New York: Paul Bull arrested and charged with animal cruelty after his mange-infested Pit Bull found

NEW YORK -- An arrest has been made in the case of an abandoned dog found in the town of Coxsackie.

The Greene County Sheriff's Office announced via Facebook that Paul C. Bull, 47 of Coxsackie, was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty.

Penny, a pit bull mix, was brought to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society after she was found Friday. Penny is being treated for eye infections and mange.

The sheriff's office says in its press release that Bull is the owner of the dog.

(Spectrum Local News - January 17, 2018)

EARLIER STORY:

Humane Society offering reward after mange-infested Pit Bull found
NEW YORK -- The Columbia-Greene Humane Society is offering a $500 reward for anyone with information about an abandoned dog.

A female pit bull mix was brought to the humane society after she was found in Earlton on Friday.

Staff named her Penny. She is a bit underweight and is being treated for eye infections and mange.

The humane society says she will receive treatment for several months. While Penny recovers, her owner or owners are facing multiple animal cruelty charges.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Greene County Sheriff's Office.

(Spectrum Local News - January 15, 2018)

Virginia: 58 dogs seized in 'extreme' animal cruelty case, mother and son charged

VIRGINIA -- A Patrick Springs mother and son have both been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.

Animal control officers and sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at a residence at 180 Blueberry Lane in Patrick Springs on Wednesday afternoon, Smith said.

Caroline M. Laprad, 89, and her son Charles Dean Laprad, 54, were both arrested and each charged with 14 counts of cruelty to animals, all misdemeanors, Smith said.

  

 

The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into conditions at the residence in which 58 dogs were seized on Wednesday, according to Smith.

Sheriff’s Deputy Ronnie Williams, the county’s animal control officer, stated that he had visited the residence in late May and saw that multiple dogs appeared to be suffering from severe skin conditions and other signs of neglect, Smith said.

Williams said that he spoke to Charles Laprad at that time and told him to seek veterinary care for the dogs, Smith said.

Williams and Deputy Animal Control Officers Wanda Vaden and Angela Martin, along with several sheriff’s deputies, went to the Blueberry Lane address Wednesday shortly after noon to conduct a follow-up investigation regarding the conditions of the animals to see if improvement had been made since May, according to Smith.

 

 

Williams said that the conditions had “worsened - not improved - since May, and we had to find immediate care for the dogs,” according to Smith.

Because of the magnitude of the case, Smith stated that he asked for help from Martinsville Police Officer E.C. Stone, animal control 0fficer for the city of Martinsville.

In total, 58 dogs were seized from inside the home and from a small fenced-in area attached to the primary residence, Smith said.

Williams stated that the dogs ran freely from inside the house into the fenced area outside and that conditions were deplorable, according to Smith.

He added that Charles Laprad offered a significant amount of verbal resistance and had to be arrested and removed from the scene shortly after deputies arrived.

Smith stated that the Humane Society of Virginia was contacted and Angels of Assisi Animal Rescue from Roanoke responded to the scene and transported the animals to their shelter. Smith said that the animals will receive veterinary care while they are being boarded.

 

 

The 14 charges are a result from the dogs in the worst physical condition of the 58 dogs seized, Smith said. He added that Angels of Assisi staff members have said that they are hopeful that many of the dogs can eventually be adopted out once their conditions improve, pending the outcome of the court process.

Smith said the animal cruelty statute in Virginia states that it is a felony if any companion animal dies as the result of the neglect of injury. Charges could be upgraded if any of the seized dogs die, Smith said.

They should also be charging felonies for any dog that is in such bad shape it has to be euthanized.

Charles Laprad is being held in the Patrick County Jail without bail and Caroline Laprad, due to her advanced age, was released on a recognizance bond, Smith said.

  

  

(Martinsville Bulletin - July 27, 2017)

Georgia: Animal Control officer finds another dog buried alive

GEORGIA -- An Animal Control officer in metro Atlanta stumbled upon what's believed to be another severe case of animal cruelty after finding a dog buried up to its neck in a creek.

Organization Two Tailz Rescue in Roswell posted details of the story and say the officer found the dog "buried in mud in a creek submerged up to his head" on July 15.

The officer was able to dig the dog out and take him to the Animal Control facility where he is being prepared for adoption.

It is unclear where the dog was found, and Two Tailz Rescue is working to obtain more information from the responding officer.

