Lucky Puppies

[Smooshie]

This was in the local paper (Tampa Fl) today.


Dogs Rescued From Vaporous Sealed Kennel
By STEPHEN THOMPSON spthompson@tampatrib.com
Published: Nov 10, 2002




OLDSMAR - Anyone near the dog kennel in Building A, Unit 4-8, at the Oldsmar Flea Market on Saturday could hear the animals inside barking.
And they could detect a pungent odor, authorities said.

But no one could see the dogs' living conditions because, the day before, someone had covered up the windows, according to the owner of the flea market.

So, under the supervision of Pinellas County sheriff's deputies, the maintenance worker for the 1,200-booth flea market used a crow bar to pry open the door to Bark Avenue, a business that until Saturday sold puppies.

Inside, authorities said they found 21 dogs, most 10 months and younger, in small cages with some lying in their own feces and without water or food.

Virtually all of them lacked exercise. And the air quality was noxious in the 1,600-square-foot area, with the vapors from two open bottles of bleach mixing with the ammonia produced by the canines' urine, said Pinellas County sheriff's spokesman Cal Dennie.

The Humane Society of North Pinellas rescued the animals and was treating them Saturday.

Dennie identified the owner as Cynthia King, no age available, of 12805 Horseshoe Road, Tampa.

She refused to come to the business, and told a deputy during a cellular telephone call that the dogs were fine, Dennie said.

Dennie said the investigation is focusing on animal cruelty, based on the animals' lack of exercise and the poor air quality, Dennie said.

The bottoms of some of the dogs' cages were covered with feces; some of the canines had urine burns on the pads of their paws.

One dog's fur was so matted Humane Society workers couldn't immediately figure out what sex it is; another may have had a popped-out knee, according to sheriff's documents.

Some of the dogs showed hair loss - a symptom of the onset of mange. Some had parasites. And some were too thin. Many were weak from lack of exercise, said Rick Chaboudy, executive director of the Humane Society.

``Most of them were unable to walk on the leash and a lot of them were unable to stretch their bodies,'' said Chaboudy.

Pinellas County Animal Services had received complaints in recent months about Bark Avenue. But John Ervin, a veterinarian with the county, said that before Saturday, it didn't appear the animals were being mistreated, so they were not confiscated.

The flea market, however, in response to complaints, posted a notice on the property nine days ago, telling the owner to move out by Dec. 1.



**I heard on the news update tonite that the Humane Society has taken over the care of the dogs,and charges will most likely be filed against the woman that did this :D (yay!!) I am appalled however that animal services and the county vet found no grounds to shut this "business"(aka puppy peddlar) down sooner!!!
:x :evil: **

[ShadyLady]

Isnt it great to hear one less horrid person abusing animals I only hope the sentance reflects the crime :wink:

[Guest roo]

Lets all hope that the poor little mites
CAN have a normal life now, i just hope that they are not
too traumatised by their horrendous start in life.

Cynthia King, if you do not get just what you deserve
in this life.
I am sure you will in your next. :evil:

I am pleased to see her named and shamed
and an address 8) added.

Roo

[bk_blue]

:cry: I hope it is not too late for the poor animals to be saved.

[eggrolyn1223]

OH!Poor dogs!!I bet there are a lot more of these secret puppy sellers everywhere in the world.. :evil: :x

[mouseatthebusstop]

:cry: I hope it's not too late for these puppies to be found normal and loving homes :o

[shorty]

Oh those poor dogs.I am glad they were taken away from that sick woman.I hope she gets the book thrown at her and is never allowed to own another animal! :mad:
Wendy

[ShadyLady]

What sort of sentancing do people get in the U.S for cruelty K? I know in Australia its not near enough usually just a slap on the wrist and a suspended sentance :mad:

[Bensam]

Disgusting, at least this lot may end up having a happier life. The Vet.'s comment puzzles me - "no sign of this before Saturday" - unfortunate wording, wrongly quoted, lousy Vet, quickest case of ill treatment on record? Some explaination needed here, me thinks!!

[Smooshie]

Thankfully,Animal Cruelty is a felony in the state of Florida......but you are very right K...the punishment is never stiff enough :(

Here is the Florida animal cruelty statute as of 2002 :

CRIMES Chapter 828
ANIMALS: CRUELTY; SALES; ANIMAL ENTERPRISE PROTECTION

828.12 Cruelty to animals.--

(1) A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.

(2) A person who intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

(a) A person convicted of a violation of this subsection, where the finder of fact determines that the violation includes the knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injures, mutilates, or kills the animal, shall be ordered to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $2,500 and undergo psychological counseling or complete an anger management treatment program.

(b) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be required to pay a minimum mandatory fine of $5,000 and serve a minimum mandatory period of incarceration of 6 months. In addition, the person shall be released only upon expiration of sentence, shall not be eligible for parole, control release, or any form of early release, and must serve 100 percent of the court-imposed sentence. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subsection.

(3) A veterinarian licensed to practice in the state shall be held harmless from either criminal or civil liability for any decisions made or services rendered under the provisions of this section. Such a veterinarian is, therefore, under this subsection, immune from a lawsuit for his or her part in an investigation of cruelty to animals.

(4) A person who intentionally trips, fells, ropes, or lassos the legs of a horse by any means for the purpose of entertainment or sport shall be guilty of a third degree felony, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. As used in this subsection, "trip" means any act that consists of the use of any wire, pole, stick, rope, or other apparatus to cause a horse to fall or lose its balance, and "horse" means any animal of any registered breed of the genus Equus, or any recognized hybrid thereof. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply when tripping is used:

(a) To control a horse that is posing an immediate threat to other livestock or human beings;

(b) For the purpose of identifying ownership of the horse when its ownership is unknown; or

(c) For the purpose of administering veterinary care to the horse.

***Here is the link if anyone is interested in reading further:

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0828/SEC12.HTM&Title=

[Smooshie]

Oh and while we're on the topic...THIS monster is on trial in Florida as we speak....lets keep our fingers crossed that poor Buster gets the justice he so deserves...

http://flbr.org/busterflight.html

[sixjollydogs]

:evil: Those poor dogs in the Flea Market did not get in their sad condition over-night....it sounds to me as if the vet is an idiot and now playng cya!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!