South Carolina: Labrador mix rescued after she was seen limping and dragging a leg-hold trap on her crushed foot

GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA -- An online video of a dog being rescued after her foot was crushed in a metal coyote trap has gone viral.

The video shot by California animal rescuers Eldad Hagar and Loreta Frankonyte, with Hope For Paws, was posted March 20 on YouTube and Facebook.

In less than a week, it was watched nearly 548,000 times on YouTube and shared more than 4,500 times on Facebook.

Someone in Gaston in Lexington County called Hagar and told him that the black Labrador Retriever mix had lived in a forest for about a year before she stepped on a metal foot-hold spring trap intended for a coyote.

Steel-jaw spring traps are legal in South Carolina and several other states.

 

 

 

Animal control officers had been trying unsuccessfully for five days to trap or catch the dog, which was clearly in severe pain, so someone called Hope for Paws for help.

Hagar and Frankonyte flew in from California and searched along with officers for a full day. They thought the dog might be afraid of the officers, so they asked to search alone on the second day.

They set a humane trap for the dog, but she avoided it. She had no human contact for a year, so she would not allow anyone to get near her, but even from a distance, it was clear the heavy trap she was dragging had crushed her right front paw.

 

 

Finally, when they got close enough to the dog, Frankonyte sat on the ground and tossed pieces of cheeseburger to her, talking reassuringly for more than two hours as the dog inched closer. But suddenly the dog got spooked and retreated into the woods.

Hagar had several soccer nets that he used in captures in California shipped to him overnight. They recruited volunteers who helped spread out the nets around an area where the dog had been spotted between some trees and a building. The volunteers then closed in on the dog, cornering her so that Hagar could snap her with a noose.

They rushed the dog to a Lexington County animal hospital.

The dog was anesthetized, and the rusty trap was pried off her foot. While she was at the animal hospital. It was also discovered that she had heartworm.

Hagar and Frankonyte stayed another day to be sure the dog which they named Hermione, was medically stable, before making the three-day drive across the country. They stopped each day to have a veterinarian change the bandages. Hagar said that every day, Hermione would lose more bone from her decaying foot.

  

 

 

 

They took Hermione to Dr. Robert Olds, a veterinary surgeon in West Los Angeles, who performed two reconstructive surgeries on her foot.

The healing took a couple of months, but when the bandages came off, Hermione began to immediately to walk and even trot around on her reconstructed paw while continuously wagging her tail.

She was treated for several months for heartworms, but Hagar announced last week that Hermione is completely healthy and ready to be adopted.

Hagar asked those who saw the video and who follow him online to encourage changing laws to outlaw metal spring traps.

CRUEL AND BARBARIC LEG-HOLD TRAPS
According to analysis by the Law Library of Congress, more than 100 countries worldwide ban steel-jaw traps.

The United States is not one of them.

Their use is banned or restricted in several U.S. states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington.

In South Carolina, steel-jaw foot-hold or leg-hold traps can be used without a license, with the only stipulation being that traps must be checked at least once daily, from two hours before sunrise to two hours after sunset.

VIDEO OF RESCUE:

(WYFF - March 26, 2018)

Iowa: Six-month-old Labrador turned into Swiss cheese by Pit Bull; rescue group says they're "not to cast judgment on how or why this happened..."

IOWA -- It seems that our homeless animal friends in this area just can’t catch a break this year. Critter Crusaders received an urgent call early this afternoon about a puppy who was attacked by another dog in her foster home!

CC took her case – her injuries are life-threatening, and she is receiving emergency care at the East Iowa Veterinary Specialty Clinic.

Sweet little five-month-old Nix has had a rough start in life! She has battled a variety of parasites that she was plagued with when Cedar Valley Pit Bull Rescue took her in - she is now parasite-free had just started go gain weight when she was attacked by another dog in her foster home today!

The foster mom single-handedly got the fight stopped but not before little Nix suffered serious life-threatening injuries!

