Even a 12 Year Old Boy Knows It’s Wrong to Hurt a Dog

New Zealand: On Thursday, a 12 year old boy named Damon Boyer-Marwood was walking home from school when he heard a dog crying out in pain.  He found a group of school boys with a dog pinned down to the ground.  The boys were taking turns kicking the dog and hitting her with a cricket bat.  Damon told the boys to stop and they ended up running off.  He picked up the injured dog, carried her to a friend’s house and called the Wellington SPCA.

Via a microchip, the dog was reunited with her owner.  The owner asked to meet Damon in person:

“I want to thank him from my heart, I want to know his face.”

Rose the dog with her grateful owner and Damon, as shown on the TVNZ website.

Everyone involved is applauding Damon’s bravery and action:

Damon’s grandmother Jenny Marwood said she was proud of him. “It makes you wonder what would have happened if he didn’t step in.”

Yes, it makes you wonder.

Chris Brown’s Latest “Performance”

Celebrity singer Chris Brown is a violent convicted felon. Domestic violence often stems from a male preying upon a female he perceives as unable to defend herself against his brutality.  It’s not surprising that there is a well established link between domestic violence and animal abuse – in both cases the victims are chosen for their vulnerability.

Chris Brown is currently on probation for beating up a former (?) girlfriend.  If I was his probation officer, I’d be checking out his latest online venture:  selling Pitbull puppies who come with a “four generation performance pedigree”.  For those unfamiliar with dog pedigrees, they trace the puppy’s family tree and, in the case of dogs bred for a specific purpose, the ancestors’ accomplishments are listed next to their names.  For example, a puppy bred for dog shows will include designations in the pedigree such as BIS (Best in Show) and CH (Champion) next to the names of ancestors who have achieved these performance titles.  Likewise, animal abusers who force dogs to fight in organized illegal dogfighting rings include dogs’ win records in the pedigrees of puppies being sold for dogfighting.  Since dogfighting is a crime in every state in the country, the pedigrees containing the dogs’ fight records are often advertised as “performance pedigrees”.

I have no idea what sort of “performance” records the dogs in Chris Brown’s puppy pedigrees have.  Maybe they are all AKC obedience title winners or top weight pull competitors or some combination of other ‘performance’ events.  I’m not saying that, based on this online puppy selling, Chris Brown appears to be a dogfighter or has any connections to the world of dogfighting.  What I’m saying is that I hope his probation officer is exercising due diligence and looking into the matter.

12 Minutes of Hell

Whose job is it to inspect facilities calling themselves animal shelters in Uvalde Co, TX?  That person (or persons) needs to be fired.  Because while they were sleeping, animals were suffering at the Uvalde Animal Shelter.

An anonymous whistleblower posted 2 clips to YouTube – the first one is about 9 minutes long and shows severely neglected dogs at the Uvalde Animal Shelter.  They still wag their tails when the person with the camera comes around, which is heartbreaking to see.  The second clip is about 3 minutes in length and shows the cats.  There’s no wagging here – just cats suffering.  I almost shut it off half way through as it’s very difficult to watch.

Warning:  Videos contain disturbing images of suffering pets and multiple pet carcasses in various states of decay.

Dogs at Uvalde Animal Shelter, filmed by anonymous whistleblower:

Cats at Uvalde Animal Shelter, filmed by anonymous whistleblower:

As if this injustice wasn’t enough, Uvalde Co officials made an agreement with the so-called shelter which frees the organization from prosecution.  In exchange for surrendering the animals, the Uvalde Animal Shelter agreed to pay $12,500 in fines and to shut down for 3 months.  So I guess in 3 months, the people who perpetrated these crimes against animals can hang their shingle out again.  Or they could probably do it sooner because, you know – it’s not like anyone’s checking.

The only good news out of this tragic situation is that, of the 200+ animals seized, 186 are still alive and in the care of rescuers.

(Thank you Clarice for alerting me to this story.)

Breaking: MAS Workers Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charges

At a presser this morning, Mayor Wharton announced 3 MAS workers have been indicted for animal cruelty, per a report on WMC-TV.  This post will be updated as details develop.

Update #1:  The Commercial Appeal names the employees:

Three Memphis Animal Shelter employees were indicted today on multiple charges of animal cruelty following a police undercover operation.

The employees charged are Billy D. Stewart, 28, Frank Lightfoot, Jr., 59, and Archie Elliot, III, 35. Each is charged with multiple counts of aggravate animal cruelty. They were arrested this morning following their indictments.

Frank Lightfoot is seen in some of the recent videos but the other two are not.  These arrests are apparently the result of undercover police work.  The female ACO who is depicted in the video hanging the puppy by the chokepole and dragging dogs has not been charged.

Update #2:  Frank Lightfoot – in jail, 4 counts aggravated cruelty to animals

Billy Stewart – in jail, 4 counts aggravated cruelty to animals

Archie Elliott – in jail, 2 counts aggravated cruelty to animals

Regular readers will recognize Mr. Lightfoot as the worker depicted in many webcam images and recent videos.  The city has defended his animal abuse in past.  I believe Mr. Stewart is the worker I captured hanging a cat by the neck.  The city has defended his animal abuse in past.  Mr. Elliott was the worker caught on camera beating Pitbulls with a chokepole after they had had gotten into a fight at MAS.  He was also caught putting puppies in the trash can, wheeling them to the kill room.  The city has defended his animal abuse in past.

