SEEKING JUSTICE FOR DOG ON DOG MAULINGS

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett

My Advocacy

Many of us are seeking justice for dog on dog maulings so that we can hold irresponsible dog owners accountable. We strive to make sure that we protect our companion animals at all times. Moreover, we certainly do not expect another domesticated canine to maim and kill one of its own species. 

When you become involved—directly, or indirectly—in an issue that resonates, you become determined to do whatever you can. It’s something that strikes a chord. That makes you want to speak out. And reach out. To consolidate ideas. Advocate for change. And help others.

My earlier blog entitled Are Current Dog On Dog Mauling Laws Unjust? describes an incident which occurred in August 2018. It involves Shih Tzu Rocky in Oldsmar FL. Here is the link https://petpeevesunmasked.com/are-current-dog-on-dog-mauling-laws-unjust/

Below I now outline two other confrontations I heard about recently. These stories highlight the dangers to dogs and why the current laws are inadequate and need to change.

My Three Chosen Stories: Rocky, Buckles, and Reese

Many are now seeking justice for dog on dog maulings in every state. Here is Buckles after undergoing reconstructive jaw surgery
His jaw was shattered, tubed and wired shut after reconstructive surgery, but Buckles survived. Many are now seeking justice for dog on dog maulings in every state

BUCKLES, SURVIVOR, WOODSIDE NY

August 2018. Buckles was a five-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that had been rescued from an abusive situation. As he was returning with his human from a trip to the park in Washington Heights, an off-leash dog attacked him. The other dog clamped down on his throat and then his legs. But, miraculously, he survived.

Buckles needed reconstructive surgery to his jaw which was destroyed and disfigured. It was tubed and wired shut for healing. Six weeks later he underwent a second surgery to remove the wiring.

At this time, I’m happy to report that Buckles continues to make a steady recovery from his horrific physical injuries. Nevertheless, he will likely be emotionally scarred for the rest of his life after suffering such a traumatic event.

REESE R.I.P., CASSELBERRY FL

November 2017. Six-year-old Reese, a Yorkipoo, was mauled to death by two large dogs. It happened less than a block from home, as he was returning from an evening walk. The dogs had been tethered by their owner but managed to break loose. In addition to that, they also injured the two people that were with him. 

According to the existing ordinance, Casselberry authorities could fine the owner at fault $27.50. Then, if it happened again, they could issue another fine, double that amount. Sadly, they would be unable to remove the dog(s) from the property. Nevertheless, the City was well aware of the danger since these same dogs had gotten loose before. They had even attacked other dogs and lunged at people walking along the sidewalk. Despite that, however, County Animal Control would be powerless to remove the vicious animals without the owner’s consent.

A Victory For Innocent Animals

Determined to fight for tougher laws involving dog aggression, and dog-on-dog maulings in particular, a friend posted a petition online. Subsequently, Reese’s owner, Donna Syracuse, presented her case before Casselberry officials and Seminole County leaders. At the hearing, they approved adding new language to the existing ordinance on domestic animals. And this would include higher fines for irresponsible pet owners.

Demand Stricter Dog Attack Dog Laws

Syracuse hopes that this ordinance will result in the following:

  • Improved communication between City and County officials to better protect citizens.
  • That if an animal that is running loose, and unprovoked, attacks or kills another animal or injures humans in the process, the attacking animal shall be immediately and permanently removed from the community.
  • And, if the dog’s owner has a documented history of possessing aggressive dogs, that individual should be banned from owning dogs in the future.

A Step In The Right Direction

After reaching out to Animal Control of Seminole County, they told me that an amended Aggressive Animal Ordinance was executed. It is dated 10/3/18 and will be appear on their website soon. This is a positive step forward and I am sure that many of us will be waiting patiently to read it.

To Sum Up

Everyone involved in these horrific attacks is seeking justice for dog on dog maulings.

Rocky’s owners are struggling to pay off veterinary bills and set up a GoFundMe page. They would also like to sue the aggressive dog’s owner. Not only that person, but also the owner of the condo he was renting from, and the management company. And, eventually, they hope to advocate for new laws. Such laws would replace the current ones that do nothing to deter irresponsible behavior and help keep citizens safe. Here is one example of the law as it stands today. Even after filing a police report and going in person to Animal Control, the family was told this. That a dog is not deemed dangerous until a second dog-on-dog attack is reported. And even then, it cannot be removed.

As you know, Reese’s owner had to endure further heartbreak. She related her story in detail, yet again, in front of City and County officials. 

Buckles’ owner has also started a GoFundMe page to help with ongoing veterinary bills. They include costly reparative and reconstructive surgery.

