Two gorgeous dogs were adopted out only to be kept in a storage unit, the DA won’t prosecute the person responsible, and now the dogs are back at a kill shelter.

We need to get these dogs a home, and there is no time to waste. Then, we need to contact the DA and demand the woman responsible for doing this be charged with animal cruelty.

Lumpkin County, GA Great Pyrenees kept in storage unit!!!

It just came to my attention today that two Great Pyrenees that were formally at the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter in Dahlonega, GA are BACK!

These two gentle giants were adopted out from there to a person who kept them in a STORAGE UNIT for the past two weeks!!!!

Sad thing is…I had those that wanted them…but they were given to someone who did this horrible act of animal cruelty to them! They are now back at the shelter yet I’m trying desperately to get them pulled! They need to see a vet! They need to get out of there! They NEED a NEW HOME!!!

Animal Control picked them up yesterday… but guess what? The DA in Lumpkin County GA will NOT prosecute the woman for animal cruelty!

First thing: PLEASE CALL THE DA’S OFFICE and beg them to prosecute this woman for putting these two gentle and sweet giants into a windowless storage untit filled with her garbage! He refused!!!

Lumpkin County DA: Stan Gunner, Asst. DA; Tom Wight

Call them to DEMAND that they file proper animal abuse charges against this person who put them in a darkened, windowless, environment!!!

706-864-6754

As said above….I am desperately looking to pull these two and get them first to a vet…and then on to a new home or with another rescue that can take them! Please be humble and pass this along to ALL that care about the animals! Help find them a home! If you can not…please consider donating towards the vet care they will need…or in the least…enough money to get them out of the kill shelter where they now linger so I can get them into a boarding facility…

They did nothing wrong in life…yet life has been so cruel to these two…they have spent their lives outdoors…and then sent to a kill shelter…then to a STORAGE UNIT FOR TWO WEEKS!!!…and NOW?! They’re back at the kill shelter!

PLEASE take the time to call the DA’s office! PLEASE take the time to donate even a dollar so I can get them pulled and out of that place!

Thank you!

Dave Stark, contact via email.

Angels Among Us (based out of Cumming, GA)

770-584-3565

She is currently being fostered at a wonderful home but needs her own permanent loving forever home.

Hope was neglected and abused until, as a 6-8 month old puppy, being thrown into a rock quarry in an attempt to drown her. Her spirit and determination allowed her to fight for an indeterminate amount of time, acquiring significant injuries to her feet and legs as she tried desperately to free herself. Somehow, she found a small ledge, where she huddled for another indeterminate amount until Fire and Rescue rock climbed and rafted her out. By this point, she was totally catatonic and responsive due to her fear.

The reason my home was chosen for foster care was because of the very special pack of rescued animals who lives here. There is a rescued fighting dog who was used as bait and subsequently lost a rear leg and underwent 3 surgeries, another dog that was abandoned twice before the age of 3 months who is now a Therapy Dog for humans and other animals, and three elderly cats who were abandoned at various stages in their life. They now work together to help other animals adjust and recover from bad situations. One of these cats keeps all arriving foster dogs company by spending the night sleeping in front of their crates, as well as by engaging in boxing matches with the dogs regardless of their size.

The other two cats perform grooming rituals on the foster animals, washing faces, ears and paws. The dogs patiently engage the newcomers, coaxing them out of their shells, educating the traumatized dogs about how to join a pack.

Within hours, this group had enticed Hope to let her guard down and engage in a bit of play with them. In a few days, she began to initiate interaction with me. In a week, she was allowing select strangers to approach her. In just a matter of a month or two, Hope transformed from catatonia into a happy, playful, engaging dog who has adopted the philosophy of “I’ve never met a stranger”. People are shocked to hear of her past when they meet her….they see her as a typical puppy.

We all knew that the magical pack could bring Hope around. We assumed that because of her public story (she was in the newspaper, and has her own journal on our website) she would find a home quickly. But despite the fact that Hope loves people–including kids, other dogs, and cats, and despite her good manners in a home environment, she has had little to no interest from potential adopters.

Unfortunately, in this tough economy, many people have chosen to forgo the added expense of a pet. Not only are people not adopting, many are actually dropping their family pets off at the pound to cut costs.

