18 year old gets one year probation, $300 fine for putting a Jack Russell Terrier in a washer and killing it after luring it with a dead squirrel.

Here is another case of a clueless judge giving a "slap on the wrist" punishment.

Klynn M. Cvejkus, 18, of the 200 block of Fourth Street, was fined $300, plus administrative fees, by Judge Gerard Long for killing a dog.

Her probation is under the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, which will allow her to clear her criminal record if she doesn’t get into trouble during the year.

A dead squirrel was found in the clothes dryer, the chief said. Because squirrels are difficult to catch, authorities suspect it may have been found dead and used to lure the dog into the house’s basement.

Pavic said dog feces found in the dryer indicate the canine may have been placed there first.

Police said Cvejkus, the Conemaugh Valley High School student, entered the house last month and put the small terrier into the washer. The dog died of a broken neck, authorities said. It didn't drown because water to the house had not been turned on.

Police said the dog was alive when it was put inside the washer, but they said Cvejkus allegedly told friends she found the animal dead along a road.

The home's owner, Jean Bopp, told the district judge on Monday she found the dead terrier in March when she was preparing to move back into the house.

I want to know why this judge is so lax about a punishment. She lured the dog there to KILL it. That is sick.

Please write or call this judge and let him know what you think about this sentence.

Judge Gerard Long
Cambria County Courthouse
200 South Center Street
Ebensburg, PA 15931
(814) 472-5440 Ext. 401

If calling, you can say something as short as "Judge Long, I am contacting you in regards to the case of Klynn M. Cvejkus (I do not know how to pronounce this person's name). If you do not feel comfortable trying to pronounce it you can say, "Judge Long, I am contacting you in regards to the case of the 18 year old teenager from East Conemaugh who put a dog in a washer and turned it on. Then, state your opinion on the sentence. For example, this is (basically) what I said: I believe this sentence is an injustice to the dog and other pets and pet owners. Police believe she lured the dog there to kill it. She picked up a dead squirrel, lured the dog to the house, placed him in the dryer where the squirrel was also found, then put him in the washer and turned it on. She knowingly and calously killed the dog. Probation is not nearly enough to punish her. According to Robert K. Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,” I hope you understand the severity of animal cruelty and the repercussions for our society the next time you have a case in your court room. Thank You.

Dog owner arrested for filing dog’s teeth down and beating dog for chewing wire fencing

Chris Barnett of McMinnville, Tennesee has been arrested and charged with felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty. He filed his dog's teeth down, to the gumline. A witness to the beatings, called the police and Barnett was arrested.

"He had 16 uppers and 14 lowers that have been ground all the way down. The root and nerve are exposed and bleeding," Warren County Humane Society President Andy Anderson said.

Last week, Anderson said she received a call from a man who said he saw Lucas' owner, Chris Barnett, beating the dog.
Anderson said Lucas' eyes were blood shot, and x-rays showed that he suffered a fracture to his face.

"This bone that goes around his eye is fractured," Anderson said.

Anyone who would like to help can send donations to:
Sparta Road Veterinary Clinic
4021 Sparta Hwy.
McMinnville, TN 37110

Donators are asked to specify that they want their donations to be used for Lucas' medical expenses.

Teenagers in Clearlake, California Microwave Hamster

Two teenage girls who police say microwaved a hamster face felony animal cruelty charges.

Officials say the girls, ages 14 and 15, twice put their hamster, named Bugsy, in a microwave. Police say they also stuck Bugsy in the freezer.

Officer Carl Miller says the girls told authorities they just wanted to see the hamster go around on the microwave's plate. The girls told authorities that they didn't think the animal would be hurt because it was only in there about five seconds.

Animal Control officers say the hamster survived, but chewed off three of its feet that were burned and blackened.

The girls, whose identities have not been released because of their ages, are being held in Juvenile Hall.

Former N.J. Coucilman To Face Animal Abuse Charges after leaving his dog outside in the freezing cold as it gave birth last year. 10 puppies frozen

CHESILHURST (CBS 3) ― A former New Jersey councilman is set to finally appear in court to face charges of animal cruelty after leaving his dog outside in the freezing cold as it gave birth last year.

