abuse – Page 7 – My Cocker Spaniel

Update: Cockers rescued in Iowa story

The owner has now been identified as Mary Brodersen (Broderson?). Police executed a search warrant at her rural farm, 3975 Dean Avenue, Kiron, Iowa, yesterday morning. Ninety-two dogs were found (5 were dead) stacked upon each other in a small shed. “They were stacked three high so the excrement from the animals above would run or dribble down through on top of the dogs below,” said Jerry Dominicak with the Siouxland Humane Society.

In September of 2007, Mary Brodersen of Kiron, Iowa was fined $500 by the Platte Valley Kennel Club and suspended from the American Kennel Club for three months for “disregard of published club regulations and neglect at/or in connection with an event.” Brodersen, owner of Mystical Cockers, has competed at several events and owns or has owned the following cocker spaniels:

Mystical’s Absolute Legacy
NV’s Wyld Thang
Mystical’s Moon Struck Legacy
Mystcial’s Silver Lining Legacy
Mystical’s Butterfly Kisses
CH. Caroling’s Stun N Stammer EM
NV’s Time to Shyne
Mystical’s Tri My Dream

Cocker spaniels rescued from Iowa breeder

Officers in Sac County, Iowa seized 88 cocker spaniels from an unidentified breeder. Officers described the conditions as “deplorable.” Cockers had matted hair with feces and the smell was terrible. “It didn’t look like this facility was inspected by any jurisdiction,” said Josh Colvin of the Animal Rescue League (ARL). “These animals were basically being stacked on top of each other.” As many as six cockers are possibly pregnant. Colvin describes this as one of the worst cases of abuse he’s seen in the state. Police say charges are forthcoming. Cockers inspected by the Anamosa Veterinary Clinic had eye infections, sores, and severe dental disease.

The cocker spaniels were transported to various shelters throughout the region. Some stayed with the ARL. Four additional rescues will assist in care. Please make donations to the Cedar Valley Humane Society or the ARL. The cockers should be available for adoption in a couple weeks. None of them were aggressive. “This is great step in the direction of getting them adopted,” said Bob Citrullo, executive director of the Cedar Valley Humane Society.

Reward offered after cocker mix shot in Michigan

Police in Standish, Michigan are looking for those responsible in a dog shooting case. Haley, a seven-year-old cocker spaniel/golden retriever mix was found dead along Highway 23 on December 29th, 2011. She had been shot in the hind leg and above the eye. Haley’s owner, Rob Rezler, had been playing catch with her just two days before when she ran off and never returned. He wonders why anyone would want to harm her.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward in her case. “The citizens of Standish should be very concerned that someone in their community could callously shoot such a gentle dog. We are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this thoughtless crime.” Please contact the Arenac County Sheriff’s Office at 989-846-3002.

Woman fatally drags cocker spaniel with truck

On July 28, 2011, a horrified driver witnessed Cecilia Bojorquez’s cocker spaniel jump off the back of her pickup truck while she drove more than 50 mph down 45th Street in Lancaster, California. The dog was tied with a rope around its neck while being dragged behind the moving truck. Off-duty Animal Control Officer Derek Ames honked his horn and flashed his headlights but it wasn’t until two miles later that Bojorquez finally stopped.

According to Ames, the three-year-old brown cocker spaniel named Marley had severe injuries to her paws, legs, and belly. Bojorquez was eventually met by Lancaster sheriff’s deputies and arrested while Marley was taken to High Desert Animal Care Hospital in Palmdale. Marley’s injuries were so severe that she was “humanely euthanized.” According to Hospital Director Marcia Mayeda, this incident was one of the, “more agonizing animal cruelty and neglect cases in recent memory.”

Bojorquez plead guilty to felony animal cruelty charges and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation, 45 days community service, and $300 in fines and court costs. Authorities say Marley’s death could have been prevented if she was allowed to ride inside the truck. It is illegal in many states, including California, to transport a dog in an open-bed truck unless certain measures have been taken.

California Vehicle Code Section 23117: Carrying Animal in Motor Truck

No person driving a motor vehicle shall transport any animal in the back of the vehicle in a space intended for any load on the vehicle on a highway unless the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor, the vehicle has installed means of preventing the animal from being discharged, or the animal is cross tethered to the vehicle, or is protected by a secured container or cage, in a manner which will prevent the animal from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the vehicle.

Tail docking banned in India

The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) now classifies tail docking and ear cropping as mutilation and animal cruelty which is a punishable offense under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Persons caught performing these procedures shall be punished under Sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code as they maim or cause injury to animals. An advisory will be sent to all veterinarians to end the practice. AWBI considers these procedures as “non-therapeutic” and “cosmetic.”