Category: Canine Rights

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Owner Of Dog Found Chained To A Fence During Hurricane Milton, Found And Arrested

The owner of the dog found chained to a fence before Hurricane Milton’s landfall has been arrested and charged with animal cruelty, State Attorney Suzy Lopez announced on Tuesday, October 15.

The former owner of the dog, identified by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) as 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia of Ruskin, Florida, has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

In a press release shared by State Attorney Suzy Lopez, the former owner told investigators that he was driving to Georgia to escape the hurricane but left his dog, “Jumbo”, on the side of the road “because he couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”

The press release also reveals the identity of the Trooper who saved the dog, Trooper Orlando Morales, who is, coincidentally, a dog lover and a dog dad to a rescue dog himself.

“Trooper Orlando Morales got a tip from a driver about the animal on the side of the road and diligently searched until he saw the dog tied up,” the press release read.

“Trooper Morales found the dog as water was rising to the animal’s neck and Hurricane Milton was bearing down on Tampa.”

The rescued dog, a Bull Terrier, is now named ‘Trooper’, “because of how much he’s been through and to honor those who saved him” and is currently in the care of the Leon County Humane Society.

“In Hillsborough County, we take animal cruelty very seriously,” State Attorney Suzy Lopez said.

She also reveals that the former owner could face up to five years in prison for abandoning Trooper. But State Attorney Suzy Lopez believes that the sentence is not enough and calls for harsher penalties for people who abandon their pets.

She explains, “Hopefully, lawmakers take a look at this case and discuss changing the law to allow for harsher penalties for people who abandon their animals during a state of emergency.”

Meanwhile, inquiries to adopt Trooper have been pouring, the Leon County Humane Society reveals.

However, he is not ready for adoption yet and the animal shelter urged everyone to instead look at other dogs that deserve the same attention and care and are ready for a forever home.

“We stress that there are thousands of dogs who deserve this same level of attention, care, and advocacy, and hope that Trooper’s situation inspires a kinder future for all dogs,” the animal shelter wrote.

“Please visit your local shelters and support your local rescues. There could be a dog right up the road who needs you, and Trooper is more than willing to take credit for bringing you together.”

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Bald Dog Found Next To A Deceased Dog In An Empty Field Recovers And Goes To A Foster Home

An animal shelter in St. Louis, Missouri shares the story of Cardi B – a bald dog they helped rescue, recover, and find a foster home after being left abandoned in an empty field in July of this year.

“Sadness surrounds us,” that’s how the Stray Rescue of St. Louis started their Facebook post for a bald dog they helped rescue in July.

The animal shelter shared that a Good Samaritan was driving when they pulled over to the side of the road after seeing “a lone crate set in the tall, green grass.”

“It is empty, but there are figures beside it,” the animal shelter wrote. “As you approach, you cover your mouth with your hand. Next to the crate is a dog that has passed away, hit by a car. And next to him is an old dog, missing all of her hair, and suffering from a broken pelvis. She can’t get up or walk.”

After the terrifying and heartbreaking scene before her, the Good Samaritan became so angry but made sure the dog gets the help she needs.

“Thankfully, the finder made it her duty to help them. She is a hero. She called all over but couldn’t get anyone to help this dog,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis continued.

Thankfully, Stray Rescue of St. Louis got a call from the Good Samaritan a few days after she found the dog. “She named the female Cardi B, and she brought her to Stray Rescue for emergency medical care.”

Initially, the Good Samaritan who rescued Cardi B, Sarah Barney, made a post about the dog’s situation but got no rescue interest.

Thankfully, her good friend, Julie Christofferson, shared the story on her Facebook, which helped them get help for the dog.

Christofferson shares, “She [the dog] wasn’t alone, sadly her sweet pup friend did not survive and she didn’t leave his side.”

She also shares the condition they found Cardi B in. She said, “her condition is absolutely horrific.”

She explains that Cardi B had ‘unbelievable’ hair loss from thousands of fleas and has burns all over her body, “which the vet says are likely from urine and feces scalds from being crammed into a tiny crate and left to sit for days on end”.