After nearly a year of delays, former Chesilhurst Councilman Robert McCann is due in court on charges he left his pregnant Labrador Retriever Coco chained outside in 15-degree weather as she gave birth to 15 puppies last February.

Of the 15 newborn pups, only five survived. Officials said many of the puppies literally froze to death as they entered the world.

"The five puppies that did survive are healthy and happy today with very, very loving homes," said Kathy McGuire of N.J. Aid for Animals.

Coco has since been placed with another family.

McCann maintains he did nothing wrong in connection with the incident.

Cat microwaved to death during robbery in Canada-Trial for 13 year old and three 15 year olds begins 4.3.08

Four Alberta teens have been charged with animal cruelty after a cat was found dead in a microwave.

It's alleged that three 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old broke into a Camrose home on Dec. 30, and put the family cat named Princess in the microwave.

Police say the incident happened while the homeowners were out of town. A friend who checked on the home made the grisly discovery, finding the cat inside the microwave. She said she found the words, "Nice cat, look in the microwave" scrawled in felt pen on the kitchen window and on the glass of the kitchen cabinets.

Police say the microwave had been turned on-resulting in the cat's death.

"Obviously, it's very disturbing. We're used to dealing with property crime but when you go and do something like this it's upsetting," said Camrose Police Service Insp. Lee Foreman.

The incident has left the community in shock.

Vet thinks yellow lab was used as bait dog-mouth tied shut--found severely wounded-Please donate if you can!

This story is from a group I am in:

I just stopped by the Cherokee County Animal Shelter with Mary Carpenter
from Saving Gaffney Pets and there was a yellow lab there that had been
hit by a car or shot or beaten. She had a wound in her chest and a wound
in her backend and she was bleeding profusely... Out of her nose and
mouth and both wounds. Her paws were covered in blood. It was TERRIBLE.

She was attacked by another dog and it looks like
she just rolled over on her back and let the other dog maul her. She is
covered in wounds over her body... The weird thing is that she has
bruises on her face, so the vet said she might have been used as a bait
dog and they tied her mouth shut. It's sick, really. I haven't gotten a
final total on her care yet, but right now it is at upwards of $500.

She needs all the help she can get. I talked with the vet today and she
has three broken bones as well.

If anyone wants to donate, please call (864) 489-8446 (Piedmont Animal
Hospital) in the morning (03/03) and tell them it's for the Yellow Lab
Saving Gaffney Pets is bringing in.

This is the rescue that is currently paying for this poor dog's care:
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/SC251.html

Family dog shot for stealing food in Conifer, Colorado-March 12-Sentencing

A Jefferson County man who authorities said shot the family dog over a stolen morsel of food pleaded guilty Monday to charges of animal cruelty and prohibited use of a weapon, officials said.

Devin Shane Calhoun, 35, was arrested Aug. 12, 2007 after family members told police Calhoun took the dog, Lucky, outside and shot it following the theft of food from Calhoun's dinner plate. Lucky survived the gunshot wound.

Calhoun reportedly led the dog to a meadow near the house. His wife said she "heard one gunshot and the dog whine for a little bit."

Jefferson County district attorney spokeswoman Pam Russell said Calhoun faces up to 1 1/2 years in jail and a fine of up to $5,000. Sentencing will be March 12.

Man who fatally mutilated dog he stole from a vehicle is sentenced in York County, Maine

Michael Morin is accused of breaking into a truck’s passenger compartment and stealing Bandit, a Jack Russell Terrier and later slitting his throat, resulting in his death. Morin had apparently been a dating a woman who lived near the bar, and he thought that the dog’s owner had been visiting her, said York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette. Morin allegedly slit the dog’s throat, leaving it to bleed to death in the bed of the truck.

In addition 8 months of jail time, Morin was ordered by the court to pay the dog's owner, Ron Pelletier of Kennebunk, restitution in the amount of $875. Morin will also be on probation for two years following the completion of his sentence.


Do you have room in your heart for Duchess? She is a sweet, loving kitty who would love to share your home with you.
Click here to adopt Duchess.

