Iowa: Man claims he loves his dog but left her locked inside hot car for half an hour outside Walmart

IOWA -- A man is being cited for animal neglect after leaving his dog in a hot car Friday morning.

Des Moines police responded to the Walmart on Southeast 14th Street shortly after 9:00 a.m.

 

Police say a man left his dog in the car for more than 30 minutes without water and cool air. It was 84 degrees at the time of the rescue, but Animal Control says inside of the car felt more like 94 degrees.

A Walmart customer called police about the dog and when officers arrived they found the older dog was in distress -- panting and shaking.

  

 

The dog’s owner says he regrets his actions.

Um, if you watch the video, he really didn't say he regretted his actions. He made excuses and claimed he'd just gone inside Walmart to get $20. That doesn't take 30 minutes, dude.

"Never mind I just gotta go to court and all that, I love my dog you shouldn’t leave them in there that long. If I didn’t need that $20 I wouldn’t have left her in there that long,” said the man.

 

 

The police did return the dog back to her owner for the time being, but they will be following up with the man about the animal’s care.

Animal Control officials say they receive upwards of three animal rescue calls like this a day.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WHOTV - July 21, 2017)

New Jersey: After a final kiss, neglected dog dies

NEW JERSEY -- A dog found in emaciated condition at a Maple Shade home last month has lost his fight for survival.

Dino, a 9-year-old German short-haired pointer, died early Wednesday at Marlton Animal Hospital, according to the Burlington County Humane Police.

His owner, identified only as a Maple Shade man, faces multiple charges of animal cruelty, according to the Humane Police. He had taken the dog to the animal hospital on June 17 in response to a Humane Police summons.

Dino's death followed an emotional reunion with a previous owner who learned of the dog's plight through social media.

"Dino recognized her despite not seeing her for five years," the police statement said. "He was able to muster enough strength to kiss her. She was the only person he kissed during his four-week stay at the hospital."

The dog's initial health issues were compounded when he developed a heart murmur during the effort to save his life.

"He was a beautiful, lovely dog," said Vickie Eppolite, a representative of the animal hospital. "We worked endlessly to try to save him. We tried everything we could possibly try."

During his hospital stay, Dino's custody was relinquished to Animal Lifeline, a Marlton nonprofit that is conducting an online campaign to cover his discounted medical costs.

(Courier-Post - July 22, 2016)

Vermont: More than 70 animals suffered at the hands of Russell Goodell, 50. He's allowed to plead no contest to 2 counts of animal cruelty and gets probation

VERMONT -- One of the suspects in ongoing animal cruelty investigation in Eden entered a plea agreement Wednesday.

Russell Goodwell, 50, was living in a room in the Eden home where more than 70 animals were relinquished to humane workers in February. Goodell was the caretaker for two dogs named "Peanut" and "Reba." He plead no contest to two animal cruelty charges.

The dogs, cats and duck found inside the home were living in boxes and cages, according to humane workers. The animals were found underfed and dehydrated.

Goodell surrendered the two dogs that lived in his room to rescue workers during the massive rescue.

 

"He understands now the level of care the dogs received was not up to what society would believe it should be," said Mark Keller, Goodell's lawyer.

As part of the plea agreement Goodell will serve five years probation with a suspended sentence of up to one year in jail. During his probation period, he is not allowed to own or live in a home with animals. A town humane officer will make unannounced visits to make sure he complies.

  

  

The police affidavit lists 10 dogs that were in particularly bad shape. Here are some of the dozens of health conditions described in the affidavit, all of which include filth and feces:

Destiny, a 7-year-old boxer mix, was emaciated, covered with open wounds, and was vomiting feces. Her digestive system was “overwhelmed” by parasites.

Jack, a German shorthair mix of unknown age, had a scar on his side, a badly overgrown nail and his muscles were wasting away.

Jaxon, a 3-year-old pit bull mix, had similar conditions, and lots of tartar on his teeth.

Mia, a 5-year-old boxer mix, had a bloody tail, ulcers on her hip bones, and swollen pads on her feet.Brutus, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, was badly dehydrated, and had mange and pressure sores on his hocks.