The "foster mom" didn't do much of a job saving this dog. She has so many holes she looks like Swiss cheese. 

On top of that, after letting her get mauled nearly to death by a Pit Bull, they dump her onto another rescue group to let them try to come up with the money to pay all the bills. Hmm.

She is at high risk for life-threatening sepsis with many wounds over her body which are tremendously deep and dirty, and they believe some of these puncture wounds may have gone into her abdominal cavity, so it is possible that she may have internal injuries and the skilled doctors at EIVSC are monitoring her closely for any such signs.  She has a partial pneumothorax (small collapse of a lung).  Nix is critical, and it is possible that she may need surgery if internal complications arise.

As you can see by her photo below, taken before her accident, this adorable girl loves to play in the snow and it is our goal to restore her health and give her life back to her! Nix’ medical bills will be extremely costly, and we need your help with our efforts to save this little girl! All donations will go directly to her medical expenses. Please consider donating for Nix’ medical expenses and you can also help by sharing this fundraiser with your friends on Facebook or by email.

There are more photos of Nix' injuries on Update #1. A warning that some might find them graphic and upsetting.

Nix and Critter Crusaders Thank You!

Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids is a 501C3 Charity PO Box 10111
Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0111

UPDATE
Puppy Nix Update Monday March 5th, 2018 at 8:40pm

Nix has survived her first 24 hours after the PIT BULL dog attack that has left her fighting for life. Critter Crusaders took this medical case to save a life, not cast judgement on how or why this has happened.

"Not cast judgment on how or why this happened"... seriously? Please. Only a select few types of dogs can do this damage to another dog. And in this case, we all know that this dog was attacked by a Pit Bull. Them refusing to say the words "PIT BULL" speaks volumes. 

They're Apologists.

Our role is to work hard to save this 6 month old lab puppy, and with your help we will give her the best shot possible. The attack occurred yesterday. Nix was transferred emergently to Eastern Iowa Veterinary Specialty Center where the staff and doctors went to work on her quickly.

She has so many wounds, they stopped counting. It occurred outside so the bites were contaminated with mud. They immediately started assessing her with ultrasounds, xrays, lab work and of course fluids and pain control.

Nix has two deep punctures to her abdomen and the doctors were unsure if they entered the abdominal cavity. For that reason, they are spot checking her with the ultrasound, looking for fluid that could result from penetration. Her neck, legs, lateral rib wounds are extremely deep. She had subcutaneous emphysema, where air escapes into the tissues from injuries to the chest or neck. They believe that she might have a fracture to an elbow.

Last early evening her protein levels dropped dangerously low and Nix received a somewhat risky transfusion of albumin. Protein is important because it helps to hold the fluids (blood/plasma) in the vessels. When it drops, vessels leak their contents leading to increased inflammation and potential damage to other organs. So far, this baby’s lab work is fairly good. Her kidney values are holding and Dr. Roa added some lasix to help her produce more urine as he body is just leaking fluid from the inflammatory response to all of the wounds. Her liver values are elevated and that is no surprise due to the inflammation. Her red blood cell counts are decent and she has not required blood or plasma at this time. She has a partial pneumothorax (lung collapse). Since it is relatively small, the staff will continue to monitor her respiratory status and heart rate for changes that could require further intervention. Dr. Roa is a Critical Care Specialist who will continue to guide Nix’s treatment. He said tonight that the next 48-72 hours for this sweetie is extremely critical.

The massive inflammatory response and septic shock that her body is undergoing as a result of the magnitude of her injuries is her biggest risk of death at this point. Heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. Her white cells and neutrophils (the warriors that fight infection and invasion of the body) are low from being constantly called up for duty. Multiple antibiotics have been started as sepsis is a given due to the contaminates. Dr. Roa debrided some of her wounds today but due to the contamination, they are not able to suture anything. This is a very big medical case and we so want little Nix to survive her injuries.

