19 dogs rescued from NC puppy mill

NORTH CAROLINA -- Nineteen Maltese mix dogs were brought to the Humane Society of Charlotte Saturday with a range of health problems.

According to the shelter veterinarian, many suffered from dental disease, cataracts or severe skin problems.

 "For the most part the lack of vet care is common theme [among puppy mills]," Vice President of Operations Jorge Ortega said.

The Humane Society of Charlotte's Emergency Response Team rescued the dogs after authorities located a breeding operation in Western North Carolina.

The owner surrendered the 19 dogs but she is believed to have more. It's unclear if the woman will face charges.

This latest rescue comes on the heels of new legislation to regulate commercial dog breeding. House Bill 930 creates standards of care for people who own 10 or more female dogs for the purposes of breeding. It requires proper vet care and adequate food, water and shelter.

The bill is modest compared to other bills that failed in the past. It does not require breeders to register, be licensed or be subject to regular inspections.

Currently the North Carolina does not have any law governing commercial breeding and ranks among the worst for puppy mills.

"We are optimistic something will be put in place to help these animals and to make sure these conditions don't continue to exist in North Carolina," President of the Humane Society of Charlotte Shelly Moore said.

Animal advocates hope if the House bill passes, a similar bill will be filed in the Senate.

Ortega is hopeful after the 19 dogs are evaluated they will either be put up for adoption or in foster homes.

(WBTV - April 28, 2013)

Man used van to drag donkey down paved road

NORTH CAROLINA -- Deputies in Lincoln County have charged a Vale man for using his vehicle to drag a donkey nearly a half-mile down a paved road in northwestern Lincoln County.

According to a Lincoln County Sheriff's release, deputies were dispatched to the area of the Ward Road/Plateau Road intersection around 6:30 p.m. Thursday when neighbors noticed a man driving a van and pulling a donkey behind the vehicle. 

The donkey was tethered by a rope to the trailer hitch on the vehicle, deputies told WBTV.

When Sgt. Terry Posey arrived on the scene 68-year-old Richard Ricky Hudson, of Vale, was walking and leading the animal northbound on Plateau Road.

Deputies say a witness cared for the animal while Hudson was placed in custody. 

Sgt. Posey checked the donkey for injuries and discovered the legs and rear portion of the animal had scrapes and bleeding.  Scrape marks on the roadway indicated the animal could have been dragged more than 3/10th of a mile on the paved roadway.

Animal Services was contacted and placed the animal in a shelter.  Hudson was charged with misdemeanor Conveying Animals in a Cruel Manner and released on a $4,000 secured bond. 

(WBTV - April 28, 2013)

Cloverdale family mourns dog after fatal pit bull attack

CANADA -- A Cloverdale family is mourning the death of their dog after they say a pit bull attacked it in their yard Friday.

Leslie Harvey, 22, told Global News her sister had let their five-year-old terrier Sparky outside at around 9 a.m. when a pit bull that was staying with a neighbour broke through the fence.

“It started attacking our dog. My sister ran out there with a broom and was screaming for help,” Harvey said, adding that she was out of the house at the time of the attack.

According to Harvey, her sister started hitting the pit bull with the broom and the neighbour came over to help.

The attack went on for several minutes, Harvey said, until they were able to pull the dog off of Sparky.

Sparky was rushed to the Cloverdale Animal Hospital and Harvey went straight there.

“I was in extreme shock, she said. “I didn’t think it was that bad at first, but then I saw my sister was covered in blood. She was just soaked in blood bawling her eyes out.”

Harvey said Sparky suffered extreme internal injuries from puncture wounds, and both his hind legs and spine were broken.

“The veterinarian looked at the dog and said I don’t know if he’ll make it,” Harvey said.

A spokesperson for the Cloverdale Animal Hospital confirmed to Global News that Sparky’s injuries were too severe to save the dog’s life.

At around 3 p.m. Harvey, her daughter Chloe and family said goodbye before Sparky was put down.