Legislation to end the use of steel-jawed leghold traps on animals in the United States

Legislation to end the use of steel-jawed leghold traps on animals in the United States

Steel-jawed leghold traps are commonly used by commercial trappers in North America to “harvest” fur-bearing animals. Causing excruciating pain and suffering, the barbaric traps have been banned in 88 countries worldwide. The Inhumane Trapping Prevention Act will end the use of conventional steel-jawed leghold traps on animals in the United States.

H.R. 1691 - Sponsors: Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY), Representative Christopher Shays (R-CT)


Click here to contact your representatives

Site I found about China's Dog Trade *Graphic* Cruelty beyond belief the Olympic hosts are trying to hide

Cruelty beyond belief the Olympic hosts are trying to hide!

While billions tune into China’s "green" Games this August countless dogs will continue to endure horrendous suffering at the hands its most despicable trade. In a daring undercover probe we expose the horrors of China’s dog meat business, from shocking transport conditions to the brutal slaughter of dogs - many of them former pets - at roadside restaurants and processing factories. Our report and video log the sordid truth China doesn’t want you to see - please sign our petition calling for Chinese welfare legislation that would outlaw this vile trade.

Reports of animal abuse can go astray

Calls about dog abuse are common in Franklin County, according to representatives of local animal shelters.

Too often, however, the calls are made to the wrong agencies.

When it comes to reporting animal cruelty, particularly related to dogs, people are often confused about what to do. So they call police or the state dog warden. Some people call on government officials, like a woman in Greencastle who went to the town's council on Feb. 4 with her concerns about a dog in her neighborhood.

In Pennsylvania there are certain agencies designated to handle certain calls.

The humane societies or animal shelters work to prevent the cruelty to animals. They also promote the humane treatment for all animals through education and enforcement of state cruelty laws.

In Franklin County, the Antietam Humane Society covers the southern part of the county, while the northern part is covered by the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.

Calls about the abuse of dogs and other animals should be made to the AHS or CVAS. And that's a message made clear by Dog Warden Georgia Martin, who reports more than 18,000 dog licenses being issued in 2007.

The outgoing message on her answering machine notes that animal cruelty, dog neglect or cat complaints should go to the humane society; barking complaints to the local township or borough; and wild animal complaints to the state game commission.

Complaint in Greencastle

The issue of animal neglect emerged recently

during a Greencastle Borough Council meeting. Isle-Marie Bramson of 305 Leitersburg St. called on council to help a beagle that lived near her home. She said the dog's owner often leaves the dog outside in cold weather. When a council member asked if she had contacted the humane society, she said she had and that nothing had been done.

"One thing that bothers me about Greencastle is the fact that no one seems to be concerned about the welfare of an animal," Bramson said in a prepared statement. "Neither the police nor the animal welfare persons are implementing the few existing laws regarding animals. In any case, the present rules are not enforced partly because they are too vague."

The owner of the dog in question, whose name was not mentioned by Bramson, told Public Opinion that police and other agencies had made several visits to his home and they found nothing wrong: "She's been told to mind her own d
business!"

Chief John Phillippy of the Greencastle Police Department confirmed the owner's remarks. He said Wednesday that his officers have made several visits to the owner's home, as has Georgia Martin, the state dog law enforcement officer.

They found no violations, he said.

"You may agree or disagree with having a dog outside," Phillippy said. "But the owner is not in violation. The state code says the dog should have food, water and shelter, and the dog has that."

Candy Clopper, executive director of the Antietam Humane Society, agreed: "I have been there many, many times and the complaints were totally unfounded. The owner is not in violation of animal cruelty laws."

According to Clopper, Bramson also said the beagle was chained. Yet, when Clopper visited the dog, he was not chained.

"The owner said he was only chained when cleaning the kennel," she said. "We all would like to see dogs snuggled inside, but there is no law requiring that."

Clopper said the beagle is actually better off than most other dogs that are kept outside.

Different laws, different states

"As long as they fall within the laws of Pennsylvania, there's nothing wrong," said Jennifer Vanderau, director of communications for Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.

"Being an animal lover, I agree it's sad to see the dogs outside," she said. "However, the agencies in question are bound by the laws of Pennsylvania."

Vanderau explained that people sometimes watch the television channel Animal Planet and see things in Texas or New York and wonder why agencies won't address certain complaints.

They don't understand that different states have different laws, she said.

