KENTUCKY -- A newborn baby was hospitalized in critical condition after being taken from his crib and carried outside his central Kentucky home by a family dog, authorities said Tuesday.
The infant, Alexander James Smith, is just a few days old and had been put in his crib for a nap Monday afternoon. When his parents looked outside later, they saw their pet, a 4-year-old mixed breed called a Native American Indian dog, holding the baby in his mouth, said Jessamine County chief deputy sheriff Allen Peel.
The baby's father, Michael Smith, rushed outside and chased the dog into a wooded area behind the home near Nicholasville, just south of Lexington. It took the father about 10 minutes to recover his son about 200 yards behind the home, Peel said.
"It's unreal," Peel said.
The baby was taken to the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, where he was listed in critical condition early Tuesday. Peel said the baby suffered multiple punctures and bruises.
The dog, named Dakota, was taken by local animal control officials and was being quarantined.
No charges have been filed, and the case remains under investigation, Peel said
(Fox News - July 21, 2009)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Nebraska: Animal hoarders Juanita Gray and Clifford Gray were convicted of animal cruelty in 2005. Police found them with more than 40 animals - 36 had to be euthanized
NEBRASKA -- At least 40 cats were taken away from a home in Lakeland Estates Friday morning after the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Nebraska Humane Society were called to the home because of neighbors' complaints.
According to Sheriff Mike Robinson, when deputies arrived with a warrant to search the home around 10 a.m. Friday, they discovered animal urine and feces all over the home. At least 40 cats and two dogs were found at the property on Valley View Drive.
Earlier reports indicated 41 cats were discovered.
The odor of cat urine could be smelled several feet from the home. Robinson said ammonia levels in the home were far above normal, and humane society workers had to wear respiratory masks to enter the home.
"It's bad. Very bad," said Wesley Greve, captain of investigations for the Sheriff's Office.
The cats were found to be suffering from upper respiratory problems and were underweight, said a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Humane Society, which removed the cats, including one that was dead, from the home.
Kristie Biodrowski said all but four of the 40 cats had to be euthenized due to poor health.
Three of the four remaining cats appear to be kittens, Biodrowski said.
The dogs had fleas but were allowed to stay with the animals' owners.
Robinson closed the home, calling it "non-inhabitable." Members of the Fort Calhoun Volunteer Fire Dept. aired the home out after the animals were removed.
Yellow sheriff tape was cordoned around the property late Friday afternoon.
Robinson would not release the names of the couple who own the animals, but according to records and neighbors, Clifford M. Gray and Juanita K. Gray live in the home at 11453 Valley View Drive. The home is listed under the name F.S. Long in the Blair phone book.
Robinson said the owners of the animals could be charged with 41 counts of animal neglect. Washington County attorney Shurie Graeve said Monday morning she had not seen reports on the matter yet.
The raid came as no surprise to neighbors around the home.
"I'm glad they did something. People are tired of it," said Jason, a neighbor who gave only his first name.
The cats often looked sickly, he said, and were always roaming the neighborhood, hiding in his garage, boat and camper, and ruining his bushes.
"It was never-ending," he said.
Another neighbor, Rich Manly, said the cats were a nuisance to many of the residents near the home. The sheriff, Animal Control and the Nebraska Humane Society were called several times but neighbors were told those services didn't have jurisdiction or could do nothing about the problem.
Manly watched the animals being removed and was told that there were cats in the attic and the ceiling, and many were kittens.
Several cats were spotted on the property about five hours after the raid.
"I'd guess there's about 10-15 left," Manly said. He said he might try to catch some of them to take to the Humane Society.
In 2005, Clifford and Juanita Gray were found guilty on two counts of animal cruelty after 33 cats, two dogs and a pot-bellied pig were found on the home's premises.
Twelve of the 36 animals were euthanized.
Each served a day in jail and one year of probation on the charges.
Additional counts of animal cruelty and child neglect were dropped in the 2005 case. The couple's 17-year-old child lived in the home at the time.
In 2006, Juanita Gray's probation was revoked when several cats were found on the property.
(Pilot-Tribune - July 20, 2009)
According to Sheriff Mike Robinson, when deputies arrived with a warrant to search the home around 10 a.m. Friday, they discovered animal urine and feces all over the home. At least 40 cats and two dogs were found at the property on Valley View Drive.
Earlier reports indicated 41 cats were discovered.
The odor of cat urine could be smelled several feet from the home. Robinson said ammonia levels in the home were far above normal, and humane society workers had to wear respiratory masks to enter the home.
"It's bad. Very bad," said Wesley Greve, captain of investigations for the Sheriff's Office.
The cats were found to be suffering from upper respiratory problems and were underweight, said a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Humane Society, which removed the cats, including one that was dead, from the home.
Kristie Biodrowski said all but four of the 40 cats had to be euthenized due to poor health.
Three of the four remaining cats appear to be kittens, Biodrowski said.
The dogs had fleas but were allowed to stay with the animals' owners.
