Showing posts with label Animal Cruelty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animal Cruelty. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
College Football Star ‘Suspended Indefinitely’ Over Animal Abuse Investigation
A Missouri State football star was suspended indefinitely after allegedly punching a dog three times and breaking its jaw, according to reports Sunday.
Bears quarterback Breck Ruddick, 20, hit the 42-pound Australian shepherd so hard, the pooch, Luca, lost teeth and was rushed to a vet with a shattered jaw, the Daily Mail reported.
The player was suspended Friday for “conduct detrimental to the team” just hours after a Facebook post detailing the attack emerged, the paper reported.
The player lost his cool, punched the dog and let him “run off, all alone and bleeding profusely,” Shelby Filbeck, a friend of the dog’s owner, Katie Riggs, wrote in a Facebook post Friday afternoon.
Riggs “spent the whole night looking for her dog,” Filbeck said, according to the Daily Mail.
On Saturday, the college said the suspension was linked to the animal abuse allegations. Reddick won’t play again “until the situation is resolved,” said athletic director Kyle Moats.
To read more on this story, click here: College Football Star ‘Suspended Indefinitely’ Over Animal Abuse Investigation
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Monday, September 12, 2016
Humane Society of the United States Offering $5K Reward In Gruesome Killing of Cat in Elkton, Maryland
Elkton, Maryland - The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in the gruesome killing of a cat in Maryland.
On September 7, 2016, authorities say a cat was found burned to death in an apartment complex in Hollingsworth Manor in Elkton, Maryland.
Investigators believe it was severely tortured and then set on fire.
“It is absolutely horrific to imagine someone intentionally and viciously harming an innocent cat in this way,” said Emily Hovermale, The HSUS’ Maryland state director. “Whoever would commit such a crime is clearly a dangerous person, and we are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call the Cecil County Animal Services at 410-441-2040.
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Friday, August 19, 2016
Retired FBI Agent, Jaquin “Jack” Garcia is Now the Director of Investigations for Guardians of Rescue
Guardians of Rescue has a reputation for helping animals, as well as veterans. But they are about to become even more effective when it comes to bringing animal abusers to justice. The animal rescue organization announces that they brought on Joaquin “Jack” Garcia, a former FBI agent, to head up the unit that investigates reports of animal cruelty.
“Bringing Jack Garcia on board is great news for us, and bad news for those who abuse animals,” says Robert Misseri, founder and president of Guardians of Rescue. “Jack is the best there is at investigating such things and will get to the bottom of complicated animal abuse cases. This is one more giant step in helping the animals.”
Garcia spent 26 years as an FBI agent and was even dubbed by some as being the best undercover agent in the history of the FBI. He worked on over 100 undercover investigations, and his last case he went undercover as mobster “Jack Falcone” for many years, which helped get 39 convictions of Mafia figures. Today, he’s retired from the FBI, but ready to take on investigating those who abuse animals and help bring them to justice.
With the Guardians of Rescue, Garcia will be acting on larger complaints of animal abuse, cruelty, and neglect. As a investigator, he will be working with a group of licensed private investigators who are retired law enforcement that will aid in the investigations and assist with gathering information that can be used in animal cruelty cases. These cases may involve a range of issues such as hoarding, dog fighting, illegal breeding, etc. He will be working with the local state and federal authorities to investigate and document his findings.
“I’m happy to be able to put my skills and experience to use helping uncover animal cruelty,” says Jack Garcia. “Working with Guardians of Rescue I am confident we will be able to hold people accountable for the animal cruelty they are participating in. After years of investigating drug dealers, organized crime, murder for hire etc., the acts of violence on defenseless animals is as vicious as some of the crimes I’ve investigated.”
Guardians of Rescue provides assistance to animals out on the streets, helping to rescue them, provide medical care, food and shelter, and find foster-home placements. They are also instrumental in helping military members with their pets, and to provide service dogs to veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. To learn more, get involved, or to make a donation to support the Guardians of Rescue, log onto www.guardiansofrescue.org.
