Man beheads his horse and feeds its head to his dogs, police say

A California man was arrested on charges of felony animal cruelty after police say he bludgeoned his horse with a sledgehammer, decapitated it with a chainsaw and fed it to his dogs.

  
Wow, this guy is a real winner!  Authorities say, in the past, that he has been cited for inhumane living conditions for his animals.  He has also faced multiple kennel violation charges and failing to get his animals vaccinated.  This guy had at least 33 dogs, 8 puppies, 10 goats, peacocks and geese on his property as well.  


The horse's remains have been taken to a state lab where a necropsy (autopsy for animals) will be done to see if decapitation was the cause of death or if it was alive when it was decapitated.


Read more... 

Puppy mill raided - some dead, dismembered, skulls hanging from trees

Animal Service officers confiscated 38 dogs and puppies Saturday afternoon in Boulder Creek, CA after finding "more dead dogs than we could count" and dog heads hanging from trees.


Inside the residence, officers found dead dogs at the foot of the bed and "feces everywhere."

Geisreiter said most of the dogs were in "pretty bad condition" and were scared and not friendly.


Officers found 38 dogs who were alive and an unknown number of dead dogs and decomposing carcasses. Only one full carcass was found, the rest were body parts, including skulls hanging from trees, Geisreiter said.

"There were decapitated dogs heads all over the property, hanging from trees," she said. "We don't know how the dogs died or why their heads were cut off. We are investigating him for crimes against animals."


Robert Brunette will reportedly be representing himself at his trial which is scheduled to begin on March 23, 2009.

Court dates are subject to change. To check the status of a court date, call:
Clerk of the Court, Criminal Division
Superior Court of Santa Cruz County
Phone: 831-420-2200
Case # F-16961

Additionally, you may mail or fax polite letters to:
Bob Lee, District Attorney
Santa Cruz County
701 Ocean Street, Room 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Fax: 831-454-2227


Read more...

Low-cost cat spay/neuter in California (discount for seniors)

Low-cost cat spay/neuter services available to seniors

For a limited time, the H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic will offer a discounted price to seniors 61 years and older on cat spay and neuter services.

Pet owners must show picture ID at the time of check-in. Limit two pets per person. The clinic is at 5490 W. Spruce Ave. The cost will be $25 for one cat.

Details: (559) 271-0209 for appointment.

Surgery is performed Monday – Thursday, and pets are dropped off at 8:00am. Pick-up for surgeries performed Monday – Wednesday is at 7:30am the following morning. Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 pounds in order to be eligible for surgery. Call (559) 271-0209 to make an appointment!

Vaccine Clinic (offered to everyone)

Monday - Thursday 12:30pm to 3:00pm

Vaccines are $12 each 

**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.**

Utility employee kicks 2 pound teacup chihuahua, breaks her neck and kills her!

What began as a day of packing and moving for Brianne Enos ended with the death of the family’s two-pound Teacup Chihuahua, Gwen, after a Southwest Gas Corp. employee kicked it and broke its neck, according to the family.

The family said the employee was at the home on Friday for a service call when he kicked the 9-year-old dog, breaking her neck and killing her after the dog ran out of the home and began to bark.

“He did this right in from of my wife while she’s holding my 2-month-old baby boy,” Kevin Enos said.

Brianne Enos called San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Hesperia station and filed a report on Friday, sheriff’s officials said.

The couple says their dog did run out and bark at the employee, whose name has not been released by Southwest Gas, but stated that the man did not give Brianne Enos enough time to put down her child and chase after the dog before he kicked it.

Southwest Gas sent its condolances along with their explanation.

“In the presence of Mrs. Enos and while outside of their residence, the service technician was charged twice by the homeowner’s aggressive dog which resulted in an unfortunate incident. Southwest Gas offers its condolences to the Enos family and regrets the unfortunate accident,” the statement continued.

Source:

http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/kicks_10957___article.html/alleges_kills.html 

200 dead animals in trash bags, 100 feral cats, 9 puppies and 1 dog removed from home.

A total of 310 animals were removed from a rural home in Temecula, California.   Elisao Gilbert Jimenez, 66, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty on January 23, 2009 after authorities were called to the residence about a vicious dog, said Riverside County sheriff's spokesman Javier Rodriguez.

The residence is located in northern Temecula off a dirt road with a sprawling, grassy front yard surrounded by wire fences. A tall gate with a thick chain and bulky lock secured the grounds.

A red barn and a large mobile home are atop a slope about a quarter-mile from the dirt road.

When animal control officers initially arrived, packs of dogs attacked each other, and the officers saw other horrifying acts, Bagwell said Saturday.

About 70 dogs circled officers and threatened to attack, leaving authorities with no choice but to euthanize the animals, she said.