Robinson closed the home, calling it "non-inhabitable." Members of the Fort Calhoun Volunteer Fire Dept. aired the home out after the animals were removed.
Yellow sheriff tape was cordoned around the property late Friday afternoon.
Robinson would not release the names of the couple who own the animals, but according to records and neighbors, Clifford M. Gray and Juanita K. Gray live in the home at 11453 Valley View Drive. The home is listed under the name F.S. Long in the Blair phone book.
Robinson said the owners of the animals could be charged with 41 counts of animal neglect. Washington County attorney Shurie Graeve said Monday morning she had not seen reports on the matter yet.
The raid came as no surprise to neighbors around the home.
"I'm glad they did something. People are tired of it," said Jason, a neighbor who gave only his first name.
The cats often looked sickly, he said, and were always roaming the neighborhood, hiding in his garage, boat and camper, and ruining his bushes.
"It was never-ending," he said.
Another neighbor, Rich Manly, said the cats were a nuisance to many of the residents near the home. The sheriff, Animal Control and the Nebraska Humane Society were called several times but neighbors were told those services didn't have jurisdiction or could do nothing about the problem.
Manly watched the animals being removed and was told that there were cats in the attic and the ceiling, and many were kittens.
Several cats were spotted on the property about five hours after the raid.
"I'd guess there's about 10-15 left," Manly said. He said he might try to catch some of them to take to the Humane Society.
In 2005, Clifford and Juanita Gray were found guilty on two counts of animal cruelty after 33 cats, two dogs and a pot-bellied pig were found on the home's premises.
Twelve of the 36 animals were euthanized.
Each served a day in jail and one year of probation on the charges.
Additional counts of animal cruelty and child neglect were dropped in the 2005 case. The couple's 17-year-old child lived in the home at the time.
In 2006, Juanita Gray's probation was revoked when several cats were found on the property.
(Pilot-Tribune - July 20, 2009)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
New Jersey: Wanda Oughton, 62, pleads guilty to abusing more than 150 cats in her million dollar home
NEW JERSEY -- Wanda Oughton, whose approximately 150 cats were removed from her feces-covered, million-dollar home in Chester Township, pleaded guilty in municipal court last night to animal cruelty charges for failure to provide the felines appropriate shelter and agreed to pay more than $35,000 in expenses and fines.
Municipal Court Judge Philip Maenza ordered Oughton to pay more than $2,000 in fines for the one civil and one criminal charge of animal cruelty to which she admitted. Oughton also must pay $32,000 to the township for the animals' care as part of a plea agreement between her attorney, Lawrence J. Fox, and Chester Township Municipal Prosecutor Brian Mason.
Wanda Oughton wanted to provide a haven for about 150 cats at her Chester Township home, but a municipal court judge ruled she must pay more than $35,000 in fines after she pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges last night.
New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officials removed the cats from Oughton's Farm Road home from March 26 to mid-April. They have been under the care of township officials and volunteers since then. Oughton also agreed to pay $1,225 in restitution to the SPCA for its investigation, search warrant execution and cat removal.
Wearing a black pants suit and clutching her handbag, the 62-year-old Oughton, a widow, sat next to her grown son moments before the hearing. She said very little during the session.
"It was horrible," Oughton responded when the judge suggested the ordeal of the past several months must have been difficult for her.
Oughton paid $10,000 to the township last night, and the judge ruled she may pay the remainder over three years. The debt is secured by a mortgage note against her property.
Township Mayor William Cogger said officials had been considering filing a lawsuit against Oughton to reclaim the expenses, which have cost taxpayers $55,000.
Oughton also pleaded guilty to two township zoning violations for having two abandoned vehicles on her property, and one board of health violation for having excess debris inside and outside her home. She must pay $399 in fines for those violations, officials said.
Forty-four animal cruelty summonses issued to Oughton were dismissed, as well as two summonses issued to her daughter, Maenza ruled.
Oughton initially was served with 186 counts of animal cruelty.
"This has been a very difficult time for Mrs. Oughton and her family," Fox told the judge last night. "This problem arose out of Mrs. Oughton's love for these animals."
The attorney added that Oughton, who he said has worked locally in retail sales, had paid thousands of dollars for the felines' care. After the cats were removed, SPCA officials said they had not been spayed or neutered. Some of the cats actually were pregnant, and the total number of felines associated with Oughton rose to 211, officials said.
When authorities removed the cats, officials have said, they found large bags of cat food dumped on the floor of a bathroom, where the cats also used a feces-filled tub as a litter box.
Fox maintained the cats were "never poorly treated."
"It just got out of hand. She understands that now," he said. "She took them into her home and into her heart."
Fox said Oughton has cleaned her home. He said the township's board of health recently approved the house for habitation.
The judge also ruled township officials will conduct periodic searches at Oughton's home to make certain she is housing no more than six cats.
Addressing the issue of hoarding, the township council Tuesday introduced a ordinance that would require residents housing more than six cats to apply for a waiver, Cogger said. He added failure to apply for the waiver could lead to fines of up to $100.