Aside from Frank Lightfoot, none of the workers depicted in the security camera footage from February 7 have been charged.

Update #3:  Statement from the Mayor.  He refers to “unfounded” and “exaggerated” claims of abuse, says they can’t bring charges based on perceptions, they need evidence.  And that the charges brought today were solely the result of the undercover police investigation and had never been brought to light before.

Update #4:  The AP reports that, while the details of the charges are unknown, the undercover officer determined “six animals were abused as they awaited euthanasia” at MAS.  My stomach just heaved.  I seriously dread to think.

 

 

 

MAS Security Camera Footage Documents Animal Abuse

A couple of notes about these clips, which are taken from security camera footage at the Memphis pound via FOIA request:  Everything seen below has been previously posted over the weekend.  I haven’t yet reviewed any additional footage.  What I did was splice together the clips in sequential order to show one adult dog and one puppy from the time they are taken off the ACO truck until they are forced into cages at MAS.  Alert readers will notice that the times don’t match up exactly however it seems clear to me that the clips are of the same ACO, the same dog and in the only order that makes sense.  As such, I believe the timestamps are slightly off.  If you see anything different, please let me know.

For anyone who hasn’t already viewed these clips as they were previously posted (in bits, as I came across them), please be warned:  they depict animal abuse and are difficult to watch.  In my opinion, the ACO is inflicting violence, pain and suffering upon these pets.  I’m not a prosecutor but it looks like a chargeable animal cruelty offense to me.  Please take care if any children or other sensitive people are near your computer when viewing.  I don’t like to post animal cruelty images on the blog but this is part of an effort to bring about reform and these pets otherwise have no voice.

IMPORTANT – If anyone knows if either of these dogs (or any of the pets we’ve seen on the clips thus far) are still alive at MAS, please let me know.  I would like to help them.  You can leave a comment, anonymously if you prefer, or contact me privately.  I will keep your name off the blog if you request same.  I really just want to see if we can help any of these pets.

MAS Volunteer Resigns After Videos Depicting Cruelty Posted

A former volunteer at the Memphis pound submitted her resignation last night via e-mail to the new interim director, James Rogers.  This was the response she received (I have removed the former volunteer’s identifying information by request):

From: <James.Rogers@memphistn.gov>
Date: Mon, Mar 5, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Subject: RE: Resignation
To: tracy.dunlap@memphistn.gov
Cc: Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov, LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov, tracy.dunlap@memphistn.gov

I, Memphis Animal Services and the City of Memphis, really appreciate your volunteering to participate in the fostering and care of the animals at the shelter.

It is with great regret that we part.  However my plan is to take swift and corrective action on the footage seen on Yesbiscuit.com.

I am aggrieved just as you with the footage and will have all employees (i.e., Animal Control Officers, Animal Care Technicians) and possibly volunteers wishing to attend the training, retrained with proper care and the use of the catchpole.  Once this is in place within the next 30 to 60 days the quality of care for (our pets) the animals under our care will improve drastically.  This takes time.

If you reconsider your position in the future, we will gladly welcome you back as a volunteer.

Again, thank you for your support.

James M. Rogers

Administrator, Memphis animal Services

When, When, WHEN is Memphis going to get it? It’s a culture of abuse. A demonstrated pattern of cruelty and apathy that has existed for years. A training class doesn’t fix it. And training volunteers to use the chokepoles certainly doesn’t fix it. I’d like to send every last one of those chokepoles to the landfill. The one that MAS currently fills up with pets, after they’re done abusing them.

You can not train monsters.  Anyone who thinks it’s ok to drag a dog by a metal noose around his neck straight into a wall is not someone who will develop empathy for the sentient beings in their care because they attended a chokepole class.

You must do better than this Mr. Rogers.  Much, much better.

Spartanburg Co Pets in the Trash

Nancy Jeanne Smythe allegedly put her healthy 8 year old Shih-Tzu out with the trash yesterday.  A garbage collector noticed the dog beneath some trash in the can and took him to Ms. Smythe’s house.  She denied the dog was hers but later admitted ownership.  ACOs were called to the scene and when they arrived, they found that Ms. Smythe had again put her dog in a trash bag and attempted to hide him beneath some garbage in the bin.

Ms. Smythe has been charged with a misdemeanor in connection with the case but authorities will be asking to have the charge upgraded to a felony.  Her dog has been taken to a shelter.

Statistically speaking, the Spartanburg Co dog stands a good chance of being put in a trash bag a third time – this time after being killed by the so-called shelter.  Of course, there would be no charges brought if that happens.

The county severed ties with the Spartanburg HS last year after SHS made it clear where its priorities stood – not with saving the lives of pets, which it mostly kills, but with the almighty dollar.  Astonishingly, the county council is once again considering using the SHS pet killing facility for the community’s stray pets.  And executive director Sandy Christiansen is again bringing the crazy:

“There’s nothing to indicate that the county citizens who allow dogs to run loose have changed their behavior, so we predict that there’ll be about 1,000 running loose when the puppy and kitten litters begin producing in the warmer months. That is a public health and safety issue from our standpoint, and we’re willing to work to do what we can to help the situation.”

