(July 2017) Pennsylvania: 27 Pomeranians, a parrot and a 6-year-old boy rescued from filthy Palmyra home

PENNSYLVANIA -- A local dog rescue organization got more than they bargained for Saturday when they went to retrieve some dogs from a family whose home is being foreclosed on.

The homeowner, a Palmyra woman living on South Harrison Street, called Pawsitively Pom Rescue to come for her dogs since she and her family were being evicted from their home.

“She actually contacted us and left us a voicemail saying that she needed placement for 10 to 15 Pomeranians. Then, when I talked to her she said it was 15 to 20 dogs,” Amanda Reichenbach, vice president of the Lebanon-based rescue, said.

“When we got there, and it was all said and done, there were 27 Pomeranians, one African Grey Parrot and a six-year-old boy.”

 

 

Reichenbach and the rescue’s founder, Diana Bates, set up two appointments to meet with the woman earlier in the week, but both were canceled by the woman, Reichenbach said. She and Bates felt that the woman didn’t want to open her home up to them.

They eventually convinced her to stick to a set appointment time, Reichenbach said.

“When we went there Saturday at the scheduled pick-up time nobody would answer the door,” said Reichenbach. “That is when we spoke with the neighbors who informed us of the stench coming through the walls – you could smell it through the closed, solid wood front door.”

 

  

 

The neighbors, who live in the other side of the duplex, told Reichenbach that there was also a child in the home, so she decided to contact police.

“We went over to the Palmyra Borough Police Department and called dispatch and they sent out Officer McGuire – he is one heck of a good police officer,” Reichenbach said. “He went over with us and tried to make contact with the homeowners. He spoke to the neighbors and they informed him of everything.”

Officer McGuire contacted Child and Youth Services (CYS) to assess the situation, Reichenbach said. A police officer from North Londonderry and an officer from South Londonderry also joined Officer McGuire on the scene.

With police and CYS on scene, the woman decided to open her door.

“She signed the dogs over to us immediately, and that is when the police officers went into the home to collect evidence,” Reichenbach said.

 

 

 

While police investigated the home, Reichenbach, Bates and some volunteers found themselves climbing over stacks of urine-filled soda bottles and a floor covered in feces and garbage to get the dogs out through the back door.

None of the animals had life-threatening problems, but they were not in good condition, Reichenbach said.

Though they look happy and healthy, each dog needs at least $500 in care.

"Their back legs are sort of bowed, some have some eye issues, flea allergies and flea issues from the fleas," said Reichenbach.

“They were just infested with fleas and their toenails were extremely overgrown,” she said. “There were severe mats in their fur and excrement on the pads of their paws – that place is going to give us nightmares.”

 

 

The six-year-old boy was still being evaluated by CYS as Reichenbach was leaving with the dogs, so she wasn’t sure of his condition. A request for a police report on the incident was denied by Palmyra police

The Pomeranians, some purebred and some mixed breed, were transported to Reichenbach’s home in Lebanon where they were cleaned and groomed by a group of about a dozen volunteers. It took them six hours to groom all the dogs.

 

 

“The amount of volunteers that came to help us was amazing,” Reichenbach said. “Eve’s Elegant Mobile Dog Grooming came to my home. She brushed, blow-dried and trimmed all 27 dogs.”

The groomer provided flea baths for the dogs, and the animals were also given medicine for both flea control and deworming.

Reichenbach was thrilled with how quickly the volunteers came together, she said.

“(We didn’t have this set up ahead of time) because we didn’t realize what the conditions would be,” she said. “We thought we could go assess the dogs and then come back to my house to get everything arranged. We were not prepared at all for this.”

The next step for the dogs is medical care.

“We have to do vetting yet, and each dog will cost a minimum of $500,” she said. “That is for all the vaccines and all the puppies need fecal testing, heartworm and Lyme testing. Some of them need to be spayed or neutered, and some need some dental work. A few have deformities in their hips that will need addressed.”