Concerned about the state law on the issue, Bramson is planning a trip to Harrisburg to meet with state legislators and see what can be done about current law.

She agreed that the beagle's owner is not in violation. However, she believes the dog is still suffering, and the way to address it is by changing the current law: "The laws have to be changed and made more precise."

According to Bramson, chaining is not good for a dog. It's a problem because it can cause dogs to become vicious, she said.

Dog warden

People have their own ideas, but agencies have to go by the law, said Martin, who worked as a humane society police officer from 1991 to 1998.

Since then, she has worked as a state dog warden. In that capacity, she tries to educate the public about her job and the treatment of animals, she said.

In addition to filing citations, she handles complaints about dogs running at large. If someone is bitten, she takes care of it by placing the animal in quarantine. She informs the victim of his or her rights and lets the dog owner know about their responsibilities.

Martin also checks for license and rabies vaccinations of dogs older than 3 months. She also picks up strays, averaging one a week.

"Sixty percent of the complaints are about neighbors' dogs running loose," she said, noting she averages 900 cases a year.

Beyond those duties, Martin inspects 45 kennels, twice a year, throughout the county.

"Our agency does not handle animal cruelty," she said. "We don't have the power to enforce cruelty laws. When in the field, if I see any cruelty issues, I address it with the dog owner and turn it over to a humane society police officer."

The state is currently talking about empowering dog wardens to enforce cruelty laws, she said.

'Dogs Deserve Better'

Bramson is a volunteer for Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit group that works to free dogs that are chained. Its goal is to protect the dogs and bring them into homes, according to the group's Web site.

Bobbie McIntyre, a DDB representative, said she will do what she can to save abused dogs: "If you see what some of the dogs look like when they're brought to us, you'll understand the severity of the situation."

Some of the dogs she has rescued were nearly crippled by the chains. Their legs were atrophied and the collars had grown into their necks, she said. Beside those issues, the chains breeds severe aggression in a dog, she said.

When she learns of a chained dog, she writes a letter to the owner and provides literature on why the dog should not be chained. McIntyre, who lives in Greencastle, said she's not talking about the use of a leash when a dog is taking a walk. Her concern is for the "perpetual chained dogs" that are chained for their entire lives.

In addition to educating the dog owners, McIntyre and DDB offer free fencing that they install. They also offer to housebreak a dog if necessary and will pay for a trainer. If the owner surrenders the dog, she will gladly take it in, she said.

Although many governments have passed laws prohibiting this, she said, Pennsylvania is the hardest to bring about this change. So far, McIntyre said she has talked to local, county and state representatives about the issue.

She wants to lobby until the laws are changed. In the mean time, she plans to continue to write letters to owners of chained dogs.

----------

Roscoe Barnes III can be reached at 262-4762 or rbarnes@publicopinionnews.com.

Resources on animal treatment

Antietam Humane Society: 762-9091, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/antietamhumanesociety.html

Dog Law Enforcement Officer of Franklin County: 762-9794

Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter: 263-5791, http://www.cvas-pets.org/History.htm

The Large Animal Protection Society: http://www.largeanimalprotectionsociety.org/crueltylaw.html

Dogs Deserve Better: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/home.html

Animal Shelter Workers Make 'Gruesome' Discovery

NEW CUMBERLAND, W.Va. -- Deputies said the animals were disfigured, and this was a malicious act.Police are looking for who maliciously killed a cat and a puppy and left them outside of the Hancock County Animal Shelter." It is a really despicable act,” said Brian Vaughn, an animal technician at the Hancock County Animal Shelter. Vaughn told NEWS9 he walked outside to grab a carrier for some adopted animals. He made a gruesome discovery inside one of the carriers: a 6-week-old puppy and a cat were dead, stuffed inside a garbage bag. "This is one of the worst things I've ever dealt with," said Vaughn." It appeared to me they had been run over,” said Deputy Jeff McIntyre. “…either run over or beaten with some type of object. "Shelter employees told NEWS9 they couldn’t fathom someone doing this."We take in anything,” said Lori Watson, director of the Hancock County Animal Shelter. “If they would've brought them to our door, we would've taken in the animals without any questions asked. Now the sheriff's department is taking the carrier and the garbage bag and sending them both to a crime lab for testing. "It's always disturbing because if someone can do this to an animal,” said Sheriff Mike White. “Obviously they're not going to have any qualms about doing it to a person." "We want to find out who did this,” said Watson. “…and see them brought to justice, so this doesn't happen to another animal. "White said a local veterinarian will examine the animal remains to find out the cause of death. If you have any information in this case, you can call the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crimebusters Tipline at 1-800-862-BUST. It’s a free call and you don’t have to leave your name.

