Humane Society Condones Chaining Dogs and Allowing them to Drown

A dog drowned after it was chained to a stake and left outside during the storm Sunday night.  It happened in Kanawha County, West Virginia.

A volunteer firefighter tells WSAZ.com that the dog was always chained and left alone. It does have a doghouse but she says the dog did not fit inside.

For several weeks, she's complained to the homeowner and the Humane Society but has been ignored.  When flash floods hit overnight the dog was left to fend for itself. The water took over the homeowner's backyard and since the dog was chained and could not escape, it drowned.

The homeowner says he didn't realize it was going to rain that night and he didn't know there was a flood warning.  

The Humane Society does not plan to press charges.  

Contact the local humane association here.

Click here for video.  

Miami-Dade county passes anti-tethering law

Miami-Dade County, in Florida, has passed a law that now makes it a crime for owners to leave their pets chained when they are not present.  The law, which is an amendment to Chapter V of the Miami-Dade County Code, will go into effect in April.

Pet owners will be warned for the first violation.  For the second violation, the owners will face civil penalties of $100 for cruelty and $500 for additional offenses.

Mayor of Kansas town shot two dogs who were chained

This story is wrong on a lot of levels.  First, the mayor can't just go around shooting animals. There has to be some sort of protocol on these types of issues. Secondly, dogs should not be left unattended while chained and they should not be forced to live on a chain.  Thirdly, the mayor said he would shoot the dogs if they were found running loose.  Clearly, a chained dog cannot be running loose.  Finally, the mayor said he has no regrets about shooting the chained dogs.

This mayor sounds like a coward, he didn't even get out of his car to shoot them.  Also, he doesn't speak with good grammar which is evident by reading his quote.  

“They was lying on the sidewalk on the front of the house,” Fox News quoted him as saying. “I shot them with a 9mm rifle … five or six times.”

Mayor Don Call turned himself in and was charged with two felony counts of cruelty to animals and one misdemeanor count of criminal discharge of a firearm.

But he said he had no regrets about killing two dogs, who, according to their owner, were chained at the time.

Call, the mayor of McCune, Kan., said he warned the dogs’ owner on Jan. 12 that if the dogs were found running loose in town again, he would shoot them.

After receiving a complaint about the dogs Sunday, February 1, he drove to the home of their owner and shot them.

The dog’s owner, Duane Wahl, said his dogs never bothered anyone and that they were chained when the mayor drove up and shot them from his car window. “They weren’t vicious dogs. They don’t bite people.”

Dog returned to dog fighting suspect, per his request!

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, acting on intelligence provided to them by the Humane Society of the United States, arrested Johnson at his Hwy. 98 home on July 3, charging him with eight felony counts of dogfighting, one for each of the dogs seized during the raid and one for the seizure of alleged dog fighting paraphernalia. He was released on a $26,450 bond the following day.

Johnson was reportedly the owner of “Shakedown Kennels .”

At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officers, Humane Society officials and a forensic veterinarian from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reportedly found barrels scattered around Johnson’s backyard, logging chains attached to stakes in the ground near each barrel, along with other evidence. Each dog was attached to a chain by a heavy collar.

The sheriff’s office said in a press release at the time that information regarding Shake Down Kennels was first provided to the HSUS via their tip line earlier in the year. An investigation was launched at that time, but authorities waited to make an arrest until after the new law took effect July 1.

The animal fighting tip line was established as a pro-bono venture by the Atlanta-based security firm, Norred and Associates, in the wake of the Michael Vick case so that Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities, officials said. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting.

The new law makes it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting.

If convicted, Johnson could serve up to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both, according to the sheriff’s office.

Madison County’s Animal Control Board voted 3-2 last month to return temporary custody of a male pit bull dog to his owner, a man who was the first person in the state arrested under Georgia’s new felony dogfighting law, which took effect July 1, 2008.

The animal control board released the dog to Johnny Stewart Johnson, 28, of Danielsville, per his request, until his court date, which is tentatively scheduled for next May. The custody of six other dogs seized at the time of his arrest were not under consideration.