Please consider a donation to this Go Fund Me or through Pay Pal or our PO Box. CC has had a series of enormous medical cases and we sure need your help and prayers to save this very important life. We will keep everyone posted on this medical drama that will play out and we have every intention of returning this puppy to health and complete functionality. Please know that pain control is a major priority and EIVSC is making Nix comfortable. So important. Thank you all so very much. Team Nix is now in full swing ❤️

UPDATE
Update on Baby Nix Tues. March 6th, 2018 at 8:15pm
Please help Critter Crusaders share her story.

Let’s call today Good News Tuesday! Nix has made some improvements today according to Dr. Leo Roa at Eastern Iowa Veterinary Specialty Center. The massive swelling throughout her little body has peaked and is beginning to subside. You can still see in the attached photo how swollen her face is. The wounds are still leaking fluid but it is beginning to decrease. The staff changed her bandages today and the purulent smell is also improved. Nix is on multiple pain meds and has been tube fed. They will start to switch her medications gradually in the hopes that they can attempt to get her up and on her feet tomorrow, just briefly. This helps the body a great deal because recumbancy can promote tissue damage and pneumonia.

As uncomfortable as it will be, this baby girl will need to give it a go, with plenty of loving assistance from this amazing staff. The wounds should soon start to slough and many of them might need surgical intervention. The really big news is that all of the air trapped in her tissues from the massive puncture wounds ( called subcutaneous emphysema) has reabsorbed on it’s own. She is starting to have a slight reduction of the massive inflammation and the hope is her elevated heart rate will also come down to a more normal level.

These are all really good things and we are hopeful. Nix remains very critical however and given the vast extent of her injuries, anything can happen but at this point, I think it is safe to say we all will take the “baby steps” and be thrilled with it!

We want to thank you for your ongoing support and ask that you continue to share Nix’s story. This is a several month injury and the expense of returning a pup to complete health after such a large traumatic injury is a test of endurance, both physical, emotional and financial for Critter Crusaders. We ask and appreciate any help that you can give to Nix. Thank you all on behalf if this little girl. Someday soon, this will be a distant memory ❤️


UPDATE
Nix Update Wed. March 7th, 2018 at 6:30pm
PLEASE POST AND SHARE! CC IS CRITICALLY LOW ON FUNDS DUE TO OUR BIG CASES.

Nix is making small improvements each day. This is a HUGE injury and it will take her many upcoming weeks to get through this and begin the healing process. Her lab work is good and there is an increase in her protein level which is great. Her wounds are starting to look a bit better and the surgeon, Dr. Aper is monitoring the wounds for future surgical intervention. Nix was up on her feet today with support and did eat a meal. This little girl looks and feels pretty rough but her spark is still there.

Critter Crusaders is in desperate need of funds to help us cover some of her bills. We are already over $5000 in her critical care charges and she will need much more time in the hospital. Once released, her medical care will be ongoing. Please help us share her story! We would so appreciate it! With so many huge cases in the last 14 weeks, it is an ongoing struggle to provide this level of critical care for these needy animals. Thank you so very much for your support on behalf of baby Nix and this organization❤️

GOFUNDME: A Fighting Chance - Save Puppy Nix!
Created March 4, 2018
DeAnn Gerdeman Brannaman
  Animals
  CEDAR RAPIDS, IA
Funds raised will benefit:
Critter Crusaders of Cedar Rapids

Arizona: Woman, 69, Mauled to Death By Akita While Volunteering with Dog Rescue Organization

ARIZONA -- A 69-year-old woman was mauled to death Wednesday by a dog while volunteering at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix, PEOPLE learns.

The victim, Carol Harris, was killed by an Akita.

Harris was volunteering with Akita Advocates, which had rented out space at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix.

The organization confirmed Harris was killed Wednesday in a statement posted to Facebook.

The Canine County Club and Feline Inn issued a statement on the mauling incident: “It is with heavy hearts we pass along sad news. This afternoon a volunteer from one of the rescue groups we host was playing with…[an] Akita [that] is owned by the rescue group, Akita Advocates…in one of our play yards when [the] dog attacked her. She was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, and has since passed away.”

