Florida: Kayaker rescues iguana four miles out at sea

FLORIDA -- Key West Kayak Fishing posted on YouTube - Oct 18, 2017

I was coming in from an offshore trip and I noticed a weird shaped object floating in the distance.

All I could see were the multiple fins running down its back so I though it was some sort of palm frond, but it just didn't look right. I ended up stopping and noticed that it started swimming.

It was pretty crazy seeing this guy so far out. I have seen plenty swimming around the islands, but never one that far out. Most likely, because of the King tides that are occurring it got caught in one of the swift outgoing tides and got pushed out to sea. I was just inside the reef so it was close to four miles from land.

Most likely it would have died out there as the current that far out would most likely push it East with very little chance of coming back inshore. But you never know and it could be it's normal daily swim back and forth between Cuba and the US.

 Regardless, it was pretty cool see it trust me enough (versus dying of course) to swim toward the kayak and hop on. And then for it to just cruise along in the open water and then just as it saw the safety of the mangroves close by, it took a leap and swam to shore.

 Pretty cool.

Washington: Animal Control rescues lost iguana; trying to find its owner

WASHINGTON -- Are you missing your iguana? SCRAPS may have found it.

SCRAPS received a call about an iguana in a tree in the Gonzaga District on Thursday. The lizard was about 15 feet up when the officer arrived and had part of its tail missing, along with a cut on its nose.

SCRAPS took the reptile to its shelter, but they are now looking for the owner.

If it's yours, you can redeem it at SCRAPS. They are located at 6815 E Trent Ave in Spokane Valley. You can call them at (509) 477-2532.

Anyone claiming the iguana must be able to provide proof of ownership.

(KHQ - August 31, 2017)

Florida: Arrested back in January along with his 'doobie brother' Daniel Lawlor, Ashtyn Rance has additional charges filed against him

FLORIDA -- Back in January, Ashtyn and Daniel were heading down the road in their oh-so-stylish blue Mom Jeans minivan. Ashtyn was driving but apparently hit the bong a bit too hard. A cop spotted him "driving erratically" and pulled him over.

Walking up to the van, the cop immediately smelled the pot which gave him enough probable cause to yank them out of the van. Inside the van, they found more than 100 small critters destined for Emerald Coral & Reptiles Pet Store (which is apparently under investigation for allegedly purchasing non-permitted wildlife and re-selling them with possibly falsified permits or on the black market).

It didn't appear that the animals had been abused or neglected. I'm sure these two idiots got paid per animal so it wasn't in their best interests to arrive at Emerald Coral & Reptiles with a van full of dead reptiles.

The problem is: neither Ashtyn nor Daniel had the proper permits for these animals. Where did they get them? Who knows? But the cops called Florida Fish and Wildlife who came out, photographed, inventoried all the animals, and threw some initial charges at the two potheads.

The few hermit crabs and the red snake are native to Florida so they released them to live happily ever after. However, the iguanas, lizards and geckos were not so lucky.

 

NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT
They killed this little lizard for no reason except he wasn't
native to Florida and the 2 men did not have permits for him.

Wildlife officers KILLED ALL 76 OF THE IGUANAS, LIZARDS AND GECKOS.

Why? What did they do to deserve death?

Because they're not native to Florida, they couldn't be released. So? Assign the proper permits to the animals and send them to a qualified reptile rescue. But, see, wildlife agencies don't do that. It's easier for them to simply kill the animals.

Anyway, looks like Ashtyn Rance picked up some additional charges since the January arrest and the judge slapped a $65,000 bond on him so he might still be cooling his jets at the county jail right now.

Fort Pierce man jailed in sale of pink toe tarantulas, boas, other exotics
TC Palm - June 2, 2017

A Fort Pierce man accused of improperly selling a variety of exotic animals, including pink toe tarantulas and Brazilian rainbow boas, was arrested on more than 10 charges, according to records released this week.

