'Surgeons wanted to amputate my finger'

UNITED KINGDOM -- A father of three says he has suffered a ‘year of hell’ after he was attacked by a dog.

Denis Rolls spoke about his ordeal after Marleen Sanderson, who was responsible for the labrador dog at the time, was sentenced by Weymouth magistrates.

She was ordered to pay £2,200 in compensation and costs.

Mr Rolls, an avid amateur saxophonist from Weymouth, said: “My finger was bitten through the bone and all the insides were gone. It was hanging on by a piece of skin.

“One of my arteries was damaged, it was horrible, there was blood everywhere.  It took four nurses to stop the bleeding, I went into shock I think.”

He added: “My son Madison, who was six, was with me when it happened.

“It was awful for him to see, he has nightmares and won’t leave the house if there’s a dog outside. It’s really shaken his confidence.

“I’m just really thankful it was me and not him – the fact that he wasn’t physically hurt is the only good thing about all this.”

The retired driving instructor, who has two other children, was advised by surgeons to have his little finger amputated but said he fought against it because of his love of saxophone playing.

Mr Rolls, of Reedling Close, Weymouth, said: “I had to battle the surgeons to save my finger.

“They were furious anyone could go through what I have bec-ause of a dog being off the lead.

“They wanted to amputate straight away but as soon as I heard about reconstructive surgery I knew it was the right option.”

He added: “Now I know why they were against it, cosmetically I’ve got a finger but I can’t use it.

“It hurts whenever I move it and I won’t be able to play saxophone again.

“I was in and out of Salisbury Hospital about 25 times within a few months.

“I couldn’t drive for two months, it’s had a huge impact on my life.”

Mr Rolls said: “The woman walking the dog was right there but she didn’t even say sorry – I’ve never had an apology. She wouldn’t even put the dog on the lead afterwards, and this was next to a children’s playground with my little son right there.

“The relief was unbelievable when they said guilty in court, to be put through all this for a year was hell. Court gave me closure, the sentence didn’t really matter, all I ever wanted was for the dog to be stopped from attacking anyone else.”

(Bournemouth Echo - August 27, 2012)

Emails About Dog Bites and Attacks

Sorry for the graphic pics, but it tells the story better. Our jack Russell got into it with my year old lab.

Rather than have a dead jack I intervened, (misteaks) she was in a different place in her mind, bit me to the point of canines about an inch deep in 4 places.

The jack Russell did all the biting on me. I am buying a co2 extinguisher, sounds like an awesome idea. It will be a week before I can move my wrist! Hope this convinces some people to stay out of it.

(leerburg.com - Aug 27, 2012)

Two Rottweilers in hot truck die in N.J. while owner dines at local restaurant

NEW JERSEY -- Two Rottweilers died today after their owner left the dogs in a Dodge pickup for over an hour where they succumbed to heat exhaustion, authorities said.

Monmouth County SPCA police chief Victor "Buddy" Amato said the two dogs, Maximus and Joey, were left outside of MJ's Pizza Bar and Grill on Route 66 in Neptune, while their owner, Charles Loguidice ate inside. The two animals, each weighing about 115 pounds each, were found dead shortly before 5 p.m.

 "He claims he went into the restaurant and periodically pointed his remote control start at the car, thinking that the car was going to start and the air conditioning was going to go on," Amato said.

But Amato said Loguidice's story had several inconsistencies.

"He claimed that one (dog) hit the thermostat dial and it went from air conditioning to defrost," Amato said, adding if that was the case, the air still would have been cool. Loguidice, 48, also said he was only in the restaurant for a half hour, but surveillance footage from the eatery showed it was closer to an hour.

Regardless, Amato said, "He left those dogs unattended when he was in the restaurant eating."

 With temperatures outside approaching 90 degrees, Amato estimated the temperature in the pickup exceeded 100 degrees.

The Freehold township man was charged with two counts of animal cruelty and could face six months in prison for each charge as well as thousands of dollars in fines.