In return, Johnson agreed to provide adequate care for the dog and to allow animal control officers to conduct regular visits to his home in order to ensure that adequate care is provided, according to the animal control board minutes.

The decision was made during an animal control hearing on Nov. 12, where members of the animal control board heard testimony from assistant district attorney Jimmy Webb, animal control officer Andy McLendon and Johnson.

“The purpose of the hearing was not to determine innocence or guilt related to dog fighting but whether it was in the dog’s best interest to be held by the state, or returned to the dog owner while the trial was pending,” hearing minutes stated.

The board heard information from Webb regarding the dogfighting arrest; from McLendon, who spoke of his experience with dogs and answered questions from the board; and from Johnson, who maintained that the dog in question, as well as the other dogs, were kept for personal enjoyment and not for fighting.

“A question of whether the animal should be neutered prior to release to the owner was discussed, however the motion/second was unaltered and a vote followed,” according to hearing minutes.

Board members Barbara Freeman, Decator Dunugan and Nina Grass voted to return the dog to Johnson under monitored foster care until his trial. Chairman Greg Bleakley and board secretary Phil Munro voted “no.”

Shakedown Kennels

"Life on a Chain is Inhumane" Apparel Now Available

Thanks to the designing abilities of my talented boyfriend, I have a new design in Cafepress!

Here is a link to our store.  As you probably know, we spend tons of money on animals every month.  The money we get from this store goes directly to feed feral cats, get ferals spayed or neutered, helps chained dogs and helps buy toys and other supplies for shelter cats.

Rapper DMX convicted of animal cruelty-possibly related to dogfighting.

After receiving an anonymous tip about inhumane conditions for dogs on his property, detectives visited the home of rapper, DMX, and then called one of the rapper's lawyers and told him that the conditions for the animals at the property needed to be improved or deputies would take action. The dogs were not being fed or given water.

Authorities returned to the home days later.

The 36-year-old musician and actor, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was not at home during the raid.

Simmons' lawyer, Murray Richman, said Simmons hasn't been in Arizona for at least two months and was "extremely disturbed" to hear the animals weren't being cared for properly.

"We had a caretaker that wasn't taking care, that's what happened," Richman said. "He loves dogs _ he loves these animals. Those dogs are practically his family."

Richman said he hadn't been notified of problems at the property until he learned of the raid Friday. Sheriff's officials said they had contacted another lawyer who works for DMX.

Arpaio said the deputies who served a search warrant at the home Friday seized 12 pit bulls tied up on the property and took them to an old jail that has been converted into an animal shelter.

Deputies found the buried dogs when they dug up the back yard. One had apparently been burned and the cause of death on the others was unknown because the bodies were decomposing.

Deputies also found a variety of firearms, Arpaio said. Authorities sought additional warrants so they could check the guns to determine if they were legal.


Simmons, 37, was arrested in Miami in August after not reporting to multiple court hearings.  He was extradited to Maricopa County in September and was released on Sept. 13 on a $25,000 bond, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.


DMX has reached a plea deal on multiple drug possession, theft and animal cruelty charges.

A Maricopa County Superior Court commissioner has set a sentencing hearing for Jan. 30.

As part of the plea agreement, DMX cannot possess firearms or own any animals, and must attend an animal-offender treatment program. If he violates probation, he could be sentenced to more than 10 years in prison.



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

Senior Rottie chained in Kentucky needs rescued!

This is from an online group I am in.  If you can help this sweet dog please contact jenniferlynhunter@hotmail.com. 


Lexington, KY - Senior Rottie - underweight & living on 4 ft. cable - owners willing to give up

We sure would like to find help for this old guy. It's very cold in KY right now and his old bones are not taking it well. He is also very underweight. He is approx. 12 years old and is living on a 4 ft. cable tied to his dog house. He gets no exercise and is suffering from muscle atrophy. He would really like to find a safe and loving home to live out his life in -- one where he could live inside but have a nice fenced yard to play and exercise in. He simply craves human attention and has never truly had it. The owners are willing to give him up. If anyone can help give this boy a good indoor home, please contact Jennifer directly at jenniferlynhunter@hotmail.com. 

17 month old Alaskan Malamute needs rescued in Georgia-can you save her from her owners taking her to be killed?

