ANIMALS IN GREENE COUNTY, INDIANA

2010-12-05T16:57:00.000-08:00

On March 15, 2007 , The Greene County Daily World proclaimed Darlene Clark, puppy miller extraordinaire, a "HERO" for saving herself and her "Kennel Dogs" From a fire that engulfed the shed she used for breeding puppy Mill dogs. Even though the fire was reportedly caused by RATS infesting the building that chewed through the wiring, the newspaper apparently could not see a PUPPY MILL staring them in the face.

Greene County Daily World: Local News: Kennel owner saves her animals, herself from fire (03/15/07)

FAST FORWARD to Dec 1, 2010...forces from OUTSIDE GREENE COUNTY finally acted on IRS charges and seized 129 dogs , many in horrific condition. FOR SOME REASON....local authorities and press can't seem to see the obvious. Maybe they truly don't see situations for what they are, or maybe they don't care, or maybe they condone them...but THANK GOD someone else took action. Greene County Daily World: Local News: UPDATED BREAKING NEWS: State officials raid rural Bloomfield puppy mill (12/01/10)

2010-07-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

**NOTE TO NEW READERS**
If you scan back to the beginning of this blog, you will see about the time we started posting our notes from the GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY meetings, they promptly banned people from attending...set up a quiet, poorly announced meeting to change their bylaws and thereby closed the door to the public's involvement and /or knowledge of what happens inside the GCHS.

It seems like there is some surprise on their part, that their donations and community support have greatly decreased.

2010-07-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

Greene County Daily World: Local News: More than 70 dogs and puppies rescued from eastern Greene County mobile home (07/28/10)

At the link above the Greene County Daily World reports online on the latest sad story involving animal hoarders in Greene County Indiana.

While few people believe that anyone would start hoarding animals with the intention of anything but helping them, it can't be done on a large scale without many problems that in the end, rob the animals of the help the person is trying to provide.

**In the Comments Section**of this Story online there is a palpable anger and refusal to support the current Greene County Humane Society in Linton Indiana from the public. As the newspaper routinely censors comments and has long refused, in some opinions, to impartially review and report on this shelters activities, we will post some history here, for those interested.

***FOR THOSE WHO ARE SINCERELY INTERESTED IN HOW THIS SHELTER OPERATES , THEY ARE REQUIRED AS A NON PROFIT TO RELEASE THE LAST 3 YEARS TAX RETURNS TO THOSE WHO ASK , to either review on site or pay for copies.

We have in the past, used this blog to document the ongoing problems at this shelter, which refused a large number of volunteers wishing to try to help the many animals in the shelter, as the same would be volunteers watched in aggravated dismay as the GCHS board embraced highly unethical and unprofessional manners to 'refuse information/participation' and even refuse 'membership fee's' and membership to a large number of people in the community. (In an apparent effort to stop the community involvement with VOTING for the board of director members at the GCHS. Seems like a long way to go to stop people wanting to volunteer to help animals).

The community of Greene County citizens needs to demand transparencey of records, accountibility of staff and board before they throw more money behind this never ending problem shelter. The reputation of this shelter , in many people's opinion, has been irretrievably damaged by their own actions/inactions. The GCHS needs a clean sweep, a new board of directors (whoever they maybe now?) and new operating procedures, an open door policy and a change of name. The name of "Greene County Humane Society" has been forever soiled both locally and nationally, by it's own hand.

The only ones suffering from the inability of this 'shelter' to do it's job effectively, are the many, MANY animals that have no where to safely be held until either a good home can be found or they can be released from this world in a painless manner of death.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH GOOD HOMES FOR THE AMOUNT OF ANIMALS in GREENE COUNTY. THE POPULATION MUST BE CONTROLLED.

2010-06-16T17:07:00.000-07:00

LINTON WOMAN FACING CHARGES FOR DUMPING KITTEN IN LINTON WALMART POST OFFICE BOX.

A Linton woman who was unsuccess in trying to give a kitten away at the Linton WalMart last week is now facing charges because she allegedly disposed of the kitten by dropping it inside a U.S. mailbox.

Breanna Kay Russell will receive a summons to appear in Greene Superior Court.
A preliminary charge of abandonment or neglect of a vertebrate animal, a class A misdemeanor, was filed against her on Tuesday.

The incident was reported to the Linton Police Department (LPD) on June 8.
LPD Officer Thomas Jerrels was dispatched to the store area around 9:15 p.m.
A postal clerk also responded to help retrieve the cat from the box. Upon opening the box, she found an orange and white kitten inside. Without the key the mailbox could not be opened, nor the kitten rescued.