Ashtyn Michael Rance, 31, of the 10300 block of Orange Avenue in Fort Pierce, was arrested Wednesday on 12 misdemeanor counts of possession of captive wildlife for commercial or sanctuary purposes without a permit and a single misdemeanor count related to having a nile monitor.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation began after Rance in May 2016 was denied a license for the commercial sale/exhibit/display of so-called Class III wildlife, which includes skunks, parrots, snakes, geckos, finches, foxes and frogs.

By comparison, Class I wildlife includes lions, hippopotamuses, bears and elephants — animals “that pose a significant danger to people,” according to the FWC. Class II wildlife, which also can pose a danger, includes bobcats, howler monkeys, dwarf crocodiles and wolverines.

In June 2016, an investigator reported seeing Rance in Hillsborough County at a reptile exposition with Class III wildlife for commercial purposes.

A month after that, investigators got information “on Facebook that Rance continued to commercially sell captive wildlife without a license.” Rance also posted pictures of himself importing creatures from Guyana, records show.

Investigators said that Rance on a Facebook page stated he used another entity’s license, but investigators say that license is for a different address in Palm Bay and in Rance’s case is not allowed.

Other records gotten through a Facebook search warrant and PayPal subpoena show arrangements for payment from people via PayPal for animals including collared lizards, red foot tortoises and blue iguanas.

Rob Klepper, a spokesman for FWC, said whether the people who bought the creatures did anything inappropriate depends on the laws of their state. At least one person was in Colorado and one in Georgia.

“His violations were in regards to the sale of these animals, not necessarily the possession,” Klepper said.

One $2,720 direct deposit was for a variety of creatures including 10 Nile monitors. It’s illegal to possess those without a permit, Klepper said.

Nile monitors are non-native lizards that can grow to more than 5 feet and weigh nearly 15 pounds.

Rance was cited two previous times by FWC, and warned four previous times, according to Klepper.

Records provided by FWC show Rance in 2014 was convicted of possession of a venomous reptile without a license in Brevard County. That related to a dusky pygmy rattlesnake.

Rance was also convicted of cruelty to animals in 2006 in Palm Beach County.

“The FWC promotes responsible ownership of captive wildlife, and it is the goal of the FWC to develop the best regulations possible that provide for public safety, animal welfare, and the legitimate use of wildlife for educational, exhibition, or personal purposes,” Klepper said via email. “Florida’s captive wildlife regulations are among the most stringent in the nation.”

Rance was held Friday in the St. Lucie County Jail on $65,000 bail, a jail official said.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Ashtyn Michael Rance
Sex: Male
Race: White
Arrest Age: 31
Date: 05/31/2017
Time: 4:46 PM
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Location: St. Lucie County, Florida
Total Bond: $65,000
Charges
#1 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#2 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#3 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#4 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#5 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#6 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#7 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#8 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#9 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#10 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#11 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#12 Exhibition And Sale Of Wildlife W/o A Permit. BOND: $5000
#13 Possession Of Prohibited Reptile. BOND: $5000

  

Earlier:

• Florida: Daniel Lawlor and Ashtyn Rance arrested after authorities found 114 lizards and hermit crabs in their van. Florida Fish & Wildlife KILLED SEVENTY-SIX OF THESE ANIMALS FOR NO GOOD REASON!

Oregon: Family's 20-lb pet iguana saved from house fire

OREGON -- A fire did damage to a house in Pendleton, but the family — and their 20-pound iguana — were not hurt.

Shawn Penninger, the assistant chief of the Pendleton Fire Department, said the department got the call to 2600 S.W. Goodwin Ave. at 4:43 p.m.

Four vehicles initially responded before the department called for reserves and support from the tribal and Pilot Rock departments.

A family of three lives in the house, and only one adult was home at the time of the fire.

Firefighters removed an iguana from the home and gave it oxygen.

Penninger said preliminary investigation shows the cause of the fire was improperly disposed smoking material. Firefighters cleared from the scene after about two hours.

