When Humans Are Victims of Violence, Their Animals Become Victims Too

Here at the shelter we are very versed in handling pets that have been the victims of abuse and neglect. Through the years we’ve seen animals that have suffered everything from cruel abandonment to outright torture.

At this moment, we are dealing with some dogs that are victims of a different sort. They are the pets of people whose lives have been snuffed out or horribly altered by violence. A drive by shooting, a murder/suicide, a domestic altercation resulting in serious injury; all leaving innocent pets homeless in their wake. It’s rather scary. It feels as though we are a facility located in some big city where these things occur with deeply disturbing regularity.

To read more on this story, click here: When Humans Are Victims of Violence, Their Animals Become Victims Too

Do You Think People Should Have Their Pets Tattooed?

What is our society thinking?...or are they! I hope these pictures are photoshopped.

Apparently, a new trend is getting tattoos put on your pets, particularly any pet that is hairless. In Russia, the hairless Sphinx is the most frequent tattoo victim. Yes, I said victim.

In the 1980s before the microchip was invented for identifying pets, it wasn’t uncommon to tattoo pets with an identification number, often on their inner ear or bellies while they were under anesthesia for another procedure such as spaying or neutering. I think animals should never, ever be put under just for a tattoo.

Note: some of the images may be photoshopped. Very hard to verify.

    Body Modified Dog - Thank GOD this one is totally photoshopped. I hope.

Cosmetic Tattoos - This poor Dalmatian had a pink nose, which is a failure in the breed standard. So his owner got his nose tattooed.

In the ear tattoos - Dogs are often tattooed in their ears, usually with an ID number to help find them if they get lost. But this whole image thing is new.

Sphinx Cat with Ink - By far the most common pet that gets tattooed appears to be the hairless breeds, such as the Sphinx cat pictured here. This could be fake/photoshopped, but it looks pretty much like human tattoos do.

  Jack Russel Belly Tattoo - So this poor dog got a Hello Kitty tattoo on it's belly.

Cat immediately post-tattoo - In this photo, the cat is still anesthetized following it's tattoo. I found several shots of this cat being tattooed while under, so I do think it's real. It's a beautiful tattoo. Just wish it was on someone that could give consent.

                              It's likely these are fake...I hope.

Yes, another hairless Sphinx sporting what looks like real ink. That's a lot of ink for a little cat. I'd say it took 3 hours at least.

Daschund Belly Ink - This little guy has a tiny tattoo on his belly. Likely done when it was spayed/neutered and didn't take too much time.

 Louis Vutton Pigs - Apparently, tattooing pigs is a HUGE thing. Seriously, 

      google it. Scary.

                                         Small Tribal on a Sphinx

                         Demon bat wings tattooed on both sides...sad!

                                                    Tattooed Pigs

Humane Rescue Alliance – Seeking Any Information Leading to The Arrest of Person(s) for This Horrific Act of Animal Cruelty - Please Share!

Content warning: sexual assault

Washington, DC - This week, the Humane Rescue Alliance, along with Friendship Hospital for Animals, rescued a puppy from deplorable sexual abuse and violence.

A few days ago, we received a call about a dog abandoned outside, next to piles of trash, and unable to walk, just like Ladybell not even one month ago. When our Animal Control officer arrived on scene, he found a 7-month-old brindle pit bull-type puppy wagging her tail as he approached. She couldn’t move and was covered in both scars and fresh wounds but was still excited to see him. We named her Luna.

She was quickly transported to our partner Friendship Hospital for Animals where she received a full examination. Veterinarians at FHA determined Luna had five broken vertebrae, two of which required surgical stabilization, and two wounds, possibly stab wounds, on her chest. Other injuries indicate she had been brutally sexually abused and was likely strangled. Veterinarians were able to determine these injuries occurred over weeks, due to the varying stages of healing of each injury.

We estimate the cost of her critical care will exceed $20,000. Friendship Hospital for Animals has stepped up to cover the entire cost of her surgeries, and is working to stabilize her spine, with the hopes that one day Luna will be able to walk again. Despite the extent of her injuries, veterinarians are optimistic that Luna will have a good quality of life. We are so grateful for their incredible generosity and their shared commitment to saving animal lives.