This is from an online group I belong to.  Please contact the person listed at the bottom if you would like to help.


Charlotte, Alaskan Malamute in GA needs rescued!!!

12-17-08 UPDATE: The owners DO NOT CARE what happens to her! I (Julane, who is the contact person for her) spoke w/the man last night, and he said "I
just as soon take her to the pound, 20 minutes away, than have my wife drive
an hour to meet you. I really don't care what happens to her & realize she
may be put down.....I just want her GONE!" 

SO, PLEASE, HELP ME HELP HER! She is only 17 mo. old, sweet, and playful!
She's a pup that was NEVER worked with or given the attention she craves!
Consequently, she's "acting out" in being destructive!
She's spayed & current on vaccinations and will need to find rescue ASAP!
Please help this sweet girl who was NEVER given a good chance from the start
of her life to be the sweet, good girl she is!!

The reason they're giving up: "she destroys things." She runs free on a
13-acre lot, never allowed to come inside, ever, and has not received a lot
of human attention. Because of her "puppy behavior," she is now chained and
has been for 3 weeks, so she is REALLY miserable! She's destructive because she doesn't get much attention! Try ignoring your children, and see how
destructive they become! All she wants is love & attention, like all
animals! She's not wanting/needing anything more!! 

Charlotte is good w/other dogs and children as there are 3 children at her
home. She has been around cats as there is a large Manx cat at this home,
who, also, lives outdoors! She's beautiful and SWEET -- see her picture!
PLEASE notify me @ julanec@mindspring.com or 404 290
8261 ASAP if you're able to help Charlotte ! 

Kindergarten Teacher Arrested-Starved Chained Dog Had Seizures in Backyard Resulting in Death

A dog house, a bowl and a chain are all that are left of Fluff Ball.

The lab mix belonged to a Metro school teacher and her husband. They are facing felony charges alleging they starved their dog to death. Fluff Ball was about 8 years old and weighed 20 pounds.

"It should have weighed 45 to possibly even 60 pounds," said Animal Control's Judy Ladebauche. "This little dog weighed 20 pounds."

Ladebauche said Fluff Ball died of emaciation and starvation.

Sunday, a neighbor called police when the dog, chained to a tree, seemed to be having problems.

"They found the dog on a chain having severe seizures," Ladebauche said.

No one could tell Animal Control officers exactly how long it had been since Fluff Ball's last meal. Officers said another dog in the home seemed healthy and well-fed.

The dog's owners, Elizabeth and David Sadler, were arrested Monday and charged with aggravated animal cruelty. No one answered the door Thursday at the couple's Antioch home.

"(They) seemed upset and angry and felt that it was just a dog, but, unfortunately, we don't see it that way," Ladebauche said.

Elizabeth Sadler is a teacher at Hattie Cotton Elementary School, where she was arrested. She was an interim teacher until September, when she was hired full-time as a kindergarten teacher. She is now on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Sadler and her husband were being held in Metro jail on $10,000 bond each. Both have been released.

A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.



Michael Mondelli is the Judge for both of them. The hearing is in the Birch Bldg, Court Room 4C.

The prosecutor is Almalina Hernandez. 

David L. Sadler's Case Number is GS412289
Elizabeth Joy Sadler's Case number is GS412290

Elizabeth Sadler's Case
http://ccc.nashville.gov/portal/page/portal/ccc/caseSearch/caseSearchPublic/caseSearchPublicResults/?a1=901467|2293233|CJIS 

David L. Sadler's Case

http://ccc.nashville.gov/portal/page/portal/ccc/caseSearch/caseSearchPublic/caseSearchPublicResults/?a1=901347|2292975|CJIS 

They also have the affidavit available as a pdf.  

Here is the text of the affidavit:

Arrived on the scene at 844 Rocky Mountain Pkwy on 11/30/08 at 12:18pm on 

a dog in distress complaint. Upon arrival , I observed a tan, female, severely emaciated dog chained up with what appeared to be 4 feet of chain. The dog was severely seizuring and was unresponsive. Dog was immediately confiscated and taken to Nashville Pet E.R.. The dog had current rabies tag that was registered to the defendant.  Contact was made to 

the defendant and defendant admitted ownership. The attending E.R. veterinarians diagnosed animal as severely neglected, starvation and the result of starvation was the seizuring and the dogs weight of 20 lbs. No food or water was present on scene of confiscation. 