34 cats, 4 dogs seized - 17 dead, cannibalised-4 day jury trial to begin feb 19

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jan 31, 2007
» Tuesday, Feb 19, 2008: four-day jury trial for Cynthia Neu

A malnourished cat rescued from a Marquette Street home where several abused animals were found this morning escaped from a crate, jumped out of a parked Humane Society van into the snow and died.

“He was dead when he hit the snow,” said Fond du Lac Humane Society President Rob Post. The cat was so malnourished its legs were about the diameter of a pencil.

Several cats and at least one dog were found dead at 253 Marquette St., said Humane Society Shelter Manager Lucy Mathers. She said the dead dog was found in the basement and it appeared that other animals had been eating it.

There was no water for the pets and feces littered the residence, Mathers said. Dead and nearly-dead animals were found throughout the home, she said.

“The stench is unbearable,” Mathers noted.

Fond du Lac Police Department responded to the residence at 9:43 a.m., said Lt. Pat McKeough.

“It’s a pretty deplorable situation,” he said.

Police declined to release the woman tenant’s name at this time. The owner of the building told The Reporter the woman has occupied the home since October.

Humane Society employees were still pulling animals from the residence around 11:30 a.m. and planned to be working throughout the day at the house.

Fond du Lac police officers and a detective were on scene around 12:30 p.m. gathering information, McKeough said.

The last serious case of animal neglect in the city occurred in fall 2005 and involved several dozen dead and nearly dead cats in a Bank Street home. Some of them appeared to be eaten by other cats, according to the criminal complaint.

Merici Habib of Fond du Lac was sentenced to five years probation for 10 misdemeanor counts of mistreatment of animals in connection with that case.

PETsMART Suspends Bird Sales Until Spring

Thanks to everyone who has written to PETsMART to urge a ban on the sale of birds and other live animals. Your efforts are making a difference!

We recently learned that PETsMART has extended its original suspension on the sale of birds in approximately 775 stores in 46 states across the U.S. until at least April. In late 2007, birds in 43 PETsMART stores tested positive for avian chlamydiosis (also called psittacosis) — a disease that is transmittable to humans.

As we told you in an earlier alert, PETsMART was also recently in the news, in a Today show segment alleging animal mistreatment at one of its major suppliers.

Born Free USA united with API continues to call on PETsMART to discontinue its sale of birds and other live animals. If you have not done so already, please let PETsMART know that you won’t be shopping at its stores until live animal sales cease.

Now is the time to keep the pressure on to help turn PETsMART’s temporary suspension of sales into a permanent change!

To find out more and take action on this alert, click here.

Owner beats, slaps, kicks, abuses chained dog--CAUGHT ON TAPE!

Again and again the video shows the man come out of the house and drag the dog out of a barrel that is obviously his ‘house’, he’s chained to a tree and the man beats him, kicks him, throws him around, holds him up by collar and chain. The dog whines, cries and huddles, attempts to retreat to the what he believes to be the safety of his barrel only to be dragged back out and beaten again and again.

It hurt to watch this, the dog so pitiful and defenseless, his tag still wagging every time the man approached only to be dealt with more abuse.

Arrested was William Steward Jr. of High Point, NC, who claims this is a case of mistaken identity. “That is not me, this is not me,” said Steward. “I have a dog myself, I love dogs, I would never abuse dogs.”

For months neighbors had been complaining about the abuse and calling the police but there wasn’t enough evidence to do anything but Steward has been suspect for some time, by neighbors and police. A previous video didn’t give police enough information to charge Steward at the time.

“We have received one (call) that we had worked with Humane Society … but there wasn’t enough there to warrant the charge,” said High Point police Lt. Mike Kirk. “But today, one came to light that was twice as long as one we had.”

