Jealous boyfriend kills cocker spaniels

Firefighter Hal David Moore
Firefighter Hal David Moore
Auburn, Alabama resident Hal David Moore, 23, was arrested February 16, 2012 on five felony counts of first-degree animal cruelty. Charges also included second-degree arson. Moore broke into his girlfriend’s home on February 16, 2012 setting fire to a bedroom which killed five cocker spaniel puppies. The puppies died of smoke inhalation although the mother survived. Four puppies were found in a bathtub. One puppy was found dead in a cage with its mother.

Ironically, Moore serves as an Auburn fire fighter. According to the victim’s uncle Harold Brown, “The police said whoever did it knew about fire.” Moore was released from the Lee County Detention Facility on a $18,500 bond. Moore is also a student at Auburn University.

Update: Cockers rescued in Iowa story

Rescued cocker matted in feces
Rescued cocker matted in feces
Yesterday, Mary Jean Brodersen (44) was charged with 93 counts of animal neglect by the Sac County Court related to the seizure of 87 cocker spaniels on January 25th from her farm in Kiron, Iowa. Eighty-eight of the charges were simple misdemeanors while 5 were serious misdemeanors (5 cocker spaniels died). Brodersen will be back in court February 24th. She has not been arrested.

Some of the 87 cocker spaniels have already been adopted. There are 15 cocker spaniels at the Cedar Valley Humane Society in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They aren’t accepting applications just yet. Spokeswoman Jan Clarke said, “They seem surprisingly social for what they’ve been through but we’re guessing after they’ve been poked and prodded — just like anybody, any person — they need a little time to recover from that.”

One of the pregnant cocker spaniels at the Cedar Rapids Humane Society delivered six puppies last Sunday. Also, one of the cockers at the Boone Area Humane Society gave birth to three puppies.

Dog rescue owner arrested for cruelty

Ninety-eight dogs, including cocker spaniels, were seized from Paws & Claws rescue in Wingo, Kentucky during a raid by the Graves County Sheriff’s Department yesterday morning. Several dead dogs were found on the property. Rescue owner, Shannon Lacewell, is in the Graves County Jail on one count of animal cruelty.

Dogs were found starved and neglected. Dogs had reportedly been eating each other to survive. “That’s how they’re surviving…they’re mobbing a dog and attacking him and killing him and then eating him,” said Animal Rescue Corps spokesman Michael Cunningham. Rescue workers brought the dogs in for treatment. An eight-pound cocker spaniel had two pounds of matted fur and feces removed by groomers.

Update: Cockers spaniels rescued in Iowa

Rescued cocker at the Cedar Valley Humane Society. Friday, February 10, 2012. Photo: Emily Busse
Mary Brodersen was ordered to reimburse Sac County $25,359.52 for the cost of maintaining the 87 cocker spaniels seized on January 25, 2012. The cocker spaniels were severely neglected and required veterinary care. Jane Clarke of the Cedar Valley Humane Society said their condition has “vastly” improved: “Just like people, when they start feeling better, their personalities start shining through.” Clarke says they may be available for adoption in a couple weeks. “If you’d like to adopt these dogs, they’re going to need a little extra TLC,” Clarke said. “They’re not used to being part of a family, but they’re all very sweet.”

Criminal charges are forthcoming. Sac County Attorney Ben Smith said charges can be filed for each individual animal when pets are involved.

Update: 2/11/12, 1150am

Mary Brodersen has agreed to give up ownership of the cocker spaniels allowing them to be put up for adoption.

Update: Burbank siblings plead not guilty

Timo Bodtcher charged with animal cruelty
Timo Bodtcher charged with animal cruelty

Charissa and Timo Bodtcher plead not guilty yesterday to animal cruelty.  Burbank police say the two stabbed their aunt’s cocker spaniel mix with a 12-inch hunting knife.  District Attorney Michael Stewart accused Timo Bodtcher of holding down Prince while Charissa Bodtcher stabbed him.  Stewart said the stabbing was so brutal that Prince’s intestines were hanging out.  The two remain jailed in lieu of a $20,000 bond each until their February 16 court date.  The siblings’ mother, Maria Theresa Bodtcher, plead not guilty to accessory charges and was released on her own recognizance.