United Kingdom: Irish Wolfhound savages dog walker in her 70s leaving her needing surgery after horrific attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A pensioner suffered horrific bite injuries when she was savaged by a wolfhound as she walked with her own dog.

The woman, who is in her 70s, had to undergo surgery in hospital following the horrific attack in Gravesend, Kent, on Boxing Day.

She was taking her dog for a morning stroll along the sea front when shocked witnesses say an Irish Wolfhound attempted to attack her dog.

When she picked her own dog up, the Wolfhound - described as a cream and light brown female - latched onto her hand, sinking its teeth through her gloves.

OWNER FLED WITH HIS DOG
Her skin was torn further as the hound's owner - a male described as around 5 foot 5 inches tall, Caucasian and English - hauled the dog away on its metal chain.

He then walked off with his dog, leaving the victim covered in her blood and suffering from shock.

The injured woman went to A&E at Darent Valley Hospital before receiving treatment at East Grinstead Hospital, where she was kept in the hospital for two days on an intravenous drip.

Police are trying to trace the say the hound's owner who is described as having fair hair and who may have been driving a grey van with a fixed roof light.

A Kent Police spokesman said: 'Officers received a report that between 9am and 9.30am on Tuesday December 26, a woman in her 70s was walking her dog in Gordon Recreation Ground, Milton Road, Gravesend, when she was bitten by a dog that was being held on a chain by a man.

'The man and his dog then immediately left the scene.

'It is reported the victim suffered a serious injury to her hand that required subsequent treatment at hospital.

'The dog is described as being large with a long-haired, light-coloured coat. The man is described as having fair hair and it is reported he drives a grey van with a fixed roof light.

'Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may help is asked to contact Kent Police.'

(Daily Mail - Jan 2, 2018)

Connecticut: Little boy, 4, wanders into woman's yard and has his nose ripped off by her Irish Wolfhound. She asks for advice on hiding the dog from police and suing the parents

CONNECTICUT -- This lovely woman posted on two different sections of Reddit asking readers if they agreed with her decision to hide her dog from the police after it "ripped off" a 4-year-old boy's nose -- oh and maybe his eye too.

She first posted in a section (called subreddits) titled "Childfree". This subreddit is described as:

Discussion and links of interest to childfree individuals. "Childfree" refers to those who do not have and do not ever want children (whether biological, adopted, or otherwise).

In "Childfree", she calls the victim -- a four-year-old little boy who, according to her has had his nose ripped off -- a "snot monster" and "critch goblin". She then blames the little boy's parents because he was able to crawl under her ramshackle fence to reach her dog, what is commonly referred to as an attractive nuisance, like a swimming pool.

The attractive nuisance doctrine applies to the law of torts, in the United States. It states that a landowner may be held liable for injuries to children trespassing on the land if the injury is caused by an object on the land that is likely to attract children.

She asks readers if they agree with her plan of hiding the dog from authorities.

>>Reddit section: RANT

"Mombie didn't watch her kid, now my dog is on death row"
(self.childfree)
submitted an hour ago by FurbabyPeril

Last week my rescue Irish Wolfhound was hanging out innocently in my fenced backyard when my neighbor's 4 year old snot monster decided he wanted to "pet the doggie". He crawled under the fence and grabbed my dog by his tail.

My dog is skittish and he lunged at the kid, causing severe damage to his face (his nose was almost completely torn off). I sent my dog off to my uncle's farm for the time being. Now the critch goblin's mombie and daddict have the police involved, and I've been ordered to turn my dog in to be euthanized!

Why does he have to die he's not the one that was trespassing and harassing innocent animals! They're also talking about suing me for tens of thousands of dollars in plastic surgery all because they couldn't be bothered to watch their damn kid.

The plan is to play dumb and leave my dog out of state where they can't get him. What would you do in my situation?

You can click here to read all the comments that were posted.