About Guardians of Rescue
Based in New York, Guardians of Rescue is an organization whose mission is to protect the well being of all animals. They provide aid to animals in distress, including facilitating foster programs, rehabilitation, assisting other rescue groups, and providing support to families, both military and not, who need assistance due to economic factors. To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, visit the site at www.guardiansofrescue.org.
To learn more about Guardians of Rescue, click HERE.
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Thursday, July 21, 2016
Washington Humane Society-Washington Animal Rescue League: 63 Cats and Kittens Surrendered in DC Hoarding Case
Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society -Washington Animal Rescue League Animal Control and Humane Law Enforcement Officers have removed 63 cats and kittens from a home in Northwest Washington following a case of hoarding and inhumane treatment of animals. The animals belonged to two women who had been living illegally in the residence.
On Tuesday evening, July 19, WHS-WARL Officers reported to the 800 block Decatur Avenue, NW after being contacted by the realtor for the home. Officers arrived to find 63 cats on the property. Of those 63 cats, 27 are kittens under one month old.
Upon entering the house, officers observed deplorable conditions inside, with feces located throughout the house both inside and outside of litter boxes. There were between 20 -25 cats located inside the home. Further investigation revealed a U-Haul van in the rear of the building containing approximately 20 adult cats and more than 30 kittens of various ages. Many of the cats and kittens are suffering from Upper Respiratory Infections, are underweight, and were overheated due to confinement in the U-Haul trailer.
“This is an extreme case of hoarding and inhumane treatment of animals,” said Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO of WHS-WARL. “These cats and kittens, most of whom are in very vulnerable condition, will require medical care, proper nutrition and humane living conditions – all of which they have been denied until the moment they entered our care. With an intake of 63 cats and kittens over a 24 hour period, WHS-WARL’s ability to house these animals and provide them with the resources they need will be taxed. Thankfully, we expect to adopt more than 150 animals on Saturday at a special adoptions event which should allow us to give these cats and kittens undivided attention and space for recovery.”
Officers removed 38 cats and kittens on Tuesday evening and returned to the property Wednesday to remove the remaining animals. The cats and kittens were immediately taken to the Animal Care facility at New York Avenue where they will be evaluated by WHS-WARL medical staff.
This WHS-WARL Humane Law Enforcement case remains under investigation.
The special adoption event referred to is Clear the Shelters, an annual national program that offers fee-waived adoptions to qualified adopters on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Both WHS-WARL Adoption Centers (71 Oglethorpe Street, NW and 1201 New York Avenue, NE) will be open for this program.
UPDATE ON THIS CASE:
WHS-WARL Officers recovered 44 cats and kittens from the home. The residents of the home took approximately 20 cats when they left the address overnight.
The Washington Humane Society -Washington Animal Rescue League combined organization cares for more than 60,000 animals annually. The broad range of programs offered include: rescue and adoption, humane law enforcement, low-cost veterinary services, animal care & control, behavior and training, spay-neuter services, humane education, and many others. Operating four animal-care facilities in Washington, D.C., the organization occupies a significant footprint in the District, and serves as a resource to current pet guardians and prospective adopters across the region.
The Pet Tree House will keep you updated on their availability for adoption.
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Sunday, July 10, 2016
Rockville Woman Charged with 66 Counts of Animal Cruelty After 66 Dogs Were Seized from Her Home
Montgomery County police charged a 47-year-old woman with 66 counts of animal cruelty Wednesday after 66 dogs were seized Jan. 1 from her home on Glen Mill Road in Rockville.
Police said Katherine Ting Tiong, of the 1300 block of Glen Mill Road, was attempting to operate an animal rescue service named Forever Homes Animal Rescue out of her home. However, when investigators with the police department’s Animal Services Division entered the property, they found numerous signs of neglect.