Some said the law will fall short of its goal, however.
"It's not going to stop people like her," said Rick Yocum, an SPCA captain. "They think they're saving animals and don't care about local laws."
(Star Ledger - July 10, 2009)
 |
| Wanda Oughton |
Municipal Court Judge Philip Maenza ordered Oughton to pay more than $2,000 in fines for the one civil and one criminal charge of animal cruelty to which she admitted. Oughton also must pay $32,000 to the township for the animals' care as part of a plea agreement between her attorney, Lawrence J. Fox, and Chester Township Municipal Prosecutor Brian Mason.
Wanda Oughton wanted to provide a haven for about 150 cats at her Chester Township home, but a municipal court judge ruled she must pay more than $35,000 in fines after she pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges last night.
New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officials removed the cats from Oughton's Farm Road home from March 26 to mid-April. They have been under the care of township officials and volunteers since then. Oughton also agreed to pay $1,225 in restitution to the SPCA for its investigation, search warrant execution and cat removal.
Wearing a black pants suit and clutching her handbag, the 62-year-old Oughton, a widow, sat next to her grown son moments before the hearing. She said very little during the session.
"It was horrible," Oughton responded when the judge suggested the ordeal of the past several months must have been difficult for her.
Oughton paid $10,000 to the township last night, and the judge ruled she may pay the remainder over three years. The debt is secured by a mortgage note against her property.
Township Mayor William Cogger said officials had been considering filing a lawsuit against Oughton to reclaim the expenses, which have cost taxpayers $55,000.
Oughton also pleaded guilty to two township zoning violations for having two abandoned vehicles on her property, and one board of health violation for having excess debris inside and outside her home. She must pay $399 in fines for those violations, officials said.
Forty-four animal cruelty summonses issued to Oughton were dismissed, as well as two summonses issued to her daughter, Maenza ruled.
Oughton initially was served with 186 counts of animal cruelty.
"This has been a very difficult time for Mrs. Oughton and her family," Fox told the judge last night. "This problem arose out of Mrs. Oughton's love for these animals."
 |
| A group of four adult cats, which are part of about 200 cats that were removed from a $1 million home in Chester, huddle together in a corner of a pen at the former Seeing Eye facility in Mendham. |
The attorney added that Oughton, who he said has worked locally in retail sales, had paid thousands of dollars for the felines' care. After the cats were removed, SPCA officials said they had not been spayed or neutered. Some of the cats actually were pregnant, and the total number of felines associated with Oughton rose to 211, officials said.
When authorities removed the cats, officials have said, they found large bags of cat food dumped on the floor of a bathroom, where the cats also used a feces-filled tub as a litter box.
Fox maintained the cats were "never poorly treated."
"It just got out of hand. She understands that now," he said. "She took them into her home and into her heart."
Fox said Oughton has cleaned her home. He said the township's board of health recently approved the house for habitation.
The judge also ruled township officials will conduct periodic searches at Oughton's home to make certain she is housing no more than six cats.
Addressing the issue of hoarding, the township council Tuesday introduced a ordinance that would require residents housing more than six cats to apply for a waiver, Cogger said. He added failure to apply for the waiver could lead to fines of up to $100.
 |
| Sweetie, a rescued cat with her one surviving kitten one of 90 cats that once lived in Wanda Oughton’s Farm Road home. Cats now number over 140 since many had kittens. They are housed at a former Seeing Eye facility in Mendham Twp |
Some said the law will fall short of its goal, however.
"It's not going to stop people like her," said Rick Yocum, an SPCA captain. "They think they're saving animals and don't care about local laws."
(Star Ledger - July 10, 2009)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Massachusetts: Delivery driver John Clayton faces animal cruelty charges
MASSACHUSETTS -- A Missouri man was arraigned today on animal cruelty charges after police said they rescued weak, limp and sick puppies from his van.
John T. Clayton, 44, of Bolivar, Missouri, told authorities he had left from Missouri Monday night, and the puppies had not been walked since then, police said. Police said the puppies were crammed into small cages surrounded by animal waste, filth and flies in a locked box truck parked in front of a Main Street pet store yesterday afternoon.
In Dudley District Court today, Mr. Clayton pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges. Bail was set at $1,000.
Mr. Clayton's lawyer, Peter C. Lamarine of Southbridge, said in court that Mr. Clayton is being unfairly labeled as an animal abuser. Mr. Lamarine told Judge Neil G. Snider his client comes to Massachusetts each Tuesday and Wednesday to transport animals.
Mr. Lamarine said a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector recently gave clearance for the shipment of animals. He said the animals were naturally distressed given the commute from Missouri.
Mr. Clayton “has been doing this for one and a half years and grew up on a farm,” the lawyer said. “We're vilifying this gentleman when, frankly, we don't have all the facts yet.”
Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Scannell, noting Mr. Clayton lives out of state, asked for $10,000 bail. She said he is serving a three-year probation term that began this year. His previous offenses include endangering a child and a drunken driving arrest from the late 1980s.
