Indiana: No criminal charges for Cortney Corral Morris after 14 dogs die of heatstroke inside truck

INDIANA -- Describing the incident as a "tragic accident," St. Joseph County prosecutors Tuesday announced they found no evidence of a crime after 14 dogs, in town for an American Kennel Club show, died in the back of a box truck in Roseland last week.

The dogs were found dead Friday after the air-conditioning to the back of the truck apparently failed. The truck was parked at a Quality Inn in Roseland, where a handler was staying for the weekend while the dogs participated in the AKC show at the county fairgrounds.

The handler, Cortney Corral Morris, of Wellington, Ohio, told police she found the dogs dead when she went to check on them after resting in her hotel room for about two hours.

Corral said she had used the air conditioning the previous two days with no problems. On Friday, police found a circuit breaker in the truck had tripped, cutting power to the air conditioner.

The AKC is conducting a separate investigation, which it plans to conclude by Thursday, and has suspended Corral from AKC services and events. AKC committees will decide how long the suspension should last and whether to levy any fines, a spokeswoman said.

(South Bend Tribune - July 27, 2016)

Earlier:

• Indiana: Fourteen dogs die in hot truck while under Cortney Corral Morris's care
• Ohio: Wellington Twp. kennel operator Cortney Coral Morris suspended by American Kennel Club
• Ohio: Lorain County kennel, Lakesyde Kennel owned by Cortney Corral Morris, under investigation after 14 dogs die in back of hot truck in Indiana 
• Indiana: AKC officials reviewing case of Cortney Corral Morris and the death of 14 dogs left locked in truck

Indiana: AKC officials reviewing case of Cortney Corral Morris and the death of 14 dogs left locked in truck

INDIANA -- National officials with the American Kennel Club expect by Thursday to complete their review of Friday’s deaths of 14 dogs who were participating in an AKC show at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds.

Dog handler Cortney Corral Morris of Wellington, Ohio, is currently suspended from AKC services and events, said Brandi Hunter, AKC’s national vice president of communications and public relations. AKC committees will decide how long the suspension should continue and whether any fines should be levied, Hunter said.

Police report that Corral had taken a nap in her room at the Quality Inn in Roseland for about two hours Friday. During that time, the air conditioning in the truck failed when a circuit breaker in the truck was thrown. The dogs died in the extreme heat.

An extension cord provided electricity to the air conditioner from an exterior wall at the hotel, a setup that had worked Wednesday and Thursday, police reported.

 

 

Was this the same truck or did she have
a newer one since this posting?

The AKC is reviewing information gathered by its hired field representatives and by the local Humane Society and police, along with information from the handler herself and other witnesses, Hunter said.

The Humane Society of St. Joseph County reports that it expects to finish its own probe into the deaths by mid-week.

Hunter said it’s “rare” for the AKC to see a tragedy of this magnitude involving show dogs.

(South Bend Tribune - July 26 2016)

Earlier:

• Indiana: Fourteen dogs die in hot truck while under Cortney Corral Morris's care
• Ohio: Wellington Twp. kennel operator Cortney Coral Morris suspended by American Kennel Club
• Ohio: Lorain County kennel, Lakesyde Kennel owned by Cortney Corral Morris, under investigation after 14 dogs die in back of hot truck in Indiana

Ohio: Wellington Twp. kennel operator Cortney Coral Morris suspended by American Kennel Club

OHIO -- The American Kennel Club has suspended the operator of Lakesyde Kennels in Wellington Township after 14 dogs were found dead in her truck over the weekend.

 

Cortney Corral Morris took the dogs near South Bend, Indiana for a dog show there. Investigators say Morris went inside a Quality Inn in nearby Roseland to take a nap on Friday. When she came outside, she found the dogs deceased inside the back of the truck where she was housing them.

A power failure caused the air conditioning in the truck to fail.