The offense of Animal Cruelty is an Aggravated E FELONY.

News Video of the case 

Click here to follow the case 

Update on some sad doggies. :(

I went to check on these dogs two days ago.  I knocked on the door, no answer.  I had hay to give them if they would take it.  I pulled my car to the side of the house, where I have access to their backyard, via the fence.  I was very happy to see more hay in the dog house.  It wasn't as much as I would have put in there, but it's better than what they had in there before.  I also saw that they were still using one of the buckets that I left.  I had been very concerned about the buckets tipping over.  I was happy to see that they had put some kind of stake in the ground and had secured the bucket handles to that stake.  

I think this is one reason why I go out and help dogs (even though many people tell me to stop).  I keep pressure on these "owners" to take care of their dogs.  They know that I come by and I won't let up.  It is really hard to do this and difficult to deal with people telling me to mind my own business.  I know those dogs are happy that I have not minded my own business.  Even though the entire situation isn't peachy-it's getting better!  

Above: I do not know what kind of dog this is but I believe it is an adult, not a puppy.  As you can see (hopefully-I was trying to take this picture over the fence), this dog has wet fur and there is even a leaf stuck in there somewhere.  The poor dog is their newest addition to their family-who lives outside with the other two dogs.  Why do they have ANY dogs at all?  What lies did they say to get this new dog?  No responsible animal organization would adopt out a dog, especially one so small, if they knew he was just going to be living outside.  At least he isn't chained. :(

Above: This is Red.  He is such a sweet boy!  He has not been neutered, the owners are not interested in getting him fixed.  I have tried to convince them.  He is always chained.  The owners claim that he jumps too much, so they chained him.  They also claim that he will break anything other than this large, bulky chain.  I tried giving them a steel lead, they said he would break it.  When I asked if they had tried to train him not to jump, she avoided answering me.  I doubt that they did.  These people want the easy way out and are (obviously) not living with their pets best interest in mind.  This poor dog just wants to play and be with people!  He is just stuck running around that damn tree!

This is Lady and the smaller dog.  I have not been able to make contact with these people since they obtained this littler dog so I don't know it's name.  Lady needs to be brushed.  She has huge mats in her fur and her fur appears to be falling out a bit, which could be from the mats or an illness.  The light colored tuft of fur on her side that you can see in the picture, is a huge mat.  She is a very sweet dog and wants to play so much when I come and visit.  I can't always afford to buy toys and food, so I don't bring new toys as much as I would like.  I do get some donated food from Spay Neuter Kansas City but they are located about 30 minutes from me so sometimes, I just buy the food myself.  

All three of these dogs are neglected, sporadically fed and watered, and I don't think they are ever played with or even talked to!  They are so sad and do not like their life.  They want a family.

If you know of any chained dogs in Kansas City, please, please email me!  I can help them!

More recent posts about these dogs:

Sometimes I really hate people

...Not another dog!

Senior, blind dog living in junk yard needs rescue NY/CT/Metro Area

This is from an online group I belong to, I do not know any more information than is given here.

This beautiful 10 year old Malamute/ Husky Snow Dog Mix dog was once a
family pet but for the past few years, has had the misfortune to live as a junkyard dog.

Now he is too old to live outside. This gentle boy called Fluffy lost his
sight due to cataracts, but is extremely aware and alert to all around him.

Extremely sweet and gentle, Fluffy loves to be petted and touched. This
affectionate soul will win your heart. Very recently he was taken to a vet,
and had all his shots. He is flea and tick free. He walks slowly mostly do
to his lack of sight, but he is in pretty good shape and would love to just
rest his head at your feet and love you for the rest of his years.

Even the neighborhood feral cats love to hang around with him, and he is
fine with his feline buddies.

NY/CT/METRO AREA

If you can foster or adopt this wonderful being called Fluffy, please call
917 689 8414 and Thank you for caring!

Can you help a dog in NY?