"He's gotta live with this. There's no doubt in my mind he's upset about it," Amato said. "But it was a stupid act."

(Star Ledger - August 26, 2012)

Foal savaged by Staffordshire bull terrier makes incredible recovery to win national pony prize

UNITED KINGDOM -- A foal that was left for dead after being savaged by a Staffordshire bull terrier has won a prize in a national riding contest following a miraculous recovery.

Neglected Bertie was just eight months old when he was attacked by his owner's dog in the field he lived on with his emaciated mother, Kiwi.

The young horse sustained serious wounds and developed blood poisoning after being mauled by the vicious dog, but his callous owner simply left the chestnut warmblood cross to suffer rather than calling a vet.

By the time Bertie was rescued by animal welfare investigators his injuries were so serious a vet was on the brink of putting him down - but changed his mind at the last minute to avoid upsetting a child that was on the site.

Instead Bertie and his mother Kiwi - who was by then so thin her ribs were protruding dangerously - were taken to Shores Hey Farm rescue centre in Briercliffe, Lancashire, where they began a remarkable four-year journey back to health.

Now plucky Bertie has rewarded his new masters by winning a rosette at Equifest - a national competition for rescue horses.

Equine and data services manager Amanda Berry said staff from Shores Hey cried 'tears of joy' when Bertie took fourth place in the competition, ridden by 21-year-old rescue centre worker Daisy Shufflebottom.

'We're all so delighted with Bertie and how far he has come since the attack,' she said.

Bertie was still suckling from his dangerously underweight mother Kiwi when he was rescued from a farm in Whalley, Lancashire, in December 2008, after members of the public reported the dog attack.

Animal welfare investigators feared the foal was close to death when they found him unable to stand, with several wounds, a low body temperature and a rapid heart rate.

Later farmer Simon Fielding who owned the two horses and the dog was banned from keeping horses and ponies for ten years and ordered to pay £9,000 in legal costs after a landmark prosecution by equine charity the Horse and Pony Protection Association.

'Bertie was found by one of our welfare officers savaged by a dog and his mother was a pathetic mess - she was so skinny and still feeding Bertie so all of her nutrients were going to him,' Amanda said.

'We were called to the farm by members of the public who reported the attack and we found both Bertie and his mum were left for dead.

'The mother was so thin - it was shocking really. Everything she had she was giving to him because he was still suckling. The carers who nursed him say that he’s a miracle because septicemia had set in and he collapsed.

'The vet was called and he was going to be put down because his injuries were so bad, but there was a young child there and they didn’t want to put him down in front of the child.'

It took eight hours of struggling before the vet was able to get Bertie into the trailer and supported by slings, but the resilient foal survived the critical first 24 hours after his rescue.

Amanda explained how there is a danger of horses' lungs giving up if they lie down for long periods of time.

'The slings were helping to support him and we had them in for weeks,' she said.

Shores Hey worker Daisy Shufflebottom took over Bertie's training this spring, and his speedy progress has confounded staff at the rescue centre.

'Within just three weeks he was walking, trotting and cantering around our arena, which is amazing,' said Amanda.

Despite being one of the worst cases the rescue centre has ever dealt with, Bertie has flourished to become a thriving and much-loved member of the Shores Hey family.

Amanda said: 'Bertie is a real gentleman. His attitude is great and he’s very mild mannered when you think about what’s happened to him. He’s bright, alert and happy. He’s just adored by everyone.'

(Daily Mail UK - August 24, 2012)

Missouri woman charged with animal neglect after two starved dogs discovered

MISSOURI -- A Sikeston woman has been charged with animal neglect after an investigation by the Department of Public Safety.

Elaine Shantey Williams, 37, of Sikeston was charged Thursday with two counts of animal neglect or abandonment, a class C misdemeanor.

Elaine Shantey Williams

She was charged through Scott County Court and given a $5,000 cash or surety bond with a bond condition of "No care, custody, or control of animals."