My Closing Statement And Your Thoughts

  • Can’t there be laws that apply state-wide?
  • Why is it so difficult to pass laws at county level that are practical, logical and equitable? And ones that also serve the community at large?
  • Do more helpless companion animals have to die before proper justice is served? 
  • And, above all, how do we get this done and done right?

Finally, are you motivated to learn more about dog abuse situations in general, as well as fighting against dogfighting rings? For information about special humane officers and zero tolerance for cruelty, abuse and neglect, you need to check this out: http://justice-rescue.com

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!  

As you have probably already realized, we aim to offer content that is focused and, at the same time, diverse. So we invite you to take a look at the following two stories that fit perfectly into the Animal Laws and Rights category.  

The first describes an animated short film about human compassion for animals that had never known kindness, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/kitbull-animated-animal-oscar

And, the second story tells how a municipality in Spain became the first in the world to enact a Bill of Rights for pets, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/community-recognizes-animal-rights

ARE CURRENT DOG ON DOG MAULING LAWS UNJUST?

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett

TWO BLOGS. ONE MESSAGE. Today I have an important question for you. Are current dog on dog mauling laws unjust? 

Maybe you haven’t given this topic much thought. Maybe you know little or nothing about animal rights and injustices.  Or how to use any available legal recourse when dogs attack other dogs, and even humans. But don’t worry. I can help change that, which is why I am now focusing on this newly-created blog category, Animal Laws And Rights.

My Angle

This blog is a departure from the types of stories I usually publish on my site. If what I write and communicate helps make a difference, I hope to continue featuring topics like these that catch my attention. 

My Community

When issues arise in your community, in your neighborhood, and in your county, you are more likely to act. I was appalled when I read about Rocky on my local Nextdoor online network. The incident occurred about one mile from where I live, in a community where I have had numerous pet clients over the years. I reached out to the family in question and offered to help in any way I could. 

That’s why I’m asking you to please comment and let me know what you think. In addition, I would be delighted if you told me about the injustices that are close to your heart so I can write about them, too.

DOG ON DOG MAULINGS, HOW AND WHY THEY HAPPEN

My Three Chosen Stories: Rocky, Buckles, and Reese

Rocky succumbed to his injuries so I ask this question: are current dog on dog mauling laws unjust?
A vicious dog did this to Rocky which is why I ask if current dog on dog mauling laws are unjust?
Rocky succumbed to his injuries, so if current dog on dog mauling laws are unjust, they need to change
When a dog that is known to be aggressive is allowed to do this, a well-written, comprehensive ordinance needs to be applied

ROCKY R.I.P., OLDSMAR FL

August 2018. On Friday the 11th to be exact, just past midnight, Olesa Fridman walked down one flight of stairs at her condo with her 15 pound, five-year-old companion. The downstairs neighbor’s 60lb dog ran out of nowhere and attacked Rocky, one of the family’s two Shih Tzus. 

Alerted by her screams, husband Oleg ran out and kicked the aggressive dog. It let go of Rocky who then took off running for his life. But, in full prey drive mode, the much larger, faster, attacking animal caught up with him and mauled Rocky a second time. Oleg chased after them and managed to kick the dog again. It released hold of Rocky but, despite his injuries, he was able to run away.

Neighborhood Search Party

Searching for him continued throughout the early morning hours until night-time, with only a two-hour break. Rocky wasn’t found until late that night but, sadly, he was badly wounded.

The Fridmans rushed him to the nearest emergency clinic where they took x-rays, cleaned his wounds, administered pain meds and antibiotics, and allowed him to go home. 

But Rocky’s condition was worsening. He required hospitalization and was taken to BluePearl in Tampa for intensive care. Possible leg amputation was mentioned but a full evaluation would be done in the morning by the surgical team.

Fighting Sepsis

So, Olesa and Oleg returned home but within a few hours, received a call with the worst possible news. Rocky had sepsis and was not responding to the antibiotics. His sugar level was so low they could no longer read it. His kidneys were failing. So they hurried back to the hospital with other family members to say their final goodbyes. 

But this opening story doesn’t end here. Please continue by clicking this link https://petpeevesunmasked.com/seeking-justice-for-dog-on-dog-maulings/ to read about two other mauling incidents that had rather different outcomes. And find answers to the question…are current dog on dog mauling laws unjust?

The Fight For Justice

Before I end, I want to stress that there are some amazing animal justice warriors out there. They fight 24/7. Like these, some are special humane officers and certified crime scene investigators. For a broader look at fighting animal injustice, please follow this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JusticeRescue/

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!  