Ms. Scannell told the judge the case is more significant than the dogs lacking water. She noted paramedics transported seven puppies to Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital.
Before his arrest, Mr. Clayton had just delivered 10 puppies to Elite Puppies, 172 Main St., and had delivered nine puppies to Laughlin Kennel in Oxford, according to police. He may have dropped off puppies at some other New England locations as well.
The case unfolded after two people drove by the delivery box truck when it was parked in front of Elite Puppies on Main Street about 2:45 p.m. The two people heard barking dogs and sensed the dogs might be distressed. They flagged down a cruiser in the area and called an animal rescue organization.
Police Sgt. Michaela N. Kelley went to Elite Puppies and spoke with employees.
“From there it went downhill for Mr. Clayton,” Sgt. Thomas V. Ralph said in an interview this morning. Swarms of flies surrounded cages filled with puppies in poor health, according to police reports, and there was animal waste in and around the small cages. Some puppies appeared to limp, and one puppy was completely unresponsive, according to police. There appeared to be about five puppies in each cage.
"When she saw the condition of the puppies, Sgt. Kelley contacted the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to assist in her investigation. She also called Webster EMS and paramedics to check on the puppies.
About half the puppies were initially taken to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, and the others were taken to Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital on Thompson Road. The 10 puppies delivered to Elite Puppies remained in quarantine in the back of the store, according to police.
The owner of Elite Puppies, Jennifer Gardner, said in an interview this morning the store does not bear responsibility for the condition of the dogs. She said the incident has led to death threats against her. Ms. Gardner said the puppies in her store were healthy, and she had no problems with the puppies delivered yesterday. Elite Puppies is a family-run business that deals with private breeders, according to the company's Web site.
“My puppies are fine,” Ms. Gardner said. She has owned the store for three years. She said she has not had problems with the delivery driver and the puppies came with water. “None of my dogs were sick.”
Ms. Gardner declined the Telegram & Gazette's request to have photos taken of the puppies delivered yesterday. Board of Health officials inspected the store yesterday, and officials from the state Department of Agriculture are conducting an investigation of the store today, according to authorities.
Sgt. Kelley said Mr. Clayton last night declined to answer questions about the puppies without a lawyer present.
MSPCA Officer Christine Allenberg was the first to arrive at the scene. Lt. Alan Borgal, director of law enforcement for the Animal Rescue League of Boston, later mobilized a team to respond, including Dr. Martha Smith, who performed onsite veterinary evaluations, according to Animal Rescue League spokeswoman Jennifer Wooliscroft.
She said all 27 puppies were transported overnight to an undisclosed Animal Rescue League hospital in Boston, where they will remain for the time being.
The puppies are primarily designer and toy breeds, according to Ms. Wooliscroft, and there was one Weimaraner. She said the condition of the puppies is still being assessed. Most of the puppies appeared to be about 5 weeks old, according to authorities.
“It's too soon to tell their condition,” Ms. Wooliscroft said. “No water, no sanitation — they seemed weak and dehydrated.”
A clerk magistrate went to the scene and a search warrant was issued, according to police. There were at least 51 tags in the van, and Sgt. Kelley said there may have been 51 puppies when the van left Missouri Monday night. Police seized 24 puppies yesterday that had not yet been delivered. The puppies came from different states, according to the information on the tags.
Mr. Clayton allegedly told Sgt. Kelley that he had been on the road since Monday night, and the puppies had not been walked since then.
Puppy Ship is the name of the Missouri-based company that brought the puppies to New England, police said.
A manager at Laughlin Kennel in Oxford, who would only identify herself as Christine P., said nine puppies from the same van were delivered about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. She declined to give her last name.
“The driver really does a great job for us,” Christine said. “We haven't ever had any issues with him.”
Interesting that she would vouch for him considering in 2015, this was posted, calling Laughlin Kennel a hell hole: "Former Laughlin Kennel Employee Shares Horrific Videos, Images With Turtleboy"
She said he brought a huge water jug for them to fill Tuesday night. The manager said the Oxford kennel typically gets a delivery of puppies from Puppy Ship every week.
“As far as I know, he picks up puppies from Missouri,” Christine said. “Wow, it freaked me out when I heard this; we never have any issues with him.”
The manager said any dogs delivered to the kennel are quarantined for two days and a veterinarian checks them before they are put up for sale.
Todd Davis, a representative of Puppy Ship, was in court this morning awaiting Mr. Clayton's arraignment. In a telephone interview, Mr. Davis said he planned to post bail for Mr. Clayton.
Puppy Ship is a USDA-licensed company, according to Mr. Davis. He said there are strict guidelines for providing animals with adequate water, food, ventilation, adequately-sized cages and clean conditions. He said Mr. Clayton is a longtime driver for Puppy Ship.
“All these things we followed and we try to go above and beyond,” Mr. Davis said. “We are inspected on a regular basis and we have never had an issue.”
Mr. Davis said he was treated hostilely by the animal rescuers, and not permitted to go near the truck to care for the puppies.