This is not a good time to be a dog without a home. But Hope is a fighter, and a survivor, and we continue to fight for her. We have spread the word about this wonderful girl in as many ways as we could think of.

Thank you to Amy, the volunteer at the shelter who sent me the letter as well as Hope’s  foster, for showing her that people are good. Let’s see if we can’t help find this beautiful girl a home in time for Christmas, what a gift that would be. If you are interested in Hope please contact the North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue for further information. You can also read Hope’s daily journal and see a video of this amazing girl, you’ll fall in love when you see her playing with the other pups.

Please tell everyone you know about Hope, send out emails, post and crosspost.  If we all work together we can find her the home she deserves. After all, where there’s faith, there’s HOPE.

Petey and Polly, pit bull mix puppies, are 1 of 3 rescued at 2 days old. Long story short, their mother was shot, and her litter put into a garbage bag to suffocate.

Kayla was able to save 3 of these cuties, but unfortunately the rest of the litter died. They were born 6-25-09, and are now 8 weeks old.  They’ve had a Bordetella vaccine and will get their first DHPP vaccine next week. Both are current on deworming and vet checks.

Petey and Polly are very special and need a loving home to live out their days.  Small adoption donation is to help cover the cost of puppy milk and vet bills. Neuter and spay contract required.

If you are interested in adopting either one you can reach Kayla at (740) 394-2854 or(740) 856-7119.  You can contact her via email , and  also visit  Petey and Polly’s Petfinders pages if you like.

Since the Eagles signed Michael Vick dog fighting has been the talk of the town in Philly. To add fuel to the fire, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports a dog fighting ring has been busted in Germantown which is just outside the city.

A tip from the animal-cruelty hotline sent officers from the Pennsylvania SPCA to a house in East Germantown. Several dead dogs were found and a few badly injured pit bulls were rescued.  Four men, one is the property owner, face charges.

Today, the Eagles plan to hold a summit of area animal-welfare groups at the NovaCare Complex, the team’s South Philadelphia training facility. Vick is not expected to attend.

“This particular bust is especially timely,” said Gail Luciani, the chief public relations officer for the Pennsylvania SPCA.

George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania SPCA, said the entire block where the bust took place is a mecca for dog fighting. Roughly 50-75 complaints come in each month, many off the hotline.

It’s great to hear there are people out there that care enough to call the hotline. To file reports of dog fighting and other animal cruelty, contact the Pennsylvania SPCA at 1-866-601-SPCA (7722) or via email.

The pup pictured above is one-month-old Petey, a pit bull mix, he was rescued by a Dogster member after his mother was shot and he (along with littermates) were left in a trash bag to die. He is up for adoption, watch for his full story on the blog tomorrow.

In Kaufman County Texas almost 600 dogs, along with some cats, were seized when the Humane Society and sheriff’s deputies raided a puppy mill.

The society said it started investigating the kennel, which is located near Prairieville just north of Mabank, when someone came to them asking for dog food donations. Representatives visited and found poor living conditions and malnourished dogs.

“If loving the animal is a criminal, then maybe I’m a criminal,” she said. “Because I work 6 o’clock in the morning until 11:30 at night taking care of these animals.

Representatives said most of the dogs were living in their own waste and many were under fed. Three dogs died after being rescued and several others have skin or foot conditions.

Watch FOX 4 reporter Fil Alvarado’s story.

If you can’t see the video click here.

Deputies said kennel owner, 72-year-old Margaret Boyd, faces animal cruelty charges.

Boyd told FOX 4 she is fighting to get the animals back. A court hearing is scheduled for Friday and both she and the Humane Society plan to ask for custody of the animals.

* Pic MyFOXDFW

The first of the chihuahuas rescued from the home of Kenneth Lang Jr. have been adopted.

On July 22nd over 90 dogs were found after authorities entered the property in Dearborn, Michigan.

The tan and chocolate-furred Chihuahua, who was one of 105 dogs rescued last month from a cramped and filthy Dearborn house, is now Som — renamed by his new owner Phuong Nguy of Royal Oak because the name represents the number three in Chinese.

Som and five other rescued Chihuahuas — Matador, Amuni, Bella, Angel and Tiny, also known as Precious Love — became the first to be adopted from the group when they were united Thursday with their new families in front of dozens of onlookers, news media and staff members at the Dearborn Animal Shelter on Greenfield Road.