We’d also like to recommend you read two other stories with a different look at the topics of animal laws and rights.

Firstly, an animated short film about human compassion for animals that had never known kindness, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/kitbull-animated-animal-oscar

And also about a place in Spain that became the first municipality in the world to enact a Bill of Rights for pets, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/community-recognizes-animal-rights

SHELTER DOGS LOVE THEIR ARMCHAIRS

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett
“Buster Brown” tried to get comfortable on a computer chair, things changed, now shelter dogs love their armchairs
“Buster Brown” tried to get comfortable on a computer chair, things changed, now shelter dogs love their armchairs

Who would ever have guessed how much shelter dogs love their armchairs? Well, actually, when you think about it, that should be no surprise. 

By thinking outside the box, and applying a little creativity, the lives of homeless pets are changing. This is what Knox County Humane Society did and now other organizations are following their lead.

It all started earlier this year and shows how resourceful shelter staff are becoming in their efforts to boost pet adoptions. Read all about it here and see my favorite video, picked especially for you.

Shelter Mascot “Buster Brown” Starts A Trend

Whenever he got the chance, the four-year resident would try and climb onto a computer chair in the front office to get a better view of who was coming and going. Then the staff at the Knox County Humane Society, Illinois, decided it was high time he had his very own chair. 

So they tried out an old armchair and “Buster Brown” was as happy as could be. He no longer struggled to curl up into a ball. He could stretch his legs and rest his head on the arm. That’s how the armchair initiative began and there are now 25 of them being used inside individual kennels.

Thanks to this guy, all Knox County Humane Society shelter dogs love their armchairs
Thanks to this guy, all Knox County Humane Society shelter dogs love their armchairs

It’s All About Comfort And Mood

Shelter Director, Erin Buckmaster explains the benefits and why the shelter dogs simply love their armchairs. “First of all, the dogs are off the floor and out of drafts. They are more comfortable and less stressed. Because of this, their behavior improves and they become more adoptable,” she told us. 

Buckmaster then went on to mention that in February the first chairs were put in the lobby, in an area specially set up for the three dogs that had been at the shelter the longest. That way visitors see them as soon as they walk in and they can immediately visualize them relaxing on a chair or a sofa in their own home. It was a big hit.

When the local community heard about this, the response was amazing. In fact, the very first day, one lady showed up with 11 chairs she had bought at a thrift shop. It’s worth pointing out that donations are always welcome since the chairs are frequently replaced due to getting a bit chewed up and scratched.

Chairs For Cats

At the same time, some of the cats also got chairs. However, they are now using mostly plastic lawn chairs since not all of the felines are litter box users.

See for yourselves why shelter dogs love their armchairs so much. Video created by KCHS staff member, Tanner Smith.

Unwanted Chairs Furnish Animal Shelters

The Start Of A New Trend

“When we heard about the success they were having with the armchairs at the Knox County shelter, we decided to try it out, too,” said Lissa Waters, Development Coordinator at West Valley Humane Society in Caldwell, Idaho. This is an open admission shelter in the Boise metro area, that takes in over 7,000 animals of all kinds every single year. And, they will have up to 100 dogs for adoption at any one time.

A great example of an early success story relates to Roxy who was about 10 or 11 years old. “It’s always a lot harder to adopt out an older dog,” Waters commented. “She wasn’t doing well in this noisy setting but as soon as she was given a chair, she curled right up on her blanket and started to relax.” Staff took photos, then a local television crew came out, and Roxy was adopted a day or two later. What an inspirational story!

West Valley Humane Society shelter dogs love their armchairs, especially when they are a perfect fit!
West Valley Humane Society shelter dogs love their armchairs, especially when they are a perfect fit!

To Sum Up

Because this is such a great initiative, I’d like to leave you, the reader, with no doubt as to why shelter dogs are loving their armchairs so much.

  • An armchair is a comfort item most dogs and cats are used to when they lived with their previous family.
  • A chair is comfortable and has a calming effect. The stress level goes way down and a dog’s mood improves significantly.
  • It allows a potential adopter to already visualize the dog fitting into its new home fairly effortlessly.
  • The likelihood of a dog finding its (hopefully) forever home goes way up. 
  • And you can help, by spreading the word. Maybe you even have an old armchair to donate. The dogs will thank you for it!

A Helping Hand

If you would like to donate or volunteer at either of these shelters, here is the contact information. 