“The person responsible for torturing Luna has certainly demonstrated their propensity for extreme violence,” said Chris Schindler, vice president of field services at the Humane Rescue Alliance. “Study after study has shown that individuals who commit cruelty to animals, particularly sexual abuse crimes, are known to perpetrate these crimes against humans, especially children. To ensure the safety of the entire community, we will do everything in our power to find who is responsible and are asking for the public’s help to do so.”

As Luna begins to heal, our humane law enforcement officers begin their investigation into the person or persons responsible for this heinous act of sexual assault and cruelty. They are looking for anyone who may have noticed anything unusual near Fort Dupont Park on or before August 11. If you have any information that could help assist in the arrest of those who abused Luna, please call 202-723-5730 option 3.

Dog Dies From Starvation At Training Facility

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This post contains graphic content and pictures that may be upsetting to some. Viewer discretion is advised.

Dallas, an 9-month-old miniature bull terrier, was brought to Off-Leash K9 Training facility to be potty trained and learn basic obedience. His owners thought they were leaving their beloved dog in the care of professionals and never imagined any harm would come to him. Instead of being treated like a family member, Dallas was deprived of food and starved to death.

Dallas spent five weeks at Off-Leash K9 Training in Johnson City, Tennessee. During that time the family said they were told they couldn’t visit because it would disrupt the training. Originally, Dallas was scheduled for two weeks of training, but the owners said the trainer told them he needed more time for housebreaking.

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Dies From Starvation At Training Facility

Tiny Little Pup Left In A Shoebox By A Supermarket Dumpster

If more people would just be a little bit braver and do the right thing and give their unwanted animals directly to the rescuers, it would be so much better, this poor little pup was left, we wonder if the person was ashamed?

Taking a break from his work at the time, Eddie Olivarez worked at Albertsons, a grocery store in Arcadia, California, he found the little pup.

He found the tiny pup in a shoebox left on the ground by the dumpsters, he could have easily thrown the box into the dumpster, not realizing…

But his senses took over and he realized that the box had to be opened, and sure enough there was something incredible inside a one pound pup desperately in need of help!

To read more on this story, click here: Tiny Little Pup Left In A Shoebox By A Supermarket Dumpster

What To Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold

It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter

Cold weather can be deadly for pets. As the temperature plummets in many parts of the country, The Humane Society of the United States sees a marked increase in the number of complaints about dogs and cats who have been left outside with no food or shelter.

We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food and shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges.

The act of leaving a pet outside without food or adequate shelter often receives less attention than a violent attack against an animal, but neglect is a crime. "Especially in these cold months, it is important for people to bring their pets inside and for others to report neglected animals to law enforcement,” says Ashley Mauceri, HSUS manager for cruelty response, who fields these calls.

To read more on this story, click here: What To Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold

Animal Welfare Workers Save 71 Beagles Crammed In Small Home

Animal welfare workers removed 71 beagles from a cramped house in rural Pennsylvania, where officials say a woman had been breeding them without a license before she died last month.

The Lehigh County Humane Society got a call late Saturday night from police who responded to noise complaints at a home outside Allentown, said Barbara Morgan, the Humane Society's police officer.

The officers estimated about 25 dogs were inside the home. Four animal welfare workers and two trucks responded.

"Six hours later, we've removed 71 beagles," Morgan said, adding she had never seen so many animals squeezed into such a small space.

Many are sickly and underweight and all of the animals had fleas, she said. Several are showing symptoms of mange and others have vision issues and are possibly blind. They range in age from weeks old to senior-aged.

To read more on this story, click here: Animal Welfare Workers Save 71 Beagles Crammed In Small Home

In Texas, A Woman Just Shot Her Husband For Beating The Family Cat

Over the weekend, Dallas Police found itself dealing with one of its stranger cases in recent memory, when a 47-year-old woman fatally shot her husband in defense of the family cat.

The scene unfolded on Saturday morning, but confessed-shooter-and-sole-survivor, Mary Harrison, says that incident stems from her deceased husband’s repeated abuse of a beloved family pet. The victim, Dexter Harrison, allegedly beat the poor animal repeatedly, so much so that it finally ran away.