The festive event featured toasts of sparkling white grape juice, a “Happy Re-Birthday” cake and smiles from the adoptive families, who were selected from more than 500 applicants.

“It was kind of love at first sight,” said the 29-year-old Nguy, holding Som upright in her arms as she described her choice.

While only six dogs left the shelter Thursday, more could be adopted out next week, shelter spokeswoman Sandra Boulton said. The dogs must pass a medical evaluation before they can be paired up with a prospective family. Before leaving the shelter, they are also spayed or neutered and microchipped.

The house which was filled with feces, trash strewn throughout, and dead dogs in the basement could be demolished within the next 60 days. Kenneth Lang Jr., the owner of the house, remains under psychiatric observation.

* Photos courtesy PATRICIA BECK/Detroit Free Press

I realize times are hard, but that’s when help is needed the most. I know there must be someone looking to adopt an adorable dog (look at those faces) or a rescue group that can step in and help this person.

Hello rescue friends-

This is a plea to help 3 stray dogs in my neighborhood in Decatur, GA. They need rescue or adoption. So far, Canela (left) is in a temporary foster home, but Ossa (middle) and Beethoven (bottom) are still in their respective yards.

The brief story is that these are dogs taken in off the street by one of my neighbors, who has a big heart but not the best situation to be taking in animals. Her husband is not an animal lover to say the least and would not allow her to keep them on their property. She has been keeping them in the back yards of 2 separate houses that have been vacant for some time. She feeds and visits with them daily, and they all at least have a rabies shot. Canela is spayed but due to my neighbor’s lack of transportation, the other 2 are still intact (they stay in separate yards).

My neighbor has limited resources to place the dogs – no car, no computer, limited command of English – and she also has a turbulent home life. I want to help place the dogs for their own sake, but also so that she can focus on her own problems. She was assaulted and ended up in jail about 2 weeks ago, which is when I was asked to feed the dogs. She was bailed out a few days later, but has a court date coming up and could be incarcerated again. Hopefully together we can find these dogs a better situation. I can help with vetting / transport for anyone who can take them.

Ossa (my neighbor says this means “little bird” in Spanish) is a fluffy black border collie mix (my best guess). She is about 2 years old and is playful and friendly. She is maybe 30 pounds.

Beethoven is a shepherd mix puppy who is just under a year old. I thought he would be bigger than he has turned out to be (a thick but compact 35 pounds or so), so maybe he is mixed with a smaller breed as well. He is extremely playful and enjoys belly rubs and lots of affection.

Canela (”cinnamon” in Spanish) is a beagle mix and her tail is cropped because something was wrong with it when she was found, like the others, tied to a tree or a building. She is learning manners in her foster home and is getting along with both dogs and cats. She is also about 30 pounds.

I would take these dogs myself but I already have 7 animals in my house. I appreciate your concern and thank you for your efforts. Any interested parties may contact me at this email address.

Please feel free to post and crosspost this message, time is of the essence.

After reading another story about an abused pit bull I’m beginning to think the real bully breed are humans.

This is a rather bizarre and twisted story. Here are the details from The Orange County Register.

MISSION VIEJO – A pit bull puppy stabbed seven times by one of its owners and then saved by a Mission Viejo rescue group earlier this year is for sale on Craigslist.

The ad put up at 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday advertises a bluenose pit bull that is 14 months old.

“Azure is a very lovable Pit Bull,” the ad says. “Unfortunately, my living situation is not working for a big dog like her. She is very loving and playful around people, however, I am still working on socializing her with other dogs. She weighs about 70Ibs and is very healthy and needs lots of exercise. I am asking $300 which includes her brand new dog house we just built, leash, harness, chain, whatever food I have left, treats, toys she hasn’t chewed up yet, certificates, medicines, ect. She is also spayed and up to date on all of her shots.”

The contact person for the ad is listed as “Erin.”

Erin Lup of Costa Mesa owns the dog and is the former girlfriend of Justin Carrafield, who is serving time for the stabbing earlier this year.

“I would like to come and visit her every so often and stay updated on her progression,” the ad said.

Azure was stabbed at a Mission Viejo apartment that Lup and her former boyfriend shared.