After being instructed several times by readers to post on the on the Reddit section "legal advice", she does:

>>Reddit section: LEGALADVICE

"Danbury, CT A neighbor's 4 year old broke into my yard and harassed my dog, got bit"
(self.legaladvice)
submitted 3 days ago by FurbabyPeril

Last week my irish wolfhound was in my fenced in yard when the neighbor's unattended 4 year old crawled under it and pulled his tail. My dog bit the kid pretty bad, his nose was hanging on my a thread and he'll probably lose sight in one of his eyes. I immediately brought my dog to my uncle's farm in another town across the state. The cops showed up and said I had to hand my dog over for quarantine and eventual euthanasia because of the severity of the attack.

Also the parents are threatening to sue me for the cost of emergency plastic surgery.

1. Can the cops hold me if I refuse to say where the dog is and hand him over to be killed?

2. Would I have a leg to stand on if I said he ran away and I cant find him or would that make it worse?

3. is a large dog behind a chainlink fence considered an attractive nuscience like they told me?

4. Will my homeowners insurance provide me with a lawyer?

5. Can I countersue, or have them charged with negligence/trespassing either through the police or CPS? A 4 year old should not be walking around unsupervised. thanks

Neither of these dogs is the bite dog. This is a photo from

WikiCommons just to give you an idea how large this breed

of dog is - and also how fluffy and attractive to a small child

Here are some of the comments:

TotalStorage
You are deep into the territory where you should not be saying another word about this to ANYONE before you retain an attorney.
Some of the things you are saying here are concerning. For example, how did you know that the kid pulled the dog's tail if you did not witness it. If you witnessed it, could you have intervened sooner?
Tampering with evidence (moving the dog across the state), contemplating lying to the police (obstruction of justice).
Calling the police/CPS about the victim.
I am not saying that any of the things listed above are necessarily of real concern. But, it's definitely stuff that needs to be directed under the advice of an attorney.

Leggoeggolas
Has your dog ever bit anyone before?
I don't understand how it's the dogs fault as he was just protecting his property, he didn't know it was a kid breaking into his fenced off yard and not a burglar
I feel really bad for the kid but how can they put the dog down for this? It's not like he broke out and did it.
That all said they do need prof the dog doesn't have rabies, otherwise it's gonna be more hell for the kid

FurbabyPeril
He hasn't bitten anyone since I've had him. He came from a rescue I don't know his history. He has his shots and I have all the paperwork.

Method007
IN GENERAL, CT law regarding dog bites involve a few prongs - the first being if the attack happened off property.
THE PROBLEM YOU HAVE - is that in CT, they have a law where minors are presumed to not be trespassing or teasing animals when they are attacked.
Connecticut General Statutes 22-357 – Damage by dogs to person or property If any dog does any damage to either the body or property of any person, the owner or keeper, or, if the owner or keeper is a minor, the parent or guardian of such minor, shall be liable for the amount of such damage, except when such damage has been occasioned to the body or property of a person who, at the time such damage was sustained, was committing a trespass or other tort, or was teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog.
If a minor, on whose behalf an action under this section is brought, was under seven years of age at the time such damage was done, it shall be presumed that such minor was not committing a trespass or other tort, or teasing, tormenting or abusing such dog, and the burden of proof thereof shall be upon the defendant in such action.
As you can see, this shifts the burden to you. My issue that you have a hole in your fence that allows a 4 year old to get through – and that 4 year old is automatically assumed to not be trespassing. CT also has laws that specifically say you must hand over your dog for quarantine if it attacks someone – but it says “was not upon the premises of the owner” – so I think you have some wiggle room there. I can’t give you an answer regarding what you should do in that situation – I would hire an attorney.
Ultimately – the best legal advice I can provide you is that you need to hire an attorney and stop posting on reddit.

parle
Your bolded part doesn't matter particularly if it's incontrovertible that the dog was on OP's property. However the claim that the kid pulled the dog's tail will probably mean nothing unless the kids admits it or someone else saw

Method007
The bolded part literally particularly matters to this event. It immediately puts the burden on the dog owner to prove trespassing or teasing. Just because he may be able to address this issue does not mean it does not matter.

miezekoetzchen
I've read your answers above - don't trust what the cops said. They think they're really clever and hold the moral high ground, but they're really not. They're not lawyers or judges, so they get to stfu. It does matter that they were trespassing, because your dog was defending himself in his own house. The situation would not have happened if the child hadn't broken into your home.