Police said most of the dogs were contained in soiled crates and were suffering from a variety of ailments such as eye and ear infections, urine-soaked fur and matted hair.
“This is the largest number of dogs ever seized in one case I’ve ever seen in my career,” Officer Jack Breckenridge, a 13-year veteran of the Animal Services Division, said Thursday.
Breckenridge said police were investigating a report about a dog bite when he first approached the house at the end of December. At first, he said he guessed there were 10 dogs in the house, but the next day when police returned with a search warrant, they discovered dozens of dogs.
“We entered the house and it was overwhelming the volume of dogs that were in the space provided for them,” Breckenridge said. “It was substantially less than what would be normally required for 66 dogs.”
He said loose dogs and dogs being kept in crates covered every space inside the house that wasn’t occupied by items being stored.
“Name a breed and it was probably there,” Breckenridge said. He added that there’s no special license required to run a dog rescue service.
Three of the dogs were in such poor condition that they had to be euthanized at the Montgomery County shelter, police said. Another dog died of unknown causes, which police are investigating.
The dogs have been cared for at the county shelter in Derwood since being seized. Police said several have been adopted, but many still remain at the shelter. Those that remain are now up for adoption, but some suffer from medical problems or behavioral issues, police said.
“In the past, we have seen Montgomery County residents step up and provide loving homes for our ‘special needs’ animals,” shelter manager Kate Walker said in a statement. Potential adopters are encouraged to visit the shelter at 7315 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, or call the shelter at 240-773-5900.
Tiong was released on bond after being arrested Jan. 1.
The Animal Services Division also released photos Thursday of some of the dogs before and after being treated at the shelter.
You can read the initial story here: Montgomery County, Maryland Police Seized 66 Dogs from a Rockville Woman's Home on New Year’s Day
Clementine, one of the dogs seized from the home on Glen Mill Road in Rockville
Wendell, left, and Clark, right, before being treated
Clark and Wendell after. Photo by V. Ocampo
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Saturday, July 9, 2016
Montgomery County, Maryland Police Seized 66 Dogs from a Rockville Woman's Home on New Year’s Day
A search warrant was executed Jan. 1, and it took 16 hours for animal services to find and track all of the dogs in the house.
“When they went in, they saw the conditions, they saw the circumstances, and at that point in time, what we thought was maybe 20-plus dogs, it ended up being over 60 dogs – 66 in total,” said Tom Koenig of Montgomery County Animal Services.
On Monday, FOX 5’s Emily Miller saw dog food piled up inside the house and dog feces all over the backyard. The owner was not home.
“I've been doing this 11 years and this is the most dogs I’ve ever seen seized,” said Koenig.
The 66 dogs were taken to the county shelter. They are different breeds, sizes and ages. Some of them required immediate medical care.
“It was a variety of conditions. Some okay, some not so okay,” Koenig said.
Currently, the dogs are being kept out of public view because they are considered evidence in an ongoing investigation.
The owner could face criminal charges, including animal cruelty and abuse.
The shelter says it will advertise on its website when the dogs that were seized are ready to be adopted. Until then, they have plenty of other dogs available.
Learn more about adoption: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/asd
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Thursday, March 24, 2016
Former Ravens Defensive Tackle Terrence Cody: Sentenced to Nine Months in County Jail, After He Was Convicted on Misdemeanor Animal Cruelty Charges
Former Ravens defensive tackle Terrence Cody was sentenced
to nine months in county jail, after he was convicted on misdemeanor animal
cruelty charges.
According to Alison Knezevich of the Baltimore Sun, Cody
faced more than two years in jail. He was convicted in November of two
misdemeanor drug charges and multiple misdemanors regarding the death of his
dog Taz.
Prosecutors said the dog was starved to death. He was also
convicted of illegally possessing an alligator (of course).
The Ravens drafted Cody in the second round in 2010. He
only played one game in 2014, and was released last February.