The dog, who Two Tailz has named "Moses" has demodex mange, bacterial and fungal infections, eye infections and stomach issues. The organization also says Moses must be adopted by July 18 because he cannot go to boarding due to his medical issues.

He is a labrador-pit bull mix, approximately 1 year-old and weighs about 60 pounds.

This is the second such incident involving a dog buried alive in the past month in metro Atlanta.

In early June, a man found and rescued a chow mix, which had been buried alive in tightly packed ground on an all-terrain vehicle trail in Tucker. The canine later died.

 

 

(CBS46 - July 17, 2017)

Earlier:

• Georgia: Dog found buried alive on Georgia trail has died; HSUS and PETA offering $15,000 reward

Alabama: Six dogs seized from Linda McDonald had to be euthanized from "worse case of neglect" the Sheriff has ever seen

ALABAMA --  An Autauga County woman faces half a dozen cruelty to animal charges in what the sheriff calls a “heartbreaking” case.

Linda Thomas McDonald, 67, of  County Road 39, faces six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, courthouse records show.

Prattville-Autauga Humane Shelter Director Claudia Rigsby says a veterinarian recommended euthanizing five of the six dogs Wednesday. Shelter officials thought the sixth dog could be saved, but it was euthanized Thursday because of a scabies infestation.

She was released Wednesday after posting bonds totaling $18,000. She could not be reached for comment, and jail records show she doesn’t have an attorney.

(Montgomery Advertiser - May 19, 2017)

Florida: Charles Cunningham Jr. is the 3rd person to be arrested, along with his wife Shayla Wade and friend Andreo Hunt after starving pit bulls seized

FLORIDA -- The St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office says a third person has been arrested in a Fort Pierce animal cruelty investigation.

Charles Linear Cunningham, Jr., 31, was arrested in connection with the April 19 investigation of 22 abused and malnourished dogs located on Angle Road in Fort Pierce.

According to the sheriff, information gathered in the investigation identified Cunningham as the spouse of Shayla Wade who was arrested on April 19.

Sheriff Mascara says the dogs, most of which were Pit Bulls, were located by the property owner who does not live at the home and called 911 upon finding them.

“The scene was absolutely disgusting,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. “The dogs were tied up with heavy chains around the necks, very tight-fitting collars, had no source of water or dog food and were covered in mange and sores. 

"Two were unable to walk and had to be taken to emergency treatment on a stretcher.”

According to the Sheriff, Shayla Deneka Wade, 31, was found inside the home and indicated she knew the dogs were on the property. Andreo Denetrick Hunt, 44, was identified as a friend of Wade and also admitted to knowing the dogs were on the property and to feeding them.

Wade and Hunt have both been released from jail pending court proceedings. Cunningham was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on 22 counts of animal cruelty and held on a $33,000 bond.

(WPTV - Apr 25, 2017)

Earlier:

• Florida: Chained dogs rescued in St. Lucie County; Shayla Wade and Andreo Hunt face 22 charges of aggravated animal cruelty

Florida: Chained dogs rescued in St. Lucie County; Shayla Wade and Andreo Hunt face 22 charges of aggravated animal cruelty

FLORIDA -- Two people face charges after 22 abused and malnourished dogs were discovered Wednesday at a rental home in the 1300 block of Angle Road in Fort Pierce, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office.

The home on an 11-acre wooded lot was a rental and the discovery was made by the property owner who does not live on the site, the sheriff's office said.

The owner called 911 to report the discovery.

“The scene was absolutely disgusting,” Sheriff Ken J. Mascara said in a statement. “The dogs were tied up with heavy chains around the necks, very tight-fitting collars, had no source of water or dog food and were covered in mange and sores. 

"Two were unable to walk and had to be taken to emergency treatment on a stretcher.”

Most of the dogs are pit bulls.

Deputies arrested Shayla Wade, 31, and Andreo Hunt, 44, on 22 charges of felony aggravated animal cruelty after finding them inside the residence.

They were booked into the St. Lucie County Jail.

ARREST INFORMATION: 
Full Name: Shayla Deneka Wade
Arrest Age:31
Gender: Female
Date:04/19/2017
Time: 5:52 PM
Arresting Agency: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Total Bond: $82,500

Full Name: Andreo Demetrick Hunt
Arrest Age:44
Gender: Male
Date:04/19/2017
Time: 5:27 PM
Arresting Agency: St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Total Bond: $52,500

(WPTV - April 19, 2017)

Georgia: Lynn Chinni and her husband Chris Chinni have been charged with animal cruelty after nearly 100 animals removed from filthy home

GEORGIA -- Dozens of pets found living in deplorable conditions. One day later, their owners are charged with three counts of animal cruelty.