Luminae
I would remove the breed from the description in this post. Having the breed listed makes it far easier to track this post back to you, as this breed's community is rather small. I can't image the frustration and upset this situation is causing you. I wish for a resolution in your favor.

FurbabyPeril
I was planning to say he ran away and I cant find him but that might hurt my case later on if I look like an irresponsible dog owner

The kid almost lost his nose and might lose site in one eye so its going to be expensive but I dont see why I should have to pay for it!

According to the cops I cannot disobey their order to hand the dog over and put him in quarrentine. I can fight the death sentence once they have him but I dont have much of a shot.

FurbabyPeril
>file a police report for their trespassing.
That's a damn good idea, give them a taste of their own medicine!

AnonMSme
No, that’s really shitty advice, as are the comments stating you should call CPS. A 4 year old can not commit trespassing and parents letting a 4 year old play unsupervised in a backyard are not negligent to the point of CPS getting involved. All this will do is make you look like a cold hearted monster who’s harassing the parents of an injured child.
Ffs, just get a lawyer and follow their instructions. Until then, keep your mouth shut.

If you want to read all the comments on this thread, click here.

New Zealand: Dunedin Irish Wolfhound attack victim thought she was "going to die"

NEW ZEALAND -- A Dunedin woman viciously attacked by dogs when she was delivering newspapers has recalled her ordeal, as she continues to make a painful recovery.

The woman, who did not want to be named, told Fairfax she was delivering copies of the Otago Daily Times when she was attacked by three Irish wolfhounds.

Now the 54-year-old, who was active, struggles with mobility, has lost her income, and struggles to nod off to sleep because of the horrific memories of her attack.

A Dunedin woman bitten by three Irish wolfhounds is recovering 
at home. Her other injuries are too graphic to show.

"I thought I was going to die," she told Fairfax.

It happened about 6.30am on December 1. Heading down Walter St, Mornington, the woman saw the three giant dogs with their owner, on their morning walk.

It was a familiar sight. She'd seen them before and knew, because the owner had told her, they would be walked in the morning because their size scared people.

"I said 'hello doggies'," the woman told Fairfax.

Then it happened -- the middle dog grabbed her arm. The other two joined in and the pack-attack was on.

The woman was forced down a steep bank. The dogs followed, still in attack mode.

"All I can remember is saying, 'take your f****** dogs off me'. They just tore strips off me," she said as she recalled the graphic details.

"I was screaming for help in a horrible voice, the owner was standing there saying, 'I'm sorry sweetheart, I don't know what to do'," she told Fairfax.

Under siege, the woman used her arms to shield her face and neck from the attacking beasts with "these terrible black eyes".

Soon emergency services were on hand and her flatmate arrived shortly afterwards, greeted with the sight of blood. He thought the woman had been run over.

Then the full horror of what happened was revealed. He saw the woman's calf muscle was missing.

"The dogs would have eaten it and there was flesh all over the driveway," he told Fairfax.

The woman now relies on a crutch. She had been on a benefit and also worked two paper rounds and did some private cleaning work.

(New Zealand Herald - ‎Jan 18, 2016‎)

Earlier:

• Dog attack: 'Pieces of flesh everywhere'
• New Zealand: No compensation for 'horrific' mauling by Irish wolfhounds

New Zealand: No compensation for 'horrific' mauling by Irish wolfhounds

NEW ZEALAND -- The Dunedin victim of a "horrific'' mauling by three Irish wolfhounds has had another blow after learning she will not be compensated for lost income.

The woman was attacked about 6.30am on December 2, leaving her with injuries over much of her body.

The most serious was to her right leg, where little remained of her calf muscle.

Before the attack, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, worked two part-time jobs to supplement her benefit income, but the injuries left her unable to work.

Thinking it would be a formality, she asked for compensation from ACC for lost income, but was shocked to learn they would not give her compensation on top of her benefit.

A Dunedin woman bitten by three Irish wolfhounds is recovering
at home. Her other injuries are too graphic to show.

