at 817-392-3737.

###

Media Contact:
Susan Whittenberger
Public Education Coordinator
Public Health Department
817-871-6658 (office)
817-999-8493 (cell)
susan.whittenberger@fortworthgov.org

Dog doused in gasoline, set on fire

Incident Date: Sunday, Jan 13, 2008

Arlington police are seeking help in locating possible suspects in a case of animal cruelty.

Police said someone poured gasoline on a family's pet Pomeranian and set him on fire over the weekend.

Spike disappeared from his South Arlington home Friday night. "The doorbell rang about 7:30 Saturday morning, and it was an Arlington Police officer," said owner Ronnie Villaire.

Spike's charred body had been found in an alley just a few blocks away—burned and left for dead. The dog was identified by a tag listing his address in the 900 block of Cortez Drive.

"There was a lot of mixed emotions—from disbelief, to sadness, to anger," Villaire said.

The family has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the person or persons who attacked their pet.

"I don't really want to retaliate," Villaire said. "I thought we needed to go to the media like this for public awareness for other animal owners in this area to make sure they know where their pets are."

Noting that he has two small children, Villaire said he was very disturbed to know that a sociopath could be on the prowl in his neighborhood.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Arlington Police department at (817) 459-5748.

If you have information on this case, please contact:
Arlington Police
(817) 459-5748

Case Updates

More than $10,000 in reward money is being offered for information about the person who set an Arlington family's Pomeranian on fire this weekend, police said Monday.

Police found the remains of Ronnie and Liz Villaire's 3½-year-old dog Spike in far south Arlington on Saturday, near the family's home in the 900 block of Cortez Drive. He had been doused with gasoline and set afire. On Sunday, the Villaires, who have two small children, offered $2,500 for information about the dog's death.

They haven't gotten any tips, but they've received plenty of support, Ronnie Villaire said Monday.

"I tell you, the phone calls we've gotten from the public in general, people wanting to help with the reward money or people just calling to say they're sorry and animal lovers giving their condolences -- it's just been amazing," he said.

A veterinarian examining Spike's remains determined that the dog suffered a skull fracture and was probably lying down, possibly dead or already unconscious, when he was set on fire, Villaire said.

The bump in reward money came in large part from the Dallas-based Murrell Foundation, headed by ThreeM Oil Co. president John R. Murrell. Murrell is offering $5,000 for the arrest and prosecution of the responsible person.

In addition, the Humane Society of the United States is offering $2,500 and Safe City Commission Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest, Arlington police said.

"Someone will rat their friend out for that kind of money. So I'm thinking eventually someone will come forward," Villaire said.