Murphy, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, had a weepy eye, mange, dermatitis and a lesion on the tip of his tail.

Angie, a 5-year-old terrier mix, had overgrown nails, was extremely dirty and was covered with feces and soaked with urine.

 Buddy, a Pekingese between 5 and 7 years old, was difficult to examine because of the amount of “matting” of excrement and dirt, but had a raft of problems with his eyes, and toenails that were so badly ingrown only two of them could initially be removed.

Roscoe, a dachshund mix of unknown age, had weepy eyes and tapeworms.

  

"Having witnessed the kind of misery these animals were living in I think personally I would prefer someone who kept animals like this never own another animal ever," said Deborah Loring, Spring Hill Horse Rescue.

The other suspect in the case is Carol Merchant. She was the primary owner of the majority of the animals. She plead not guilty to felony charges earlier this year.

Lamoille County State's Attorney Paul Finnerty called the entire ordeal horrible. In court, he voiced his hope that Goodell will think twice if he ever owns a pet again.

"The state's hope is that by admitting responsibility and participating in the reparative board, that Mr. Goodell will gain some insight into the seriousness of the charges and the community will be made whole," Finnerty said.

Merchant is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 7.

(WPTZ - Oct 2, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dozens of animals rescued from Eden property
• Eden woman, Carol Merchant, charged with several felony counts of animal cruelty
• Details emerge of Eden dog horrors

Vermont: Details emerge of Eden dog horrors committed by Carol Merchant and Russell Goodell

VERMONT -- When Eden resident Carol Merchant pleaded not guilty last week to eight felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty, those were just the most egregious infractions.

According to documents now available at Lamoille County Superior Court, police and Humane Society workers found a total of 305 violations of Vermont’s animal cruelty laws in a home where Merchant, who called herself a dog rescuer, kept nearly a hundred animals in horrifying conditions.

Merchant was charged with eight felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The charges state she “intentionally, maliciously and without just cause” tortured eight dogs. The dogs are even named in the charges: Gretchen, Cooper, Destiny, Jack, Jaxon, Mia, Brutus and Murphy.

Each charge carries a maximum jail sentence of three years.

 

Merchant’s roommate was also charged with lesser crimes. Russell Goodell, 50, pleaded not guilty last week to six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, in depriving animals, specifically a pair of dogs named Reba and Peanut, of adequate food, water and medical attention.

Although plenty of people shared stories of the Feb. 25 raid on her house — where police found nearly 100 animals locked in tight quarters inches deep in their own excrement — details were not made public until the release of the arraignment documents associated with the criminal case.

Deborah Loring, a member of the Humane Society’s National Disaster Animal Response Team, led the animal seizure at Merchant’s home. Her report documents the grim details.

Ninety-four animals were identified during the Feb. 25 search and animal extrication — 86 dogs, seven cats and a duck. They were caged in rooms all over the house and on the back porch.

The report breaks down the 305 violations:

• 31 dogs were dehydrated.
• 48 dogs and one cat were “too thin,” and 11 of the dogs were classified as emaciated, receiving the lowest score, 1 out of 9, on the Purina Condition System.
• 68 dogs and three cats had dozens of untreated veterinary issues.
• 73 dogs and four cats didn’t have the minimum required living space. Loring reported that “it did not appear that any of the crated dogs or cats was allowed out of their crates for the required one hour per day, if ever.”
• Sanitation was “particularly egregious” inside the house and the fumes were overpowering. Animals were living in inches of feces and urine, and they were covered in it.

Reporting the incident
Police responded to Merchant’s home — a house on Route 100 long known in Eden as the “Pink Palace”— on Jan. 23, after receiving a tip from Eden’s health officer, Amanda Jones.

During that first visit, police noticed “the odor of urine was extremely strong and permeating throughout the home,” according to the affidavit filed with the court. Merchant told police she was taking the dogs out for walks every hour, and the only reason so many dogs were there was that it was cold outside.

A teenager, Jacob Baker, who was friends with Merchant’s grandson, provided officials with photographs he had snapped surreptitiously with his cellphone. He sent the images to the North Country Animal League, which forwarded them to the Vermont State Police.