Instead, she was told by an ACC staff member it would take a dollar off her benefit for every dollar she received in compensation - which in her situation meant she would be no better off than if she received no compensation at all.

This left her in a "really tough'' financial position.

"I've got no money to pay the phone bill,'' she said.

She was still unsure when her injuries would heal enough to allow her to go to work.

During a visit to Dunedin Hospital last Friday she was told her leg was healing, but some of the graft was not taking.

ACC spokeswoman Stephanie Melville said the issue was caused by the legislation ACC ran under.

"If a person receives a benefit but also works part-time, then they may be entitled to weekly compensation payments for any loss of income as a result of the injury. However, the benefit will normally be reduced by the exact amount of the weekly payments.''

ACC would though cover all the woman's medical treatment and social and vocational rehabilitation needs.

Minister for Social Development Anne Tolley issued a one-line response in response to questions about the case saying: "I've had no advice on this case but have asked MSD to look into it and ensure that the person involved is receiving everything they are entitled to.''

People wishing to donate to the victim of the dog attack can visit https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/wolfhoundattack

(New Zealand Herald - ‎Jan 12, 2016‎)

Earlier:

• Dog attack: 'Pieces of flesh everywhere'

Dog attack: 'Pieces of flesh everywhere'

NEW ZEALAND -- A Dunedin woman required surgery after a dog attack so horrific it was ''more like a shark attack''.

The woman, who did not want to be identified, was delivering the Otago Daily Times in Walter St, in the Glen, about 6.30am yesterday when she was attacked by up to three Irish wolfhounds.

Her partner said the attack was so frenzied it left ''blood everywhere and pieces of flesh everywhere''.

The woman would require multiple operations, including plastic surgery, and it was not yet known if she would walk again, as one of her calf muscles was ''virtually all gone'', the man, who did not wish to be identified, said.

''It's that extreme - it's more like a shark attack,'' he said.

He was also delivering newspapers nearby and had been left shaken and angry after the attack on his partner.

''There are these three dogs controlled by one guy, which is crazy because they are the size of a small horse,'' he said.

''[She] fell to the ground in fright and rolled down a big bank and the dogs just took to her, just tearing chunks off.  'It's made me really, really angry.''

The owner had two of the dogs euthanized and the Dunedin City Council's animal services department was investigating the extent of the third dog's role in the attack, the council said in a statement.

''The dog owner was shaken and distressed by the incident,'' the council said.

''No further decision will be made [on the third dog's fate] until the DCC officers have spoken to the victim.''

Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said the woman's injuries were among the worst he had seen from a dog attack.

''They are pretty severe,'' he said. ''They are very nasty wounds.''

The victim's partner said she was lucky to survive the attack, as the dogs had made attempts to attack her face and throat, leading to defensive wounds on her arms.

''She's not coping well mentally or physically,'' he said. ''She's very, very traumatized.''

Her recovery would take months and would affect her ability to work her three jobs.

''None of her jobs involve sitting down, so she is traumatized by the thought of that [losing income] as well,'' he said.

He thanked the members of the public who came to her aid immediately after the attack, saying they ''were great'' and applied first-aid.

A Dunedin Hospital spokeswoman said the woman was ''progressing well'' after surgery.

Council communications and marketing manager Graham McKerracher said statistics on attacks involving Irish wolfhounds were not immediately available yesterday.

But the breed was not registered as a menacing or aggressive breed and there were limited numbers of them in New Zealand.

(Otago Daily Times - Dec 2, 2015)

George Wesley Gilchrist Jr., charged with animal cruelty, turns himself in

OKLAHOMA -- Grant County Sheriff's Office has been investigating a case of animal cruelty.

Grant County Sheriff Scott Sterling said the man charged with 13 counts of animal cruelty turned himself in Friday.

An arrest warrant was issued for George Wesley Gilchrist Jr. on Aug. 4 but he could not be found.
Sterling said Gilchrist's family owns property out of state and it was suspected he was there.

Gilchrist turned himself in with the presence of an attorney. Case documents lists his attorney as Michael Amend, of Ponca City.

  

"He did have his initial appearance before the judge and posted $65,000 bond," Sterling said. "He's been arraigned on 13 counts of animal cruelty."