Harvey said animal control officers from Commissionaires BC seized and destroyed the pit bull Friday afternoon. According to Harvey, the dog was rescued by her neighbour from a dog fighting ring and had attacked others.

A media  spokesperson for Commissionaires BC could not be reached for comment Saturday.

Harvey said their family is devastated by the loss of Sparky.

“This morning Chloe woke up asking for him,” Harvey said. “She was crying in her sleep, had nightmares all night. My sister who fought off the pit bull is traumatized. My mom is so emotional, that was her little baby.”

(globalnews.ca-Apr 27, 2013)

Girl attacked by family pit bulls

MAINE -- A 12-year-old girl suffered more than a dozen bites when she was attacked Friday afternoon by her family’s two pit bulls named Jager and Meister, according to the Maine State Police.

The 7-month-old dogs, who were taken to a Kennebunk animal shelter, were named for the German liqueur, Stephen McCausland said in a press release issued Sunday morning.

The case will be turned over to the York County district attorney’s office to determine if charges will be filed.

The girl, who was bitten on her legs and shoulder, was taken to Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH., the press release said. Her younger sister and another girl suffered cuts and bruises, but were not bitten. The girls climbed onto a pickup truck in the yard to escape the animals.

Information about the 12-year-old’s condition was not available Sunday morning.

The incident took place at the home of the girl’s mother, Catherine Sargent, and her fiancé, Rory Downs, at 260 River Rd, according to Trooper David Coflesky.

Adam Horr, 41, of Dover, N.H., ran to the girl’s aid and was able to get the animals off by kicking and hitting them with a broom, but he also was bitten. Horr was treated at the scene.

The pit bulls belong to Downs and have been raised in the family since they were young puppies and had not shown aggressive behavior in the past, according state police. There also were two other dogs at the home, which were not involved in the attack.

The trooper said the dog’s shots were not up to date and the dogs are now quarantined.

(Bangor Daily News - April 28, 2013)

Child flown to hospital after pit bull bites neck

FLORIDA -- Manatee County deputies responded to a call that a 6-year-old boy had been bitten by dog Sunday afternoon.

The child was reportedly playing in the kitchen while his mother was outside doing laundry. Deputies say the 80 pound pit bull grabbed the child by the neck and thrashed its head around while biting down on the child.

The boy's mother, Tamara Starkey, saw what was happening and ran inside to help the boy.

Family members quickly ran to the child's aid and beat the dog until it let go.

The child suffered serious injuries to his neck and was flown to a near by hospital. As of Monday morning, he is listed in serious, but stable condition.

The pit bull was seized by Manatee County Animal Services and has been placed in observation while they conduct their own investigation into the dog.

Deputies report the dog has had two prior bites, the first to its owner, Jeff Gregg, and the other to the owner's niece.

(ABC Action News - April 29, 2013)

Teen recovers from pit bull bites

GEORGIA -- A Fulton County 15-year-old spent Saturday afternoon recovering from pit bull bites.

Fulton County investigators said the dog was owned by a family friend.

The girl's family was caring for the dog at their home on Flat Shoals Road when she was attacked.

The teen was taken to Egleston for treatment.

"The dog has been secured; animal control is aware of the situation. They are working the case. We will be following up with the family next week," said Sgt. Scott McBride from the Fulton County Police Department.

The girl's injuries are not believed to be serious.

(WGCL Atlanta - Apr 27, 2013)

Dog attack in Port Pirie

AUSTRALIA -- A 61-year old woman was attacked by a dog in Port Pirie recently.  

The victim was attacked when she entered a premise on Cottell Street, police said.  

The police spokesman said the victim may have entered the wrong yard.

One neighbour said she heard the victim howling, screaming “help me, help me”.

The neighbour, who was visibly shaken, said she felt sick after seeing the victim lying on the ground.

 “She had blood all over her face,” she said. “She couldn’t open her eyes.”

A female present at the time of the attack helped to get the dog off the victim.

The victim was treated at Port Pirie Hospital on Friday.

The dog, who  is believed to be an American Bulldog, has been impounded by the Port Pirie Regional Council.

(The Recorder - April 29, 2013)