The mobile home had been turned over to the animals, Bagwell said. Officers even discovered animals hiding in cupboards.

"The smell, I can't tell you how bad the smell was," Bagwell said.

Outside, there were more than 100 plastic trash bags filled with animal feces and animal corpses, Bagwell said.

"He didn't know what to do with them," she said.

Jimenez put animals that had died into bags instead of burying them because he didn't own the property, Bagwell said.

"He was very calm," Bagwell said of Jimenez. "He was like, OK, it's over."

Read more... 

Man who brutally beat puppy gets slap on the wrist!

A San Rafael man charged with beating his Chihuahua puppy pleaded guilty after a judge said she would reduce his charge to a misdemeanor and limit his sentence to 44 days in jail.

Jose Misael Cardenas, 20, will be sentenced March 11 by Judge Kelly Simmons, who offered the deal. Cardenas pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty count that prosecutors charged as a felony, but the judge has the discretion to make it a misdemeanor.

The investigation began on Aug. 27, when authorities received an anonymous tip from a resident on North San Pedro Road about someone beating a Chihuahua, according to the Marin Humane Society.

An animal control officer arrived to find the 6-month-old dog, Scooby, needing emergency treatment; it had bruises, was limping and lethargic. Cardenas, who said he owned the dog, denied any wrongdoing.

The dog was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with hemorrhaging to the left eye, bruising to its legs, chest and right ear, and fluid in its lungs, authorities said.

Prosecutors filed charges of animal cruelty, dissuading a witness and failure to take care of an animal. After a preliminary examination of the evidence in September, Judge Simmons ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold a trial on the animal cruelty charge, but she dismissed the two other charges.

Scooby, who was taken from Cardenas by the Marin Humane Society, has since been adopted, said Deputy District Attorney Aicha Mievis.



Cardenas told investigators he bought the dog at a flea market in Vallejo.



Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009: Report and Judgment



Here is his case number: SC160895A, Jose Misael Cardenas


Judge Kelly V. Simmons, appointed to the bench in 2005, received her bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and law degree from Pepperdine Law School. 

http://www.marincourt.org/bios_judge.htm



To contact the court locally:
Phone: (415) 473-6225
Location: Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-10
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm

Email the judge:

Email: criminal@marincourt.org

Mailing address:

Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, California 94903


Read more here... 

Spay/Neuter Options in California for FERAL CATS only

The Solano Feral Cat/ TNR Task Force works tirelessly to humanely reduce the huge overpopulation of homeless cats, both tame and feral, living in Solano County. 

Thousands of cats and kittens are euthanized in our county shelter every year because there are just not enough homes for them all. Cats reproduce very quickly, and are pregnant for only about 8 weeks. Cats also become pregnant while still nursing a previous litter. The time is NOW to spay and neuter your pets. 

We offer weekly appointments to out of county low cost spay/neuter clinics, and transportation is provided. Depending on which clinic we have openings for on any given week, and depending on the sex of the cat, spay and neuter prices range from $20-$45. Carriers are also available to loan, free of charge, if needed. 

Please note: These weekly low cost spay/neuter appointments fill up very quickly. It is imperative that if you reserve an appointment, that you show up with your cats. Please keep in mind that we are a volunteer based organization and our volunteers drive these cats to and from out of county low cost clinics (sometimes as far as 84 miles one way!) so that Solano County residents do not have to pay high prices to have cats spayed or neutered. We do not receive any funding from other sources to help with the cost of gas to get these kitties to their appointments and back. Donations towards the cost of gas and gas gift cards are much needed and greatly appreciated! 

If you live in Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun, Dixon, Rio Vista, or the unincorporated areas of Solano County please call the feral cat hotline at 707-421-5515 or Email: tnr@solanoferals.org and leave a message stating you have a pet cat that you would like to have fixed at one of the weekly appointments. You will need to bring your cat to the designated drop off spot in Fairfield the morning of the appointment, and pick up your cat in the same location later that evening. 

If you live in Vallejo, Benicia, or American Canyon and would like to , please call 707-552-3323 or Email: info@solanocountyfoa.org. 

Additional Low Cost Spay & Neuter Resources - Feral and Domestic

We are providing this list as a service but it changes often. CALL first to make an appointment and/or to verify rates and requirements.