  

“Merchant stated that the high number of dogs was temporary and that she would be getting the number back down to a manageable level,” the affidavit states.

Although Jones reported the foul goings-on at Merchant’s home, the town’s animal control officer, Bert Manning, remained quiet. Not only hadn’t Manning reported the conditions at the home during more than a decade as the animal control officer, but he said he belonged to what Merchant called her animal rescue organization.

In an interview March 2, Manning said he had checked on the house many times, and never reported anything amiss. He said he registered 21 of Merchant’s dogs last year. Indeed, according to Loring, Merchant registered those dogs in March 2014, the same day she got a dog dealer’s license.

“I’ve heard that, and it’s all untrue,” Manning said of the allegations of animal cruelty. “She had them all in kennels, cleaned them twice a day, walked them twice a day, sometimes three times a day.”

The interview with Manning took place the day before Town Meeting Day, when Eden voters elected a different animal control officer.

The worst cases
The police affidavit lists 10 dogs that were in particularly bad shape. Here are some of the dozens of health conditions described in the affidavit, all of which include filth and feces:

• Destiny, a 7-year-old boxer mix, was emaciated, covered with open wounds, and was vomiting feces. Her digestive system was “overwhelmed” by parasites.
• Jack, a German shorthair mix of unknown age, had a scar on his side, a badly overgrown nail and his muscles were wasting away.
• Jaxon, a 3-year-old pit bull mix, had similar conditions, and lots of tartar on his teeth.
• Mia, a 5-year-old boxer mix, had a bloody tail, ulcers on her hip bones, and swollen pads on her feet.
• Brutus, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, was badly dehydrated, and had mange and pressure sores on his hocks.
• Murphy, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, had a weepy eye, mange, dermatitis and a lesion on the tip of his tail.
• Angie, a 5-year-old terrier mix, had overgrown nails, was extremely dirty and was covered with feces and soaked with urine.
•  Buddy, a Pekingese between 5 and 7 years old, was difficult to examine because of the amount of “matting” of excrement and dirt, but had a raft of problems with his eyes, and toenails that were so badly ingrown only two of them could initially be removed.
• Roscoe, a dachshund mix of unknown age, had weepy eyes and tapeworms.

Perhaps the animal in the worst shape was a dog named Gretchen that was found in a laundry basket in the living room. Loring writes that Gretchen was dying. But, like many of the dogs who were rescued from Eden, Gretchen’s story had at least a somewhat happy ending.

Writes Loring, “Within two days of supportive veterinary care, Gretchen was able to walk, eat, open her eyes, and respond.”

Check-ins might not happen
At Merchant’s arraignment, Judge Dennis Pearson allowed her to keep four dogs and four cats, but with an important condition: Lamoille Valley Veterinarian Services must check on the house within 10 days of the arraignment, and regularly afterward, to make sure the animals were safe.

Trouble is, the vets didn’t agree to that.

Dr. Paula Yankauskas of Lamoille Valley Vet Services said Merchant had called the office before her arraignment, asking them to check up on her dogs, but didn’t mention it being a court-ordered condition of release. Yankauskas said there’s a whole realm of animal forensics that she and her staff just aren’t comfortable enough with to go to someone’s house to make sure they’re complying with the law.

“I told the public defender’s office that were weren’t asked to do that job specifically,” she said.

Yankauskas hadn’t even heard her office had been named in court until after the arraignment. She also said Merchant told her she has since given up the remaining animals, but that cannot be verified.

State’s Attorney Paul Finnerty, the lead prosecutor on the case, said Merchant proposed the arrangement. If another vet could do what Lamoille won’t, the court could be appeased, he said.

“My thoughts are, we’ll let the 10 days go by and see if she’s had it checked on,” Finnerty said.

(VT Digger - May 3, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dozens of animals rescued from Eden property
• Eden woman, Carol Merchant, charged with several felony counts of animal cruelty

Vermont: Eden woman, Carol Merchant, charged with several felony counts of animal cruelty

VERMONT -- It was a win for animal advocates in Vermont after an Eden woman was charged with several felonies following an animal cruelty investigation.