(East Oregonian - March 10, 2017)

Florida: Daniel Lawlor and Ashtyn Rance arrested after authorities found 114 lizards and hermit crabs in their van. Florida Fish & Wildlife KILLED SEVENTY-SIX OF THESE ANIMALS FOR NO GOOD REASON!

FLORIDA -- It wasn’t the marijuana that got two men in trouble with the law during a traffic stop on Cudjoe Key Wednesday but something else packaged for sale — reptiles.

Fort Pierce resident Daniel Lawlor and Ashtyn Rance of Miami were handed several misdemeanor charges after a mix of 114 crabs and reptiles were found in the Dodge minivan the two were pulled over in at mile marker 23.5 bayside.

NOTHING TO SMILE ABOUT
They killed this little lizard for no reason except he wasn't
native to Florida and the 2 men did not have permits for him.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Rance, 30, was driving north on U.S. 1 when a Key West police officer pulled him over for reportedly “acting suspiciously in the area” of Sugarloaf School and running a stop sign around 10 a.m. A search of the van began when the officer smelled marijuana.

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ken Fricke arrived scene and discovered the animals divided into separate bags and plastic containers.

FWC officers Jefferson Carroll and Matt Rubenstein were called to the scene and identified a red rat snake, 27 giant day geckos, 33 green iguanas and 37 land hermit crabs. 

They also found 14 Cuban knight anoles (a type of lizard), one giant Jamaica anole and a large-headed anole.

Lawlor, 35, reportedly said the animals were caught on Summerland Key and were being taken to a wholesale business called Emerald Coral Reptiles to be sold. Emerald Coral & Reptiles is listed as a reptile supply store in Miami.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission killed all
76 reptiles whose only crime was that they weren't native to
Florida and the 2 men who had them didn't have proper permits.

Lawlor and Rance were charged with one misdemeanor each for not having a license to sell saltwater animals and transporting the animals without having required documents for where they were being taken; and two misdemeanor counts each for violating state law regulating the taking of the animals.

Rance was charged also with a misdemeanor count of personal possession of wildlife without a permit and was ticketed for driving without a license. Lawlor had an additional misdemeanor charge for possessing wild animals without a permit from the FWC to sell them.

They were booked into the county jail on Stock Island. Bond has not been set.

FWC spokesman Bobby Dube said the Giant Day Geckos, Green Iguanas and three species of Anoles (lizards) are not native to Florida so THEY KILLED THEM ALL.

The red snake and the hermit crabs were released back into the wild.

They killed this little lizard for no reason except he wasn't
native to Florida and the 2 men did not have permits for him.

This seems extreme. Although they're not native to Florida, they could have been sold via legal channels to people who would obtain the proper permits. This is my problem with Fish & Game people. They just kill things all the time for seemingly no good reason. 

They killed 27 Giant Day Geckos. 

They killed 33 Green Iguanas. 

They killed 14 Cuban Knight Anoles (lizards).

They killed 1 Giant Jamaica Anole (lizard).

They killed 1 Large-Headed Anole (lizard).

SEVENTY-SIX ANIMALS KILLED BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Lower Keys population of red rat snakes is considered a species of special concern by the FWC and live or dead specimens cannot legally be collected without a permit.

Dube said the arrests have prompted an investigation into the selling practices at Emerald Coral & Reptiles.