Steward called the police to try to clear his name after a picture of his driver’s license was aired on local television in connection to the abuse. He says that his only connection to the case is that he used to live at the address four years ago. A neighbor, Dolores Myers said she’s seen the dogs abused and believes they should have been picked up a long time ago. She say the man she saw attacking the animals, the same man in this video, is not Williams Steward.

Some neighbors suspect the man currently living in the house at 303 Whittier Ave. He was not home Saturday for comment.

Despite Steward’s claims of innocence, the police believe they arrested and charged the correct person. If, as Steward claims, he is innocent, he will have his chance in court. He was released on $1,500 bond.

As for the abused dogs at the address, animal control removed four pitbulls Saturday night. “They are friendly dogs, very friendly so they were easy to get,” said animal control officer Nelson Moxley who took the dogs into custody.

If you can stomach it, you can watch the video HERE. As for Steward’s claim of innocence, time and the courts will tell. From the video, it’s not easy to see a person’s face but there’s no doubt it will all come out and I’ll be sure to keep you updated.

Whoever did this to that poor dog shown on the video needs to be dealt with in the harshest manner but from the charges leveled against Steward, three misdemeanors, it won’t happen!


This sickens me beyond belief. I am so mad right now, I am shaking. How could anyone do this? How could they just look at that sweet dog who is wagging his tail and do this? I will follow this case very closely!

10 dogs neglected, emaciated, one found dead » Friday, Feb 29, 2008: sentencing

Incident Date: Monday, Sep 18, 2006
Friday, Feb 29, 2008: sentencing


Chenango County Court Case # 2006-92

Douglas Arthur Haslett: CONVICTED

A Chenango County man has been convicted of abusing his animals. Sheriff's deputies say Douglas Haslett had a number of dogs at his home that were not being fed and didn't have proper shelter.

Deputies, along with animal control officers, found nine emaciated dogs and took them to an animal hospital for treatment. Deputies also found a dead dog at Haslett's home. The dog died of starvation.

This is his sentencing, please contact the judge in this case and ask for harsh sentencing.

Chenango County Office Building
5 Court Street
Norwich, NY 13815

607-337-1825
Fax 607-337-1834
e-mail: cschell@courts.state.ny.us

Chenango County Judge
Hon. W. Howard Sullivan

Hoarding-animals found dead in freezer-nearly 200 counts of animal cruelty

A preliminary hearing was delayed on Feb 12, 2007 for a Uniontown couple facing nearly 200 charges related to cruelty to animals.

Tim and Joyce Swaney of 51 Bierer Ave. were each charged Dec. 18 with 68 counts of cruelty to animals, eight counts of failure to dispose of animal carcasses and 19 counts of failure to have pets vaccinated.

Officers Jamie Speelman and Elizabeth Davidson from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals had to wear biohazard suits and breathing masks to enter the Swaney home last November where dozens of animals were found living among several carcasses of dead animals.

After the house was completely searched, the officers reported finding 27 living animals, including 15 cats, four rabbits, a turtle, six ferrets and a dog. Officers also found eight dead animals in different areas of the house, including three cats, three kittens, a ferret and a bird.

Some of the dead animals were found in a freezer in the basement of the home. One cat was discovered dead underneath a mattress in the couple's bedroom. A dead kitten was also found in an empty cat food can.

Officials described the home as being "full of feces and debris" and said that animal carcasses were found in several rooms of the home.

Five puppies abandoned in portable toilet-man and woman to plead Feb. 19

Police say they are "pleased" that charges have been laid in a disturbing case of animal cruelty that saw five puppies dumped down a roadside outhouse and left to die in southwestern Alberta.

Samantha Rieberger, 42, of Crowsnest Pass and 57-year-old Frederick Hoath of Fernie, B.C., have been charged with five counts of cruelty to animals under both the Criminal Code and Alberta's Animal Protection Act.

On Jan. 4, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to a frantic 911 call from a motorist who heard whimpering coming from an outdoor toilet alongside Highway 3, near the Alberta-British Columbia boundary.

They found five black Lab-cross puppies - about eight-weeks-old - in the feces-filled pit of the outhouse.

The two-hour rescue involved several agencies and contractors who worked to rescue the pups.