A crowd of animal advocates packed the Lamoille County courthouse for the arraignments of Carol Merchant and Russell Goodell, who both are facing charges.

 

In February, an anonymous tip led Vermont State Police to raid Merchant's home, and inside, authorities say they found dehydrated, malnourished animals covered in feces and open sores.

Merchant claims she was saving them from kill shelters, but prosecutors say it was torture. In the end, she and her roommate, Goodell, voluntarily surrendered 73 dogs, three cats and a duck.

"Some dogs had to have parts of their bodies amputated because of severe infections," said Joanne Bourbeau, Vt. Humane Society director.

Bourbeau helped coordinate the rescue team and has followed Merchant's case to court.

Prosecutors allege the 57-year-old intentionally and maliciously tortured the animals, but she denied eight felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

Bourbeau says the animal community is pleased with such severe charges.

"I think it sends a very clear message that Vermonters take this very seriously and to see felony charges is very rare in an animal cruelty case here in Vermont, so very pleased to see that," said Bourbeau.

Goodell also lived in the home owned two dogs and was supposed to help Merchant care for the animals. He pleaded not guilty to six lesser charges of animal cruelty.

  

According to court papers, Merchant told police she was an animal rescuer who got in over her head. But it's not the first time she's been investigated by police. In 2014, she promised authorities she'd get her animals to a manageable level. Instead they seemed to double.

"It's animal cruelty no matter how you characterize what her intentions were," said Bourbeau.

Merchant still has four dogs and three cats living in her home. The court allowed her to keep them, but barred her from acquiring any new animals. She must also arrange vet checks every 10 days and allow an animal control officer to inspect her property if there are future suspicions of abuse.

 

Humane officers, like Deborah Loring, would like to see the state do more.

"We would like to see the state file a motion for forfeiture and the judge left them open," said Loring.

Merchant told the court she's already made arrangements with Lamoille Valley Vet Services for those 10 day vet checks.

WCAX called the animal hospital and management denies entering into any agreement with Merchant and questions whether she could afford the frequent house calls or if the facility even wants the job.

(WCAX - April 22, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dozens of animals rescued from Eden property

'Gentle, wee dog' killed at dog park

NEW ZEALAND -- A Timaru woman is devastated her beloved dog was killed by another at a Canterbury dog park.

Jo Hutchby's five-year-old Chihuahua, Harrison, was killed at Rolleston's Foster Dog Park on Saturday afternoon.

She had just spent the weekend in Christchurch with family and was on her way home to Timaru when they decided to have lunch in Rolleston.

Hutchby's sister, Susan Mahalli, said they had just sat down at a picnic table when another dog, believed to be a brown German Short-Haired Pointer, came up to Harrison.

Hutchby went to pick Harrison up, but the other dog suddenly lunged at the Chihuahua and began shaking him.

"It was very unpleasant to see; it's very frightening."

Hutchby managed to remove Harrison from the other dog's jaws, but he was limp.

The dog's owner disappeared "pretty quickly" while another person at the park rushed Harrison to the nearby Selwyn Veterinary Centre, but he died before they arrived.

The sisters did not want to go on a "witch hunt" for the owner, but wanted to know that he cared and wanted him to know Harrison had died, Mahalli said.

Hutchby said she hoped some good could come out of Harrison's death by making sure other dog owners were more aware of what could happen.

"He was such a kind gentle wee dog with some hilarious habits that made us laugh. We used to call him 'our little weirdo'.

"He would insist on being chased to bed at night. By 9.30 he would wait at the hall door - the crosser I sounded when I said 'go to bed' the more excited he got. He tried to make that game last as long as possible."

Selwyn District Council senior animal control officer Steve Clarke said it was the first fatal dog attack reported at the "very popular" park that he knew of.

"We really need somebody to come forward, especially people who saw it or the person [who owned the offending dog]. They might not know the dog had died."

Dog owners needed to have their animals under effective control at all times, even if they were off the lead and at a dog park, he said.