The business adds that it takes “great pride in the work the rescue groups who use our facilities do to ensure better lives for animals.”

The mauling is “a tragedy,” the statement adds. “We are all at a loss for words.”

The Akita who killed Harris had been abandoned, and she was working with the animal to rehabilitate it for adoption. The dog will be euthanized.

According to police, Harris was found lying motionless with dog bites. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

PEOPLE’s attempts to reach her family were unsuccessful Friday.

Harris is the second woman this month whose mauling death by dogs has made headlines.

Note: The one thing about followers of the Akita breed. I have never seen them promoting this dog as a misunderstood wigglebutt. Instead, I see enthusiasts say they're great dogs for 'the right person' because:

◆ they're strong-willed dogs prone to aggression, that due to its dominant nature, the Akita does not interact well with other dogs.

◆ This tough breed can be difficult for a first-time dog owner to handle.

◆ As general rule, the Akita or any other large dog, should not be left alone with those who are under the age of 12 years old.

◆ The Akita sees his family very differently than he sees outsiders. He entire demeanor can change in an instant.

◆ Despite proper training, humans cannot completely undo basic nature of a canine. The Akita is a guard dog; and has been bred for centuries to be a hunting dog. This sort of deep trait characteristic cannot be taken away.

(People Magainze - December 22, 2017)

Indiana: The Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office refuses to file animal cruelty charges against owner who let her German Shepherd slowly starve to death, riddled with parasites and worms

INDIANA -- No criminal charges will be filed after a dog was found severely underweight last month.

The two-year-old German shepherd named Riley was taken to a shelter in Quincy after being found at a home in Columbus. He was nearly 50 pounds underweight and was suffering from kidney failure. In addition, he had parasites and worms.

He was in such bad condition that he died within a day of starting treatment at Four Loving Paws Veterinary Services in Brazil. Photos of the emaciated dog sparked outrage on social media when they were posted on Nov. 12.

Dr. John Shepherd with Four Loving Paws Veterinary Services Riley was very sick when he was brought to the facility He was underweight and lacked energy. He said it’s uncommon for young dogs to be as sick as Riley was.

Joanie Zupan owns Indiana GSD and Siberian Husky Rescue, the Quincy shelter where Riley was initially taken. She said she wanted to press charges against Riley’s former owners.

“There needs to be some kind of justice done for Riley, but for all animals,” Zupan told FOX59 last month. “People like this need to realize that they aren’t just going to be yelled at, slapped on the wrist—they need go to jail.”

Zupan filed an incident report with the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Jason Williams was assigned to investigate the case and interviewed several people involved in caring for Riley. The dog had multiple owners, police said.

Two veterinarian offices treated Riley for whipworms and coccidian. Whipworms are intestinal parasites that live in a dog’s cecum and colon, causing severe irritation to the lining of the organs. An infection can result in weight loss and “general debilitation” for a dog.

Coccidian infections cause diarrhea and can be fatal; many dogs don’t display symptoms. The illnesses contributed to Riley’s weight loss and dehydration, Williams found. As a result, the sheriff’s office concluded that no criminal charges should be filed.

“After a thorough investigation, that included interviewing numerous subjects involved, verifying the illnesses from which Riley suffered and reviewing reports from veterinarians, Detective Williams found no probable cause to make a criminal case and or arrest regarding the death of Riley,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers in a statement.

I don't believe they did a thorough investigation. Provide proof that the most-recent owner provided veterinary care for this dog. Taking the dog in, getting some free medication and never taking it back to the vet - despite its condition worsening - does NOT count.

(FOX59 - Dec 7, 2017)

Earlier:

• Indiana: Batholomew County says they're investigating the owner of this German Shepherd, which was infested with parasites and starved to death
• Indiana: Woman who owns animal rescue files police report after owner surrendered skeletal two-year-old German Shepherd which died

Indiana: Woman who owns animal rescue files police report after owner surrendered skeletal two-year-old German Shepherd which died

INDIANA -- An Indiana woman is pressing charges after she says a neglected dog was dropped off at her animal rescue in Quincy.