Officer met with store employee in asset protection and viewed a video which showed a female, later identified as Russell, placing the kitten in the mail box.
Police also had information about the incident from a person who called in to report that Russell was trying to give the kitten away but when she could not, she placed the cat in the mailbox.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Russell admitted she put the kitten in the box because she couldn't have it at her residence. She said it had just been fed and watered, she knew the postal box was checked on a daily basis, and knew someone would find it.

2010-06-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

DOG KILLED WITH SNOW SHOVEL IN LYONS, INDIANA- COMMENT IN LOCAL NEWS STORY ON STRAYS-

My family suffered a tremendous loss on Wednesday. Our dog Sugar was brutally murdered by a man who blatently admits to killing multiple dogs in the last 2 years, one of which he ATTEMPTED to kill with a bow and arrow. The poor little helpless animal survived, but only after the owners paying a surplus of vet bills. Our Sugar was 9 months old. We loved our pet. She got out while we were taking my 16 month old to the park. On our way back we saw the man and his son walking away form Sugar with a snow shovel. The dog had a punctured lung and died in my husband's arms. With my 16 month old in the car, watching, horrified as he cried out to God to save our puppy. But the biggest smack in the face is not that the man can walk around freely after committing such an offense, not that he offered no remorse or apology, not that he LIED of his reasons for killing these defenseless pets, but that the wonderful officer of this town has turned his head to this man's crimes for 2 YEARS!!! We just moved here in January, and we respected everyone in this town until this happened. When the victims of a crime cannot go to law enforcement, where is the justice in that?? I understand the leash law or whatever, but it was an ACCIDENT!!! No one in this community has ever seen a violent bone in my dog's body, and she has played and frolicked with much of the population's dogs and children and never harmed ONE!! Loved by all who are here, and beaten by a murderer in cold blood. Please, if you have it in your heart, do NOT let these crimes go unnoticed. She was our family. I wouldn't harm your children, your mothers, fathers, grandparents, or even your pets. What gives this man the right to make mine suffer and leave her to bake in the hot sun while she choked and suffocated in her own blood. WHO THE F*** DECIDED THAT THIS IS JUSTICE! I WANT ANSWERS AND I WANT MY FAMILY TO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER THIS PUNISHMENT!! I WON'T STAND FOR THIS AND IF YOU HAVE ANY MORALS Y'ALL WON'T EITHER! LYONS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE PLACE! PLEASE, LET'S TURN IT BACK TO THAT!
-- Posted by Wronged on Fri, Apr 16, 2010, at 12:08 AM

2010-06-08T17:57:00.000-07:00

LACK OF ANIMAL CONTROL STILL A PROBLEM FOR GREENE COUNTY: Via Greene County Daily World blog by Nick Schneider.

