West Virginia: Missy Rucker, accused of running puppy mill, charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty

WEST VIRGINIA -- A Kanawha County woman accused of running a puppy mill has been charged with more than three dozen counts of animal cruelty.

Melissa “Missy” Jo Rucker, 49, of Nitro, was charged with 47 counts of animal cruelty Friday night, according to a criminal complaint filed in Putnam County Magistrate Court.

The complaint said on May 9, a warrant was executed at Four Paws Pet Salon in Scott Depot, which was owned and operated by Rucker, because of a report of suspected animal neglect. The complaint said the Putnam County Humane Office had received several complaints that Rucker was operating a puppy mill where she sold dogs that were ill and required medical treatment.

According to the complaint, during the search, the only employee working at the time told officers where the kennels were located but said she was not permitted to see them.

There were 28 kennels and most of them had four dogs in them, according to the complaint. Only five of the 28 kennels had food for the dogs, and that food had mold growing on it. The complaint said the water that was available for the dogs was dirty and contained fecal matter.

According to investigating officers, the kennels contained a male and female dog and the kennels with four dogs contained one male and three females. There was also a dry-erase board on the wall with a breeding schedule for the dogs.

The complaint said several of the dogs were in poor health. Some were missing teeth, which made it difficult for them to eat. Several of the dogs were missing hair and had inflammation of the skin.

Several of the dogs also had feces dried in their fur and were emaciated, according to the complaint.

When officers searched for medication or medical records they found no records and just nine capsules used for skin conditions.

Due to the lack of medical care, nutritious food and fresh water that was being provided, the complaint said officers seized 58 dogs and six puppies from the Putnam County location.

 

 

The day after the dogs were seized, a veterinarian at the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association found that 48 percent of the dogs were dehydrated, 17 percent were severely dehydrated and 48 percent had body condition sores, according to the complaint.

When questioned, the complaint said Rucker told police that she used a veterinarian in Hurricane. However, that vet told police Rucker had only taken nine dogs into his office in April to have blood drawn for Brucellosis testing.

Rucker is being held in the South Central Regional Jail on $25,000 bond.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(ABC6 - May 19, 2017)

Earlier:

• West Virginia: 121 Animals Seized in Puppy Mill Raids across Kanawha, Putnam County
• West Virginia: Pet owners speak out after adopting sick animals from owner Missy Rucker, accused of running puppy mill

West Virginia: 121 Animals Seized in Puppy Mill Raids across Kanawha, Putnam County

WEST VIRGINIA -- Humane officials executed a search warrant at Missy's Four Paws, an alleged puppy mill, in Nitro, WV.

The Kanawha Charleston Humane Association and Nitro Police Department are investigating.

It's being reported that as many as 61 dogs and 2 monkeys are involved, and may be in need of medical care.

 

 

The Putnam County Animal Shelter is investigating Missy's Teays Valley location as well.

Arrest warrants have not been filed at this time against Melissa Rucker (aka Missy Rucker, Melissa Jo Rucker, Missy Jo Rucker).

  

 

UPDATE
Jon Davis, Director of the Putnam County Animal Shelter, said that in total, 58 dogs were seized from the Four Paws location in Teays Valley yesterday.

Regarding their living conditions, Davis said the dogs had mold growing on their food, feces in their water, and fecal matter in their matted hair. 

Veterinary crews are still assessing the health of the dogs. Several animals had medical conditions that were not being properly treated.

Davis describes the location as "a mill."

The Teays Valley animal seizure follows a search warrant executed yesterday where 61 dogs and 2 monkeys were found in uninhabitable living conditions at Missy's Four Paws in Nitro.

This brings the total number of animals seized in the cross-county search to roughly 121. Charges are expected to be filed after crews have completed assessing the animals.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WeareWVproud.com - May 10, 2017)

New Hampshire: Penny Dessalines, 47, and Burnie Johnson, 51, owners of monkey kept illegally in Laconia will face charges

NEW HAMPSHIRE — The monkey who was seized Monday from a home in Laconia is being cared for at a veterinary hospital in Weare.

The monkey, whose species has not yet been identified, is a male named Bella, according to Fish and Game Conservation Officer Chris Brison.

Conservation officers executed a search warrant for the Laconia property Monday and found the monkey after receiving a tip.

Brison said Penny Dessalines, 47, and Burnie Johnson, 51, will face violation level charges for keeping an exotic animal without a special permit.

