The Missouri 75
In late February an Ozark County breeder set fire to his kennel. River Valley Kennel, owned by Michael VanderWall, had been under investigation since September. At that time he signed over 50 dogs because he couldn’t meet the licensing requirements. He was given until January 31st to get the proper licensing and pass inspection.
VanderWall continued to operate without a license and on February 24th, after setting the dogs loose, he (allegedly) set fire to the buildings on his property. He was said to be distraught over the recent separation from his wife, financial issues, and the possibility of losing his animals.
Dogs that Rold said were classified as “critical” are being moved today, including injured dogs or mothers and puppies. The Central Missouri Humane Society is taking 14 dogs, including bull terriers, boxers, German shorthaired pointers and two English springer spaniel mothers with seven puppies younger than 2 weeks, Rold said.
The Kansas City-based English Springer Rescue of America will take as many as 50 dogs, Rold said, and other cooperating rescue organizations will take others.
The breeder specialized in English springer spaniels and German short-hair pointers, Rold said. A Web site advertising the River Valley Kennel and Ranch in Gainesville specializing in those breeds identified the breeder as Michael VanderWall.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has also stepped in and is working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to help place the dogs in rescue groups. If you would like to help the Missouri 75, visit the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America and/or Midwest PAWS to find out how to make a donation or foster.
The owner of River Valley Kennels is currently incarcerated in MO, facing felony arson charges. Additional charges may follow.
*Photo courtesy Michelle Salyers/ GSP Rescue
there is NOTHING quite like a GSP, no wait, make that NO ONE. These are wonderful companions and make great house dogs. They are neat, easy to train, and once they learn what pleases you/displeases you they REMEMBER forever.
I’m not saying that Sunshine won’t steal the butter if no one’s looking, or Wings won’t occasionally shred something fabric…hey, nobody’s perfect. BUT they are truly ashamed afterward and months go by without incident. Spot is very sweet but touchy with her sisters, and old Betty, well she’s just plain strange. BUT after having had many dogs over my lifetime, a number NOT GSPs, I can say that without a doubt, GSPs are the BEST, most loving, most loyal and devoted dogs I have ever had, along with being the smartest (and unfortunately sometimes the craftiest).
If you love to be loved, enjoy doggie “pranks”, can give plenty of companionship and a little time for romps and fetch, this dog is for you. It helps if the have little jobs, like fetching the paper, and they LOVE to pick up if you show them how. I once had a boy that would carry stove wood for me from the bed of the truck to where we stacked it. Couldn’t teach him to stack it, but he’d spend a lot of time and energy (and save me the same) running back and forth across my yard.
Another chore he had on a weekly basis was digging a new hole to deposit his deposits. He was smarter than some folks I’ve met, and had a bigger vocabulary.
i could go on about these, the sweetest most loving, most eager to please babies, but I don’t want to bore you, just want to affirm how wonderful the German Shorthaired Pointer is.
NO BETTER BREED!!!
This story broke my heart, but I’m so happy and NEVER more proud to be a volunteer with my local GSP Rescue organization.
I have 3 GSPs – all of whom were rescued – and they are an amazing breed. They need and enjoy a lot of off-lead running time per day, thus this magnificent and unique breed is NOT for every home. But if you’re active, have a balanced sense of humor and willing to let your GSP run with supervision in rain, sleet or snow, sunshine or moonshine – there’s no better breed.
The abhorrence of the above story is incomprehensible.
GSPs ROCK!!!!!!
Thanks to Raytown Animal Hospital and all the volunteers that had helped. KC Spay and Neuter and many other local organizations. Kudos to you all. Thank you Dr. Snow for the use of your clinic and housing the dogs until they could be placed.
A friend of mine who lives behind the clinic commented to me of how much she enjoyed the dogs frolicking in the back of the property.
It was wonderful to see that many cars outside the clinic ready to transport these pups to a better life!
All in all, I’m proud of my town and all the KC area organizations who came to the rescue!
I need to correct the above: Thank you Dr. Heath Rose for the use of your facility.