Worried sick, Mary plastered their Dallas neighborhood with “missing pet” pictures, and a well-meaning neighbor ultimately located the animal. Unfortunately, Dexter resumed his abuse as soon as the cat was returned home, which led his frustrated wife to finally shoot him in an effort to stop the abuse. Nor is this the first cat-related shooting that’s happened in Texas. In 2013, a different woman shot her husband for threatening to throw her cat over the fence.

To read more on this story, click here: In Texas, A Woman Just Shot Her Husband For Beating The Family Cat

25 Images That'll Make You Never Want to Wear Animals

Most of the world’s leather comes from India, where animal-protection laws are blatantly ignored. Cows like these are forced to march for days to their own slaughter, and they do so without food, water, or medical attention.

In India, it’s illegal to slaughter calves or milk-producing cows—but this, like so many other laws, is often disregarded.

To read more on this story, click here: 25 Images That'll Make You Never Want to Wear Animals

Dallas, Texas – Woman Shoots and Kills Husband for Abusing Family Cat

Over the weekend, Dallas Police found itself dealing with one of its stranger cases in recent memory, when a 47-year-old woman fatally shot her husband in defense of the family cat.

The scene unfolded on Saturday morning, but confessed-shooter-and-sole-survivor, Mary Harrison, says that incident stems from her deceased husband’s repeated abuse of a beloved family pet. The victim, Dexter Harrison, allegedly beat the poor animal repeatedly, so much so that it finally ran away.

Worried sick, Mary plastered their Dallas neighborhood with “missing pet” pictures, and a well-meaning neighbor ultimately located the animal. Unfortunately, Dexter resumed his abuse as soon as the cat was returned home, which led his frustrated wife to finally shoot him in an effort to stop the abuse. Nor is this the first cat-related shooting that’s happened in Texas. In 2013, a different woman shot her husband for threatening to throw her cat over the fence.

Unfortunately, Dexter died of his injuries on the way to the hospital and Mary is currently being held at Dallas County Jail on charges of murder. Meanwhile, social media remains typically divided. Many people, including a neighbor, are accusing Mary of overreacting by prioritizing the animal’s life over that of her husband’s. Others, including advocates who have set up a Gofundme page to cover Mary’s legal expenses, concur that she was acting valiantly on behalf of an animal in need.

Chicago, Illinois - Bail Was Set at $100,000 for a 25-Year-Old Man Caught Beating a Dog

Bail was set at $100,000 Sunday for a 25-year-old suburban man whom Chicago police arrested after he was seen on a police camera punching and whipping a dog in the city’s West Englewood neighborhood.

The city-issued camera in the 6100 block of South Ashland Avenue captured the man, Isaac Goodlow, punching, kicking and choking the dog around 3:40 a.m. Saturday, prosecutors said.

Officers in Chicago police’s Strategic Decisions Support Center alerted district officers who arrived in time to see Goodlow whipping the dog with an extension cord, which he also used to drag the animal down the sidewalk, Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Knight told the court at the Leighton Criminal Court Building during a brief hearing.

The dog’s breed wasn’t discussed during the hearing, but Goodlow’s arrest report indicates the dog was a pit bull terrier.

Goodlow, of the 4000 block of Bonhill Drive in Arlington Heights, was arrested and later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, while police reached out to a veterinarian to assess the dog. Officers observed the dog to be “scared, shaking, injured, emaciated and dehydrated,” Knight told the court. In fact, after one of the officers gave the dog water, the animal vomited it up, authorities said.

A veterinarian examined the dog and determined that it had signs of prior abuse/torture based on numerous earlier injuries, authorities said. Prosecutors didn’t state whether they suspected the dog of participating in dogfighting, but Goodlow’s arrest report stated that after his arrest, he threatened to kill the dog and admitted to being in a street gang.

Judge John F. Lyke Jr. ordered Goodlow to pay $10,000 for release and to undergo electronic home monitoring if he was able to post bail.

Do You Think People Should Have Their Pets Tattooed?