ARREST INFO:

Full Name: Ashtyn Michael Rance
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 05/19/1986
Block: 10300 Orange Ave
City: Fort Pierce, Florida 34945
Occupation: UNEMPLOYED
Arrest Age: 30
Date: 01/25/2017
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Arrest Location: US1 MM23.5 BAYSIDE, Monroe, FL
Location: Monroe County, Florida
Charges
#1 VIOL SALTWATER PRODUCTS LIC REGS
STATUTE: 379.361.2a ( Misdemeanor)

#2 VIOL SALTWATER PRODUCTS TRANSPORT REGULATIONS
STATUTE: 379.362.4 ( Misdemeanor)

#3 PERSONAL POSSESSION OF WILDLIFE WO PERMIT
STATUTE: 379.3762.1 ( Misdemeanor)

#4 VIOL FWC RULE OR ORDER LEVEL TWO
STATUTE: 379.401.2a ( Misdemeanor)

#5 VIOL FWC RULE OR ORDER LEVEL TWO
STATUTE: 379.401.2a ( Misdemeanor)

Full Name: Daniel Ryan Lawlor
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 11/02/1981
Block: 19800 NE 12th Ave
City: Miami, Florida 33179
Occupation: UNEMPLOYED
Arrest Age:35
Date: 01/25/2017
Arresting Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Arrest Location:MM 23.5 BAYSIDE CUDJOE KEY, US-1, Monroe, FL
Location: Monroe County, Florida
Charges
#1 VIOL SALTWATER PRODUCTS LIC REGS
STATUTE: 379.361.2a ( Misdemeanor)

#2 VIOL SALTWATER PRODUCTS TRANSPORT REGULATIONS
STATUTE: 379.362.4 ( Misdemeanor)

#3 POSSESS SELL WILD ANIMAL WO AUTHORITY
STATUTE: 379.3761.1 ( Misdemeanor)

#4 VIOL FWC RULE OR ORDER LEVEL TWO
STATUTE: 379.401.2a ( Misdemeanor)

#5 VIOL FWC RULE OR ORDER LEVEL TWO
STATUTE: 379.401.2a ( Misdemeanor)

Daniel Lawlor's previous arrests:

September 2016
#1 POSSESSION OF HEROIN
STATUTE: 893.13-6a(Her)
BOND: $1000

#2 POSS CANNABIS 20 GRAMS LESS/ SYNTH CANN 3 GMS LESS
STATUTE: 893.13-6b

June 2015
#1 AGG ASSAULT W/ DEADLY WEAPON WITHOUT INTENT TO KILL
STATUTE: 784.021-1a

#2 DOMESTIC BATTERY BY STRANGULATION-DATING RELATION
STATUTE: 784.041-2a(HGD)

#3 TOUCH OR STRIKE/BATTERY/DATING VIOL
STATUTE: 784.03-1a1(HGD)

#4 PROBATION VIOLATION OR COMMUNITY CONTROL/FEL/MISD
STATUTE: 948.06

June 2012
#1 CAPIAS - MISD
STATUTE: CAP-MISD
BOND: $2000
NOTES: TRESPASS OTHER STRUCT/CONVEY

(Miami Herald - January 27, 2017)

Missouri: Abandoned snake, iguana get warm-blooded attention from animal control officer

031816-snakeMO-1

MISSOURI -- Police calls always have the potential for an experience outside of the routine, and Animal Control Officer Glenn Palade had one of those calls on Wednesday.

The landlord at 309 Fourth Street in Monett investigated a vehicle left at one of his properties. Going inside the apartment, he found the place in disheveled condition, the renter absent, and two pets left behind.

The pets were also unusual -- a small python and an iguana.

Enter Palade, who removed the animals for better accommodations.

Monett Animal Control Officer Glenn Palade removed
a small python apparently abandoned in an apartment on
Wednesday. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com

The city's animal control vehicle does not have a dedicated section for reptiles, but Palade knew how to manage. The snake found shelter in a tied pillow case.

The disposition of the owner was not known at the time the animals came into the city's custody. A colleague of the landlord, who discovered the situation, speculated the animals had not been fed for some time.

Palade placed the snake in the cab of his truck to provide extra warmth while he figured out his next move.

The snake did not seem to mind the attention, he said.

Officer Scott Landreth issued orders to have the abandoned car, with temporary plates, towed from the premises if the owner did not move it in 96 hours.