News 3 was the only station there when they were arrested. he talked to deputies and the couple about the accusations.

“You think you should be arrested?”

“Nope,” said Lynn Chinni.

 

But Lynn Chinni was arrested, and so was her husband Chris.

CHOICE QUOTES

"My family's been targeted by the Sheriff's Office," said Chris Chinni

When asked about all the urine and feces all over the floors, Chris Chinni said, "That's because she didn't have time to clean it up yet"

Both now facing charges of animal cruelty.

“When we entered the residence we went in, there was feces urine everywhere in the house. It was as bad of a house as I've ever seen,” explained Cpl Tommy Williams of the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office.

Inside that house, 97 different dogs, cats and guinea pigs.

“There was an adult St Bernard there that had lesions on all four of his legs,” said Cpl Williams. “One was to the point it had pus coming out of it. Some of the others were skinny, full bellies which is a sign of worms. Some of the other animals appeared to have mange.”

Lynn Chinni said she knows there were a lot of animals, but she has a good reason.

“I do a rescue and i have PTSD im a disabled veteran and they help me deal with a lot of stuff. My next door neighbor’s been helping me re-home them and that’s simply what i’ve been trying to do,” said Lynn Chinni.

“My family has been targeted from the Sheriff’s office,” said Chris Chinni.

That’s just part of what Chris Chinni had to say as he was being put in handcuffs by Effingham County Sheriff’s.

“97 animals is a new one to me because I just had 3 mamas that just had puppies at one time and my wife has been working with rescue units to get rid of those,” explained Chinni.

 

“Ok so its 70 animals. that’s still a lot of animals.”

“I'm not going to deny that. But as far as animal cruelty goes, no.”

“what about the fact there’s feces all in the house?”

“That’s because when they came to the house yesterday she didn’t even have a chance to clean up the house yet.”

“You say the environment those animals were in was ok.”

“I’ll tell you what,” said a defiant Chinni. “You can walk into my house any other time and there’s not a problem period. My wife takes very good care.”

“We just went to court not that long ago and it was tossed out. And here they are terrorizing my family.”

“He was cited in January for no proof of rabies and keeping of animals,” responded Williams. They were fined in Magistrate Court and are currently making payments on fines now. Those charges were not dropped.”

Since the Chinni’s were cited in January, investigators say the number of animals inside their home has doubled.

“I’ve been in his house three times,” said Cpl Williams. “The three times I’ve been in his residence its been in the same condition it was in yesterday.”

“We have since found out that Coastal Harbor Pet Rescue has reached out to them, to try to help them to take some of them,” explained the Corporal. “Because it has been a commonly known problem here.”

 

The couple’s teenage daughter was also taken by the Department of Family and Children Services, and they could face cruelty to children charges.

The animals are at the Effingham County shelter to determine if they are healthy and able to be adopted.

“These animals they are just like kids, they do not have any means of fending for themselves,” said Williams. “They have to depend on their owners for food water shelter. They are dependent at whoever owns them. Our way at looking at this is if you own an animal, you are going to have an animal, its just like a child, take care of it.”

Petition Lynn Chinni demanding the local shelter become "no kill"
"I currently do rescues at my place of residency and if I can't adopt any of the fur babies out, they are forever at home right where they are"

Make Effingham County, GA Animal Shelter No-Kill
Lynn Chinni Guyton, GA

Hello everyone. I am a PTSD suffering, disabled veteran living in Effingham County, GA. The local animal shelter for our county is currently a kill shelter and I would like to put a complete and full stop to this even if I have to dedicate my own time and resources to do so. Animals are adoptable....no matter their condition, shape, size, and/or any other condition they may have or suffer from. They are loveable just the same. They can be adopted out if the time is taken and the right resources are given.

Will you be the chance they deserve? Are you willing to sign their life away or sign a petition to make our shelter a non-kill shelter so that all animals are given a chance for a forever loving home? A week is not enough to find a good home...sometimes it takes longer for the right fit to be found....can we all please give them more of a chance than what they have now? I'm willing to do so, are you?!?

I currently do rescues at my place of residency and if I can't adopt any of the fur babies out, they are forever at home right where they are. Please help me keep this in place and to change our shelter to a no kill shelter.

Your support is greatly appreciated!

(WSAV - April 5, 2017)