You may be interested in reading:
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
WHS/WARL to Receive 11 Dogs to Assist with HSUS Arkansas Puppy Mill Bust – Wednesday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m.
WHAT:
Washington Humane Society/Washington Animal Rescue League to receive 11
dogs to assist with HSUS Arkansas puppy mill bust
WHEN:
Wednesday, March 16
2:00 p.m.*
(Exact time TBD, contact Matt Williams – 202-280-9412 for timing)
WHERE:
Washington Humane Society/Washington Animal Rescue League
71
Oglethorpe Street, NW
Washington,
DC 20011
INFORMATION:
On March 3, 2016, the Humane Society of the United States rescued 295
dogs from a suspected puppy mill in Madison County, Arkansas. On the property, animals were living in
dangerous and filthy conditions. Many of the dogs were housed in tiny cages
covered with feces and lacking clean water and food. The animals were removed and transported to a
temporary emergency shelter where they were thoroughly examined by teams of
veterinarians and received necessary medical treatment. The dogs were then sent to partner shelters
(including WHS/WARL) for continued care and adoption.
To read more on this
story, click here: Thanks to a Call into the Puppy Mill Tip Line for theHumane Society of Arkansas: 295 Puppies Were Rescued from a Horrific Living Situation
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Friday, March 11, 2016
L.A. County Animal Control to 'Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan: Show Us the Pig
Before they wrap up a probe into allegations of animal
cruelty involving “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan, Los Angeles County animal
control officials want to see the pot-bellied pig that was attacked by a French
bulldog mix during a TV episode.
Investigators also want the names of everyone who appeared
on the Feb. 26 episode of National Geographic Wild’s “Cesar 911” show.
Then they will decide whether the canine-on-swine-related
violence rises to the level of a crime, officials said Friday.
“We know what we saw, and if you saw the entire video, then
you know what we know,” said Aaron Reyes, deputy director for the County of
L.A. Department of Animal Care and Control. “There’s no question that what happened.
A dog under Cesar Millan’s control escaped and attacked another live animal, in
this case a pot-bellied pig.”
In a statement, National Geographic Wild does not dispute
that the French bulldog mix, named Simon, attacked the pig during training. The
dog reportedly bit the pig in the ear, drawing blood. Later in the episode, the
same pig appears to be leashed to the dog on a walk around a pen in an attempt
to train it to co-exist with pigs – which was a big problem for Simon.
But Reyes said context is important in investigating
allegations of animal cruelty, which were lodged Thursday by an animal rights
activist who saw the episode.
“The dog that was in question, that Cesar was attempting to
train, broke away from him in the video, and immediately charged the pig. Now,
what we’re hearing from the [complaining party] is that the biggest concern is
someone had that pig, a male adult was holding one of those pigs, those rear
legs, and holding the pig up, which made the pig squeal, which made the dog
into a frenzy. And it immediately charged at that pig. And the dog attacked,”
Reyes said.
To read more on this story, click here: L.A. County Animal Control to 'Dog Whisperer' Cesar Millan: Show Us the Pig
You may be interested in reading: Cesar Millan, ('DogWhisperer') is Fully Cooperating with Authorities in Animal Cruelty Investigation
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Thirteen Bald Eagles Found Dead on the Eastern Shore Last Month Did Not Die of Natural Causes
Thirteen bald eagles found dead on the Eastern Shore last
month did not die of natural causes, federal wildlife officials said Thursday.
Necropsy results of the eagles found in Federalsburg on
Feb. 20 ruled out disease, including avian influenza, according to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
"Our investigation is now focused on human causes and
bringing to justice the person(s) responsible for the death of these
eagles," wildlife officials said in a statement.
A $25,000 reward is available for information leading to
the arrest and convictions of the suspected offenders.
Anyone with information should call John LaCorte, a special
agent for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Law Enforcement, at
410-228-2476 or the Maryland Natural Resources Police hotline at 800-628-9944.