What is our society thinking?...or are they! I hope these pictures are photoshopped.

Apparently, a new trend is getting tattoos put on your pets, particularly any pet that is hairless. In Russia, the hairless Sphinx is the most frequent tattoo victim. Yes, I said victim.

In the 1980s before the microchip was invented for identifying pets, it wasn’t uncommon to tattoo pets with an identification number, often on their inner ear or bellies while they were under anesthesia for another procedure such as spaying or neutering. I think animals should never, ever be put under just for a tattoo.

Note: some of the images may be photoshopped. Very hard to verify.

    Body Modified Dog - Thank GOD this one is totally photoshopped. I hope.

Cosmetic Tattoos - This poor Dalmatian had a pink nose, which is a failure in the breed standard. So his owner got his nose tattooed.

In the ear tattoos - Dogs are often tattooed in their ears, usually with an ID number to help find them if they get lost. But this whole image thing is new.

Sphinx Cat with Ink - By far the most common pet that gets tattooed appears to be the hairless breeds, such as the Sphinx cat pictured here. This could be fake/photoshopped, but it looks pretty much like human tattoos do.

  Jack Russel Belly Tattoo - So this poor dog got a Hello Kitty tattoo on it's belly.

Cat immediately post-tattoo - In this photo, the cat is still anesthetized following it's tattoo. I found several shots of this cat being tattooed while under, so I do think it's real. It's a beautiful tattoo. Just wish it was on someone that could give consent.

                              It's likely these are fake...I hope.

Yes, another hairless Sphinx sporting what looks like real ink. That's a lot of ink for a little cat. I'd say it took 3 hours at least.

Daschund Belly Ink - This little guy has a tiny tattoo on his belly. Likely done when it was spayed/neutered and didn't take too much time.

 Louis Vutton Pigs - Apparently, tattooing pigs is a HUGE thing. Seriously, 

      google it. Scary.

                                         Small Tribal on a Sphinx

                         Demon bat wings tattooed on both sides...sad!

                                                    Tattooed Pigs

Little Old Lady Arrested for Making Fur Coats with Neighbor’s Cats

Waco | An 85-year-old Texas woman has been arrested by local law enforcement after being caught on film kidnapping one of her neighbor’s cats with which she is accused of making fur coats.

The recent disappearance of domestic animals in the neighborhood started to arise suspicion from local residents when some people started to notice the old lady’s particular fur coats, some even recognizing their cats in the coat’s furs, a fact the lady vehemently denied before being caught on videotape by a private detective hired by local residents to follow the suspicious lady.

To read more on this story, click here: Little Old Lady Arrested for Making Fur Coats with Neighbor’s Cats

Matthew Morrison Says His ‘Heart Is Broken’ Over Alleged Dog Abuse On Film Set

Actor Matthew Morrison expressed outrage on Friday over reports that a dog was abused during the filming of “Crazy Alien,” the upcoming science fiction movie he stars in.

A whistleblower reportedly sent animal rights group PETA disturbing footage of what the group says is a caged German shepherd being dropped into a river on the film’s set in Changsha, China.

“I’ve just been made aware and seen a video from the set of a film I worked on in China,” the “Glee” star tweeted. “My heart is broken to see any animal treated this way. Had I been on set or known about this, I would have made all efforts to stop this. I’ve called the producers to express my outrage.”  

To read more on this story, click here: Matthew Morrison Says His ‘Heart Is Broken’ Over Alleged Dog Abuse On Film Set

Starving Horses Ate Aluminum Siding Off House, Sheriff Says as Crews Clean Up Bodies in Maryland

QUANTICO, Md. — With a brisk wind blowing under gray skies, Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis stood in front of a farm trying to describe what he had just seen behind the house. 

"The siding — aluminum siding — was eaten off the house, and fiberglass insulation had been pulled out," said a visibly shaken Lewis on Saturday. "Those horses were so hungry, they had broken the glass sliding doors on the back of the house, trying to get in and find something to eat. There's mud and broken glass all around the back of the house."

More than two dozen dead horses in varying degrees of decay were discovered at the farm and reported to the sheriff's office Friday morning, which is when an investigation at the 2.13-acre property began. The land is owned by Clayton P. and Barbara L. Pilchard, according to Maryland property records.