Joanie Zupan owns Indiana GSD and Siberian Husky Rescue. She said last week a two-year-old German Shepherd named Riley was rescued from a home in Columbus.

Zupan said when her rescue received Riley, he was nearly 50 pounds underweight, had parasites, worms and was suffering from kidney failure. She said Riley was taken to a vet clinic in Brazil where he passed away not even a day later.

Dr. John Shepherd with Four Loving Paws Veterinary Services said when Riley was brought in, he was very sick, underweight and lacked energy.

He said it's uncommon for young dogs to be as sick as Riley was, especially to die within just a day of starting treatment.

Zupan said when Riley was brought in last week, it was apparent that he was neglected for quite some time.

“There needs to be some kind of justice done for Riley, but for all animals," said Zupan. "People like this need to realize that they aren’t just going to be yelled at, slapped on the wrist- they need go to jail.”

Zupan said she reached out to Riley's owners to tell them Riley had died and forewarned them that she was pressing charges.

“If you know you’re abandoning and hurting and neglecting an animal and then you are literally like, ‘I don’t care', and laugh about it...and that’s what we got," said Zupan. "That is scary.”

“Some believe that pet ownership is a 'right' and fail to prepare for or plan ahead for the responsibilities of pet ownership," said Dr. Shepherd. "While the law considers them personal property, they are a living being with thoughts, emotions, and feelings. There are considerations in time, finances, and level of activity that should be considered prior to getting a pet. We highly encourage future pet owners to come in for a consultation prior to obtaining a new pet to make sure their lifestyle matches the needs of the pet.”

Zupan said she wants Riley's owners to be held accountable and that she will continue to fight to find justice for Riley.

“This dog for as much as he was neglected, he didn’t hold any grudges," said Zupan. "None. He still wanted love and that’s what makes this so hard because we couldn’t show him that. It makes it hard.”

CBS4 obtained the incident report that Zupan filed with the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday. A detective on the case said the investigation is still in its early stages.

CBS4's Olivia McClellan reached out to Riley's owners but was unable to get a hold of them.

(WTTV - Nov 14, 2017)

Earlier:

• Indiana: Batholomew County says they're investigating the owner of this German Shepherd, which was infested with parasites and starved to death

Washington: Stolen cat found with head crushed in Shoreline dumpster; search on for animal abuser

WASHINGTON -- Police are investigating after a cat named 'Quixote' was stolen from a cat rescue in Shoreline, Washington and then found dead in a nearby dumpster with his head crushed and "every bone in his body appears to be broken."

Around 12 p.m. Tuesday, a volunteer with the Whisker City Cat Rescue called police when she noticed an outside cat shelter had been broken into and the cat which had been housed inside was missing, according to KCPQ.

Shoreline Police responded and, on the floor, found a blood-stained, blue blanket and a yellow poncho with green writing on it. The blood stains on the blanket made them immediately think someone had hurt him. Or that it might be the killer's blood.

"My guess is (Quixote) put up a struggle," Whisker City founder April Brown wrote on Facebook.

Just before 5 p.m., the employee called police again and said she found the missing cat dead in the facility's dumpster. The cat’s head had been crushed and Brown wrote on Facebook that "every bone in his body appears to be broken."

King County Animal Control was advised and Shoreline police returned to the scene.

“We all feel a tremendous amount of guilt because we felt so safe here,” said Whiskey City Cat Rescue Executive Director April Brown.

The sanctuary Brown tried to create has been violated by someone bent on violence.

“You have to be pretty sick to violently beat a cat that can’t get away from you,” said Brown.

The 1-year-old cat named Quixote had been at the shelter temporarily, only a couple of months.

His owner showed up Wednesday morning, but he was too shaken to make a statement.