You may be interested in reading: Thirteen Bald Eagles Found Dead on a Maryland Farm: MayHave Been Poisoned
Saturday, March 5, 2016
Smurf, the Abused Kitten that Was Dyed Purple and Abandoned, Makes a Full Recovery
Remember the abused kitten that was dyed purple and
abandoned in a box on the side of a Northern California road? Well, after about
two months of much-needed recovery, the little fluff ball that stole the
Internet's heart is hardly recognizable.
His silvery fur has grown back, and his wounds are fully
healed. Aside from his name, Smurf, the only remnants of his former purple
coloring are small marks around his elbows and ears.
Smurf rose to Internet fame after animal rescue
organization 9 Lives Foundation posted
heartbreaking photos of the injured and emaciated kitten on its Facebook page.
Smurf had been found in a box with a 105 degree temperature and would go on to
need surgery, stitches and a slew of antibiotics to cure infections.
Fortunately, it looks like he got the help he needed.
Smurf has been adopted by a veterinarian who was caring for
him shortly after he began recovering. In case you're wondering, the vet also
adopted Wanda, a blind kitten that Smurf had befriended once he got to the
animal shelter. Both felines showed signs of abuse and bonded quickly, the
organization said on its Facebook page at the time.
This was them a few months ago:
Smurf with his friend Wanda, another kitten at the shelter.
Best friends for life.
According to the Smurf and Wanda Facebook page, Smurf often
helps Wanda navigate the world.
TLC has made a world of difference for these two resilient
felines. You can follow their adventures on Smurf and Wanda,
a Facebook page Smurf and Wanda's owner has set up.
You may be interested in reading the initial post that I
posed about Smurf:
Back on January 1, 2016, I posted a story about a
2-month-old kitten that was dyed purple. You can read that post here: Two-Month-Old Kitten Dyed Purple and Used as a Chew Toy for a Dog
You may also be interested in reading: Remember the Kittenthat Was Dyed Purple? He Has Befriended Wanda, a Blind Kitten that Also Residesat the Shelter
Remember the Kitten that Was Dyed Purple? He Has Befriended Wanda, a Blind Kitten that Also Resides at the Shelter
Back on January 1, 2016, I posted a story about a 2-month-old kitten that was dyed purple. You can read that post here:
He was named Smurf, and is now the Internet’s latest animal
inspiration.
At just 1.75 pounds, the tiny cat was found in a box on the
side of the road running a temperature of 105. Smurf, who was brought to the
San Jose Animal Care Center and taken to the Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood
City, California to recover, had been dyed purple and showed apparent signs of
abuse in the form of bite wounds and gashes.
"I believe that, for someone's amusement, this kitten
was used as a chew toy for their dog,” Dr. Monica Rudiger of the Nine Lives
Foundation told ABC News.
Though Smurf has experienced an extremely difficult few
weeks, he’s not letting his journey discourage him. It's clear that this small
kitten has a big personality, which he has used to befriend Wanda, a blind
kitten that also resides at the shelter.
The resilient felines have developed a touching bond, which
includes giving each other body massages and baths. In fact, the foundation
shared that Wanda has even taken on a purple hue from snuggling with Smurf.
Talk about a purr-fect pair!
While Rudiger appreciates that Smurf’s tale of survival
going is going viral, she shared with CNN, “...I hope the message is
long-lasting that animal cruelty is real and this is just one guy who's
experienced it.”
A good Sunday morning to everyone! SMURF is bright eyed today & eating like a champ! SMURF and his blind roommate WANDA...
Posted by Nine Lives Foundation on Sunday, January 3, 2016
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Daytona Beach Police Are Investigating a Photo on Facebook of a Dog with His Mouth Taped Shut
A picture posted to Facebook showing a dog with its mouth
taped has sparked an investigation with the Daytona Beach Police Department,
according to a news release.