Authorities say Williams bonded out of jail on Thursday night.

Officials with the Sikeston Humane Society say the two dogs continue to improve. However, they will have to see a veterinarian at least once per week for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Friday, an update was given on the dogs' condition, according to the Humane Society's Facebook page:

"They were both taken to Delta Vet for another check up and are doing great! They are gaining weight - Daisy alone has gained almost 5 pounds, and are a lot more attentive to people as well as less fearful. They are both now up to date on all appropriate vaccines as fully de-wormed and will start Heart Worm Treatments as soon as they are able."

"We appreciate all the offers from all of the great rescues we have been getting and we wanted to let you all know that as soon as we are given custody of them they will be transferred to SEMO Animal Rescue Alliance. They are a great group that helps countless dogs in our area and will continue to do so with these two. As of right now they are both in a foster home. We appreciate everyone's help and we will continue to up date everyone on their progress."

 

 

According to Sikeston DPS Lt. Jim McMillen, the charges stem from an August 22 investigation by Sikeston DPS on an animal abuse complaint.

DPS worked with the Sikeston Area Humane Society and Sikeston Code Enforcement to take custody of two dogs found at Williams' address on Montgomery Street in Sikeston.

 

Both animals were severely malnourished and seized from Williams.

DPS located Williams, who was not home at the time, and placed her under arrest for the abuse of the animals.

According to DPS, the animals had several bones plainly visible through the skin including the ribs, backbone, tailbone.

 

 

Officers say the dogs also had no food or water and were chained to a tree.

Daisy the Great Dane has had a name change. She is now Traci.

Traci (Daisy) the Great Dane could hardly stand when she came in and still can't for long. She reportedly has heart worms but has a shot at a full recovery.

"This is one of the most obvious cases of neglect that I have seen in my career," said Lt. McMillen. "Miraculously, somehow the animals are still alive."

 

"She can barely stand now," said Trace White with the Humane Society. "But she could take a few more steps than she used to all it takes is food and TLC."

Another small dog rescued with Traci (Daisy) named Kaylee is also doing well.

Now Traci (Daisy) will go to a rescue where she can get the best care possible.

If you would like to donate to help Traci (Daisy) and her dog friend Kaylee, visit the Sikeston Humane Society's website or to get updates go to their Facebook page.

(KFVS - August 24, 2012)

Two starved horses seized from Richland Township home

MICHIGAN -- Two emaciated quarter horses were seized by animal-control officers this week near Richland, investigators said Friday.

Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement officers found the two horses at about 4 p.m. Wednesday after responding to a report of possible animal neglect at a home in Richland Township, according to a news release.

 

 

Officers said the two horses were emaciated and had chewed the bark off of all of the trees in their pasture “for what a veterinarian believes was for survival.”

Investigators said the horses’ owner, whose name and address have not been released, signed the horses over to county animal services.

The horses are now being kept at the Starry Skies Equine Rescue and Sanctuary in Ann Arbor, investigators said.

Animal services officials said “the investigation into possible neglect charges against the owner is continuing.”

(MLive - August 24, 2012)

Boy attacked by pit bull in Michigan

MICHIGAN -- A 13-year-old resident of the 1100 block of Seventh Street was bitten by a pit bull on the morning of Aug. 12 after he tried to assist a girl who struck the dog while riding her bike.

The victim’s mother told police the girl fell off the bike and the dog aggressively barked at her. Her son was nearby and ran over to help the girl and the pit bull lunged at him and bit his right thigh.

The dog’s owner came out and grabbed the animal and took it back to his yard. The dog’s owner checked on the boy, who told him he was OK. Police said the teen had fresh bruising and two red marks from teeth impressions.

Police said the owner was cooperative and told them two small nieces accidentally left the gate open. He offered to pay the co-pay for any doctor visits the teen has in relation to this injury.

(Southgate News Herald - Aug 22, 2012)