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.
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.”
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.
Firefighter Hal David MooreAuburn, 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.
Rescued cocker matted in fecesYesterday, 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.