They had to chisel the toilet away from its concrete base to access the outhouse's holding tank to get the animals.

All of the puppies were given a clean bill of health and all have been adopted.

Alberta Transportation has sent the $800 bill for the destroyed toilet to the local Fish and Wildlife office. The RCMP has offered to pay the bill on their behalf.

"A lot of information was received from the public, and a lot of other agencies contributed to the information we were able to use," said Sgt. Scott Howard.

"As soon as we talked to the owner, we knew something wasn't right. As a result of some compelling information that we received, the grounds to pursue charges were provided to us."

The puppies' mother, along with several cats were taken from Rieberger's home by the SPCA.

Both were ordered to appear to make a plea Feb. 19.

Rieberger and Hoath are charged with five counts of cruelty to animals under the Criminal Code, as well as five counts of cruelty to animals under the Animal Protection Act.

Monkey Boiled Alive At Research Lab

A monkey, slotted to be used in a drug-product research experiment, was instead boiled alive inside an Everett laboratory, a KIRO Team 7 Investigation found. It's a deadly error, but not the first one KIRO Team 7 Investigators uncovered at SNBL USA.That company is near the Boeing Plant off Merrill Creek Parkway in Everett. It houses around 2,000 primates and represents clients like Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly and Seattle Genetics. Using hidden camera footage, Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne shows you inside a facility that's no stranger to federal animal care violations.

When it comes to scientific experiments, often the Cynomolgus Macaque monkey is the primate of choice. They weigh anywhere from about 3 to 25 pounds and make lots of barking noises. It's hard to image how anyone could miss one sitting inside a small cage. In early November, SNBL employees set out to clean pens full of monkeys and, at times, their babies. Our hidden camera footage, taken inside SNBL headquarters, shows just how obvious it is to see and hear these animals jumping around in their enclosures. Despite that, KIRO Team 7 Investigators confirmed someone placed a wire kennel, with a healthy female macaque monkey still inside, into a giant rack-washer.

The 180-degree water, caustic foam and detergent killed the primate at some point during the 20-minute cycle. Joanie McCully is a former Animal Care Supervisor for the SNBL. "I was sick to my stomach. It broke my heart because that is so avoidable and unnecessary, and I couldn't believe it. I wanted to vomit right there. I had other people calling me and saying, 'Did you hear?' They were in tears.

It was just horrible, especially when they described her, foam coming out of her mouth and her gripping the bars of the cage. They had to peel her off of that cage. Yuck.

”McCully is upset by what she calls a "long-standing disregard" for animal care at the Everett facility.

As an example, she points to an e-mail from a veterinarian working at SNBL entitled "uh oh". McCully asked the vet, "I heard about the monkey, pretty bad."The reply: "Oh yes- what a mess! Knew it was (g)oing to happen at some time - many close calls. Now all the paperwork – USDA and AAALAC. What FUN!"McCully was floored by the reaction. "When I inquired about it, the reply I got back was 'Oh, dear.' Think of the paperwork. That just upset me to my soul because no animal in there should die because of somebody’s mistake or negligence or lack of compassion. "McCully says she was recently fired after telling federal inspectors that some SNBL employees were abusing primates and failing to follow other US Department of Agriculture guidelines. Her list of complaints include: employees carelessly spraying monkeys with acid and intentionally slamming primates on the floor. Why would they do that? “Drop that cage from a standing position. Drop it. Monkeys would land on their heads in that cage and they'd (employees would) spin it around to confuse the monkey and get it all out of sorts. Then, (they’d) do the procedure. That way the monkey is cooperative.”

The company, so far, has refused to speak with KIRO Team 7 Investigators about that allegation or a number of others listed in U.S. Department of Agriculture reports. We discovered the USDA opened a series of federal Animal Welfare violation cases against SNBL in 2005 after 19 marmoset monkeys died. An inspector noted "highly toxic agents were being injected into animals without the use of methods to relieve pain and distress. "The report also shows a number of "repeat non-compliance" issues, including recordkeeping so poor that inspectors couldn't tell if "the animals were receiving adequate veterinary care, or any veterinary care, before they died." Primate medicine expert and veterinarian Dr. Cathy Johnson-Delaney quit SNBL about a year before the marmoset deaths. She says there is no excuse to mistreat monkeys. Not only is it cruel, but it can distort human drug studies SNBL is paid millions to oversee.

