Category: Cocker News

Cocker news gathered from the Internet

Cocker breeder prosecuted under new puppy mill law

Rescued Missouri Cocker Spaniel
Cocker rescued from puppy mill. Photo Humane Society of Missouri Lawrence County

Cocker spaniel breeder Linda Brisco, owner of Moser Kennel, was the first prosecuted under Missouri’s new [Puppy Mill] Canine Cruelty Prevention Act. The new law was also known as Proposition B approved by voters last year.

Brisco’s kennel was raided on June 28th for inhumane conditions she kept her dogs including failing to provide veterinary care for sick and injured dogs. State inspectors said they couldn’t see the kennel’s floor because it was covered with a thick layer of feces. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says Brisco routinely used a shotgun to euthanize her dogs.

Seventy-three dogs were taken from Brisco’s kennel including cocker spaniels, Labradors, and other breeds. They are receiving medical care at the Humane Society of Missouri Lawrence County. Kostner says she will be unable to breed dogs for six years in a judgement handed down by the court.

Many Missouri breeders opposed Proposition B including Joe Overlease, president of the Professional Kennel Club of Missouri, claiming it denies Americans their rights and “lowers animal care standards.” Overlease owns a large scale operation called C & J Cockers which was cited last year for overcrowding and inadequate shelter.

Attorney General Chris Koster wants to rid Missouri’s reputation as a puppy mill state. “It is our goal that Missouri will gain the reputation as the state with the best and most humane breeders in the country.”

Cocker spaniel mascot of Ft. Ontario, NY

General Jacob Brown is an eight-year-old cocker spaniel in charge of greeting guests at historical Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York. He’s often seen in various military uniforms and participates in historical re-enactments. Most of his uniforms were made by Jennifer Emmons, Fort Ontario’s Curatorial Assistant, for his role as fort mascot. Some of the uniforms include:

  • French and Indian War
  • Revolutionary War
  • War of 1812
  • Civil War
  • World War I

General Brown’s other duties include chasing off woodchucks and picture posing. When he’s not on duty he’ll join you for lunch at picnics or at the snack bar.

Missing Cocker Spaniel in Wixom, MI

Murphy
Murphy is missing. Call (248) 255-5132

Jarod Netchey is desperately searching for Murphy, his seventeen-year-old black cocker spaniel, who went missing last Friday. He is not microchipped and has no collar. He was reportedly seen on Wixom and Charms Road in Milford, Michigan. Murphy is frail and old with poor vision and poor sight. Murphy is also on medication. Netchey has been standing at the Wixom and Charms intersection passing out fliers about Murphy almost every day. “That’s why I am here. He would look for me until he couldn’t walk anymore, and I feel like I should do the same for him.” Please call Jarod Netchey if you have any information: (248) 255-5132

Cocker spaniel survives Joplin, MO tornado

On May 22, 2011, a devastating tornado hit Joplin, Missouri killing 155 and leaving over 900 homeless pets. On that day, the Leathermans returned home after attending the Joplin High School graduation ceremonies. Sirens went off as the tornado approached and Leathermans took cover in their basement along with their 10-year-old chocolate cocker spaniel named Sugar. As the tornado approached, Sugar panicked and ran upstairs hiding in her “safe area” under a bed. Mrs. Leatherman tried to run after her but her husband held her back. A minute later, the Leatherman home was blown apart.

After the tornado passed, the Leathermans searched through the debris that was once their home looking for Sugar. She was no where to be found. Luckily, a good Samaritan found Sugar in a drainage ditch blocks away where she had almost drowned. She was injured and unable to walk. Sugar was taken to the Joplin Humane Society. When the Leathermans arrived for Sugar they were informed of her injuries. The humane society recommended Sugar be treated elsewhere due to the severity of her injuries and because much of Joplin was in ruins.

The Leathermans transported Sugar four hours away to University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Columbia. After thorough testing, veterinarians discovered Sugar had traumatic ruptured discs (T12-13) in her spine. Internal bleeding had compressed the spine causing her paralysis. If surgery wasn’t done immediately the damage would be permanent. Sugar was rushed to surgery where small pieces of vertebral bone were removed relieving pressure on her spinal cord.

Two days after surgery, Sugar began intensive physical therapy including electrical stimulation to lessen muscle wasting. She also received hydrotherapy every day for a week to regain mobility. “With the water, the buoyancy it provides, it makes it a lot easier for them to move their legs so it’s a lot easier for us to see if she had any movement and it took her about a week to regain movement in her hind legs,” said veterinary technologist Stephanie Gilliam.

On June 14, three weeks following the tornado, Sugar was finally discharged to her family. She’ll continue her therapy and is expected to make a full recovery. The cost of Sugar’s surgery and treatment was graciously covered by the university.

MU Veterinary Team Helps Dog Paralyzed in Tornado Walk Again from MU News Bureau on Vimeo.