In late January Lup’s then-boyfriend, Justin Carrafield, 26, came off a Xanax binge, downed a bottle of alcohol and started fighting with Lup, she said at the time. He choked her and then directed his anger at Azure, stabbing the 8-month-old puppy seven times with a martial arts-style sword, authorities said.

Carrafield is serving a one-year sentence after pleading guilty to felony charges of animal cruelty and cultivating marijuana.

Though Lup had no money for the surgeries, Dr. Matthew Wheaton gave his staff instructions to do everything needed to save Azure. The puppy underwent surgery for the seven stab wounds, including one between its eyes.

Funds for the more than $5,000 in treatment came from Wheaton’s Pet Rescue Center – a Mission Viejo nonprofit dedicated to saving strays that would otherwise be euthanized.

Wheaton said he was shocked when a phone call came about the ad on Wednesday from a person who knew the clinic had donated money and time to save the dog.

He called Lup and offered to help find Azure a home through the Pet Rescue Center. He said he told her that if she made it a requirement to see the dog, it would be more difficult to find a stable home.

“I don’t think selling the dog on Craigslist is the right way to do it,” he said. “She needs to be OK with cutting ties and put the dog in a permanent home. We’ve had lots of pit bulls come through the Pet Rescue Center and they’re always adopted by someone who knows the breed and can provide them a stable and nurturing environment.”

The ad has been pulled from Craigslist. Let’s just hope that Azure is taken to a safe environment until she gets the loving home she deserves.

* Pic courtesy MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

If you’ve ever lost a dog you know how devastating it is. This story  proves no matter how much time has passed there’s always hope for a happy ending.

SYDNEY – Nine years after vanishing from outside her Australian family’s home, Muffy the dog was found alive and well this month in another backyard – 1,200 miles away – officials said Thursday.

Inspectors with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were investigating a possible animal cruelty case at a home in the southern city of Melbourne two weeks ago when they found the fluffy white mutt sleeping outside on a scrap of cardboard, Victoria state RSPCA spokesman Tim Pilgrim said.

A microchip in Muffy’s neck identified her owners, and, after a few days of searching for a current phone number, officials tracked down Natalie Lampard, who hadn’t seen Muffy since the pooch disappeared from her backyard in the eastern city of Brisbane nine years ago.

“When the RSPCA described her, I told them her name; I knew immediately it was our Muffy,” Lampard said. “It was totally out of the blue – after nine years, I thought she was long gone.”

The owners of the Melbourne house where Muffy was discovered said they found the dog about a year ago wandering along a street, Pilgrim said. But where had Muffy spent the previous eight years? And how did she get all the way to Melbourne – about 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) from Brisbane?

“Nobody knows,” Pilgrim said. “The mystery continues for old Muffy.”

Muffy is being treated by the RSPCA for a severe allergic reaction to fleas, shortly she should be well enough to be flown back home. What a reunion that’s going to be.

* Photo courtesy AP Associated Press

The firefighter who shot his dogs because he didn’t want to pay to board them has been fired. The pressure on the city from dog lovers around the country helped make sure these dogs did not die in vain.

Disgraced Columbus firefighter David Santuomo, who executed his family pets and lied about it to investigators, was fired today by Safety Director Mitchell Brown.

The Dispatch and WBNS-TV (Channel 10) have learned that Santuomo sent a text message to a fellow firefighter threatening a Columbus police officer because he thought the officer had turned him in to the Capital Area Humane Society.

The message said, “You realize that there is a funeral in CPD’s future,” according to the internal-affairs investigative report.

That information was forwarded to prosecutors and the safety director, sources said.

Last week, Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. recommended that Santuomo be fired. Only the safety director can fire firefighters under the city charter.

Brown did so today.

“After careful consideration of the relevant facts … it is my decision to uphold the recommendation of Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. and terminate Firefighter David Santuomo from the position of firefighter for the City of Columbus,” Brown said in a statement. “As in all personnel matters, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Thousands of people have called for Santuomo’s firing through e-mails, letters and phone calls to The Dispatch and the city.

Santuomo has had other issues while working for the fire department, several reprimands for tardiness as well as for two improper remarks made on fire dispatching radios. He is a divorced father with two sons. What a role model.

Not much left to say about this, except good riddance to Santuomo.

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.