This is from an online group I belong to, I don't know any more information than is given here:

Smokey is an 8-year old neutered Elkhound mix. He is currently
living on a chain and will remain that way until a foster or
permanent home can be found for him. He has been on the chain his
entire life and was occasionally allowed in the house when the
weather was extremely bad but was chained to the refrigerator.
His "owner" has been put in jail and the family stops by once a day
to feed him. He is currently located in Binghamton, NY. He was
brought to my home this weekend in Rochester, NY so I could foster
him but he is aggressive toward other dogs and since I have 3 dogs
(one that is aggressive herself and another that is 15 and doesn't
get around very well), it became clear very quickly that it was not
safe to foster him here. So with no options and no possible fosters
that don't already have dogs of their own ...unfortunately, my
friend drove him back to Binghamton and he is chained again.

While he was here, he was an absolute sweetheart with adults and a 9-
year old girl. He rolled over on his belly and loved belly rubs!
He slept in the crate in the house and barked at first but I gave
him a kong filled with treats and it settled him right down and he
slept through the night with no issues. He immediately sat for
treats and was so sweet and gentle when he took them from my hands.
He has a great disposition and followed the humans everywhere we
went ... desperate to be with us. He didn't know what to do with
toys ... clearly, he's probably never had one or had anyone play
with him. He did have one accident in the house but that was more
my fault than his since I hadn't noticed the time that had passed
since his last potty break. He will likely need some housetraining
since he's never been allowed to live indoors.

He has a lot of energy for an 8-year old. He is extremely
affectionate ... jumped right up on my lap a number of times and got
some loving. He was good with my cat too ... his only issue seems
to be with other dogs. He was a perfect gentleman when we bathed
him, trimmed him and brushed him ... he loved the pampering! He
also jumped gates while he was here which I understand is common for
his breed so a forever home with a tall fence is ideal.

I've got someone checking on him a few times each day (since
his 'family' only stops by once per day). It's freezing cold in
upstate NY ... 8 years on the chain is already 8 years too many.
Please help me get him off the chain and inside with the family that
he deserves.

Thanks so much for anything you can do for Smokey!
Christy Merkt
Rochester, NY
cmerkt@rochester.rr.com

 

I did a check on the weather up there in NY.  For the city he is in, today's high was 47 degrees and the low tonight is 28 degrees.  Please, please help if you can!  Thank You!

Freezing dogs and cats!

It is snowing outside this morning. Our first snow of the season. While it is barely an inch covering the ground, it is still unbearably cold out. I am anxious and worried about all of "my" chained dogs and feral cats. Although I need to be studying for finals and getting those last papers written, I am tempted to do my rounds and make sure they are warm. Most people won't even answer the door so I can give their dog some hay so it is probably useless to go out. I cannot enter a back yard without the owner's okay. If I do, I can be arrested. I might take an hour or two later this afternoon if I get enough work done for school. I am really worried about them.

Consumed by thoughts of cats

I am becoming increasingly consumed by the thought of cats and chained dogs outside in the cold. I live in Kansas City and it is starting to freeze at night. During the day, I am able to push the thoughts of shivering kitties from my mind. As the clock ticks by and evening comes, I become anxious that I can't save all of them.

I already do a lot for cats the that are near me. I live in a third floor apartment. Each night I go downstairs and feed some strays and ferals that I only see evidence of. Usually, there are people getting home or going out for the night and I feel nervous. I don't want them to see what I am doing. If they see and disagree with it, they might tell the landlord. I already know that the landlord doesn't care for cats too much. The maintenance man has thrown away numerous makeshift feeding stations and styrofoam houses. People think that feeding cats somehow attracts wild animals or something. The cats eat all the food-there is nothing left. I do get them first thing in the morning, but I guess the risk of wild animals getting the food goes down once the sun is up.  I probably should go back down after an hour or so to get the bowls, but I am already doing my inside cat work at that point.  I have 3 cats of my own and 6 fosters. It takes a lot of energy to feed all of them and change their 10 litter boxes-twice a day.  I have 4 kittens of various ages with the youngest being 4 months. I have a feral kitten I am working with daily and it requires lots of patience. 