Sterling said since Gilchrist posted bond, the department booked him and then released him.
Gilchrist is entering a plea of not guilty and has since moved to Cherokee.

Gilchrist's next court appearance is Sept. 15.

The felony charges against Gilchrist include malicious or willfully depriving a non-responsive hound mix, four young greyhounds, two brindle greyhounds, two Irish wolfhounds and three other hounds of food, drink, shelter and medical care, records show.

The charges are a result of one of three animal cruelty cases involving Gilchrist that took place between mid-July and early-August.

Sterling said his office is investigating three different animal cruelty cases involving Gilchrist and another individual.

Sterling said his department received an initial report July 19, and Deputy Sheriff Jessie Hern requested a search warrant. On July 20, 13 dogs were rescued from one property, Sterling said.

The property is located southwest from the intersection of Logan Road and County Road 900 in Grant County, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, the heat index was 100 degrees, and 14 dogs were examined by a local vet. One of the animals died due to its injuries and seizure activity. Many were dehydrated, stuck on chains, had eyes sunken-in, parasites and ribs readily visible, according to the affidavit.

According to the affidavit, one of the dogs had a carcass in his pen that he had been eating. There was no other food or water present.

The affidavit describes dog 14.

"Decomposing, rancid, deceased greyhound in a small pen with sheep panels," it stated. "Maggots present. Cause of death could not be determined to decomposition."

The report claims Gilchrist called his father and told him about the search warrants.

“Because they’re f*****g starving, I told you this was going to happen,” Gilchrist is quoted as saying in the report. Officers allege that he also told his father that he wasn’t going to prison for this.

According to the affidavit, Gilchrist asked if "some kind of deal could be made that everyone came out on," and the deputy said the district attorney was in charge of deals and punishments. Gilchrist signed the dogs over to Tulsa Humane Society.

Tulsa Humane Society representative Katherine Brown said a majority of the dogs have since been adopted.

"We have seven left," Brown said. "Most are hound mixes. We also have three puppies. One of the puppies has parvo. He's been fighting for his life but is starting to turn it around."

Parvo, also known as canine parvovirus, is a highly contagious and life-threatening disease until fully treated. The disease attacks a dog's intestinal track and white blood cells.

"They're all very happy dogs," Brown said. "They're all recovering well, walking and happy."

One of the dogs, a greyhound called "Big Tex," could not walk when the humane society rescued him. Since then, he was adopted, is healthy and now called "Angus."

Tulsa Humane Society is taking donations, both monetary and products, in regard to the rescues. If interested in adopting or donating, call the society at (918) 495-3647 or go to Facebook, Humane Society of Tulsa.

After the society rescued the animals from Gilchrist's property a third search warrant was issued Aug. 1 at the same location as the July 21 search warrant.

"At that time, two more dogs were rescued pursuant to the search warrant," Sterling said.

Sterling said events from July 21 and Aug. 1 still are being investigated.

Gilchrist was involved in a case in 2013 involving cruelty to animals. The case was dismissed. Later in 2013, he was involved in a case stating he failed to keep domestic animals enclosed. That case also was dismissed.

A lot of times when news reports say a charge was dismissed, it's because the suspect took a plea deal and the DA's office do what's called a "pass", meaning don't get any new charges while you're on probation and the charge gets dismissed afterwards. It does NOT mean the case was thrown out for lack of evidence, etc.

But one day before the July 21 search warrant was issued, a charge was filed in Grant County involving Gilchrist and failure to keep domestic animals enclosed. Another case for the same offense was filed July 27.

"There's no state law that prohibits someone, once they 're convicted, there is no law that prohibits them from owning animals again," Sterling said. "This may be an issue we need to look at, maybe devise a registry for cruelty to animals."

(Enid News & Eagle - Aug 14, 2015)

Note: Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the (rotten) tree. Gilchrist's father was convicted of Cruelty to Animals back in 2008 (Thanks to Examiner.com for this info!):

Animal cruelty defendant sentenced to prison
A Grant County man who pleaded guilty to seven counts of animal cruelty has been sentenced to prison for allowing horses on his property to starve.

