Vickie Bedsole, a volunteer with Save Haven Animal Rescue and Kennels (SHARK,) said one of the pit bulls seized by sheriff's deputies died at a local veterinarian’s office and two more remain in serious condition. She said two of the other dogs were in stable condition, and also remained at the vet.
Bedsole said of the five pit bull mixed breed dogs seized, two were younger female dogs or older puppies, one of which included the dog that died at the local veterinarian clinic.
“Sadly one little girl didn’t make it,” Bedsole said. “Basically it had been fed, and got some love and care before it died so for that I am grateful.”
Investigators with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office arrested the owners of the dogs, 26-year-old Quinton Eugene Mathis and his wife, 26-year-old Ashley Nicole Mathis, both of Headland.
Deputies initially charged the couple with six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and a single felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
The couple had their first appearance in court Wednesday morning, during which their charges were upgraded to six felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. They were taken to the Henry County Jail.
The dogs locked inside the house were so hungry they ate another dog. It is unknown if they killed this dog or if they ate its carcass after it had died of starvation and dehydration.
Deputies also found the dead remains of a chicken inside a pen on the property where the couple lived with their 4-year-old son.
The offenses were discovered as deputies accompanied officials with the Henry County Department of Human Resources who went to the home to take the couple’s child into DHR custody.
The couple had recently moved to a relative’s home and apparently left animals behind to die.
Of the remaining four dogs Bedsole said she’s most concerned for another female that remains in serious condition, which she believes is likely a litter mate to the dog that died. She said a larger male dog appears to be making the fastest recovery of the dogs.
“We’ve got a long way to go in the recovery process,” Bedsole said.
Bedsole said officials with SHARK hope the community will help with some of the medical costs required to treat the dogs and some food donations. She said SHARK has a small shelter in Abbeville that is already over capacity with 14 or 15 dogs inside it so foster care will be needed for these dogs.
“Right now we really need help with funds for the medical care,” Bedsole said. “We have hopes of getting them where they can be adopted.”
Bedsole encouraged people in the community to be advocates for animals in their community, and report any suspicious behavior and malnourished animals to the local authorities.
“It’s going to take the public wanting to get involved,” Bedsole said. “We’ve got to be their voice.”
Bedsole said anyone who would like to make a donation to the nonprofit group to help the dogs can make checks payable to SHARK, and send them to P.O. Box 126, Abbeville, AL, 36310. Anyone interested in fostering the dogs when they’re ready, or helping with dog food, can call Bedsole at 334-585-2556.
(Dothan Eagle - Dec 2, 2015)
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Wouldn't mandatory neuter and spay for pit bulls be better than this?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't mandatory neuter and spay for pit bulls be better than this?
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