CocoaA Dorintosh, Saskatchewan family is morning the loss of their dog. On April 24, Barb Heaver and her cocker spaniel Cocoa were out visiting a friend in town when Cocoa wandered off onto Paul Strelezki’s property. Strelezki had baited a Conibear trap with sardines. Cocoa was found dead in the trap. Strelezki placed the traps on his property to protect his chickens from skunks and foxes. Strelezki says he never intended the trap for Cocoa. “I like dogs…I didn’t set a trap for it. I set it for the skunks.”
Police were called to the scene however Strelezki’s traps were legally set and no charges were filed. Conibear traps are a type of body gripping trap which forcefully snaps around the animal’s neck causing death by either severing the spinal cord or causing asphyxiation. However, the animal may only be caught by a limb and be left to die. Conibear traps are legal in most states however there are rules regarding their use (i.e. location and size). If your pet becomes ensnared in a Conibear trap here are instructions how to free it: TrapFree Oregon: Conibear traps and how to release them.
The Cedar Valley Humane Society in Iowa will hold a lottery for six cocker spaniel puppies. The puppies were born at the Cedar Valley facility as a result of the 87 cocker spaniels seized from a Sac County breeder back in January (read more). A high turnout is expected at the event. Four more cocker spaniel puppies are expected to be available in about six weeks.
It is basically a metal dog crate with a hot air blaster wedged in the front. Three sides of the crate are then covered by a thin blanket and hot air is blasted in to dry the dog, said Sally Kearns, RSPCA inspector.
Maureece Sarell had no idea her cocker spaniel’s trip to the groomer would be her last. Sarell dropped Trudie off at Yensid Dog Grooming owned by Jo Taylor on the morning of October 6, 2011. Sarell received a call from Taylor around 11:00am saying Trudie got a bit “pink” on her belly and needed a veterinarian. Sarell arrived at the vet an hour later only to find Trudie’s condition horribly worse. Trudie had suffered severe burns to her belly and feet, and internal bleeding. “She was black and blue and I have seen a lot of things in my life as a nurse but that was one of the worst things I have ever seen.”
Veterinarian Emma Drabble said, “Her skin had started to peel and blister and when we took a blood sample it showed she was dehydrated…her temperature reduced to normal after a couple of hours but the internal bleeding continued.” It was around 5:15pm when Sarell and the veterinarian agreed to end Trudie’s suffering and put her to sleep.
Taylor testified she only left Trudie in the cage dryer for 20 minutes. She also added the cage dryer is popular among other pet groomers. On April 16, 2012, Taylor was found not guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal but found guilty of failing in duty to care. Taylor was given 1 year probation and ordered to pay $560 dollars in court costs. Judge Peter Tyler said, “We find it difficult to accept the evidence that the dog, Trudie, was checked every few minutes…the injuries were caused during the drying process. You failed in your duty to keep her from harm.” After the trial Sarell said, “I can’t believe she is still allowed to groom dogs.”
Last Friday Mary Brodersen pleaded not guilty to 93 counts of animal neglect despite the deplorable conditions her cocker spaniels were found in. Five were found dead.
The 18-year-old brother and 23-year-old sister who brutally killed their aunt’s cocker spaniel will face trial March 7th. On February 4, 2012, Timo Bodtcher held down Prince while Charissa Bodtcher stabbed him approximately 10 times with a 12-inch hunting knife. Both fled the scene leaving Prince to die. Prince managed to climb up the long flight of stairs leading to his home in a 2nd floor apartment. Police testified Prince left trail of blood on the stairway where they found him bleeding profusely with his organs protruding. Tim Bodtcher justified his actions by saying Prince was “crazy” and “bites people.” Both siblings are free on bail.
