(June 2016) Massachusetts: Thomas Burke, 42, and Kelly Burke, 43, charged with animal cruelty; dog found soaked in urine will be blind for life

MASSACHUSETTS -- A dog found roaming around the area of Sanford Road and Milk Avenue on June 5 will be permanently blind after major surgery to save her life.

The dog's owners, Thomas Burke, 42, and Kelly Burke, 43, each face a charge of animal cruelty, according to Boston's NBC affiliate WHDH.

Bella, now called "Jersey" by investigators, was soaked in urine and had severely matted fur, police said. She is believed to be an 8-year-old Brussels Griffin.

Police said the dog was in severe condition. On Friday, she underwent surgery that rendered her blind. Veterinarians also removed bladder stones and provided dental treatment. She is in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

Her treatments cost as much as $4,000.

WHDH reports an anonymous tipster told police the suspects also had three Dachshunds that were in poor health.

Investigators then spoke with Thomas Burke, 42, who allowed detectives to search the home.

The ARL brought the other dogs to a local veterinarian.

Burke and his wife Kelly, 43, were interviewed at the police stationed and admitted to being Bella’s owner.

Thomas Burke turned himself in to police.

Kelly Burke was arrested at her home.

(MassLive.com - June 14, 2016)

VIDEO OF JERSEY

NOTE: If you can't see the video, click HERE for the direct YouTube link.

Edmonton family shaken after pit bull attack

CANADA -- An Edmonton family is shaken up after a vicious attack on their family pet.

Fifteen-year-old Claire Moore had just returned from taking her dog Olli for a walk, when she let him off his leash in her family’s Dovercourt backyard.

Claire says that’s when a pair of Staffordshire Terriers began barking through the fence at Olli. The two dogs broke through the fence and attacked the smaller dog.

I'm guessing he looks like a Brussels Griffon

“They grabbed him around the neck and started rag-dolling him,” said Claire. “I started kicking them to get off of him.”

She called to her neighbours for help, and ran inside to get her parents.

When the family returned, the neighbours had the two staffies at bay, protecting Olli with a shovel.

“We’re just so thankful our neighbours were outside and able to save our dog, and potentially our daughter,” said Colleen, Claire’s mom.

The family called Animal Control, and the dogs were seized.

An investigation has since been opened into the incident, and Edmonton Animal Control will include interview with witnesses and the family.

This is not the first time these particular dogs have been reported.

“They have been at large several times,” said Keith Scott, a coordinator with Edmonton Animal Control. “We have issued fines in the past for a minor dog attack and that’s within the court system right now.”

Colleen Moore hopes the dog’s owners will be held accountable.

“I think there should be charges against the owners.”

Olli suffered punctures to his neck, and required surgery.

He now needs to see a veterinarian daily for dressing changes, but is expected to make a full recovery.

“I’m just glad that he’s okay,” said Claire. “He’s more shaken up than I am.”
(Globalnews.ca - April 14, 2015)

More than 50 animals rescued from Ghent home Wednesday

NEW YORK -- Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA investigators removed 47 dogs, four birds and one cat from an alleged animal hoarder’s home in Ghent Tuesday.

 

The home, owned by Anderson DeSouza, 49, was entered around 9 a.m. Tuesday morning and investigators found the floor covered with animal feces and urine. Adults and puppies were found covered with fleas and excrement.

“Nobody was there,” said Humane Society President Ron Perez. “We still haven’t found him (DeSouza) yet. He is one of the suspects we’re looking for.”

Perez said he could not say how many suspects there were altogether or how the animals were discovered, other than to say the Humane Society had received information. The Humane Society investigation is ongoing, but if found guilty, DeSouza could face as many as 50 counts of animal cruelty, Perez said.

Among the breeds found were Cairn Terriers, Chihuahuas, Brussels Griffons and Dachshunds. All the dogs rescued will be put up for adoption immediately.

“This place was among the worst living conditions I’ve ever seen animals survive in. We got there just in the nick of time,” Perez said.

The Humane Society is asking people who are interested in adopting the dogs to first submit an online application to be pre-approved. The adoption application can be found on the Columbia-Greene Humane Society’s website at www.cghs.org. To fax an application, print out and fax it to 518-828-7709. For more information, call 518- 828-6044.

“We really need help from the public in adopting them, because there are a lot of them,” Perez said.

(Columbia-Greene Media - Aug 22 2013)