READ: Officers seize pet monkey illegally kept on Laconia property
The task now is finding the monkey an appropriate home.

“We’d like to keep him local if we can,” Brison said, but he admits if they can’t find a suitable home for Bella, he may have to go to an out-of-state facility.

Bella appeared to be in good health when he was seized, according to Brison, but he is currently being examined at the Exotic Pet and Bird Specialty Clinic of New Hampshire in Weare. The veterinary clinic is offering their services free of charges.

According to Brison, although uncommon, there have been other monkey seizures in the past in New Hampshire.

(NH1 - Mar 7, 2017)

Earlier:

• New Hampshire: Wildlife officers seize pet monkey from family

New Hampshire: Wildlife officers seize pet monkey from family

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Two Laconia, N.H., residents face a fine and the loss of Bella, their pet Patas monkey, after the animal was seized by New Hampshire Fish and Game officials.

The monkey, in turn, has undergone an ordeal. One local expert compared Bella’s experience of being removed from the home to the feeling of a child abducted from its parents.

Conservation officers took the primate from the home of Burnie Johnson, 51, and Penny Dessalines, 47, at about 4:30 p.m. on Monday after an informant reported it living there.

Fish and Game Conservation Officer Chris Brison described the process of removing Bella as “not fun.”

“It was absolutely devastating for the family,” Brison said.

He noted that the monkey, which is native to a number of countries in Africa, had been living with Johnson and Dessalines for at least several years.

“We’ve had documentation of them having it in 2014, being bottle-fed,” Brison said. He said it appeared to be obtained out of state, and during the seizure on Monday, he saw the animal’s enclosure in the house.

Brison said Bella would be let out to play with the family, which included children and a dog. He didn’t think the monkey spent much time out of the home — otherwise Fish and Game might have heard more complaints.

Monkeys are among many animals Granite Staters are not allowed to own without a special permit - that is only issued to certain people (see below). Johnson and Dessalines had no such permit and were charged with a violation-level offense, which carries a fine of up to $1,000.

Attempts to reach the family were unsuccessful on Tuesday.

Brison couldn’t comment on the health of the monkey without any sort of primate expertise. (He had to call an expert in African biology to confirm the species).

On a basic level, Bella looked to be in “good shape,” Brison said, though he added that it was not living in ideal conditions.

“Any wild animal is not supposed to be in a house,” he said.

The monkey was transported to a veterinarian on Monday for blood tests, and after that, it went to a wildlife rehabilitator.

“It’s in good hands,” Brison said. He declined to specify the rehabilitator for safety reasons — so that Bella and the facility can be left alone by the public — but said the care for the monkey is being provided free of charge.

In the meantime, Fish and Game is now searching for a place for Bella to live, permanently.

“Everyone is concerned finding this thing a safe and legal home ... which is most likely a zoo,” Brison said.

Only exhibitors — people training, showing or displaying wildlife who have a federal permit to do so — are allowed a permit to possess a monkey in New Hampshire.

Derek Small, the director of Wildlife Encounters in Rochester, is one such federally permitted exhibitor. He said he hadn’t been contacted on Tuesday about Bella and couldn’t accept a primate until his organization upgrades to a larger facility in the near future. But Small knew what he would do with a Patas monkey.

“Everything it has experienced has been as scary as a child abduction in our society,” Small said. “I would put this animal in a relatively small, quiet, calm place,” and offer it food and water.

“They’re very, very advanced, intelligent animals,” Small said.

(Valley News - March 5, 2017)

Nevada: Trisha Meyer, 34, found with numerous tigers and monkeys

NEVADA -- Sheriff's Office issues press release regarding arrest of Trisha Meyer

SUSPECT(S):
Trisha Meyer, Age 34, Address Pahrump Nevada 89048

CHARGE(S):
Arrested on Burglary/Theft Warrant, Harris County Texas

DETAILS:
On Nov 3 2016, a female identifying herself as Trisha Meyer called the Nye County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center requesting animal control contact her to provide information on obtaining a permit to possess tigers within Nye County's jurisdiction.

On Saturday, November 5 at approximately 1700 hrs. Las Vegas Animal Control advised Nye County Animal Control that Trisha Meyer was believed to be en-route to Pahrump Nevada with a U-Haul trailer possibly containing the illegal animals including three tigers.

It was also brought to the attention of Nye County Deputies that Trisha Meyer had a felony arrest warrant out of Harris County Texas.