“I think we are a target of a very sensational group of folks who are offended with anything to do with puppies,” Mr. Davis said. “I am really disappointed in what went on here.”
Authorities took custody of the truck.
“We'll fight this on the grounds of an illegal search,” Mr. Davis said. “All of us care very much for the welfare of animals.”
(Telegram - July 9, 2009)
John T. Clayton, 44, of Bolivar, Missouri, told authorities he had left from Missouri Monday night, and the puppies had not been walked since then, police said. Police said the puppies were crammed into small cages surrounded by animal waste, filth and flies in a locked box truck parked in front of a Main Street pet store yesterday afternoon.
In Dudley District Court today, Mr. Clayton pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges. Bail was set at $1,000.
Mr. Lamarine said a U.S. Department of Agriculture inspector recently gave clearance for the shipment of animals. He said the animals were naturally distressed given the commute from Missouri.
Assistant District Attorney Scarlett Scannell, noting Mr. Clayton lives out of state, asked for $10,000 bail. She said he is serving a three-year probation term that began this year. His previous offenses include endangering a child and a drunken driving arrest from the late 1980s.
Ms. Scannell told the judge the case is more significant than the dogs lacking water. She noted paramedics transported seven puppies to Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital.
Before his arrest, Mr. Clayton had just delivered 10 puppies to Elite Puppies, 172 Main St., and had delivered nine puppies to Laughlin Kennel in Oxford, according to police. He may have dropped off puppies at some other New England locations as well.
The case unfolded after two people drove by the delivery box truck when it was parked in front of Elite Puppies on Main Street about 2:45 p.m. The two people heard barking dogs and sensed the dogs might be distressed. They flagged down a cruiser in the area and called an animal rescue organization.
Police Sgt. Michaela N. Kelley went to Elite Puppies and spoke with employees.
“From there it went downhill for Mr. Clayton,” Sgt. Thomas V. Ralph said in an interview this morning. Swarms of flies surrounded cages filled with puppies in poor health, according to police reports, and there was animal waste in and around the small cages. Some puppies appeared to limp, and one puppy was completely unresponsive, according to police. There appeared to be about five puppies in each cage.
"When she saw the condition of the puppies, Sgt. Kelley contacted the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to assist in her investigation. She also called Webster EMS and paramedics to check on the puppies.
About half the puppies were initially taken to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, and the others were taken to Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital on Thompson Road. The 10 puppies delivered to Elite Puppies remained in quarantine in the back of the store, according to police.
The owner of Elite Puppies, Jennifer Gardner, said in an interview this morning the store does not bear responsibility for the condition of the dogs. She said the incident has led to death threats against her. Ms. Gardner said the puppies in her store were healthy, and she had no problems with the puppies delivered yesterday. Elite Puppies is a family-run business that deals with private breeders, according to the company's Web site.
“My puppies are fine,” Ms. Gardner said. She has owned the store for three years. She said she has not had problems with the delivery driver and the puppies came with water. “None of my dogs were sick.”
Ms. Gardner declined the Telegram & Gazette's request to have photos taken of the puppies delivered yesterday. Board of Health officials inspected the store yesterday, and officials from the state Department of Agriculture are conducting an investigation of the store today, according to authorities.
Sgt. Kelley said Mr. Clayton last night declined to answer questions about the puppies without a lawyer present.
MSPCA Officer Christine Allenberg was the first to arrive at the scene. Lt. Alan Borgal, director of law enforcement for the Animal Rescue League of Boston, later mobilized a team to respond, including Dr. Martha Smith, who performed onsite veterinary evaluations, according to Animal Rescue League spokeswoman Jennifer Wooliscroft.
She said all 27 puppies were transported overnight to an undisclosed Animal Rescue League hospital in Boston, where they will remain for the time being.
The puppies are primarily designer and toy breeds, according to Ms. Wooliscroft, and there was one Weimaraner. She said the condition of the puppies is still being assessed. Most of the puppies appeared to be about 5 weeks old, according to authorities.
“It's too soon to tell their condition,” Ms. Wooliscroft said. “No water, no sanitation — they seemed weak and dehydrated.”
A clerk magistrate went to the scene and a search warrant was issued, according to police. There were at least 51 tags in the van, and Sgt. Kelley said there may have been 51 puppies when the van left Missouri Monday night. Police seized 24 puppies yesterday that had not yet been delivered. The puppies came from different states, according to the information on the tags.
Mr. Clayton allegedly told Sgt. Kelley that he had been on the road since Monday night, and the puppies had not been walked since then.
Puppy Ship is the name of the Missouri-based company that brought the puppies to New England, police said.
A manager at Laughlin Kennel in Oxford, who would only identify herself as Christine P., said nine puppies from the same van were delivered about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. She declined to give her last name.
“The driver really does a great job for us,” Christine said. “We haven't ever had any issues with him.”