“That cat did not have a chance,” said Brown. “He couldn’t get away.”

According to Brown, someone had to break open a padlock to gain access to the cat in an enclosure that resembles a tiny house.

King County sheriff’s deputies also found a yellow poncho, which had a strange message written on it.

“Homeless need homes, but not in my neighborhood,” Brown said, describing the message. “And then it said Richmond Beach, and it was handwritten.”

Richmond Beach is about an 8-minute drive to Shoreline.

Note: Those familiar with the case and this rescue have wondered if the suspect selected Quixote because he was a Savannah mix. Although he wasn't a pure Savannah cat, he likely could have been sold for, as one person stated, up to $3,000. However, if this person thought they'd just grab a docile cat and run off with it... and Quixote put up a fight when this person tried to steal him, maybe Quixote clawed, bit and fought, angering the person so much that they beat Quixote to death, took him outside and threw his crushed body into the dumpster and fled.

▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬ ▬

Police are also investigating another animal cruelty case nearby in Edmonds where a toy poodle had been stabbed to death inside of his own yard in late August.

 

 

“The way he went so violent, he had to be scared,” said that dog’s owner, Paul Hensel.

The two crime scenes are barely 2 miles apart -- but so far police say they share no connection.

“When we see something like this, we’re worried,” said Laura Henderson with Pasado’s Safe Haven Animal Rescue.

“If people in the community suspect animal cruelty is happening, they suspect that someone is harming an animal, they need to say something immediately because this kind of behavior escalates."

 

 

The volunteers at Whisker City wonder if they can do anything to regain their sense of security.

“You feel like -- do you want to buy a gun? What do you want to do?” said Brown. “How can we protect ourselves and these precious animals we’re responsible for?”

 

 

Brown said new security cameras were up and running at the shelter by Wednesday and volunteers are also trying to raise money for DNA tests to see if some of the suspect’s tissue might have been left behind as a clue.

Seattle Humane is offering up to $5,000 in rewards leading to the arrest and conviction of animal abuser. You're asked to contact the King County Sheriff's Office with information at 206-296-3311 and reference the Shoreline cat incident.

(Q13Fox - Sept 20, 2017)

Related:

• Washington: Edmonds family says their dog was mutilated, stabbed to death in their backyard
• Washington: Justice for Mickey: $7,500 reward offered for toy poodle’s killer

Alabama: Small pony found with missing foot, after it was attacked by dogs

ALABAMA -- In December, the Alabama Executive Director of Helping Horses, Shelley Jones, started hearing reports of a three legged horse wandering around Bibb County.

"I said, 'you didn't see a three legged horse. There's no such thing as a three legged horse, that doesn't happen,' and she said, 'I really think you need to come and see about him,'" said Jones.

Sure enough the reports were true and soon after, Jones met Pogo, a pony that only had three legs. His left hind leg was lost after he was attacked by a pack of dogs.

"Initially when I first saw him, when I first smelled him, I thought there is no way that we can save this animal because he had such a horrific injury," Jones said.

That's when Jones reached out to Auburn University's College of  Veterinary Medicine for help.

"Really the only option at that point, that I saw, was fitting him for a permanent prosthetic," said Assistant Professor at Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Lindsey Boone.

Pogo had a successful surgery, but then he entered physical rehabilitation in order to get accustomed to his new leg and build muscle.

 

Pogo graduated from his physical rehabilitation program Wednesday, but he will continue working on his own and will probably have to go through that for the rest of his life.

If there's any good that's come out of Pogo's story, it's that he has become an inspiration to everyone he's come in contact with.

"Pogo is a real fighter, and if he's got that much will to live, he can teach us a lot. You're given bad circumstances, but you can power through them and seeing an animal that's capable of doing that makes everything worth it," said Canine Rehabilitation Specialist, Liz Hodson.

Pogo is going back to Helping Horses with Jones until he is completely healed. The goal is for Pogo to one day be a therapeutic animal for children with disabilities.

(WSFA - August 16, 2017)