At approximately 1700 hrs, Animal control officer met with Miss Myers in Pahrump and confirmed, at that time, she did not have any animals on the property.

Meyer was advised of the process for obtaining a "special conditions animal permit". Meyer states her animals were still currently in Texas. She was advised it would be illegal for them to be in Nye county prior to being permitted.

On Nov 7 2016, a citizen reported to the sheriff’s office that there were 3 tigers in the back yard of 1331 Manse Road.

On November 7, 2016 at approximately 1600 hrs. the Felony Warrant out of Harris County was confirmed by Nye County Sheriff’s Office Deputies.

Upon arriving at the 1331 Manse Road address to serve the Felony Warrant it was discovered by Nye County Animal Control and Nye County Deputies that there were three Tigers loose in the backyard of the property contained only buy a 4 foot field fence with a 17 year old juvenile in the back yard supervising the Tigers while they were feeding on raw chicken.

 

 

There were eight monkeys inside the residence none of which are regulated in Nye County requiring special permits.

When asked if those were the only animals on the property the property owner said yes.

Trisha Myers was arrested on the warrant and the three Tigers were taken into protective custody subject to the owners arrest and being a regulated species requiring proper permits in Nye County.

At no time was anyone attacked by the tigers and Nye County Sheriff's Office is not aware of any instance where the tigers were aggressive towards anyone.

The investigation relating to charges in Nye County is still being conducted and any charges will be done through the Nye County District Attorney’s Office when the investigation is completed.

Myers will be extradited to Harris County Texas following the traditional procedure.

(Nye County Sheriff's Office - Nov 14, 2016)

You Probably Shouldn't Be Worried About This Colony of Herpes-Infected Monkeys in Florida. Still, there's a colony of herpes-infected monkeys in Florida.

FLORIDA -- Imagine picnicking in central Florida when, suddenly, you hear some leaves rattle, and, from the shade of the trees, the curious face of a rhesus macaque emerges.

The macaques, which were introduced to Florida decades ago by a boat operator, have taken up residence in the state with determination, expanding rapidly because they lack natural predators.

But they are mostly benign, and this one seems pretty benign too. So, what should you do? Offer it food? Try to pet it? Or just ignore it?

You can probably guess the right answer, even if, for decades now, other humans have been guessing wrong, leading to 31 attacks from 1977-1984, according to an official report.

And while most of those injuries turned out to be minor, nowadays you might not be so lucky, as officials warn the public about a more dangerous threat: a strand of herpes carried by the rhesus macaques that is mostly harmless to them but can be deadly to humans.

No such fatal case has yet occurred, but the panic has encouraged the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to declare the monkeys a public health threat, and recommend that humans avoid contact with them.

Which means that if you do see a monkey come upon your picnic, you’d be best served observing it from afar. Do you really want to die by way of monkey herpes? No. No, you do not.

What kind of herpes are we talking about?

The particular strand of herpes carried by the rhesus macaque is called Macacine herpesvirus 1, and is comparable to the human strain of herpes that causes cold sores, according to Dr. Jim Wellehan, an assistant professor at the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at the University of Florida.

And while most primates carry some kind of herpes, a strand of herpes that’s benign in one species can prove deadly in another.

That’s because over millions of years of evolution, herpesviruses have diverged with their hosts, but not other species, meaning that while Macacine herpesvirus 1 might only give rhesus macaques a cold sore, a human is much, much more vulnerable, as over half of documented cases of human infection have ended in death.

Still, don’t blame the rhesus macaques.

The only reason they are in Florida, in fact, turns out to be perfectly Floridian.

HISTORY OF THE SILVER SPRINGS MONKEYS

Native to south and central Asia, six of the macaques were transported to the state in 1938 by an entrepreneur named Colonel Tooey (real first name) who put them on an island in Silver Springs State Park.

Tooey’s plan, such as it was, was for a type of amusement park, selling tourists tickets to his Jungle Cruise Ride, which promised to pass by the incredible “monkey island,” where he’d introduced the macaques.

The plan, for a time, worked, but while an influx of tourists rushed in to see the monkeys in action, the animals themselves began their escape.

 

They first swam across the river, and rumors soon began to circulate about a wild pack of rhesus macaques roaming free.

Meanwhile, some people claimed that they had been stars in a Tarzan movie (a rumor that continues to be spread). Others, that they were reproducing at a fast rate, and that there were now thousands and thousands of them in the area.