(Monett Times - March 18, 2016)

North Carolina: Kenly Couple - Jimmy Williams Jr and Patricia Williams - Wanted for Abandoning Home, Leaving Animals to Die

NORTH CAROLINA -- Wilson County authorities said Thursday that they are searching for a Kenly couple after about a dozen dogs were found dead in their home.

Deputies responding to a report of dogs running loose at 9235 Lefty Road found no one home, but they saw through a window two dead dogs on the floor inside, authorities said.

After obtaining a search warrant and going inside, the deputies found nine more dead dogs inside and outside the home, authorities said. Another 10 dogs and two iguanas were still alive and were put in the custody of the Wilson County Animal Shelter.

An investigation determined that Jimmy Carroll Williams Jr. and Patricia Ann Williams had abandoned the property, leaving the animals behind, authorities said, adding that heat and water at the home had been turned off since Jan. 19.

 

 

Warrants have been issued for Jimmy and Patricia Williams, charging each with 11 counts of killing an animal by starvation, 11 counts of animal cruelty, 23 counts of abandonment and 21 counts of failure to vaccinate.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call Lt. Todd O’Neal of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office at 252-237-2118.

(WRAL - Jan 28, 2016)

A Firefighter giving an iguana oxygen may be the sweetest thing you see today

CALIFORNIA -- Firefighters had to put whatever fear of snakes they had to rest when a California reptile store erupted in flames.

 

Typically the scariest thing about a structure fire is the fire itself, but when the building is full of snakes, that may not be the case.

Crews saved hundreds of the cold-blooded creatures from the searing heat.

 

 

The store owner then helped firefighters treat several of the reptiles with oxygen masks. Some of the animals died in the fire, which crews brought under control within about an hour.

No people were injured in the blaze.

(AZ Family - Dec 18, 2015)

Pet iguana bites 12-year-old boy at Palm Jumeirah home

United Arab Emirates -- A 12-year-old Hungarian boy has ended up with several stitches on his left hand after being bitten by his pet iguana at his Palm Jumeirah penthouse in Dubai on Sunday.

Kevin Kristof Gali, a Grade 7 student, was feeding Dragon, his three-year-old pet iguana, around 11am when the 1.5-metre-long reptile grabbed at his hand, digging deep into his flesh.

“I tried to yank my hand away and that possibly made things worse,” said Kevin, who brought Dragon home from a pet shop when he was just a week old and 60 cm long.

“Usually, when I feed Dragon, he closes his eyes and lets me do my thing. Sunday was no different but as I was trying to take his empty food plate from inside the cage, it accidentally touched him. He must have got frightened, so he bit my hand.”

As Kevin’s hand hurt and bled, his mother Bettina rushed him to Mediclinic City Hospital after administering first aid.

Dr Yasser Khattab, specialist plastic surgeon, who attended to Kevin, said: “The wound from the iguana’s bite was 12 cm long, 8 cm wide and 2 cm deep. It was spread over the front and back of the hand besides the thumb joint. But the boy was lucky as it missed the artery, nerves and bone.”

He said Kevin’s wound was thoroughly cleaned and he was administered antibiotics and a tetanus vaccine before he was put under the knife. “The wound was repaired with sutures under local anaesthesia. Any delay could have devitalised the tissues.”

He said iguanas are not meant to be kept as pets. “They can attack, accidentally or otherwise. Even with regular pets like cats and dogs, we have to be very careful when there are children around.”

He said he sees at least two cases of pet attacks in a week where children, including toddlers, are injured severely in the face or neck by cats and dogs. “Animal bites can be potentially infectious, so we give antibiotics and observe the patient for 48 hours. If it’s a toxic bite, we administer anti-venom too.”

Once bitten twice shy. Kevin said the experience had taught him a valuable lesson: “Research fully before you a get a pet. Take him on only if you know everything about him and you can take full responsibility for his care.”

While he has never shirked from his responsibilities of feeding Dragon or cleaning after him, Kevin said he didn’t expect that his little iguana would grow so big and so fast. His mother said she had repeatedly advised him against bringing the reptile home but he had been adamant.