Interesting that she would vouch for him considering in 2015, this was posted, calling Laughlin Kennel a hell hole: "Former Laughlin Kennel Employee Shares Horrific Videos, Images With Turtleboy"
 |
| Hell hole: Laughlin Kennel |
She said he brought a huge water jug for them to fill Tuesday night. The manager said the Oxford kennel typically gets a delivery of puppies from Puppy Ship every week.
“As far as I know, he picks up puppies from Missouri,” Christine said. “Wow, it freaked me out when I heard this; we never have any issues with him.”
The manager said any dogs delivered to the kennel are quarantined for two days and a veterinarian checks them before they are put up for sale.
Todd Davis, a representative of Puppy Ship, was in court this morning awaiting Mr. Clayton's arraignment. In a telephone interview, Mr. Davis said he planned to post bail for Mr. Clayton.
Puppy Ship is a USDA-licensed company, according to Mr. Davis. He said there are strict guidelines for providing animals with adequate water, food, ventilation, adequately-sized cages and clean conditions. He said Mr. Clayton is a longtime driver for Puppy Ship.
“All these things we followed and we try to go above and beyond,” Mr. Davis said. “We are inspected on a regular basis and we have never had an issue.”
Mr. Davis said he was treated hostilely by the animal rescuers, and not permitted to go near the truck to care for the puppies.
“I think we are a target of a very sensational group of folks who are offended with anything to do with puppies,” Mr. Davis said. “I am really disappointed in what went on here.”
Authorities took custody of the truck.
“We'll fight this on the grounds of an illegal search,” Mr. Davis said. “All of us care very much for the welfare of animals.”
(Telegram - July 9, 2009)
Linda Kapsa pleads 'no contest' to aggravated animal cruelty charges
MONTANA -- Days before her trial was scheduled to begin, Linda Kapsa pleaded no contest Thursday to one felony count of aggravated animal cruelty for hoarding dogs and other animals at her Ballantine home.
Appearing before District Court Judge Susan Watters, Kapsa accepted a plea agreement that limits her to owning six neutered companion dogs and imposes a maximum 20-year suspended sentence supervised by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Watters will set the final conditions during a sentencing hearing, after the Department of Corrections conducts a pre-sentence investigation, which usually takes six to eight weeks. A sentencing date has not been set.
Kapsa was charged with neglecting more than 200 dogs, 27 chickens, 10 cockatiels and three cats by not providing adequate medical care, food or shelter.
Remains of two dozen other dogs were removed from Kapsa's Shady Lane Kennels, at 2315 S. 14th Road in Ballantine, during raids on Dec. 11 and Dec. 30.
Under the negotiated plea, Kapsa agreed to surrender the estimated 20 dogs and puppies she now keeps at her 10-acre property. The animals escaped seizure in December and have been breeding.
The plea deal limits Kapsa to a maximum of 40 chickens, 20 goats, eight horses, three neutered cats and two cockatiels. She also agreed to allow state officials to visit her property without obtaining a search warrant or giving notice.
However, under the agreement, Kapsa's attorneys can still ask Watters to allow her keep up to 20 non-neutered dogs.
Yellowstone County Attorney Dennis Paxinos said once Watters sets the limits on animals, if Kapsa breaks those rules over the next 20 years, she could go to prison.
"We were hoping we could stop the breeding. We have given her some companion dogs, and we are giving the other dogs happier homes to go to and we are stopping the taxpayers from having to fund this," Paxinos said.
In December, county officials seized 189 dogs from Kapsa. About 100 regular volunteers are helping to care for the mostly English Shepherd dogs at the MetraPark fairgrounds.
"With the ones that are born in our custody, I believe we now have 227 dogs, three cats, 10 cockatiels and 11 chickens," said Yellowstone County Animal Control Officer John Fleming.
Because the dogs were evidence in Kapsa's court case, no animals could be adopted. The bills mounted quickly.
Since January, the cost of caring for the animals has topped $157,433, according to the county. That has been offset by at least $43,331 in cash donations, along with donations of food and other supplies.
In addition, other Yellowstone County animal complaints have been getting less attention this year because one of the county's two animal control officers has had to work full time on the Kapsa dogs.
"Now we can get back on the streets and serve the public at 100 percent," Fleming said
Kapsa was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty and four related misdemeanors. She agreed to plead no contest on one felony count. The other charges will be dismissed.
Last month, Watters heard two days of testimony about whether Kapsa was mentally incompetent to stand trial, as her attorneys argued.
Billings forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Butz, testifying for Kapsa, said Kapsa believes she has some "special mystical powers" and a "special trust" with her animals.
On Wednesday, Watters ruled that Kapsa was competent to stand trial, and that ruling allowed Kapsa to change her plea.
During Thursday's hearing, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ingrid Rosenquist read a lengthy summary of the evidence that would have been presented at Kapsa's trial.
Witnesses would have testified that Kapsa's trailer home was covered with feces and a dead dog was next to her bed.
There also would have been testimony that there was inadequate food, water or shelter for the animals and that 50 of the seized 200 dogs needed immediate veterinary care.
Many of the English shepherds were starving, covered with feces and infected with lice, she said.
