High kill rates in U.S. animal shelters have always been a problem. The recession which began in 2008 added to the problem. A Canadian cocker spaniel rescue is lending a hand to California which has one of the highest pet euthanasia rates in the nation. Angels Under Our Wings Cocker Spaniel Rescue (AUOWCSR) of Victoria, British Columbia is rescuing cocker spaniels from the Los Angeles area at risk of euthanasia. “We rescue abandoned Cocker Spaniels mostly from high kill shelters in Los Angeles that through no fault of their own have ended up in the shelter in danger of euthanasia,” says volunteer Sarah Drader.
AUOWCSR Spends on average $700 – 900 caring for each rescue. “Some have cost us thousands of dollars,” says Drader. If you would like to donate or are interested in fostering please visit www.angelsunderourwings.com
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is looking for information on a cocker spaniel and her pups left in the parking lot of Roy’s department store in Wroxham, U.K. A concerned citizen gathered Tilly and her three pups taking them to Hillside Animal Sanctuary.
Unfortunately, the pups were all suffering from parvovirus. Despite veterinarian treatment, all three died. Tilly, the pups’ mother, was also found in poor condition however recovered with the care of vigilant staff.
The only clues the RSPCA have so far are the leather dog bed they were found in along with a men’s Marks & Spencer three quarter length coat and a red fleece pet blanket. If you have any information about the abandoned dogs call the RSPCA at 0300 1234999.
The incident began on April 12, 2011 when Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) investigator, Matt Schaecher, executed a search warrant at a North Harris Road home in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Harris was responding to an animal cruelty complaint. Thirty dogs, mostly cocker spaniels, were seized by the humane society. Owners Ralph and Melinda Hart failed to provide a kennel license as well as licenses for the dogs. Melinda Hart is the president of the Detroit Cocker Spaniel Club and owner of Hartline Cockers.
The humane society claims the Harts kept their cocker spaniels in the garage stacked on top of each other in cages only letting them out to urinate and defecate. “They don’t dispute they’re keeping the dogs in cages stacked on top of each other,” said Susan Kornfield, attorney for the HSHV. No animal cruelty charges were filed although the Harts signed a field release statement. In the agreement, seventeen dogs would be returned if the Harts obtained a kennel license and licenses for the returned dogs.
None of the dogs were reportedly ill from mistreatment although the HSHV euthanized three cocker spaniels–apparently they couldn’t find anyone to adopt them. The Harts’ lawsuit filed June 27, 2011 sought return of their cocker spaniels adopted out by HSHV however the motion was denied in a Washtenaw county court. One of the cocker spaniels reportedly belonged to the Harts’ son.
The Cocker Spaniel Rescue of British Columbia (CSRBC) will hold its eighth
annual Cockerfest this Sunday. Cocker spaniels and cocker spaniel owners alike are welcomed to attend. This year’s event will be held in Langley’s Derby Reach Park along the Fraser River. It sounds beautiful. 🙂 A raffle will be held for select items raising money for CSRBC.
Marie Hustead holding Lucky's photoA seventy-year-old woman and her cocker spaniel were brutally attacked in their own yard in Rootstown, Ohio. Marie Hustead was in her front yard around 7:30 a.m. last Friday morning walking her two-year-old cocker spaniel Lucky when she noticed two pit bulls (American Staffordshire terriers) across the street. She lost sight of them for a brief instant. The next thing she saw was Lucky being savagely attacked by both pit bulls. Hustead screamed, “They’re killing my dog, help him!” Desperately, she attempted to force them off Lucky when they began attacking her. Hustead was bitten multiple times before she ran inside her house retrieving a Swivel Sweeper. Unfortunately, the sweeper was of no use against the pit bulls.
By this time neighbor Vicky Spriggel heard the screams and came after the pit bulls with a log. She managed to chase them away. The pit bulls ran back to their home on Greenwood Road. Paramedics came and took Hustead to Robinson Memorial Hospital for treatment. Hustead believes she has between 20 – 40 stitches in both her hands and left arm.
Meanwhile, Lucky was taken by a neighbor to a local veterinary hospital and placed in critical care on a ventilator. After the vet explained the extent of Lucky’s internal injuries, Hustead made the difficult decision of putting Lucky down fearing he would suffer. “Yesterday I couldn’t stop crying, trying to come to terms with my little doggie…That was the best dog I ever had, the most loving. I couldn’t believe it happened that quick.”
Hustead had no idea pit bulls were in her neighborhood. Their owners had recently moved into town. “If we did know I would have been cautious,” says Hustead. Hustead says her neighbors with small children and pets are now afraid.
