A Need to Do Better with Animal Hoarding Cases

Animal hoarding is classified as a mental illness and may need to be considered its own type of illness, rather than a subtype of general hoarding disorder. Characterized by a compulsion to obtain and keep more animals than the person is capable of caring for, oftentimes both the person's and the animals' health are neglected. Animals … Continue reading A Need to Do Better with Animal Hoarding Cases

NY Shelter Employee Arrested for Neglecting Her Own Puppy

Wanderers' Rest Humane Association in NY is the open admission shelter for Madison Co.  The organization sells puppies for $200 and has a list of "non-negotiables" for potential adopters on its website.  Among them is a refusal to release animals to anyone with a history of neglect.  Which now would apparently include Wanderers' Rest Humane … Continue reading NY Shelter Employee Arrested for Neglecting Her Own Puppy

UPDATED: Arrest Warrants Issued for TX Pound Employees: Multiple Charges Include Animal Torture

CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE - That's the sign hanging on the door at the Klein Animal Shelter in Jacksonville, TX.  The "maintenance" appears to be arresting the workers for torturing animals.  Director Angela Wallace was arrested on Friday and charged with assault, illegal "euthanasia" and animal cruelty with additional charges pending.  She has reportedly bonded out. … Continue reading UPDATED: Arrest Warrants Issued for TX Pound Employees: Multiple Charges Include Animal Torture

Helmetta Pound Raided and Locked Down by NJ Authorities

Authorities have finally taken decisive action to protect the animals suffering at the troubled Helmetta Regional Animal Shelter in NJ.  Tragically, that action came too late for many animals. Fifteen officers from the NJ SPCA along with a veterinarian and Middlesex County health officials arrived unannounced at the Helmetta pound yesterday to conduct follow up inspections … Continue reading Helmetta Pound Raided and Locked Down by NJ Authorities

Van Wert County Dog Warden Indicted on Felony Cruelty Charges

One year ago, the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department in Ohio was assigned supervision of the county pound due to concerns about the lack of response to calls.  On July 20, 2014, the sheriff's office received a complaint from a concerned citizen that pets were being neglected and starved to death at the pound. An investigation … Continue reading Van Wert County Dog Warden Indicted on Felony Cruelty Charges

Odessa’s Multi-Tiered Failure Results in Dog’s Death

The police department in Odessa, Texas runs the pound.  Thousands of animals are impounded and killed each year, with the police department claiming most of them are "unadoptable".   One dog impounded on February 15 for quarantine was definitely not "unadoptable" - he had a family who loved him and wanted him back.  Instead, he … Continue reading Odessa’s Multi-Tiered Failure Results in Dog’s Death

Discussion: When It’s Freezing Out, Bring Your Pets In

My news feed runneth over this week with stories of freezing temperatures and the effect on pets. There are lots of articles talking about state laws and giving recommendations on what to do with pets during extremely cold weather. While obvious exceptions must be made for some animals including feral cats (who can be provided … Continue reading Discussion: When It’s Freezing Out, Bring Your Pets In

Case Update: Allegations of Neglect at AZ Pound

After veterinarian Carol Burke filed a complaint with the city accusing the Bisbee Animal Shelter of “a pattern of criminal neglect” in August, city manager Steve Pauken asked the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.  In September, Pauken was quoted as saying, “There is no imminent danger involved here.” This week, KGUN9-TV has an update … Continue reading Case Update: Allegations of Neglect at AZ Pound

Veterinarian Accuses AZ Shelter of Criminal Neglect

The police department for the city of Bisbee, AZ runs the animal shelter.  In August, local veterinarian Carol Burke submitted an official complaint to city officials detailing what she describes as "a pattern of criminal neglect" at the shelter.  She begins by sharing the story of an arthritic 85 pound dog named Phoebe whom Dr. … Continue reading Veterinarian Accuses AZ Shelter of Criminal Neglect