How old was this truck? Did it have frayed wiring? Any history of the wiring or AC breaking down and being repaired? Also, a previous news story said she had taken an extension cord and plugged it into the side of the Quality Inn's building. Did she have permission to do this? She's using their electricity. Also, is that outdoor outlet going to provide enough power without triggering a circuit breaker? Certainly, she didn't INTEND for this to happen but reckless and/or negligent actions may have been involved.

 

 

Was this the same truck or did she have
a newer one since this posting?

Thirteen golden retrievers and one Brittany Spaniel [cooked to death].

Some of the dogs belonged to Morris. Some belonged to eight other people.

Today, a handwritten sign near the kennel's entrance read, "Kennel Closed."

Phone calls to the owner were not answered.

Augustin Aviles says he's boarded his dogs at the kennel.

"The young lady that had this incident happen - if you have kids, that's how she felt about her dogs. She loved her dogs. What happened is a terrible tragedy," said Aviles.

The American Kennel Club says Morris' length of suspension and possible fines are under review.

A Wellington Township official said that Lakesyde Kennels has been in compliance with ordinances there and that the township has not received any complaints about the facility.

Her mother Julie Fredlund Corral posted this on Facebook:
"I am truly greatful to be surrounded in word by such amazing friends and family especially our golden retriever family. I wanted to wait until Cortney was able to put a post up herself. I have never seen 2 more brave young women as Cortney and Brooke as they have begun to travel the first days of the rest of their new lives. They have been dealing with a nightmare no one should have to weather. Without going into details no one wants to hear, they are still making some final arrangements for the dogs with their owners. Cortney does not want to leave without the dogs. She and her amazing assistant Brooke have not even been able to think about grieving for their own dogs. The owners have been amazing and supportive of Cortney and Brooke. Here on fb you get the whole picture of the human race. The best of the best and the true bottom feeders. Especially the lovely lady who wished Cortney a long and painful death and yes she is a fb 'friend' to many of you. We thank all of you that have contacted us both privately and publically. Your words mean more than you will ever know. To see your child, adult or not go through something so horrific is incredibly painful. She will make it. Not quite sure what the future looks like right now as there are just too many variables. Thanks again to all of you for your love and support as we weather this horrific storm. Cortney Corral Morris 
Brooke Joiner"

(WHIO - July 25, 2016)

Earlier:

• Indiana: Fourteen dogs die in hot truck while under Cortney Corral Morris's care

UNITED STATES -- Hungarian Pumi Is Newest Addition To American Kennel Club Registry

The pumi – as unique as the name sounds – is the American Kennel Club’s newest breed.

This Hungarian herding dog is a high energy pooch that will be joining the American Kennel Club’s roster of the country’s oldest purebred dog records.

The Kennel Club will be making the announcement Wednesday, as the pumi becomes the 190th dog on the registry. This means the pumi can officially head on to the Westminster Kennel Club and other US dog shows, and can compete for the first time, says The News Tribune.

The pumi has a friendly, whimsical expression, a coat of curls and ears that flop at the tips. Dog enthusiasts say its genial air belies a strong work ethic.

The pumi goes back centuries in Hungarian history, where its 20 to 30-pound bulk was able to herd cattle, sheep, and hogs. The breed is related to the puli dogs, which is already recognized by the American Kennel Club and is known for its coat of long dreadlocks and somehow reggae-looking air.

Like other herding dogs, pumik – the correct plural term for pumi – are very active and alert. Chris Levy, president of the Hungarian Pumi Club of America, says, “They’re not for somebody who’s going to sit and watch TV all day long.” 

He does add that if the dogs have enough exercise and stimulation, they are capable of “chilling out” after.

Pumik are considered to be fast learners and have proven themselves good at canine sports. These agile dogs are known to herd rabbits, chickens, goats and even cats in the US. Levy, who breeds pumik in Salem, Oregon, has been working with other pumi enthusiasts to grow the breed’s population in the US for the past 20 years, but it has remained rare.

(Immortal News - June 22, 2016)