"My role is to make sure it doesn't happen again. There's certain measures we can take; it doesn't necessarily mean the dog has to be euthanised."

The dog's owner was described as tall and balding and was wearing a hat, blue shirt and green shorts. He was believed to have left the park in a white ute.

Anyone with information on Saturday's incident is asked to contact the Selwyn District Council's animal control team by calling 03 347 2800.

(Stuff NZ - Feb 2, 2015)

Elgin Animal Control Officer reinstated

OKLAHOMA -- Animal Control Officer, Daniel Linthicum, has been reinstated by the Elgin City Council.

However, he will only be picking up non-domestic animals, like snakes and skunks, until the city gets a recommendation from Oklahoma's Department of Agriculture.
They will be in town to inspect the shelter on Wednesday.

 

Linthicum's contract with City as the ACO was put on hold during an investigation after a resident's dog was found dead thrown in a pit near the shelter.

Linthicum lied and told the residents the dog got away, but later admitted he dumped their dog into the pit after it was allegedly killed by a pit bull at the shelter.

 

Elgin Mayor Larry Thoma says in emergency situations, Linthicum has been directed to pick the dog up and they'll take it to another shelter. Thoma also says no other decisions will be made on the shelter until the next council meeting after they have received information from the Department of Agriculture and a committee of residents formed to look at shelter procedures.

The next council meeting is February 10th.

(KSWO - Jan 31, 2015)

Earlier:

• Elgin family demands answers in dog's death

Elgin family demands answers in dog's death

OKLAHOMA -- Elgin's animal shelter is under fire after a resident's missing dog was found dead in a black trash bag thrown in a pit just feet away from the city's animal shelter.

Last month, Teri Bartosovsky's 10-year-old German shorthair, Major, went missing. A week went by and after posting a picture of her missing dog to Facebook, a woman told her she found him and had taken him to an Elgin animal control officer's home. Bartosovsky then contacted the officer, only to be told he didn't have him.

When first confronted by the dog's owner, the animal control officer said he never had the dog. After being pressed further, he admitted the dog was taken to the shelter, but that he had escaped or was stolen. It turns out that was a lie too.

 

After Animal Control Officer Daniel Linthicum's stories flopped back and forth, Teri Bartosovsky grew suspicious about her dog's actual whereabouts.

"I just felt like something wasn't right. Something wasn't right, something was missing, I wasn't getting the full story," said Bartosovsky.

She says at one point, she felt like he knew where her dog was but wasn't telling her.

"I told him if my dog was dead, he needed to tell me that," said Bartosovsky.

She says Linthicum told her that her dog Major wasn't dead, and that he was making it a priority to find him. Still frustrated, Bartosovsky decided to head to the shelter herself Christmas Eve, where she found a pit filled with dead animals, like squirrels, empty dog food bags and multiple black plastic trash bags.

After Christmas, the Bartosovsky's went on vacation, but couldn't take their mind off the pit and they came home early.

"We talked about it, we thought about it, we just couldn't get it out of our mind. We feared he was in that bag. So, we returned and pulled the bag and found our dog...dead," said Bartosovsky.

It wasn't until then an outraged Bartosovsky found out what really happened. She was told the night her dog was brought to the shelter he was weak and couldn't walk. He was taken to the kennel and the next day was found dead. Linthicum says Major was attacked by a pit bull.

"Major was defenseless. The dog ravished him. There was blood everywhere. Major was torn up," said Linthicum.

Linthicum says he's been doing this job for nearly a decade, and says he's never seen a dog this bad. He says he lied to the owner because he didn't have the heart to tell her, especially being Christmas Eve.

"I did not want to tell her that there was blood on every inch. I didn't want to tell her there was blood on me. I didn't want to tell her that. I hoped she would take solace in the fact that maybe somebody wanted Major and was going to give Major a good home, not that Major had just been killed," said Linthicum.

But despite his recent admission, Bartosovsky says she still questions how her dog died. That's why her family has sent Major's body to a vet school in Stillwater for an autopsy.

"Hopefully we will have more answers. His ears are removed, they appear to be removed by severing them, not by a dog tearing them off. He doesn't have any wounds on his neck," said Bartosovsky.