George Gilchrist, 44, pleaded guilty to the charges in June and was sentenced before a Grant County judge today. Judge Jack Hammontree sentenced Gilchrist to a five-year prison term. Gilchrist will serve two years behind bars and will be on probation for three years, according to the judge's sentence.

 

Gilchrist had been given a deferred sentence on a bogus check charge. The judge requested that Gilchrist be sentenced to a year in a county jail on that charge. His sentence will run concurrently with the sentence for the animal cruelty charges.

 

Prosecutors say Gilchrist had about 34 horses on his land. In late 2006, the sheriff seized seven horses that appeared to be starving, said Steven Young, assistant district attorney in Grant County. Three of the horses either died or had to be put down. Homes were found for the other four horses.

 

Earlier:

• 24 Greyhounds at Tulsa Humane society after animal cruelty investigation

Irish wolfhounds earn their keep

ILLINOIS -- Growing up, Jennifer Ahren, of Shiloh, wanted an Irish Wolfhound. Now, she has three -- Seamus (aka Moose), Farley and Sean.

Her dogs, all rescued or "rehomed," got her involved in regional and national Irish wolfhound rescue.
"That resulted in many Irish wolfhounds coming through my doors and then onto 'furever' homes," said Jennifer, the mother of three who lives in Shiloh with husband John, and works for a St. Louis endodontist.

Jennifer Ahren, of Shiloh, has liked Irish wolfhounds since
she was a child. She currently has three, Sean, Farley and Seamus.

 

"I believe in my dogs working for their keep. Moose is a certified therapy dog through CHAMPdogs Inc. Farley received a PAL registration from the American Kennel Club and participated in LGRA (Large Graze Hound Racing Association) lure coursing. Sean is an ASFA (American Sighthound Field Association) and GRC Champion lure courser." The dogs chase lures, usually squeaky toys attached by rope to a pulley system that mimics a rabbit.

It's strictly for points and ribbons, kind of like American Kennel Club dog shows, Jennifer said.
They are ambassadors for their breed at Irish, Celtic and Scots fests and parades in the region.

How did you get interested in Irish wolfhounds? "I was raised with Irish setters and my parents would take me along to dog shows and field events. My first memory of an Irish wolfhound was at a dog show. I came eye to eye with it. I was about 4 at the time. I had all sorts of animals growing up, but my parents told me that the Irish wolfhound was too big. Although they bought me a horse, they never got me my Irish wolfhound. I never forgot the kind and gentle spirit of this breed."

How big are they? "They weigh from 135 to 200 pounds, and stand 36 inches to the shoulder."

Where does Moose do therapy?

"Seamus, aka Moose, is certified through CHAMPdogs.org. He has been active with that group for about six years. He has done therapy work at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, nursing homes, assisted living centers andfor children'sprograms at area libraries and schools. He has represented the CHAMPdog program at Scott Air Force Base. He is also known at the Gun and Knife Show, selling raffle tickets, promoting the Cowboy Shoot for CHAMPs in September. He has represented the breed, along with Farley, at the Chicago Children's Museum at the Navy Pier. Moose has done a magazine shoot for Brides Magazine St. Louis, and also joined Farley for a photo shoot for Earthborn Dog Foods.

"Moose is semiretired from the therapy dog program. He is 7-1/2 years old, which is old for an Irish wolfhound. Although he does well and has puppy-like tendencies and moments, he tires easily."

Do the dogs go on vacations with you? "They have traveled to Springfield, Mo., many times and love to shop at the Bass Pro Shop. They have been to Colorado, and Pennsylvania and had their photo taken at Gettysburg Battlefield at the Irish Brigade Memorial with the Irish Wolfhound on it. They went to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and hiked one of the only two trails that dogs are allowed on."

Do they travel well?"Very well. Better than my children did. I have a mini van with a driver and passenger seat only. The boys have the whole back end.

They know we are going somewhere when the suitcases come out. They have their own suitcases with food, leashes and collars, and I can't forget treats. I pack an emergency first aid kit with dog medicines, bandages etc. I also have a carrier, a military litter (that looks like a pallet). If these dogs go down then you would need the litter to cart them to the van.