Napa County

Napa Humane
3265 California Boulevard
Napa, CA
707-252-7442

For cats and dogs

 Cat Spay $40

 Cat Neuter $30

Yolo County

Yolo County SPCA Feral Cat Program
Feral cats $25 male or female
(530) 902-6267

Contra Costa County

Martinez Animal Shelter
4800 Imhoff Place
Martinez, CA 94553
925-335-8300
Please visit the Martinez Animal Shelter website for requirements and fee schedule

Alameda County

Berkeley Humane Society
2700 Ninth St.
Berkeley, CA. 94710
510-845-3633
Free spay/neuter for ferals (donations appreciated)

Tri-Valley

Tri Valley Fix Our Ferals
Free spay/neuter for feral cats (donations appreciated)
Six clinics a year held at Dublin SPCA
Reservation hotline: 925-264-7703

Sacramento County

SNIP- Spay Neuter Incentive Program
The Sacramento County shelter is pleased to announce a pilot program offering spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of low incomeresidents of unincorporated Sacramento County. With proof of income, and a $20 co-pay, animals may receive vaccinations, micro-chipping, and a Sacramento County Animal License along with a voucher to be used as payment for surgery with one of the participating veterinarians. Residents must schedule their surgery within 30 days of receipt of the voucher. For more information, call (916) 368-7387 (choose option 5) or drop by the shelter. View Flyer. (PDF) Low-cost Spay and neuter clinics

By increasing the numbers of animals that are spayed and neutered, fewer unwanted animals will be brought into the world. Contact your local veterinarian or clinic about their fees or call (916) 808-SPAY (7729) for additional information.

Sacramento SPCA Spay and Neuter Clinic
The Sacramento SPCA operates a low-cost spay and neuter clinic Tuesday through Saturday, from 7:15 am to 5:30 pm.  If you would like to schedule an appointment or wish to have someone return your call, please call (916) 383-7387 extension 9122.

Sacramento SPCA Fee Schedule:

http://www.sspca.org/SpayNeuterFees.html

Sacramento SPCA Free Spay/Neuter Program for Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes
Free spay or neuter for pit bulls or pit bull mixes - surgery is done at the SSPCA. Call 383-7387 extension 9017 to make an appointment. The program is only available to Sacramento County residents and West Sacramento (Yolo County) residents. You must show proof of residency at the time of your appointment.

More information is available at the Sacramento Area Animal Coalition

Happy Pets
Sacramento Pets In Need (S.P.I.N.)
(916) 487-4079

Placer County

Placer County SPCA
150 Corporation Yard Road, Roseville, CA 95661
(916) 782-7722 x 201 (Leave a message.)

This program is for Placer County residents owned pets only - while funds last.
Owners costs is $5.00 neuter cat/dog $10.00 spay cat/dog.
Our volunteers will call back and issue a voucher at a participating veterinarian's office.

Auburn Spay/Neuter Clinic
A non-profit spay & neuter clinic offering very low rates.
3524 KOA Way, Auburn, CA
Phone: (530) 889-8800

Feline:
Adult Spays: $30
Kitten Spays: $15 (under 4 lbs.)
No additional charge for cats in heat or pregnant

Adult Neuter: $15
Kitten Neuter: $10 (under 4 lbs.)

Canine:
Adult Spays: $40-$75 (depending on weight)
Puppy Spays: $20 (Under 4 months & under 30 lbs)
$10.00 additional charge for dogs in heat or pregnant

Adult Neuter: $30-$60 (depending on weight)
Puppy Neuter: $15 (Under 4 months & under 30 lbs)

Auburn Spay/Neuter Clinic also offers low cost FELV/FIV testing and low cost vaccines.

Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode
6200 Enterprise Drive, Suite D
Diamond Springs, CA 95619
(530) 642-CATS
Standard rates are $20 cat neuter; $30 cat spay (*and include rabies and 3-1 vaccine).
*They also offer low cost FELV/FIV testing and low cost vaccines.

http://solanoferals.org/index.php 

**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.**

California man stomped on kitten resulting in it's death, convicted of felony animal cruelty, sentencing Jan 28.

A 33-year-old man accused of stomping his roommate's daughter's kitten to death in late November appeared in San Mateo County Superior Court on Dec 10.


Jesus Calderon-Franco pleaded no contest to one felony count of animal abuse in a deal with prosecutors that guarantees a penalty of no more than 16 months in prison. He had been facing two felony charges of animal abuse, which could have netted him up to three years in prison.

Calderon-Franco allegedly killed the 4-year-old girl's kitten, named "Pucci," because he was angry she had drawn on the bathroom door, Wagstaffe said.

The roommate and his daughter were out shopping on Nov. 30 when Calderon-Franco became angry about the drawings. The roommate's brother was at the apartment at the time and allegedly witnessed Calderon-Franco grab "Pucci" by the neck and throw the kitten off the second-story balcony, according to Wagstaffe.

He then allegedly shouted that he was going to kill the animal, walked outside to where the kitten was and stomped on it, Wagstaffe said.