Greene County Daily World: Blog: Stray animal problem won't go away on its own

Stray animal problem won't go away on its ownPosted Friday, June 4, 2010, at 10:42 AM
I'm going to share a couple of interesting things that have recently came across my desk.
A Linton resident, Michelle Hollingsworth, called me the other evening upset about an experience she had with a stray, injured kitten that she had taken under her care just prior to a major thunderstorm moving through the area.
Michelle noticed this small yellow kitten trying to move along the sidewalk on A St. (State Road 54) near the old Pizza City building in Linton.
It was dirty, bloody with some obvious injuries. The kitten was unable to move its back legs.
Michelle thought maybe it may have been struck by a passing vehicle, but doesn't know for sure.
Nonetheless, the kitten needed a friend and some help.
Michelle admitted to being an "animal love" and was in tears when she called me about the dilemma she faced.
The Linton woman already had eight cats and four dogs, but said her heart went out to the small kitten that she estimated was three or four months old. She didn't need any more, but she had to help.
Her first moves were to call the Linton Police Department and then the Greene County Sheriff's Department for assistance.
She says she didn't get much help at either place.
She was even told by one dispatcher to just take the kitten back where she found it.
That's hardly a viable solution.
It was also suggested that she contact the Greene County Humane Society.
Well during daytime hours, that might be some OK advice, but after-hours that is another story.
There is no after-hour pickup offered by the mostly volunteer agency that is supported by private donations and yearly contributions from the county, cities and towns in the county.
Regular operating hours "Tuesday through Saturday vary from 11 a.m. - 3 or 4 p.m.", according to the Humane Society's website.
The animal facility located on Atlas Road, west of Linton, is closed on Sunday and Monday.
To Michelle, there needed to be an answer for her problem the other night and sadly to say there wasn't.
"We clearly need something after-hours," she told me. "I think it is sad we have nothing we can do after-hours. If I would have left it (the kitten) there, it would have drown.
"Do we just all just walk away and let it go? I just want this problem to be taken care of in a sensible way."
Unfortunately, this story doesn't have a happy ending.
The following morning, Michelle was able to contact the Linton Veterinary Clinic and they agreed to take a look at the kitten.
The injuries were serious -- a broken pelvis and both back legs were broken.
The kitten was "put down" because of the extent of the injuries at no cost by the vet clinic, which was very much appreciated by the Linton woman.
Michelle's experience begs for some answers that might lead to some common sense solution to this problem.
I realize it takes money and manpower to run an animal shelter and both are tough to come up in this economy where county and municipal agencies are struggling to make ends meet and they are reluctant to expend much money on services like a Humane Society.
Stray animals are a problem that every community in this county faces.
What's the solution?
A wolverine?
While we're talking about animals, I also received a recent telephone call from Ron Sparks of Linton inquiring if anyone else in the area may have reported seeing what he contends was a wolverine.
No, not a White River Valley High School Wolverine, a real live stocky and muscular animal with short legs, broad and rounded head, and small eyes with short rounded ears -- a wolverine.
The critter was spotted the other afternoon along the fairway on Hole No. 5 at Phil Harris Golf Course in Linton. The animal was running toward the back of the Elks Lodge building, according to Sparks.
He wasn't sure what it was, but after playing his round of golf, he got on the Internet and found a photograph of the animal and he swears it was a wolverine.
"I am sure that is what it was," he said.
I did some checking myself and found that the wolverine lives primarily in isolated northern areas, for example the arctic and alpine regions of Alaska, northern Canada, Siberia and Scandinavia.
I didn't read anything about Indiana, but who knows?
We recently had a report confirmed and photographed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in Greene County northeast of Bloomfield of a mountain lion and they aren't supposed to be in this neck of the woods either.
So there might be some validity to this sighting.
Who knows, there could indeed be a wolverine lurking around this golf course for this weekend's big tournament.
One note of caution.
The wolverine has a reputation for ferocity and strength out of proportion to its size, with the documented ability to kill prey many times its size.
So if you see one, it's probably a smart idea to stay away from it.
Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com .
CommentsShowing comments in chronological order[Show most recent comments first]

After knowing some of the people that have recently worked in the Humane Shelter at Linton and hearing how they euthanize animals long before they are required to (we're talking within hours of being brought in)I can see why no one would want to donate to that place. The explanation for the immediate euthanizations was that they get paid for destroying the animals and sending them off to God knows where. Pure greed and no heart.It's a shame someone like Squirely isn't still around to take the animals in and care for them like they should be taken care of until they find a home.
-- Posted by whatanut on Fri, Jun 4, 2010, at 2:37 PM

I don't even know where to start to comment on this subject because there are so many problems in this county when it comes to animals. However, I will say this, the dispatcher that told Michelle to take a hurt animal "back to where she found it" should be so ashamed of him/herself. If the people at the sheriff's department can't do the RIGHT thing how the heck are the rest of us. OMG, how terribly sad for this county...
Thank you Michelle for doing the right thing even though it didn't work out for the kitten. There will be a extra special place in heaven for you because you had a heart!
-- Posted by Polar Bear on Fri, Jun 4, 2010, at 5:47 PM

My husband and I came across a large dog in a ditch along the hiway one evening, he had been hit and was about to drown from the rising water from the storm we were having. We called the police (could not help outside the city limits) called the Humane society (they were closed). We managed to get him into the back of our SUV and took him home, we ran an ad in the paper and left our phone number with the shelter in case someone was looking for their pet. We recently had his back leg fixed and fenced in our back yard. He's the best natured animal I have ever had and its amazing to us that we found him, we had been talking about getting a puppy, and apparently this "puppy" needed someone. We're the lucky ones to have this mild creature and I want to say to the lady with the kitten story, thank you for caring, there should be more people out there willing to help the less fortunate, be it animal or human.
-- Posted by annie1 on Fri, Jun 4, 2010, at 6:19 PM