  

 

Every dog is vetted before it is put up for adoption, Reichenbach said, but the cost is overwhelming with this many animals. The organization’s adoption fee is $250 per dog. A purebred Pomeranian can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or more, according to Pomeranian.org.

Ten of the dogs have already been transported to Central Ohio Pomeranian Rescue to be adopted out through that organization. The remaining 17 will be adopted out through Pawsitively Pom Rescue. The parrot will be available for adoption through Jill’s Bird Haven.

HOUSE CONDEMNED

Lebanon Daily News was not able to confirm the name of the homeowner, and a visit to the home Monday showed a sign on the front door that said "Not fit for human occupancy."

  

  

  

 

HOARDING ISSUES
If this woman is not charged with animal cruelty, it may be because she is exhibiting the signs of the overwhelmed caregiver hoarder. She reached out for help, recognizing the problem, she cooperated when police showed up, and surrendered all the animals.

(Lebanon Daily News - July 17, 2017)

Georgia: Dr. Abhay Trivedi, charged with animal cruelty after more than 400 animals - dead and alive - seized

GEORGIA -- Dr. Abhay Trivedi, a DeKalb County cardiologist, was arrested Friday and charged with felony animal cruelty.

Police raided the doctor's home off Echo Trail on July 13, confiscating 337 birds.

Officers found more than 400 birds and eight dogs in the home, which belongs to prominent cardiologist Abhay Trivedi, according to Channel 2 Action News. At least 20 of the birds were dead.

Police said it is one of the worst cases of animal hoarding they have seen.

"When they entered the location, they found well over 200 birds--they described in deplorable conditions, with some of them deceased," said Major Stephen Fore of the DeKalb County Police Department.  "Rooms were just stacked with birds and cages.  I mean, really unsanitary conditions."

“The birds are being relocated and will be cared for pending the outcome of the investigation,” Fore said.

Animal services employees wore scrubs and gently took bird after bird outside, while others kept a record of each bird rescued and its condition.  DeKalb Police said rescuers recovered hundreds of birds and found 25 dead birds inside the home.

"Right now, there's so many birds in that residence that we've utilized all of the cages we have to contain them," explained Maj. Fore.  "Animal services--they have put out a request that anyone that has any large parrot cages that they could donate, they can take them to the Animal Services on Camp Road and donate that to help contain some of these birds."

CRIMINAL CHARGES
Necropsies were conducted over the last month on dozens of dead birds taken from the house.

Police investigators told Channel 2's Liz Artz that the birds died from starvation and dehydration.

Police said Trivedi was a doctor at DeKalb Medical Center.

 

He was granted a signature bond in court Friday and ordered to stay away from animals. Police said more charges are possible.

Artz spoke to some of Trivedi's neighbors.

“He's a very strange man. He needs help," said one neighbor who asked not to be identified.

“I wish there were a way to compel him to vacate the house. I would like to see the health department declare it unfit for human habitation and have it leveled," another neighbor said.

“I hope they use him as an example. You can't do that to animals. No one should be allowed to do that," a neighbor said.

Dry water troughs. Many birds died of dehydration

Cage floors completely covered in fecal matter, old food

Police told Artz that the doctor surrendered the 337 birds and eight dogs the day before he was arrested.

Animal services officials said none of them are ready for adoption. Sources close to the case told Artz that at least 50 bird carcasses were found in varying stages of decomposition inside the house, and some were in piles on the floor.

“Those poor animals living in conditions like that, and no regard for his neighbors. (It's a) health hazard, and the guy needs help. (I) hope he finds it when incarcerated," one neighbor said.

 

Trivedi is an Indian immigrant who attended Maulana Azad Medical School in Delhi, India in the early 1990’s.

Artz asked the neighbor what he though about Trivedi being a cardiologist.

“Bizarre, bizarre ... and he's supposed to be upholding the most sterile conditions in the operating room and he's living in filth with animal waste. I mean, come on, that’s crazy," he said.

DeKalb Medical officials said staff leadership will review the case and make a decision about Trivedi.