For the time being, Bartosovsky says Linthicum's lies are inexcusable and that he needs to be removed from his position, and may get her wish. Linthicum says after this incident, he plans to step down from the job after he was made out to be a monster.

"After this I can't, I can't after this. I have people saying that I cut those dogs ears off. They are saying I cut his ears off. No, I'm not. I'm not," said Linthicum.

Now despite what he told us, Linthicum hasn't officially resigned as the Animal Control Officer in Elgin, but we were told he is not currently working. You should also know, while we were at the shelter, we saw another dog carcass in the pit. We were told that it was the shelter's procedure in disposing of a dead animal.

The discussion on what is next for the shelter is scheduled to be discussed at the next city hall meeting on Tuesday, January 13, at 6:00 p.m.

(KSWO - Jan 5, 2015)

Despite admitting dogs he shot weren't aggressive, cruelty charges will be dismissed

TENNESSEE -- A Sumner County man has agreed to pay court fees, restitution, and make donations in exchange for charges eventually being dropped against him for shooting his neighbor’s dogs, killing one of them.

During a court hearing Friday in Gallatin, Paul Corley also made a public apology to the victims as part of the agreement.

Corley, of Hendersonville, was accused of shooting two of the Stubbs family’s dogs in May when they wandered onto his Inlet Drive property after a landscaper mistakenly let them out of a fenced-in yard.

The family’s dog Cooper was killed and another, named Blakely, was wounded. Corley reportedly called the family, who came and found their wounded pets.

 

Corley had been charged with two counts of animal cruelty, but prosecution against him for those charges has been placed into "retirement status for one year" as part of the agreement entered into Friday.

The agreement also states that he can petition a judge to dismiss the charges next year if he complies with all the conditions set forth in the agreement, including paying all litigation taxes and court costs, any court ordered fines, fees and agreed contributions

Corley also had to pay full resititution to the victims in the full amount of $2,567 for the death of Cooper and injuries to Blakely, as well as for the purchase of a new full blooded Beagle.

He also agreed to make $100 contributions to two Sumber County animal nonprofits: Sumner Spay and Neuter Alliance and Humane Society of Sumner County

During a brief appearance last month, the 70-year-old admitted that neither dog had been aggressive towards him when he shot at them.

(JRN.com - Sept 12, 2014)

Earlier:

• Man arrested after Hendersonville dog shot, killed

Others Step Forward With Claims Of Cruelty At Local Dog Day Care

PENNSYLVANIA -- Since our story aired Tuesday about the German shepherd who became ill after being boarded at a local doggy day care, others are now coming forward with claims of animal cruelty at the same facility.

One woman told KDKA’s Brenda Waters her dog was mauled there.

Manny the pug came home from the Castle Shannon Animal Hospital, according to his owners. The little guy faced some life threatening injuries while his owners were on vacation.

They dropped him off at Doglogic Doggie Daycare on June 20, but when they went to get him eight days later, they got the horrible news from one of the workers.

Linda and Norb Graf say they were never contacted by Doglogic.

“She had told us that our dog, an 8-month-old pug got mauled by a short-haired pointer German shepherd and they did everything possible and that they transported him to Castle Shannon Animal Hospital.”

And Linda says she did all of her research before leaving her precious Manny at Doglogic.

“I found them on the internet with all good ratings and they are connected to a clinic,” she said. “I said this is the perfect place for him, but apparently it was a nightmare.”

 

Meantime, the owner of the German shepherd “Captain” that was also left at Doglogic for boarding is also getting better. “Captain” had become ill while at the facility.

Both Johnson and Graf have been in contact with humane officers and the Allegheny County dog warden about Doglogic.

In closing Graf said, “I believe that this place needs to be closed down.”

The vet bill for Manny was $440, but the Grafs say the owner of Doglogic paid for it.

As for Captain, his owners are facing a more than $6,000 bill. They are trying to raise money for his bill here.

(CBS Local - July 2, 2014)

Earlier:

• Pet Owner, Dog Day Care Owner Blame Each Other For Dog’s Medical Condition