Johnson Delaney told KIRO Team 7 Investigators, "If you're going to be causing pain and distress to an animal, first of all, it's against the Animal Welfare Act. Secondly, the science is going to be compromised. A stressed animal does not give you the data. "A Japanese conglomerate, Shin Nippon Biomedical, owns the Everett research center. It did not respond to KIRO Team 7 Investigators regarding the animal welfare record if its subsidiary. McCully says remaining silent about dead, sick, or abused primates will not make the ongoing federal investigation go away. "If you can't put yourself in the monkey's place or that mouse's place or that rat's place, you don't need to be there. You don't need to be there. If you don't have that compassion, this isn't the job for you." A USDA spokesperson confirmed to Halsne that SNBL is on what that the agency calls the "risk list."

It's a special category where inspectors visit more often than once a year, as required by law. That agency also tells Halsne, 'You get on the risk list by having a pattern of non-compliance.' The USDA confirmed to KIRO Team 7 Investigators that its inspectors are aware of the scalded monkey incident. That agency has no other comment until that investigation is complete. We contacted SNBL repeatedly over the past week. Late Thursday, our station received an e-mail. It says- in part:"One of the monkeys used in our research died in an unfortunate accident. It was the first accidental death of a monkey in our care in eight and a half years." The company also states that it has been told "that the last [USDA] investigation in November contained no violations." To see more of SNBL's response- click here.

If you want to tell the USDA your thoughts about the treatment on the monkeys mentioned in this story use the addresses below.

Headquarters

Mailing Address:
USDA/APHIS/AC
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234

E-mail: ace@aphis.usda.gov
Phone: (301) 734-7833
Fax: (301) 734-4978

Western Region

Mailing Address:
USDA/APHIS/AC
2150 Centre Ave.
Building B, Mailstop 3W11
Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117

E-mail: acwest@aphis.usda.gov
Phone: (970) 494-7478
Fax: (970) 494-7461

Eastern Region

Mailing Address:
USDA/APHIS/AC
920 Main Campus Drive
Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606-5210

E-mail: aceast@aphis.usda.gov
Phone: (919) 855-7100
Fax: (919) 855-7123

Cat microwaved to death during robbery by teenagers in Canada

Upcoming Court Dates:
» Thursday, Feb 7, 2008

Incident Date: Sunday, Dec 30, 2007

Four Alberta teens have been charged with animal cruelty after a cat was found dead in a microwave.

A 13-year-old and three 15-year-olds are facing a number of other charges after a break-in occurred over the weekend at a home in the central Alberta community of Camrose, about 90 kilometres from Edmonton.

Police say the incident happened while the homeowners were out of town. A friend who checked on the home made the grisly discovery, finding the cat inside the microwave.

Police say the microwave had been turned on.

"Obviously, it's very disturbing. We're used to dealing with property crime but when you go and do something like this it's upsetting," said Camrose Police Service Insp. Lee Foreman.

The incident has left the community in shock.

"I get a little disturbed when I hear of things like that going on," one resident told CTV News Edmonton. "That's just senseless and stupid," he said, petting his dog.

Other residents said they're also concerned that young people have been charged.

Several thousand dollars of electronics were also taken during the robbery. Police say they have recovered most of the stolen property. The teens will appear in court in February. They cannot be identified because of legal restrictions.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/12908/AB/CA/

**UPDATE**

A group of anti-animal cruelty protesters stood outside court in Camrose, Alta., as a judge put the case of several teens accused of using a microwave oven to kill a family cat over until March 6.

It's alleged that three 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old broke into a Camrose home on Dec. 30, and put the family cat named Princess in the microwave.

They were charged with unlawfully killing an animal, unlawfully causing pain or suffering to an animal and various break and enter offences.

The protesters have been lobbying for Ottawa to pass effective legislation for crimes against animals.

A neighbour who walked into the vandalized home has said she found the words, "Nice cat, look in the microwave" scrawled in felt pen on the kitchen window and on the glass of the kitchen cabinets.

The protesters carried pictures of Princess when the cat was alive and signs that said "Killers often torture animals when they are young".