Neighbors told Artz that Trivedi has had crews working non-stop at his house picking up trash and trying to clean up. At the time of the seizure, police said the ammonia levels were so high inside the house that it was not safe for humans or animals.

Animal services officials are keeping the 337 birds in an undisclosed location.

The agency said it needs financial help taking care of the birds, and they cannot be adopted out.

There is a GoFundMe page set up if you would like to help.

 

 

 

 

 

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Abhay Trivedi
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 10/01/1972
Birthplace: India
Height: 5'08"
Weight: 170 lbs
Arrest Age: 43
Date of arrest: 08/12/2016
Arresting agency: DeKalb County, Georgia
Total Bond: $5,000
Charge:

• CRUELTY TO ANIMALS-/MISD/- BOND: $5,000

(WSBTV - Aug 12, 2016)

Webster teen arrested after pet deaths under investigation for separate incident

NEW YORK -- The Webster teen who police said killed a neighbor's four pets is under investigation for animal cruelty involving his own.

"Where do these acts of violence stop?" asked Joseph Meyer, whose family was victimized Saturday.

People on his quiet Webster street also want to know why the 14-year-old has been released to the custody of his father rather than being held in a secure location. "I wouldn't want anything like this to happen again. It's just got to stop," said Meyer.

 

He stands in his mother's house which is suddenly way too quiet. The constant chirping of birds, a gift to his mother from his now deceased father, is gone. Nearly every window in the back of the house carries a reminder of damage from a BB gun allegedly shot from the neighbor's back yard.

Thirteen holes in one bedroom pane show an alarming level of violence. "I know people whose kids have had trouble with the law for less offenses, those not nearly as violent, and being minors were put into juvenile detention," he said.

Instead, the teenager was released with the condition that he be continually supervised.

13WHAM News obtained the juvenile risk assessment form used by the state. It's called DRAI (Detention Risk Assessment Instrument) and contains four questions on a point system for determining risk.

The burglary charge was enough to add a point and require the supervision. Any further detention would have required evidence of possible petitions or warrants already pending in family court.

Sources tell 13WHAM the allegations of past abuse involving family dogs may have only come to light after Saturday's incident. They are currently being investigated by Humane Society Investigators.

Dr. Santo Bentivegna is a psychiatrist and forensic expert in cases involving children who behave violently, including those who abuse animals. "These are warning signs, and I think police have to be notified when they see these things," he said. "This is not a joke. This is not something that is going to go away without help."

The family's African Gray Parrot and 9-year-old daughter's bearded dragon were killed after being shot at close range by a BB gun.

The Meyers say their cat was spared only because it ran and hid in the basement. Lights turned on in the basement indicate to them the teen went down there, perhaps following the frightened cat. A larger bird and bearded lizard were shot to death.

The teenager allegedly told police he crushed her two cockatiels named Dracula and Valerie in his own hands. "That is a sign of very deep aggression and deep rage," said Dr. Bentivegna. "It's not enough to use a weapon of some sort, but one has to use one's own hands."

New York law allows juveniles as young as 13 to be charged as adults for high level crimes. In this case, the teen is charged with Burglary 3rd and Criminal Mischief; both are low-level felonies which do not qualify.

No one answered the door at the teen's house Tuesday. On Monday night, an adult there called this a "personal matter" and asked reporters to leave. Joseph Meyer said the single father was a good man and neighbor but he remains concerned. "This yard and this community are full of pets. (the teenager) can step over that fence and have the opportunity to harm another animal," he said.

(13WHAM - Dec 15, 2015)

Portraits of Exotic Birds Recovering at Sanctuaries

WASHINGTON -- Whether it be from neglectful owners who are no longer or not willing to take care of their birds or even worse yet, the illegal smuggling of exotic birds, it’s a problem that is only getting worse and will only be solved by folks like Oliver Regueiro who have taken it upon himself to shine that much needed light on what is underserved issue.

 

 

Oliver, doing what he does best, has created a series of portraits of a number of birds that he met this year at both Zazu’s House Parrot Sanctuary and Mollywood Avian Sanctuary. No matter their condition, he has succeeded in bringing out each and every one of their own unique personalities and begin the process of telling their story of recovery.