Dave Pauli, the Western regional director for the Humane Society, would have testified that Kapsa's dogs amounted to "a small, feral colony of unsocialized animals" and that taking care of them would be a full-time job for 14 people.
"As hungry as the dogs were, they were too scared to take food out of the hands of humans," Rosenquist said.
After months of care and training, they now look like different dogs, she said, but many of them will regress unless they are with their regular handler.
Under Montana law, the maximum sentence for felony aggravated animal cruelty is two years in prison. However, because Kapsa was convicted on a felony bad-check charge within the past five years, the county attorney's office argued that she was a persistent felony offender. That cleared the way for the county attorney's office to ask Watters to impose a 20-year suspended sentence supervised by the Department of Public Health.
After the hearing, Rosenquist said she was pleased.
"It's a relief for everyone, including the animals," she said.
The agreement also requires Kapsa to pay an undetermined amount of restitution. Her ability to pay will be part of the pre-sentence investigation.
Kapsa will get to choose the dogs she wants to keep. After Kapsa, the volunteers will get the next choice of the animals they have cared for since January. It could be several weeks before all the remaining dogs and other animals can be released for adoption.
Young animals probably will be adopted first because they generally aren't neutered before four to six months and can be released earlier, Fleming said. A major spay-and-neutering clinic must be scheduled for the adult animals before they can be adopted.
Paxinos urged state leaders to change the laws so that no other community has to suffer through a similar ordeal.
Negotiations over the plea agreement started last winter, and the Kapsa case has been the workload equivalent of a major homicide case for his office, he said.
The state's animal cruelty laws were written to protect the ranching community, said Paxinos, who noted that no one anticipated this level of domestic animal hoarding. The situations need separate sets of laws, he said.
"You shouldn't be allowed to have massive amounts of animals with no feeding systems or ways of cleaning up after them," he said.
(Billings Gazette - July 9, 2009)
Appearing before District Court Judge Susan Watters, Kapsa accepted a plea agreement that limits her to owning six neutered companion dogs and imposes a maximum 20-year suspended sentence supervised by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Watters will set the final conditions during a sentencing hearing, after the Department of Corrections conducts a pre-sentence investigation, which usually takes six to eight weeks. A sentencing date has not been set.
Kapsa was charged with neglecting more than 200 dogs, 27 chickens, 10 cockatiels and three cats by not providing adequate medical care, food or shelter.
Remains of two dozen other dogs were removed from Kapsa's Shady Lane Kennels, at 2315 S. 14th Road in Ballantine, during raids on Dec. 11 and Dec. 30.
Under the negotiated plea, Kapsa agreed to surrender the estimated 20 dogs and puppies she now keeps at her 10-acre property. The animals escaped seizure in December and have been breeding.
The plea deal limits Kapsa to a maximum of 40 chickens, 20 goats, eight horses, three neutered cats and two cockatiels. She also agreed to allow state officials to visit her property without obtaining a search warrant or giving notice.
However, under the agreement, Kapsa's attorneys can still ask Watters to allow her keep up to 20 non-neutered dogs.
Yellowstone County Attorney Dennis Paxinos said once Watters sets the limits on animals, if Kapsa breaks those rules over the next 20 years, she could go to prison.
"We were hoping we could stop the breeding. We have given her some companion dogs, and we are giving the other dogs happier homes to go to and we are stopping the taxpayers from having to fund this," Paxinos said.
In December, county officials seized 189 dogs from Kapsa. About 100 regular volunteers are helping to care for the mostly English Shepherd dogs at the MetraPark fairgrounds.
"With the ones that are born in our custody, I believe we now have 227 dogs, three cats, 10 cockatiels and 11 chickens," said Yellowstone County Animal Control Officer John Fleming.
Because the dogs were evidence in Kapsa's court case, no animals could be adopted. The bills mounted quickly.
Since January, the cost of caring for the animals has topped $157,433, according to the county. That has been offset by at least $43,331 in cash donations, along with donations of food and other supplies.
In addition, other Yellowstone County animal complaints have been getting less attention this year because one of the county's two animal control officers has had to work full time on the Kapsa dogs.
"Now we can get back on the streets and serve the public at 100 percent," Fleming said
Kapsa was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty and four related misdemeanors. She agreed to plead no contest on one felony count. The other charges will be dismissed.
Last month, Watters heard two days of testimony about whether Kapsa was mentally incompetent to stand trial, as her attorneys argued.
Billings forensic psychologist Dr. Michael Butz, testifying for Kapsa, said Kapsa believes she has some "special mystical powers" and a "special trust" with her animals.
On Wednesday, Watters ruled that Kapsa was competent to stand trial, and that ruling allowed Kapsa to change her plea.
During Thursday's hearing, Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ingrid Rosenquist read a lengthy summary of the evidence that would have been presented at Kapsa's trial.
Witnesses would have testified that Kapsa's trailer home was covered with feces and a dead dog was next to her bed.
There also would have been testimony that there was inadequate food, water or shelter for the animals and that 50 of the seized 200 dogs needed immediate veterinary care.
