Marty
03-03-2008, 08:44 PM
Orlando,FL -- As if breeding puppies to fight wasn't bad enough, when deputies started to investigate cruelty the owners left the dogs to die. Neighbors had to call for help when they found the dogs abandoned in the backyard of an Orlando home on Letha Street.
Orange County Animal Services is seeing it all too often lately, dog owners simply abandoning their animals and leaving them alone in a house to die.
Gidget, Gadget and Gigi are healthy now, but just a couple of weeks ago, they were found emaciated and on the brink of starvation. They were left behind at a house after the owners simply moved away.
"We received a call from a concerned neighbor who saw the animals chained up in kennels, no food or water from what the neighbor could see," explained Kathleen Kennedy, Animal Services.
Animal Services found out the Orlando Police Department was investigating the dog's owners on possible cruelty charges. That was more than likely what prompted them to leave.
The three pups were the only survivors. Nine adult dogs and two other puppies had to be euthanized for either health or behavioral reasons.
"All dogs have a chance at being rehabbed, especially in the case of puppies. They were under-weight and sick and need to get in shape for adoption," said Sarah Zimmerman, Animal Services.
Animal Services' Cruelty and Neglect Investigative Unit has impounded almost 1,200 dogs since October. Many of them are cases of abandonment where dog owners simply walk away or, as in this case, run away from the law and what would surely be charges of dogfighting.
"It is very difficult to find them. We have to prove ownership or keepership and that means care, custody and control of these animals," Kennedy explained.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to dogfighting convictions. Call 800-423-TIPS to make an anonymous tip related to this case.
http://www.wftv.com/news/15477606/detail.html
Orange County Animal Services is seeing it all too often lately, dog owners simply abandoning their animals and leaving them alone in a house to die.
Gidget, Gadget and Gigi are healthy now, but just a couple of weeks ago, they were found emaciated and on the brink of starvation. They were left behind at a house after the owners simply moved away.
"We received a call from a concerned neighbor who saw the animals chained up in kennels, no food or water from what the neighbor could see," explained Kathleen Kennedy, Animal Services.
Animal Services found out the Orlando Police Department was investigating the dog's owners on possible cruelty charges. That was more than likely what prompted them to leave.
The three pups were the only survivors. Nine adult dogs and two other puppies had to be euthanized for either health or behavioral reasons.
"All dogs have a chance at being rehabbed, especially in the case of puppies. They were under-weight and sick and need to get in shape for adoption," said Sarah Zimmerman, Animal Services.
Animal Services' Cruelty and Neglect Investigative Unit has impounded almost 1,200 dogs since October. Many of them are cases of abandonment where dog owners simply walk away or, as in this case, run away from the law and what would surely be charges of dogfighting.
"It is very difficult to find them. We have to prove ownership or keepership and that means care, custody and control of these animals," Kennedy explained.
The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to dogfighting convictions. Call 800-423-TIPS to make an anonymous tip related to this case.
http://www.wftv.com/news/15477606/detail.html