The truth was far less dramatic, but the reality is that, without natural predators, the rhesus macaques were here to stay, expanding in Central Florida, even reaching cities as far as the Gulf of Mexico.

And for years, the FWC has considered many solutions, including extermination, relocation, and population control, but nothing, so far, has proven effective.

Plans of complete extermination, for example, were thwarted in the ’90s by animal rights protesters, and attempts at sterilization have proved impractical.

More desperately, the state has even issued permits for catching and selling the monkeys, though this approach has also been criticized since most captured individuals end up in research facilities for life. (The FWC did not respond to a request for comment.)

While the thought of dying because a monkey gave you herpes is terrifying, the rhesus macaques might feel the same way about you. In fact, there are more recorded cases of humans infecting their pet monkeys with human herpes viruses than vice versa.

But as of now, the humans and monkeys remain in an uncomfortable stalemate. And while most human interactions with the monkeys continue to be benign, do yourself a favor and leave them alone if you see them out in the wild.

Macaques’ first instinct is not to attack a primate several times its size, but they will if they feel cornered or threatened. And, as Wellehan explains, herpes can only be transmitted by close contact where fluids are exchanged.

(Atlas Obscura - Nov 10, 2016)

Earlier:

• Florida: Herpes-positive monkeys reported in Florida

South Africa: SPCA to investigate allegations of animal abuse against owner

SOUTH AFRICA -- The community is outraged after the death of Hendry, the Macaque monkey that was euthanized last week.

According to Roodepoort SPCA manager Mandy Cattanach, Hendry was signed over by the owner of the Pet and Bird Farm, Glen Hatfield, but it was too late to save him and he had to be euthanized.

“A senior inspector from the SPCA, Eric Taljaard, visited the Bird Farm last week and noticed that Hendry’s outside cage was empty. He found Hendry stuffed into a parrot cage. The owner was forced to sign the monkey over to the SPCA because Hendry was malnourished and had a discharge from the eyes and nose. A healthy Macaque monkey should weight about 13kg, Hendry weighed only 4.4kg. 

"He had lost the will to fight. We held his ice-cold hand and stroked his fur when he was euthanised. He let out a small peep before he passed on.”

Cattanach said Hendry had suffered enough. “This was the best option for him. He was never allowed to socialize with his kind and died a lonely death.”

The SPCA is now investigating various options in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

For many years, the West Rand Pet and Bird Farm has been a contentious issue. Many visitors sang the praises of the owner for keeping the animals in a good condition while others were disgusted at the state in which the animals had to live.

“The place has always been bad and they have received numerous warnings over the years. Most of the time the water was dirty and the cages stank. The bearded dragons don’t have the right UV lights or diet, the aviary is in a bad condition, there is no ventilation and the sawdust on the floor attracts mice and rats which live in the burrows.

“In 2013 there were eight kittens suffering from the sniffles; they were feeding live mice to snakes, even though doing so is against the law, the rabbit cage was littered with old  faeces and food, and the pot-bellied pigs had mange. The owl that died a mysterious death was kept in the dark without the opportunity to stretch its wing and fly around. The Capuchin monkey’s albino baby was stolen, the pony was losing weight, and the snakes were malnourished. And the list goes on.”

Cattanach said the most frustrating part is that SPCA officials can see the dire circumstances in which the animals live, but their hands are tied.

“Every time we pay a visit to the place we issue warnings to fix the problems. When we go back to check, everything is in a better state. The law requires that animals must have shelter, food, water and basic veterinary care. The Pet and Bird Farm provides the animals’ basic needs. But the law doesn’t stipulate what size a cage should be. The fact that the animals’ cages are too small and dirty, the animals’ diet is inadequate, and they don’t receive proper veterinary care, is not covered by the law. The case would not be strong enough should we try to go to court.”

According to Cattanach, Hatfield once chased her off the premises after she had pointed out various problems. “Until now, he still refuses to surrender any animals, except the sick ones. All I can ask is for people not to support him, not to visit the place, and not to take their children there.”

Hatfield has refuted all allegations and cited them as being ridiculous. “The monkey wasn’t removed by the SPCA. They have been asking for the monkey for quite some time to give it a better environment where it can socialise with its own kind. During a SPCA visit last week I signed Hendry over to them.”

He said Hendry was taken inside and given medication.

“The SPCA said they would take him to the vet to have him checked out, but I have not received any information or report from the SPCA. During their many visits, they always expressed their satisfaction and were only concerned that Hendry did not have a mate. There were no other problems.”