Used to having his chihuahua dog Bacon and cat Tiger around, Kevin said he never thought the iguana would be any different. “Earlier, I would keep Dragon in my room. He would even swim in my bath tub and I would take him round the house on my shoulder. But as he grew older and bigger, that was not possible. We had to get him a big cage in the balcony outside with the right amount of light, heat and humidity he needed.”

He said Dragon is usually well-behaved and never messes around. “He is a very happy pet and I don’t know what put him off the other day. It was totally unexpected.”

Did you know?
Green Iguanas are herbivorous reptiles that eat leaves, veggies and fruit. They conserve energy and spend time basking and resting. In the west they are considered great companions but need care and planning as they can grow up to six feet.

(gulfnews.com-Aug 27, 2014)

Warren pet shop owner pleads no contest to animal cruelty

MICHIGAN -- The owner of a Warren pet shop where dozens of animals were removed by animal control officers last spring is scheduled to be sentenced this month after pleading no contest to felony animal cruelty.

Dennis Jones, owner of Greenwood Pets & Plants, could have faced up to two years in jail and a $2,000 fine on the felony charge. In a plea agreement with a judge, Jones, 57, likely will be sentenced to probation when he returns to court on Aug. 20.

Jones also pleaded no contest in a separate case involving alleged mistreatment of a goat and other animals at the store in 2012.

Formally, he is accused of failing to provide adequate care or negligently allowing at least four but less than 10 to suffer unnecessary neglect, torture or pain.

A no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but it is treated as such for sentencing purposes.

 

“Anytime an individual goes to trial, there’s risk involved,” defense attorney Stephen Rabaut said Friday. “After having a full discussion with Mr. Jones, the evidence in the matter about how he was most likely to get a better outcome, he made the decision to enter the no-contest plea.”

Last May, Warren and Macomb County animal control officials removed dozens of animals — including birds, kittens, a puppy, two roosters, an iguana, a tarantula and a 10-foot python — from the landmark business on Nine Mile Road near Schoenherr because the facility lacked electricity and water service because utilities were cut off. Most were mildly to severely under-nourished.

Of the three dozen cockatiels, several were bloodied and some had broken wings and toes. Two died less than 24 hours after being removed.

Around the same time, Jones remained the target of a garnishment effort filed last autumn against Greenwood Pets & Plants by an attorney who had previously represented Jones in an unrelated case.

That lawyer, Robert Binkowski, claimed in September 2012 that he was owed more than $2,000 for handling a 2007 civil lawsuit against Jones that resulted in the dismissal of a claim against the pet shop owner.

In late March, 37th District Judge Jennifer Faunce — now a judge in Macomb County Circuit Court — found Greenwood in default and ruled that business property could be seized. Due to issues involving storage of live animals, Faunce ruled that the animals be sold immediately.

Most of the injured and malnourished animals were taken to Parkway Small Animal & Exotic Hospital in Clinton Township. Some of the cockatiels were expected to undergo months of treatment, including a few that faced amputation of toes.

Under Faunce’s order, all the animals were briefly under the legal control of court officer Paul Zalenski.

“The only thing I sold was the remaining tropical fish, which was the cheap fish, because the power was being shut off,” Zalenski said Friday. He said four fish distributors declined to buy the approximately 250 fish for $100 before one dealer agreed.

“The problem was everybody who came to look at them … were afraid if they put the animals into a tank with healthy ones, the risk of (spreading) disease would be too great,” Zalenski said.

Faunce’s order last spring was trumped in late June, when prosecutors initiated a forfeiture case against Jones and his business. Jones agreed on June 24 to relinquish ownership of animals that had been for sale, including: a dog, five rabbits, a dozen cats, an albino Burmese python, three iguanas, the roosters, the tarantula, one tortoise, nine chickens, 31 rats, five dozen mice and several lizards. Under the agreement, Jones essentially surrendered the animals to two veterinary hospitals and the Macomb County Animal Shelter.