To learn more about these birds (and some others) and to read their stories, visit Oliver’s website.
You can also purchase prints of any of the birds in the Earthbound series here.

Bella Rose

BELLA ROSE
Female. Goffin cockatoo   
                                                 
(Cacatua goffiniana)

Age: 16

Purchased as a baby by a lady who ended up not being able to keep her. The sanctuary boarded her for 6 months prior to moving to a new location and the owner thought she'd be happiest at the sanctuary. She was adopted but for some reason she began to pluck and over pluck in the new home.

The new home ran hundreds and hundreds of medical tests and could never find a reason for this. She was regretfully returned to the sanctuary.

We were able to capture only this one photograph of her before she jump from the perch and hurt her elbow. She was fine but we didn't want to stress her too much.

BJ

BJ
Female. Blue and gold macaw  (Ara ararauna)

Age: Unkown

Rescued 3 years ago by a sanctuary in Florida. Her owners were selling their house and going to live in an RV and travel. 

The owner said that BJ had previously been owned by a man in a neighboring city and he had three Macaws and two of them beat up on BJ all the time and she plucked herself naked.  They also broke one of her wings and the owner never sought veterinarian care for it. 

The man would beat on her cage with a broom to get the macaws to be quiet.  The sanctuary placed her with a friend and when that friend died recently a sanctuary in Washington was called to take BJ in.

Scruffy Joe

SCRUFFY JOE
Male. Citron cockatoo.

(Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata)

Age: early 20's.

Owned and loved by a man who was a manic depressant.

The owner finally decided the bird needed more than he could manage and gave it to the sanctuary.

Simba

SIMBA
Female. Moluccan cockatoo     
                           
(Cacatua moluccensis)

Age: 36

Simba arrived at the sanctuary in 2001 from another rescue who was unable to successfully place her and her then companion because Simba was a major mutilator. This is different from plucking. She was pretty plucked as well. Mutilation is defined  as physical damage to their own flesh.

In her case, she had a large crater like wound in her chest, right across her keel bone.  Upon examination by the local veterinarian, who also took x-rays, it was discovered that her keel bone had at one time been shattered beyond repair. And judging from the bone shards and calcification, never had any medical care. There was a lot of scar tissue too. And whenever it was particularly annoying or possible painful, Simba would gnaw on herself to try to alleviate the problem.

Over the years, we've had to treat it surgically, topically and lately, with cold laser therapy. But today she is as healthy as she’s probably ever going to be. She’s happy and mostly healed up. She wears a lot of body armor but appears to be rather comfortable in general.

(PetaPixel - May 10, 2015)

Jail time for owner who neglected parrot

UNITED KINGDOM -- Aziza Kalami locked her African Grey Parrot in a barren cage on the floor of her home in Balaam Street, Plaistow, in smoky conditions with low lighting.

She was found guilty of causing unnecessary harm to the bird and given two 12 week custodial sentences to be served concurrently at Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday last week.

Officers first raised concerns over the welfare of the bird after noticing the harmful conditions that it had been living in during a visit to Kalami’s home for another matter.

 

She was served with an Improvement Notice under the Animal Welfare Act in March but, after failing to comply, Newham Council rescued the bird for its own health and well-being.

The poor bird showed signs of behavioural problems due to stress.

Councillor Ian Corbett, mayoral advisor for environment and leisure, said: “This parrot was saved from a miserable existence. Happily the health of this parrot has significantly improved and it has now been rehomed in a suitable environment.”

Kalami has been banned from keeping, owning or being in charge of any animals for three years and ordered to pay £80.

The court also imposed a deprivation order so that Newham Council could rehome the parrot.
Councillor Corbett added: “African Grey parrots can be difficult to look after so they do not make suitable pets for inexperienced owners.

“Happily the health of this parrot has significantly improved and it has now been rehomed in a suitable environment.”

(Newham Recorder - Dec 24, 2014)