Hatfield also said the claims that Hendry was malnourished were preposterous since he was fed on a daily basis. “The animals are well looked after and the SPCA has been satisfied with the state in which they are kept. We paid good money to have them there, why would we not take care of them?” he asked.

Hatfield went on to say that Hendry was very old, close to 20 years and had lived at the zoo for many years. “Hundreds of people visit the zoo and they are very appreciative and happy to go there.”

Cattanach has reiterated that the SPCA will not stop fighting until all the animals at the Pet and Bird Farm have been surrendered to the SPCA.

(Roodepoort Record - June 9, 2016)

Idaho zoo monkey killer Michael Watkins, 25, accused of violating parole

IDAHO -- A Weiser man who broke into Zoo Boise and beat a monkey to death with a stick in 2012 in could face returning to prison after his most recent arrest.

Michael Jacob Watkins, 25, was sentenced to seven years in prison for killing the patas monkey, but was paroled in September 2015.

His freedom may be short-lived, however, after an arrest for possession of drug paraphernalia Tuesday.

According to the Idaho Department of Correction, Watkins is now accused of violating his parole in the 2012 case.

Watkins pleaded guilty to the possession of drug paraphernalia charge Wednesday and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all but three days suspended. The parole commission will now decide whether to revoke his parole and send him back to prison to serve out the three years remaining in his sentence.

Watkin's case received national attention after he was arrested in connection to the monkey's death.

According to prosecutors, Watkins was extremely intoxicated when he entered Zoo Boise after hours Nov. 18, 2012. His defense attorneys argued he never planned to hurt the monkey, and characterized the zoo break-in as a drunken prank gone wrong.

Watkins admitted to opening the monkey's cage and chasing it. After the monkey bit him on the arm, Watkins hit it multiple times on the head and torso with a tree branch, mortally wounding it.

He eventually pleaded guilty to attempted grand theft and cruelty to animals.

What happened in 2012: It was a security guard who first ran across the crime, Burns said, coming across two men early Saturday morning - one inside the zoo and one outside the perimeter fence near the primate exhibit. Both men fled, with one running into the interior of the zoo. Burns and police were searching the grounds when Burns heard a groan and found the injured monkey outside of its exhibit, near the fence surrounding the zoo. They were able to get the animal into a crate and to the zoo's animal hospital, but the monkey died just a few minutes later of blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

He received a rider in the case, but the judge ultimately elected to relinquish jurisdiction and send him to prison.

The zoo installed razor wire to fences and added security measures in the wake of the monkey's death.

If the parole commission decides the paraphernalia arrest amounts to a violation, Watkins could remain behind bars until November 2019.

(KREM - April 23, 2016)

Michigan: Exotic animals case against Jessica Achberger, 40, and Troy Leiby, 40, bound over to circuit court

MICHIGAN -- Jessica Achberger, 40, and Troy Leiby, 40, were bound over to circuit court Wednesday afternoon after the conclusion of their preliminary examination in the case of exotic animals found at their Mottville Township home.

The preliminary examination began on Feb. 16, but was unable to be completed as an emergency hearing took place when Dr. Judilee Marrow from Binder Park Zoo requested permission from the court to euthanize the Bettong on Friday, Feb. 19.

Achberger and Leiby are facing three counts of animal torture; one count for the Bettong, one count for the Coatimundi and one count for the Macaque Monkey. Both are facing one count of obstruction of justice.

Judge Jeffrey Middleton presided over the preliminary examination.

*  Achberger’s count results from Jan. 28 after she wasn’t truthful with authorities about exotic animals being present in the home. Leiby’s count results from Jan. 20 when authorities were first called to the home and Leiby told them there were no exotic animals present.

Middleton said, “That [obstruction of justice] should be count one, it will be the most serious of charges.”

Achberger and Leiby also face one count of animal cruelty charges.

 

 

 

“This case does not hold a lot of jury appeal for the defendants, the jurors are going to hear this and their blood pressure is going to go up. There’s two sides to every story and we haven’t heard your side,” Middleton said.

Middleton continued, “These animals should not have been there in the first place. I don’t think you intentionally wanted to harm these animals; you got in over your head. You were trying to fit five pounds of sand in a one-pound bag.”

(Three Rivers News - March 3, 2016)

Earlier:

• Michigan: Exotic animals seized from home in deplorable condition; Jessica Achberger arrested