Knox County Humane Society

1855 Windish Dr

Galesberg, IL 61401

309.342.1275 

http://www.knoxcountyhumanesociety.org

https://www.facebook.com/KCHSpets/

 

West Valley Humane Society

5801 Graye Lane,

Caldwell, ID 83607

208 455 5920

http://www.westvalleyhumanesociety.org

https://www.facebook.com/westvalleyhumanesociety/

 

Sad Update

I am sorry to report that “Buster Brown” passed away August 20 2018 due to congestive heart failure. R.I.P., sweet boy!

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!

Feedback On What Works And What Doesn’t

I decided to get some feedback on how this novel armchair program was working out. So I contacted Brittany Sundell, Development Coordinator at West Valley Humane Society. But before continuing, it’s important to remind everyone that this is a medium to high intake shelter of around 4,000 dogs annually. So, it was certainly challenging but began on a positive note.

Overall Results – Animals, Staff, Donations

‘We used donated chairs for about four months with dogs in our kennels and overall our dogs loved it. They felt happier and more “at home,” Sundell stated. “However we had the following problems that prevented us from continuing.” Here is a summary of what she reported.

  • Sanitation was a big issue since there was no way to truly sanitize a chair between dogs. As a result, they saw a rise in viruses like kennel cough due to the kennel environment.
  • Another issue was making sure all chairs had at least a 6-8 inch clearance off the ground to allow for easy cleaning.
  • Then the public, eager to help out, kept dropping off chairs while they were closed, that could not be used. Consequently, their trash pick ups became significantly more expensive because of the need to remove the unwanted furniture.

Other Shelters Can Now Make Informed Decisions

So, at West Valley HS they resumed using Kuranda beds with blankets to aid in the overall comfort and sanitation of the kennels. And, in her final comment, Sundell added, “We discussed the issue with our management team and the general consensus was this. If we were a lower intake facility that served less dogs or had a [shorter] stay for dogs, this would absolutely be a program worth continuing!” 

If you appreciate the craft of hand knitting, here you will realize how stressed homeless kitties benefit from these beautiful cuddle blankets: https://petpeevesunmasked.com/knitting-kitty-cuddle-blankets/

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG HERO PROTECTS LOST CHILD

Posted on by Regina D.F. Burdett
When Aurora went missing Max, the Australian Cattle Dog hero, never left her side
When Aurora went missing Max, the Australian Cattle Dog hero, never left her side

She is three years old. He is 17. I describe how an Australian Cattle dog hero protects a lost child for 15 hours, Down Under, in Queensland’s inhospitable bush country.

This Happened

The incident occurred in April 2018 and it could well have ended in tragedy. Fortunately, though, Max was little Aurora’s protector and stayed with her throughout the ordeal after she wandered off that afternoon. 

Aurora was first reported missing at 3pm, and wasn’t found until 8am the next morning. Most likely she had snuggled up next to her faithful, four-legged friend during a rainy night outdoors. 

Thanks to Max, the Australian Cattle Dog hero, Aurora was safely reunited with her mother

Three-year-old Aurora is reunited with her mother after her all-night ordeal

The initial searches conducted by Aurora’s family and others were not successful but the next morning more than 100 State Emergency Service volunteers, police and members of the public were participating in the operation. Then everything changed. Aurora’s grandmother, Leisa Bennett, heard the little girl calling out from the top of a rugged, elevated piece of ground and rushed there as fast as she could. When she got closer she saw Max who then led her straight to her grand-daughter who, miraculously, had only suffered minor cuts and abrasions.

Queensland’s Appreciation

Because of his heroic act, Australia’s Queensland police department decided to give Max the title of Honorary Police Dog. And, what he did is even more amazing when you learn that he is actually a special needs canine. He is completely deaf and has only partial eye sight! Bravo, Max! You are a true dog hero and an exemplary representative of your breed.

Max, the 17-year-old Australian Cattle Dog hero, is completely deaf and has only partial eye sight
Max, the 17-year-old Australian Cattle Dog hero, is completely deaf and has only partial eye sight

The Australian Cattle Dog

In case you are not familiar with this breed, I thought I’d add this to Max’s story.

Also known as Heeler, Blue Heeler, or Red Heeler, depending on the coloring of their coat, Max, the Australian Cattle Dog hero in this story, is a Blue Heeler. The breed came about in the latter half of the 19th century in Australia to combine stamina, agility and intelligence so it could assist stockmen in their work. It was admitted to the American Kennel Club in 1980. 

Heelers are medium-sized, muscular and athletic as well as intensely loyal and protective. Some “owners” even call them velcro dogs, because they like to follow their human everywhere they go. 

Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!

Another must read article in this category:

Pit bull rescue pup detects a child’s health crisis, https://petpeevesunmasked.com/heroic-pet-alerts-boys-medical-emergency