Many of the English shepherds were starving, covered with feces and infected with lice, she said.
Dave Pauli, the Western regional director for the Humane Society, would have testified that Kapsa's dogs amounted to "a small, feral colony of unsocialized animals" and that taking care of them would be a full-time job for 14 people.
"As hungry as the dogs were, they were too scared to take food out of the hands of humans," Rosenquist said.
After months of care and training, they now look like different dogs, she said, but many of them will regress unless they are with their regular handler.
Under Montana law, the maximum sentence for felony aggravated animal cruelty is two years in prison. However, because Kapsa was convicted on a felony bad-check charge within the past five years, the county attorney's office argued that she was a persistent felony offender. That cleared the way for the county attorney's office to ask Watters to impose a 20-year suspended sentence supervised by the Department of Public Health.
After the hearing, Rosenquist said she was pleased.
"It's a relief for everyone, including the animals," she said.
The agreement also requires Kapsa to pay an undetermined amount of restitution. Her ability to pay will be part of the pre-sentence investigation.
Kapsa will get to choose the dogs she wants to keep. After Kapsa, the volunteers will get the next choice of the animals they have cared for since January. It could be several weeks before all the remaining dogs and other animals can be released for adoption.
Young animals probably will be adopted first because they generally aren't neutered before four to six months and can be released earlier, Fleming said. A major spay-and-neutering clinic must be scheduled for the adult animals before they can be adopted.
Paxinos urged state leaders to change the laws so that no other community has to suffer through a similar ordeal.
Negotiations over the plea agreement started last winter, and the Kapsa case has been the workload equivalent of a major homicide case for his office, he said.
The state's animal cruelty laws were written to protect the ranching community, said Paxinos, who noted that no one anticipated this level of domestic animal hoarding. The situations need separate sets of laws, he said.
"You shouldn't be allowed to have massive amounts of animals with no feeding systems or ways of cleaning up after them," he said.
Police Blotter: Pit bulls attack Labrador
GEORGIA -- On June 29 a dog case complaint was filed at a Sewell Road, Rutledge, located after a woman reported that while she was walking her Labrador to her neighbor’s house she turned her back and two Pit Bull dogs attacked her dog.
The woman said she attempted to separate the dogs but failed and her neighbor fired two shots in the air but the attack continued.
The woman then told the neighbor to shoot the dogs.
The Pit Bull dogs’ owner apologized to the woman. The woman said the dogs are normally fenced.
(morgancountycitizen.com - July 9, 2009)
The woman said she attempted to separate the dogs but failed and her neighbor fired two shots in the air but the attack continued.
The woman then told the neighbor to shoot the dogs.
The Pit Bull dogs’ owner apologized to the woman. The woman said the dogs are normally fenced.
(morgancountycitizen.com - July 9, 2009)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Oklahoma: Rikki Seritt, 18, and her boyfriend Cody Hahn, 20, have upcoming court dates, accused of purposely dragging her dog behind their vehicle, skinning the dog alive
OKLAHOMA -- A Sapulpa woman heads to court Tuesday on charges of animal cruelty.
Rikki Leigh Seritt, 18, is accused of tying a dog to the bumper of an SUV in October.
Witnesses say a man driving the SUV then dragged the dog along the road until it came free of its collar.
Seritt is charged with a felony count of animal cruelty and two counts of obstructing an officer.
Her hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The dog, Sammy, survived the violence and is thriving with his new family.
Witnesses identified her boyfriend 20-year-old Cody Wayne Hahn as the driver of the SUV. He was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty. Hahn will be in court July 20th.
(NewsOn6 - July 7, 2009)
Earlier:
Rikki Leigh Seritt, 18, is accused of tying a dog to the bumper of an SUV in October.
Witnesses say a man driving the SUV then dragged the dog along the road until it came free of its collar.
Seritt is charged with a felony count of animal cruelty and two counts of obstructing an officer.
Her hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:00 Tuesday morning.
The dog, Sammy, survived the violence and is thriving with his new family.
Witnesses identified her boyfriend 20-year-old Cody Wayne Hahn as the driver of the SUV. He was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty. Hahn will be in court July 20th.
(NewsOn6 - July 7, 2009)
Earlier:
- Oklahoma: Army serviceman Cody Hahn appears in court, accused of animal torture
- Oklahoma: Army soldier Cody Hahn denies dragging dog and then abandoning it on the side of the road to die
- Oklahoma: Cody Hahn has hearing on felony animal cruelty case in which he and his girlfriend Rikki Seritt are accused of tying a dog to their pickup and purposely driving off, skinning the dog alive
- Oklahoma: Army serviceman Cody Hahn arrested for intimidating witness in animal torture case
- Oklahoma: Police searching for Cody Hahn's girlfriend Rikki Seritt - both involved in the horrific dog dragging case
- Oklahoma: Cody Hahn, 20, already arrested on animal cruelty charges for skinning a dog by purposely dragging it behind his truck. Now his girlfriend Rikki Seritt, 18, has been arrested
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