Your blog raises very complex issues with no easy answers. A fully staffed humane society, most would agree, would be an asset to such a large and rural county. However, there have been several issues with this particular humane society that opens an entirely different can of worms.
Those are issues that, without really "tearing" the current HS apart and rebuilding from the "ground" up, will not be answered. THEN we can discuss issues like funding, oversight, and staffing.
Certainly the issue of the poor kitten is a sad one and kudos to the woman for her compassion.
-- Posted by Sasha_Christopher on Fri, Jun 4, 2010, at 6:43 PM

why can't we have a "no kill" shelter? Other areas , like Sullivan, have one. Another issue, why is it so hard to get help with spaying or neutering costs? Iknow people that have been told there were no more vouchers to be given out by the Humane shelter, and why in the world won't the Humane society come into town to check into issues when they are called? Several times I have called requesting help with neglected animals and have been told they will not come into town. Why not! Don't they recieve some of their funding from the surrounding towns? Wow, there are alot of issues with the way things are now.......
-- Posted by annie1 on Fri, Jun 4, 2010, at 7:11 PM

Sorry to burst your bubble annie1 but Sullivan is not a no-kill shelter. They put down over 300 animals in the the first 6 months of opening. I have a friend that volunteered there for a while. They also adopted out a heart worm positive dog without telling the family. All animal shelters have problems.
-- Posted by just2cents on Mon, Jun 7, 2010, at 1:34 PM

The ONLY place to start is with mandatory spay/neuter ordinances that are enforced. FORCE PET OWNERS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. Many people have tried for years to bring about change in this area, only to be attacked by the 'good old boy' network that doesn't want anyone interfering with their money making operations involving animals. So we all pay the price for their 'entitlement'. Greene County had requirements on their books up through at least 2005, maybe still do, that said the county MUST HAVE an animal control board to address these kinds of problems, but it was never acted on. County Commissioners including the current president- Bart Beard- shot it down when citizens brought it up. SO, until citizens ask their elected officials to take a stand on this issue, we will have to continue to witness extreme animal suffering and neglect and thousands of needless deaths.
-- Posted by STILLHOPEFUL on Tue, Jun 8, 2010, at 1:01 PM

The current economic situation for our entire area has had a tough impact on all creatures great and small. To get to the heart of the problem, you need for residents to have access to affordable, available spay/neuter resources. My name is Emily Reynolds, I'm the Administrator for the Indiana Spay/Neuter Alliance. We are based out of Bloomington and I have taken a special interest in Greene County. Since beginning work with spay/neuter, I have come to understand the dire need for low-cost (if not FREE) spay/neuter services in the Greene County area. I now offer a transportation program for the residents of Greene County. I visit Greene County twice a month to register pets and strays for surgery and to pick the animals up for surgery. This is a non-profit service and the cost of the surgery is $20, and in cases with barn and stray cats we can fix them for FREE. I have been saddened over the past two months at the lack of participation in this program by residents of Greene County. I know that the need is there, and this story confirms my thought. So please, spread the word that we are here to help! Prevent the unwanted litters in order to cut back the population issues you are seeing, I will provide services for spay/neuter. My information runs in the Community Info section of the Daily World each month. You can also track our services down online. We are the Indiana Spay/Neuter Alliance and we are here to help!!
-- Posted by EmilyReynolds_SpayIndiana on Tue, Jun 8, 2010, at 2:37 PM
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2010-06-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

LYONS TOWN COUNCILMAN BREAKS NUMEROUS ANIMAL LAWS BY DUMPING DOGS IN COUNTRYSIDE

Greene County Daily World: Local News: Stray woes trouble Lyons Town Council (03/16/10)