A man who lists his name on Facebook as Bryan Futur Gomez posted the picture to his page on Sunday. The dog is seen lying on the floor
seemingly between two people with blue tape wrapped around its muzzle. Also on
the floor is an orange box and bits of paper scattered around.
In the photo caption, Gomez claims the dog is his, although
that hasn't been verified. He writes that taping a dog's mouth is the wrong way
to punish the animal and that he wanted to demonstrate that.
He claims the dog's mouth was taped for "emergency
purposes only" using a stretchable tape with the adhesive portion folded
inward so it could come on and off. He added that if his post gets 400 shares
he'll post a video showing tricks the dog has been trained to do.
Gomez has not returned the Orlando Sentinel's request for
comment.
Hundreds of people have shared and commented on the
Facebook post to criticize the actions seen in the photo. Many of those same
users contacted the Daytona Beach Police Department urging them to investigate
the photo.
The department released a statement saying that animal
control officers are currently working to identify the person who taped the
dog's mouth shut so they can determine if any charges should be filed.
A spokesman said Wednesday that the Daytona Beach Police
Department is trying to locate a suspect but no other information or updates
were available.
Daytona police investigated a similar incident in November when a woman named Katharine Lemansky posted a photo to Facebook of
a chocolate lab-mix with its mouth taped shut. The woman was from South Daytona
but was in Cary, N.C. when she made the post.
In that case, animal control officers in Cary found that
the dog seemed to be well taken care of with no signs of injury, so Lemansky
was able to keep the canine but she was charged with animal cruelty.
You may be interested in reading:
Friday, February 26, 2016
Remember the Puppy That Was Shot 18 Times with a BB Gun? He Has Been Adopted!
Both of them have been recently hurt. Brody was shot 18
times with a BB gun, and Kailey lost her best friend and life-long dog,
Woodrow.
"When I lost Woodrow, I thought I lost half my heart.
Now I got that other half back," Kailey said with a smile you could see
from the moon.
Woodrow died two months ago and left Kailey devastated.
According to her mother Carla, "It broke her heart, and the hardest thing
to see as a parent is your child hurt. Brody is actually piecing that heart
back together for her."
The match seemed hand-crafted in heaven. Carla works at the
pet hospital Brody was taken to when officers discovered he'd been shot. Kailey
was one of the first people to see him, before he became a viral star on the
internet.
"The first time she met him she looked in his eyes and
said he reminded her of Woodrow, and I knew right then that she had picked her
puppy," Carla said.
Brody was hurt, and Kailey was hurt. Now the two are
helping each other recover.
X-rays show that the BB's are still inside Brody, but
officials said he is doing okay. He is expected to make a full recovery.
De'Monte Ty'Juan Douglas, 17, is charged with felony first
degree cruelty to animals. A 14-year-old was also petitioned to family court
and released to his parents pending that court appearance. His name has not
been released due to his age.
Douglas was in court Wednesday morning. His bond was set at
$5,000.
Since the incident, Brody has brought in attention from all
over the country.
Dr. Jay Hreiz said the hospital has been getting “hundreds
of calls a day about him.”
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Two Teenagers Have Been Arrested for Shooting a 6-Week-Old Puppy with a BB Gun
Rock Hill, S.C. – Two teenagers have been arrested for
shooting a 6-week-old puppy repeatedly with a BB gun, police said Tuesday.
Police said that 17-year-old De’Monte Ty’Juan Douglas and a
14-year-old male are responsible for shooting the puppy 18 times with a BB gun.
Officials say that both teens live at the apartment complex where the puppy was
found off Springdale Road Sunday.
Since the arrests, hundreds of people have responded with
interest in adopting the pup. Despite being shot more than a dozen times with a
BB gun, doctors say the puppy, named Brody, appears to be on track to a full
recovery.