The roommate's brother called the roommate, who returned home and confronted Calderon-Franco. He denied attacking the animal, Wagstaffe said.

But the roommate saw blood on the sidewalk and found his daughter's kitten dead in a nearby trashcan, according to Wagstaffe.

A necropsy indicated the kitten died from multiple fractures to the body, Wagstaffe said.

Wagstaffe called the killing "cruel" since the attack not only left the kitten dead but also likely emotionally traumatized the 4-year-old girl.

"You're not just trying to harm the animal, you're trying to harm the child," Wagstaffe said.

Calderon-Franco has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty in San Mateo County Superior Court on Dec. 2, according to Wagstaffe.


Superior Court Judge Clifford Cretan said Wednesday he would keep an open mind to pleas from Calderon-Franco's defense attorney that his client serve out his term on probation rather than spend time in jail or prison, according to Wagstaffe.

Calderon-Franco has no prior convictions in San Mateo County.

Nonetheless, the prosecutor called the plea deal an "outstanding resolution" to the case because the family of the 4-year-old girl will not have to wait long for closure in the criminal justice system.

Calderon-Franco remains in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail. He is expected to return to court Jan. 28 for sentencing.

His sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Jan 28, 2009

Read more here... 

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 

Dog food recall 1.4.09

Solid Gold Voluntary Recall - Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula

Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula Canned Dog Food 13.2 oz Cans – POP-TOP CANS ONLY WITH A ‘USE BY DATE 01/02/2010’ located on the bottom of can

A limited production of this Turkey canned food was made with the POP-TOP, and none of the product was distributed in any of the following states: Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii, or Alaska. 

Solid Gold has received several complaints regarding mold found in a batch of 13.2 oz canned Turkey, Ocean Fish, Carrot, & Sweet Potatoes Formula, with Pop-Tops. As a precautionary measure, they ask that you return any of this product with the ‘Use By Date 01/02/2010’; you will find these numbers on the bottom of the cans.

• 13.2 oz Turkey and Ocean Fish Canned Dog Food.
• Purple label with a POP –TOP (Pull top) only.
• Date on bottom of can 01/02/2010
• Turkey and Ocean Fish cans without a Pop-Top are not affected.   

If you have this product with this date range, you can return it to the store you purchased it at for a full refund.

Low Cost Spay Neuter Options in California

1) The county of San Diego will issue $75 spay/neuter vouchers for female dogs and cats and $25 for males automatically for anyone in the qualifying zip codes of the SD shelter district.


Dogs:
Males $55 - $25 voucher = $30
Females $65 - $75 voucer = FREE
(prices increments raise by $20 for dogs over 40 lbs and again over 80lbs)


Cats:
Males $40 - $25 = $15
Females $50 - $75 = FREE


If your zip code does not qualify, you can still get a list of the low cost vets in your area that offer the base low cost prices.
Call (619) 544-1222 Mon-Wed-Fri from 9-1. Keep calling through the busy signals!
They will also set you up with low cost vaccines if your animals has never had any.


______________________________________________




2) SNAP offers low cost spay/neuters on their mobile spay/neuter bus the Neuter Scooter!
Qualification is based on income.


Dogs: $30 for 1st dog, $25 for each dog after that
Bully breeds - Pits, Rotweilers, and Chows and any mixes of these: $20
Cats: $20 for 1st cat, $15 for each cat after that


Included in this price is a nail trim, dose of Advantage flea drops, a rabies vaccine (for dogs only) and an E-collar (male dogs only)
Call 1-866-SPAYBUS to schedule an appt, or visit snap-sandiego.org


____________________________________




3) The Feral Cat Coalition will spay/neuter feral (wild) and stray cats for FREE at their monthly spay/neuter clinics. Inlcudes a rabies vaccine, dose of Advantage, and ear-tip (ear notched to publically indicate neutered-status).
This service is not for pet cats.


Call (619) 758-9194 to leave a message asking for reservations to the next clinic.


__________________________________________________
Berkeley East Bay Humane Society

Clinic Hours: By appointment only. Tuesdays - 8:00am to 5:00pm Drop-off ~ 8:00-8:30am Pick-up ~ 4:00-5:00pm Please phone for an appointment: (510) 845-3633 or (510) 845-7735, ext. 1

Every Tuesday, the BEBHS Veterinary Hospital runs a Spay/Neuter Clinic offering low-cost surgery prices to our community. Please read the requirements carefully to determine who qualifies for the Clinic. We also offer reduced prices for those who can demonstrate financial need or hardship. Appointments must be made in advance.

 Tuesday Spay/Neuter Clinic are for residents of the following cities only and income restrictions apply:

• Berkeley
• El Cerrito
• Albany
• Emeryville
• Richmond