Because of you bad Spartanburg Co citizens – and make no mistake, you are bad, very bad – there will be 1000 pets running loose in the county this spring.  Save us SHS!

But let’s be clear, when Mr. Christiansen says SHS will “help”, he means kill cats and dogs.  Because that’s what SHS has historically done – kill roughly 8 out of every 10 pets in its care.  And there’s nothing to indicate SHS has changed its behavior.

I hope Spartanburg Co residents will make their voices heard by contacting the county council and speaking for the homeless pets in the community.  Putting healthy/treatable pets in the trash is wrong – no matter who does it.  Private citizens and public shelters must be held accountable.

Summerdale Cruelty Case: Even More Bad News

Image of Sharon Dueitt from the WKRG website.

I’m not sure when this awful story is going to hit rock bottom but a n y t i m e now would be fine.  Last week, Summerdale police received information that the Purple Hearted Puppies shelter in AL would sell high value pets and allow those who didn’t garner interest from buyers to starve to death.  The tip indicated the carcasses of the starved pets would be buried behind the so-called shelter.  When police began digging, they uncovered numerous dead cats and dogs.

Initial reports indicated that when the Purple Hearted Puppies owners, Sharon and Roberta Dueitt, were charged with new felonies, they’d be held without bond.  But in fact, the Dueitts were granted $2500 bond and left jail after less than a day:

Image of Roberta Dueitt from the WKRG website.

“It’s going to tick a lot of people off,” said Summerdale Police Chief Eddie Ingram after learning Roberta and Sharon Dueitt were granted what many consider a low bond for what happened at their animal shelter in Summerdale.

[...]

The bond was granted under the condition that the Dueitt’s have no contact with any animals. A point reiterated in their bond hearing by District Judge Michele Thomason. “Under no circumstance are you to have any animal of any type. Not a bird, not a squirrel, not any. Am I making myself clear?”

Authorities say the case is just getting started and dozens more felonies are expected to be charged in connection with the case.  I would guess the $2500 bond is not going to apply to the new charges.

The surviving pets are now legally owned by BARC and they will be getting veterinary treatment in preparation for adoption.  The Dueitts are scheduled to be back in court on February 24.

Update on Summerdale Cruelty Case

The Purple Hearted Puppies animal shelter in Summerdale AL has officially been shut down by court order after roughly 200 pets were found dead or starving by police last month.  The district attorney is gathering evidence to bring felony charges against the two women who owned the so-called shelter.  Of particular interest to the DA is financial information showing the women had the resources to feed the pets but allowed them to starve anyway.  This factor goes to intent.

An officer with the Summerdale police department says each of the women will face 20 felony charges and possibly 150 – 200 misdemeanors.

Regarding the issue of ownership, more grim news:

We need to get permanent legal custody of the 109 survivors. There were 58 dogs and 51 cats who survived,” said Sonja Presley, executive director at BARC!

Purple Hearted Puppies described itself as a no kill shelter and solicited donations from compassionate animal lovers.  This was not a no kill shelter.  Had it been a municipal pound, I would have described it as having a 50% kill rate.  And the only reason 100% of the pets didn’t die is because authorities intervened.

Abandoned Pets in Summerdale AL Need Help

This is a terrible story of suffering and neglect.  If you choose to click the links, be aware that some of the images on the videos may be disturbing to sensitive readers.

On Thursday night, police officers stormed into the Purple Hearted Puppies Animal shelter in Summerdale. They were on a rescue mission.

Officials said inside were more than 200 dogs, cats, and horses which had gone without food and water for two weeks.

The mother and adult daughter who reportedly operated Purple Hearted Puppies left town 2 weeks ago, leaving hundreds of caged pets to fend for themselves.  There was plenty of food in bags and cans right outside the cages, but no one came to distribute the food.  Dozens of pets starved to death with food in sight:

On a bag of food, claw marks were clearly seen where cats desperately tried to open it.

Outside, dogs resorted to eating grass and digging holes to allow water to pool, so they had something to drink.

When officers got inside the place, they started throwing food into all the cages as fast as they could.  Some of the dogs had resorted to cannibalism.

Many of the animals were found lying on their own feces. Some had to drink their own urine.

One dog was found in a pool of blood.

The owners say they had a worker who was supposed to be caring for the pets and had been checking in daily to let them know all was well.  Police checked out the story and say the worker quit 3 weeks ago and has documented evidence proving the women were aware he wasn’t taking care of their pets anymore.  Both women have been charged with animal cruelty and additional charges are expected.  A number of pets had to be euthanized due to the neglect.

In one of the videos, you can see an officer trying to pour dry cat food into a cage and the cats are desperately reaching out and mewing – it’s heartbreaking.

Several organizations are helping the pets including the Baldwin Co Humane Society and Red Rover.  I’m sure they could use donations and fosters/adopters to help these poor pets.