Aside from several gaps in his fur, Brody is back to doing
what puppies should be doing, according to Jay Hreiz, a Veterinarian at
Ebenezer Animal Hospital, who is caring for Brody.
“We find BBs in dogs all the time and they generally don’t
cause a big issue,” Hreiz said. “They’re inert, they’re not moving, they’re not
puncturing organs or making him overtly uncomfortable.”
Hospital personnel say no more applications will be
accepted for Brody’s adoption, and they hope that process takes place in the
next couple of days.
“It’s just been an overwhelming amount of support and you
know it was a very sad beginning, but I think it’s going to be a very happy ending
for him,” said Hreiz.
The two teens face cruelty to animals in the first degree
and if convicted can face up to five years in prison.
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Thirteen Bald Eagles Found Dead on a Maryland Farm: May Have Been Poisoned
Thirteen bald eagles found dead near a farm on Maryland’s
Eastern Shore may have been poisoned, authorities say, in the largest single
die-off of bald eagles in the state in 30 years.
Officials with the Maryland Natural Resources Police said
they received a call around 2:30 p.m. Saturday from a man who said he was out
looking for antlers that deer might have shed. The man came across what he
initially thought was a dead turkey in a field on a farm in Caroline County. He
discovered it was four dead bald eagles.
When officers arrived, they found nine additional dead bald
eagles in the field on Laurel Grove Road in Federalsburg.
It was not immediately clear what had caused the birds to
die, but there were “no obvious signs of trauma with these birds,” according to
Candy Thomson, a natural resources police spokeswoman.
“A working theory is poisoning,” Thomson said Monday night.
She added that someone may have sprayed a new chemical on a field that
adversely affected the birds. Or someone may have used poison to kill rodents;
if the rodents died outdoors and the eagles consumed their carcasses, the birds
could get sick too.
“We just don’t know right now, which is why we’re asking
the public if they heard anything, if they saw anything, we want to know about
it,” Thomson said.
A reward of $2,500 is being offered for information in the
case.
The discovery of 13 dead bald eagles was the largest single
incident in decades for the state, officials said. At least three of the birds
were mature, with the signature white heads and brown bodies. Two of the birds
were close to being mature birds, officials said, and the rest were considered
immature birds with no white feathers.
“It’s been 30 years since we’ve seen anything like this
involving this many dead bald eagles,” Thomson said. “Three mature eagles, the
ones we all love that look like the national bird, are gone.
“It’s sad that we have three eagles of mating ability that
have been eliminated from our population.”
Thomson said the birds were tagged and the scene was
photographed. The natural resources police and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service are investigating the incident.
Thomson said half a dozen investigators were at work on the
case. They combed the field to look for other dead animals — none were found —
and sent the dead eagles for examination to a lab in Oregon, which Thomson
called the “best lab in the world.”
“This is significant,” said Catherine Hibbard, an agency
spokeswoman. She said one investigator on the case said “he’s never seen that
many dead at one time” in his eight years of work on the Eastern Shore.
Thirty years ago, officials said, eight bald eagles were
found dead in Maryland. Officials said they believe those birds may have been
poisoned.
And two years ago, two bald eagles were shot and killed in
a week in Montgomery County. It is illegal to shoot eagles without a permit
from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In that case in Montgomery County, one eagle was found shot
Christmas Day in a field in Brookville. The bird was feeding on a deer carcass
when it was shot, officials said.
Officials had said they thought the Brookville case was one
of mistaken identity where someone might have seen a bird sitting on a carcass
of a deer and thought they were shooting a vulture.
A few days later, another eagle was found near a residence
in Darnestown. That bird was found alive, but it died of its injuries. Police
said an X-ray showed the eagle had been hit by bird shot. In the Darnestown
case, officials said they were worried because someone came into a residential
area and was possibly shooting where they should not have been.
Bald eagles are no longer on the endangered species list,
but they are considered a protected species, according to the natural resources
police.
Anyone with information is asked to call 410-228-2476.
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