abuse – Page 6 – My Cocker Spaniel

Update: Cockers rescued in Iowa story

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 Spaniel — 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

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.

Burbank family arrested in cocker spaniel stabbing

Last Saturday, Charissa Bodtcher, 23, and her brother Timo Bodtcher, 18, were arrested for fatally stabbing their aunt’s dog in Burbank, California. Lt. John Dilibert of the Burbank Police Department described the scene as “pretty horrific.” Prince, the cocker spaniel, had been stabbed “numerous” times dying from his wounds. The siblings’ mother, Maria Theresa Bodtcher, 47, was also arrested after disposing the 8-inch knife in a nearby dumpster.

Prince reportedly nipped Charissa Bodtcher who came over to do her laundry. “It appears that when she’s come over the dog has tried to nip at her heels and has barked at her” said officer Dilibert. The three family members are being held on a $20,000 bond each as they face animal cruelty and conspiracy charges.