Meantime, nine other birds — including four macaws — and a cat were ordered to be placed in homes or with caregivers that could provide adequate care and living conditions, according to court records. Those animals were considered Jones’ pets but could not stay with him because of bail restrictions against him in the animal cruelty case that prevented him from possessing animals.

Rabaut said he thinks any ailments or injuries suffered by animals at Greenwood may have been due to challenging economic conditions faced by the business.

“He is an animal lover and he never meant any harm to any animals,” Rabaut said of Jones. “The bottom line is he thought it in his best interest to resolve this.”

An animal welfare organization that pushed Warren officials to take action against Greenwood had hoped Jones would face more severe punishment.

“We wanted jail time (for him),” said Pam Sordyl, founder of Puppy Mill Awareness of Southeast Michigan. “We’re going to be at sentencing, for sure.”

The sentencing agreement that calls for probation was reached in July with Macomb County Visiting Judge Thomas Brookover. Brookover was filling in for Circuit Judge David Viviano after Viviano was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Faunce, who had ordered in May that the animals at Greenwood should be sold immediately, was appointed by Snyder last month to fill the vacancy on the Circuit Court bench. She takes over Viviano’s caseload, but Brookover is expected to return to handle the sentencing of Jones.
The current whereabouts of all the animals was not immediately known Friday.

(The Macomb Daily - Aug 2, 2013)

Earlier:

• All animals removed from Warren pet store due to unsafe conditions
• Owner of Warren pet store is charged with animal cruelty

Justice for Bear as owner admits cruelty charges

UNITED KINGTOM -- The filthy state of a flat where a German Shepherd dog and iguana were left alone for five weeks to die a "stressful and painful death" have been revealed.

Piles of rubbish and animal waste were strewn across the flat in Pembroke Dock where the two animal bodies were discovered in June.

The death of the dog, named Bear, sparked fury and an online petition calling for 'Justice for Bear' collected more than 1100 signatures.

On Monday Stephen Nixon of Water Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to four animal welfare charges at Haverfordwest Magistrates court.

The charges included causing unnecessary suffering to an iguana and German Shepherd, by not providing them with adequate water.

Nixon also admitted not taking steps to ensure that the needs of the dog were met by providing a suitable environment which was hygienic and free from hazards, along with the needs of the Iguana to provide a suitable environment with was hygienic, with adequate space, heat and lighting.

The court heard how the alarm was raised when residents became increasingly concerned for the welfare of Bear.

The dog did not appear to be being walked and only the 'occasional bark' was heard from the property in Hamilton Court.

On June 11 Dyfed-Powys Police discovered Bear's body lying on a pile of clothes in the bathroom of the property and the dead Iguana was discovered inside the vivarium.

The online petition entitled received more than 1100 signatures in less than two weeks after massive support received via Facebook.

John Tarrant, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court a smoke bomb was used inside the property due to the flea infestation.

Faeces and domestic waste was discovered throughout and there was no sign of food or water available to either animal.

Mr Tarrant told magistrates the vivarium was too small, there was no temperature monitor equipment or suitable lighting and post mortems revealed both animals died of dehydration.

Mr Tarrant said evidence suggested the animals had been abandoned for at least five weeks: "The effects of dehydration would have been physically painful and it would have been a stressful and painful death," he said.

Nixon insisted in interview: "I made sure it had water and food" but reports showed Bear had nothing in his stomach when he died.

The 38 year-old initially stated his wife had moved out of the property just a couple of weeks prior to the police discovery, but in later interviews admitted she had left in February.

Magistrates indicated a community order to imprisonment was being considered.

The probation service requested an adjournment so that Nixon could receive a mental health assessment, after he continued to claim that he had attended the property four times a day to feed and water the animals.

The case was adjourned until November 6th for sentencing.

(Western Telegraph - Oct 17, 2012)