Marjie Cancil, who lives near the farm, drove past Saturday afternoon and stopped to see what was happening.

To read more on this story, click here: Starving Horses Ate Aluminum Siding Off House, Sheriff Says as Crews Clean Up Bodies in Maryland

Fontana Man Arrested for Badly Abusing Kitten, Police Say

FONTANA, Calif. (FOX 11) - Fontana police arrested a man for allegedly trying to kill a kitten -- several times. Despite the horrendous abuse reported, the kitten named "Olive" lived.

Lucio Cota Lopez, 34, was arrested Tuesday for the alleged assault of a 3 to 4-month-old stray kitten. An investigation revealed Lopez was upset with the kitten for entering the apartment.

Witnesses reported Lopez allegedly placed the kitten in the freezer, and later took the kitten out and began squeezing its body as the frightened kitten cried out in pain.

To read more on this story, click here: Fontana Man Arrested for Badly Abusing Kitten, Police Say

Florida Dairy Workers Seen Beating And Kicking Cows In Undercover Video

A Florida dairy farm is under criminal investigation after an undercover video from an animal rights group revealed workers kicking cows in the head and beating them with metal rods.

The video was shot by a member of Animal Recovery Mission who went undercover in August as a farm worker at Larson Dairy in Okeechobee County. The footage shows men brutally abusing cows as the bovines cower and duck their heads. In some cases, the cows are unable to get away because they are confined by bars meant to restrain them for the milking process.

Larson Dairy was a supplier of Publix Super Markets, which has announced it suspended deliveries from the farm in the wake of the video, the Associated Press reports. Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen announced Thursday that he had launched a criminal investigation into the farm.

To read more on this story, click here: Florida Dairy Workers Seen Beating And Kicking Cows In Undercover Video

Five Meatballs Found at a Dog Park Embedded with Fish Hooks

Ormond Beach, Florida - A sheriff's office on Florida's east coast was given a heads up Tuesday, Nov. 7, of five pieces of meat found at a dog park. Upon inspecting the meat, it was discovered fish hooks were embedded in small meatballs.

At least one dog was seen eating the meat at the Michael Crotty Bicentennial Park, according to a Facebook post by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office 

Sheriff's Deputy Donna Bowen visited the park and found an additional contaminated meatball. Finding no others, she reviewed them with the person who found the first batch and noticed they were cold and sweating, like they were frozen and sitting in the sun.

The deputy searched the park -- plus an adjacent area -- and found no other meatballs.

The county's animal control called an area veterinary hospital, which did an X-ray on the dog but found no hooks inside the animal. 

Police aren't sure who placed the meat, however, Bowen responded to a similar report at the same park two years ago.

Florida Officials: Worst Case of Animal Cruelty - More Than 50 Animals Found Tied to Trees as Irma Approaches

West Palm Beach, Florida  -- Officials are calling it animal cruelty like they've never seen before.

As Hurricane Irma’s outer bands inch closer to Florida, animal control officers said they are hustling to rescue abandoned animals.

And these aren't pets who are just being left inside, Director of Animal Care Diane Suave said.

“They are left in a yard, in a pen they cannot escape from or tethered to trees or poles,” she said.

Palm Beach County Animal Care reports animal control officers have rescued 49 dogs and two cats in the last 48 hours.

“Even a tiny bit of sand can hurt an animal when it’s traveling through 100-plus mph winds,” Sauve said.

Animal control officers were slowly pulled off the road at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Sauve said once winds reach a sustained 35 mph, no officers will be permitted to rescue animals.

“We are asking the public, if it is safe, consider sheltering any animals you see left outside,” she said.

Both Sauve and State Attorney Dave Aronberg said they promise to prosecute anyone who left their animals outside to fend for themselves during Hurricane Irma.

“This is a prime example of animal cruelty,” Aronberg said. “We will find you, and we will prosecute you.”

Sauve said officials will use every paper trail imaginable to track down animal cruelty offenders.

“It’s unconscionable,” she said. “We will not stand for it here in Palm Beach County.”