Furthermore, her teeth were also ground down to nothing and is suffering from anemia that she couldn’t even get up on her own.

“To think of what she’s been through in her few short years is devastating to fathom. Her sweet pup friend suffered from the same deplorable conditions,” Christofferson wrote.

After a week since Cardi B was rescued, Stray Rescue of St. Louis shared an update saying that the dog “has done a 180”.

The animal shelter also discovered that Cardi B is already an old lady! She’s 13 years old, but for her, life’s just about to be good!

“After just one week of love, nutrition, medical care, and a set of WHEELS, this girl is on the move,” the animal shelter shares. “She’s 13 years old and READY to live her life the way it’s meant to be lived! With tons of love and care.”

Today, Cardi B is living the life she so rightfully deserves: happy, safe, and loved.

A few months after Cardi B’s rescue, the animal shelter shared the pooch’s ‘Glow Up’ on October with a series of photos.

“After spending some time in our clinic, she went to a foster home,” they shared.

“Those puppy eyes! You can just tell how much better she feels. Her foster says she’s been getting up on her own.”

The animal shelter also shares that Cardi B loves chasing balls and enjoys swimming now – “That is what it’s all about,” they wrote.

“Cardi B, we love you, baby! Thank you, thank you to everyone who supports rescue dogs, they deserve the help,” Stray Rescue of St. Louis wrote.

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Child’s Service Dog Denied Access At School, Family Continues To Fight For It

A family in San Jose is continuing their fight after their child’s service dog was denied access to the Willow Glen Elementary.

Lydia Truong tells NBC Bay Area that his 6-year-old so has recently been diagnosed with autism and has a history of eloping and/or running off.

With Truong’s son’s history, the walk from the parking lot to their son’s classroom has been challenging because the Willow Glen Elementary is located on a Main Street.

And so, to reduce the risk of their son running off, the family brought Maelene, their son’s service dog.

Maelene is trained to perform one important task: to run after the child and block his path, so the boy doesn’t stray too far and get into any dangerous situations.

However, Truong said that during the first day of school in August, the school’s vice principal asked the family to remove the dog from campus, asking if it was registered.

Truong then pointed out that under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs do not need certification. And they can be trained by their owners to perform a task that is directly related to a person’s disability

Furthermore, service dogs are allowed to be with their handlers, even in places that don’t allow pets. These establishments include restaurants, shops, hospitals, schools, and hotels.

So, after being denied access, Truong requested the San Jose Unified School District to put the denial and reason in writing.

However, the family did not hear any form of response from the district, not until September.

Preschool boy watching TV with his Shiba inu dog on blue sofa.
Egrigorovich / Shutterstock.com

In September, the parents received a letter from San Jose Unified School District stating the dog did not meet the criteria for a service animal.

It also noted that based on reviewed information, the dog does not do work or perform any tasks related to any disability. And that the student “had not been assessed by the district on his disability”.

However, Jan Garrett, Deputy Director for the Pacific ADA Center at the Public Health Institute (PHI) and a former attorney with over 25 years of experience interpreting ADA law, tells NBC Bay Area, “As long as the handler gets them under control right away, then that is still a service animal.”

Furthermore, after being shown a video of Maelene performing her task of running after the child and blocking his path, Garrett confirmed that the pooch is qualified as a service dog, and not merely an emotional support dog.

Garrett also added that schools cannot require an assessment of the child’s disability before allowing a service dog on campus.

The ADA website also states that you may only ask certain information about service animals using two questions:

  • Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
  • What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

And you are NOT allowed to do the following:

  • Request any documentation that the dog is registered, licensed, or certified as a service animal
  • Require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person’s disability

Which, in this case, were requests that the school asked from the family.

For now, the family has chosen not to bring Maelene back to school but are continuing her training. Truong even revealed that they’ve hired a dog trainer to help them train their dog.

NBC Bay Area reveals that they’ve shared Garrett’s review of the situation with the San Jose School District, but did not hear back.