Outside, there is only one cat that actually comes up to me only occasionally, but I see numerous glowing eyes hidden among the brush and under cars and quick movements from between trees. The one cat that comes up to me isn't too thin, I think it's a girl, she is some kind of Siamese cat. She has a bob tail, too. I am not sure what happened there...hopefully it is a characteristic of her breed.

Two nights ago, it was raining. When she came up to me her fur was wet and she was shivering. I felt deeply saddened that I had to leave her outside. I am trying to lure her up to my little house I made for them. I have to keep it by my door, which is on the (inconvenient) third floor. Although I do have one feral cat who comes up for food every night.

I wish I did not have to deal with this problem. It would be so much easier on me-and my pocketbook-if I just ignored them all. I wish that people would be responsible and take care of the animals they have so that they are not having babies and not running around outside. It isn't safe for them. I just can't know they are out there and not do something to help them.

I can tell that it is weighing on my mind, I feel the stress in my body.  I can feel my anger building inside when I think of the chained dogs who have no house or are too thin and have no body fat to keep them warm.  Dogs who have frozen water and no hay to burrow in.  Cats who are left to go into hoods of cars to try to keep warm and meet a terrible fate in the morning.  I know I can't save them all but I just might die trying to do it.  

Sometimes, I really hate people!

I went to go check on these dogs yesterday and I could tell that something was different about the chained dog, whose name is Red.  I couldn't figure it out until I got home and really looked at the pictures.  I think he has lost quite a bit of weight.  The last time I was there, which was a long time ago, the woman acted as if they did feed him regularly and I believed her.  Red looked to be a good weight.  He looked fairly healthy.  I have to have a point where I can put the animals out of my mind.  I sometimes think about the cats and chained dogs who have to live outside so much that I feel sick to my stomach.

I needed to be able to not worry about him so I could go about my life.  It is incredibly stressful thinking about all of the animals who are suffering and you really can't do anything about it.  So, yesterday, I went to his house because I have some hay that I wanted to put in his dog house to keep him warm at night-and during the day.

Nobody answered the door even though two vehicles were in the driveway.  

So, I went to their backyard.  They have an alleyway bordering their fence line so I just parked my car there and went to help them.  I had food and two buckets.  I only had my own water bottle with me-so I gave them that water to drink.  I went to Target and bought a gallon of water and some clips to clip the buckets to the fence. 

...not another dog!

Yesterday I went to check on some of my "usual" dogs. I haven't gone in a long time, I am embarrassed to say how long. I needed a break from the anguish and sadness I see on their faces. It is so difficult for me to see these dogs week after week living in the same small space-receiving little or no attention. If they are not emaciated or injured and in need of vet care I can't do anything to change the situation. That is very difficult to deal with. I had to take a break. I know that it's okay to take a break because if not, I will burn out. Then I couldn't help any dogs.

So, enough about defending my break.

I went to see them and they both still remembered me! I heard some barking that wasn't coming from the two dogs I was looking at. At first, I didn't know where the dog was...then it ran from the back deck along the fence line. At least it's not chained, was my first thought. My second thought was, these people have some nerve, getting another dog! They don't even care about the dogs they have!

The woman there claims she loves her dogs and has no other alternative...I hear that all the time. There are many options which either require money or time and energy of the pet parent. She said that Red, the dog that is chained, jumps on people. That is something that they can train him not to do-if they decided to.

When I was there yesterday, I saw that they had also shortened his chain. He also had no hay in his dog house. I am going to get some hay and I already have some buckets I am going to bring them. Right now, they are using what looks like a large salad bowl for water and a metal bucket for food. Somehow the bucket tips over. The "salad bowl" could fall over if the wind blew too hard! I am also going to bring some bungee cords to tie these buckets to the tree so they can't spill.

Lady, the Sheltie that is not tied up, was so happy to see me! They were both jumping and showing me that they wanted to play.

I am also thinking about asking the owner if I can take Red, the chained dog for a walk every so often. It's worth a try.

City Council Not Quick to Ban Pit Bulls

There was no movement Monday night by the Joplin City Council to ban any particular breeds of dogs to try to reduce aggressive-dog behavior and bites.