Do motels allow them? "I have found that most motels will accommodatethe dogs, especially when I am up front and let them know that I'm bringing three. I ask for a ground-floor room, it is just easier. One time, we did have to stay in a hotel. The lowest floor available was the third floor. It was funny getting into and out of the elevator.

"Some motels ask for a deposit, but I've always received that back. If we are return customers, theyusuallywaive the fee. The dogs are quiet. They don't bark. And they are always up for the next adventure."

(bnd.com - June 2, 2013)

1/16/13: Three abandoned dogs rescued from appalling conditions

PENNSYLVANIA -- Three dogs living in deplorable conditions in a Wynnefield row home were confiscated Wednesday by Pennsylvania SPCA officers.

Reports from neighbors are what led the PSPCA to obtain a search warrant to enter the property to which one officer described as a 'dump'. It is guessed that the animals had been abandoned for approximately one month.

 

Fox 29 was able to capture the rescue in motion and interview the officers on the scene.

Officers were observed removing an Irish Wolfhound that was well underweight, a Mastiff mix which was obviously emaciated with visible sores throughout its body and a third dog which appeared to be a Pit bull mix.

Officer Rich Loos said, "These animals have definitely been suffering for a long time. They obviously haven't been eating at all or not much for a significant amount of time."

They dogs survival instinct & starvation were enough to force them to consume a mattress on the floor as their replacement for food.

Officer Loos added, "The house is a dump. There is just trash and debris throughout the entire house and we had to search high and low to make sure there were no other animals living inside."

The garage which appeared to be their main living space was appalling with the floor being covered in animal feces.

Investigators say the home appears to have been a breeding operation and had feared they would find deceased puppies during their search. Upon completion there were no signs of animal remains. There is still concern that several cats who had been seen in the windows may still be inside.

A couple who lived in the home along with their two young daughters had been there for several years. It is said that the home was in deplorable conditions while they were there but rather than clean up the home as they agreed, they abandoned it along with their animals left inside to fend for themselves.

Officer Loos said, "You can tell they have no respect for life. The way that they were treating the animals and the way they ... themselves were living, they were just living in squalor."

Tonight, the animals are receiving veterinary care, nutritious food, clean water and a soft place to lay their heads.

Leads on the owners whereabouts are promising and charges are pending as the investigation continues.

The dogs will not yet be available for adoption as they are still considered the owners dogs until the investigation has been completed.

(Examiner.com - Jan 16, 2013)

Dog stuck in quarry found kindness, comfort in last days

PENNSYLVANIA -- The Morning Call wrote about an old dog rescued in April from a quarry at Keystone Cement in Bath. Company employees used a human stretcher to get the weak, dehydrated dog out of the area where he was stuck in the rocks.

Liz Jones of the animal welfare group The Sanctuary at Haafsville agreed to take the dog to Quakertown Veterinary Clinic. Professionals there shaved his heavily matted coat, cleaned his wounds, scrubbed the maggots out of his skin and gave him IV fluids.

They called him C. Ment, because of where he was found.

That was the end of the newspaper story. Here's what has happened since then.

Jones contacted Virginia Reiss of Haycock Township, who has taken in other foster dogs, and she agreed to take him. She and companion Fred Calabrette renamed him Bogey — for Humphrey Bogart — and helped him slowly get some of his strength back.

"This was a really, really old dog," Reiss told me. "When I got him from the veterinary clinic, you literally had to have him walk with a towel under him. He couldn't walk on his own." In the weeks that followed, he gained some weight and strength and his hair started growing back.

They found that he was housebroken, comfortable with cats and obviously had been someone's house pet. They'll probably never know if his owners dumped him at the quarry, discarded him elsewhere or just lost him, but no one came to claim him. The bottom line is that he was old and alone.

The dog, which had the configuration but not quite the size of an Irish wolfhound, took over the center hall of their home, where they set up a rug, quilt and other bedding to keep him comfortable. Once they figured out that he couldn't walk far, they left the front door open so he could go in and out on his own.

"He basically lived to eat and sleep," Reiss said.