Instead, council members informally agreed to look at making changes to the city’s animal-ownership ordinances that would forbid tethering or chaining as a means of securing dogs, require mandatory neutering and spaying, and strictly cite owners for violations of the ordinances.

Members of the Joplin Health Department’s advisory board are to make specific recommendations for council authorization.

The topic of changing the city’s dangerous-dog ordinances drew representatives of several groups: postal workers, the Joplin Humane Society, the Tri-State Kennel Club, veterinarian and health-board member Ben Leavens, and police Chief Lane Roberts.

Read more here...

Formerly chained dog, Roscoe, needs a home in Indiana.

Roscoe, is a sweet three year old purebred German Shepherd. He is neutered, UTD on vacs and heartworm negative. He was recently rescued from life on a chain and is looking for a forever home to call his own. Roscoe hates cats but likes everyone else. He seems to have an issue with male dogs larger than himself. We think this may be because he is so little and skinny ( only weighing in at 57 lbs ) that at this point he feels intimidated by their strength and eagerness to play with him. He should weigh at least 90-100 lbs.

If you have room in your heart and home for Roscoe, please contact: chainfreeindiana@yahoo.com

Do see more formerly chained dogs who need forever homes click here!

Formerly chained dog, Donte, needs immediate foster/adoption in North Carolina.

I came from a life of living chained 24/7 in a fenced yard. I know what you’re thinking, why chained when the yard is fenced? I wondered the same thing – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

My next-door dog neighbor was fortunate enough to have a group called “Dogs Deserve Better” put up a fence for him so he could live his life unchained. While they were working on this, they noticed me in the next yard over. They asked my neighbors owner about me and she explained how I had to live, along with being hit in the face and head whenever I tried to greet my owners when they would come outside.

The representative for Dogs Deserve Better took a closer look at me and noticed evidence on my neck above my very tight chain of a previous embedded chain or collar, as well as an injury on my back leg that was caused by my chain getting wrapped up around my ankle.

She talked with my owners and was able to convince them to turn me over to her to find me another home. So my 2 new caring friends from DDB picked me up, took me to get all my shots, and I tested negative for heartworms. They will be taking me to get neutered soon.

They are now paying to keep me at a boarding kennel until they can find me the happy home that I deserve. I do have a lot of energy from being chained up for so long so I would really like to have a large area to run and play in. I am a little leery of hands coming toward my face and head because I only know of human hands hurting me when doing this. My new human friends come by to visit me often and spend time playing with me. They are helping me to learn that now the hands approaching me are good hands and they don’t hurt. I really like these human hands, as they are showing me that there are caring people out there and that I am loved.

I seem to do well with my dog neighbors at the kennel. I’m not sure about cats because I have never been given the chance to meet any. I really am a good boy, my new friends will agree. I am looking forward to settling down in a new, happy, and loving home, free from chains. If you think you can provide this for me, please contact my friends Shari or Wendy. Here are their numbers:

Shari Strader 336-207-8796 e-mail sdstray40@yahoo.com Wendy Wilson 336-749-5473

Chow Mix Needs Rescued in Hiawatha KS

This sweet boy named Snoopy has been through a lot in the last few months. He lived chained outside for over two years, then his "owners" moved and didn't want to bring him with them. He ended up at a local shelter. Apparently, he was sprayed with a hose by the shelter manager on numerous occasions for an unknown reason.

He is now living outside at a home where there are 20 other dogs. A shelter worker brought him home to prevent him from being killed. He is not being taken care of as well as he should be. Although the woman's heart is in the right place, she can't really give them all the time they deserve.

Snoopy has a small area at the front of her house that is fenced in doesn't really have a shelter to speak of from the rain etc... there is a partial porch that is really dilapidated that he can get under if need be. She leaves early in the morning to come into work and then doesn't get home til later in the evening.

It's going to get really cold soon and we are trying to get into a home.

Do you have room in your heart and home for this sweet boy?
If so, contact these people:
Marie Belanger 765.517.1532 e-mail chainsoff@sbcglobal.net
Stacy Reeves 913.208.0727 e-mail dogsdeservebetterkc@gmail.com