Last Sunday night, Bogey had his dinner, settled on his bed and ate his nightly treat.

Fifteen minutes later, they discovered he [had passed away]. Jones suspected all his systems had been weakened by his age and his ordeal.

The nice part of the story is the way so many people — Jones, Reiss and Calabrette, Keystone Cement, the veterinary clinic, all the people and organizations who contributed to pay the bills for his initial treatment and subsequent surgical, teeth-cleaning and other procedures — came together to save this dog and ensure that his final days were spent in comfort.

Reiss said, "At least he knew, in however many months we had him, he had a family and we loved him."

The Sanctuary created a nice video about him , which also has information about the organization. I'm in awe of the work that many of the area's animal welfare groups do to find homes and better lives for stray dogs and cats.

If you want to support the work of the Sanctuary, which is in Upper Macungie Township, consider visiting its Furry Fest 10-4 Saturday at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Fogelsville near Routes 100 and 78. There will be rescue organizations with dogs and cats needing homes, vendors selling animal products, entertainment, food, games and what Jones calls an Un-Run in which you can sponsor someone who will not run up to 50 miles.

Yes, there are people who abandon their four-legged friends when they get too old or just too inconvenient, and it makes me sick. But there also are people who open their homes, their hearts, their wallets, their very lives to answer that cruelty with kindness. If you can help any of them, please do so.

(The Morning Call - June 20, 2012)

Earlier:

• Dog rescued from quarry by employees

Pennsylvania: Dog rescued from quarry by employees

PENNSYLVANIA -- The old dog was trapped on the rocks, stuck for days in a quarry at Keystone Cement in Bath before somebody heard his bark.

By then he was hoarse, weak and dehydrated. Maggots had already hatched and were eating at his skin.

But the gray dog was alive enough Saturday afternoon to catch the attention of Keith Fogel, who went back for help and, together with another employee, hauled it out of the hole on a human stretcher.

[I don't think enough was said about these employees - Keith Fogel and the other quarry employee - to thank them. Not only did they hear the dog, but they went out of their way to look for the dog and haul him out of the quarry. Not an easy task with an extra-large sized dog. They might say otherwise, but I consider them to be heroes.]

It took many calls for Fogel to find someone willing to take the dog to the veterinarian. Liz Jones, who runs an animal shelter in Upper Macungie Township, agreed to transport the fragile hound to the Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, where a team of professionals worked to save his life. The sight was disturbing at first glance and yet it was beautiful.

"It's not pretty to look at," veterinarian Rosemary Newton said as four technicians cleaned the dog's wounds and secretions, shaved his coat and scrubbed the maggots out of his skin. "It's pretty to know that you can help him."

At first, the mixed-breed dog, which Newton said is about 8 years old, was so exhausted he could barely move. But after receiving IV fluids, it became more responsive.

"We'll try to get him on his feet," Newton said. "He's happy to eat. That's a good start."

Newton said it was hard to tell if the dog had fallen into the quarry or had been left there, but she was sure it had spent more than a day there, giving the maggots enough time to hatch.

"It's a life," the veterinarian said. "What was he doing wandering around? Did somebody not give a darn?"

The dog might have been alone for a long time, but it had finally found some love. The Sanctuary at Haafsville, the shelter where Jones is executive director, agreed to pay the bill and the staff at the clinic was determined to see the dog through the crisis. They all seemed to agree on one statement: Every living being deserves a chance.

"If he were my own dog, I would do the same," technician Melissa Stein said. "If it were a human, I'd do the same thing. You get a good feeling because once they get better, you feel like you did something. You feel like you accomplished something in life."

Melissa Stein, an employee of Quakertown Veterinary Clinic,
gently shears a dog rescued earlier this month from a quarry.

The dog will remain at the clinic for at least a couple of days until it recovers. He will then be neutered and the sanctuary will try to find its owners. If no one claims him, Jones said, she will try to find an adoptive home.

Newton was awaiting the dog's blood work before she could say more about its health, but the dog was more active after receiving treatment and Jones was already looking for a name. "C. Ment" seemed like the best choice because of where it was found.

(The Morning Call - April 14, 2012)