A slew of stray dogs are posing a pressing pooch problem for Lyons, with officials concerned at the rates the Greene County Humane Society would charge per animal to take them in.
"Our little grandkids are scared to death," Michael Bruner said, while his wife Joleen noted their small dog had been attacked by a larger stray.
Now, town officials are pondering the most humane way to deal with the hounds, though some residents threaten to shoot them.
Town Board member Daniel Grant said Tuesday he'd collected about five strays and attempted to deliver them to the humane society.
Grant noted the town has a stray ordinance, but can do little because state statutes undercut what can be done, given the humane society must charge to take in the dogs.
He balked when he learned what the cost would be from the society.
"I drove them down a county road and turned them loose," Grant said. "They wanted $25 a shot."
One angry resident, however, said another sort of shot awaits any dogs who strays into his yard.
Ed Wright said he intends to shoot stray dogs who threaten him, adding he'd readied to gun down a yowling cat recently which troubled him outside his window.
"By the time I had gotten my shoes on and gotten the gun, it was gone," he said. "The best response is a single shotgun shell. I'm not kidding."
While Indiana law does allow threatening stray animals to be put down, state law also considers animal cruelty, torture and neglect crimes.
Town Board President Scott Powers and Kimberly Nickless both called for non-violent solutions to the stray problems.
"I'm not condoning shooting somebody else's dog," Nickless said.
Powers agreed, adding "The best solution is to just take the dogs to the humane society and pay the $25. You don't want to take them out on some country road. They might get lost and starve." Also Tuesday, Powers raised the question of whether the Lyons Fire Department should accompany emergency medical technicians on every run.
Town officials agree the firefighters can prove helpful, especially since they've undergone CPR training recently and can be used to help lift those in need when first to the scene.
However, Powers said some fire department volunteers had raised concerns about accompanying emergency runs.
"If there's nothing for you to do on a run, then we shouldn't have a bunch of guys standing around," Powers told Lonnie Emmons, the sole firefighter present at Tuesday's meeting.
"I want it understood that this has nothing to do with whether we are paying the fire department on these. We will send you on those runs if the fire department decides they are essential."
The town board referred the question to the fire department, who will discuss it and report back later this year.
In other business:
* Town clerk-treasurer Kim Flynn announced the town is seeking applications to compete for grants which will allow homeowners to improve their properties. The town must receive applications through the water office by the end of the month. About 30 homes have previously qualified, she said.
* The town will also seek bids for mosquito control. Thus far, only City Pest Control, which handled fogging for the town last year, has bid on the work.
* The town awarded a contract for pest control work at town buildings to Haseman Pest Control, which bid $110 per quarter. Johnny Howell, LLC, had also competed for the work, bid $215 per quarter.
* Flynn told the town board that she believes she can find $42,000 to cover cost overruns on the town ditch projects, drawing money from various funds including the town's water operating budget, its motor vehicle and highway budget, and savings from sewage costs.
* Flynn also won permission from the board to purchase a new town seal to stamp official documents, explaining hers is worn and would cost $110 to repair, but only $40 to replace.
* Flynn also sought input from the town to "create a brand -- like when you think of McDonald's, you think of the Golden Arches" to help promote Lyons, along with a website.
"The best I could think of is lions, when we talk about Lyons," she said, though town board members noted the town's former sporting teams were the Braves, and White River Valley is currently the Wolverines.
Nickless and Grant noted some web designers in college and high school have done work for class credit, while Flynn said she would seek community input at the Strawberry Festival.
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There are humane ways to "solve" the stray dog and cat problem and it's not dumping them on a
lonely road. That's just moving the problem and
getting out of sight maybe but citizens cannot
resort to such practices. We are supposed to be a civilized society. Pay the $25.00 and be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
I'm speaking from experience. You won't regret
doing the right thing even if it is an inconvenience. For the money, Just skip a couple of meals at the local fast food and you'll feel good about helping the animals.
helping with this problem.
-- Posted by Carnac on Tue, Mar 16, 2010, at 10:52 PM

You have to pay the animal shelter to take a stray that isn't even your dog... How does that make any sense???
-- Posted by citizen474 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 2:27 AM

Remember that 25.00 when the towns are all omitting help to the shelter from their budgets. No one whats to pay for it but everyone wants to use it or needs it at some point, then it becomes important to them. The only way things will improve is educate the people to spay/neuter their pets and don't get a pet unless you can handle the responsibility financially. They cost money just like kids! They rely on their owners to do the right thing by them. Humane Society should also make sure they are responsibly adopting their animals out. Used to be they would do it just to get it out the door. I hope that has changed.
-- Posted by peanut338 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 3:15 AM

Let's not think about the people that live in the country. There are stray dogs dumped all of the time on us. So you are just taking the problems that you are having in town and dumping them on us in the country. I have children and I don't appreciate that. I don't want a stray dog coming in my yard and biting them. So now, I will know who to look for, for so kindly dumping the strays on us. I can send Mr. Grant the bills for any medical bills we incur for stray dogs attacking.
-- Posted by daisylover on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 6:56 AM

Mr Grant, Don't dump your problems on us, who are in the country, we get enough of them dumped out here the way it is! You must not want your position next term huh? That is just pathetic! To admit that you did this on record!!! Unbelievable!! What a hero... remember you are setting examples for children! Do you want them to grow up and collect dogs and take them out to the country to dump? What a moron
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 9:56 AM

First we need to think about the animal is it their fault they have owner's who dont care enough about them that they just turn them loose to bite, get hit exc..its not the animals fault, if he or she is running loose.chances are they are lookin for food,water,affection. so the owner is the one who you need to take it out on, but then would you go out an shot the owner,?
I totatly agree thou they do NOT need to be running loose, i belive there is a leash law,an as far as dumping them off in the country try finding the owner maybe they got loose on accident,
-- Posted by fishhead on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 1:00 PM

If I would have posted on here, that I took five animals and dropped them off on a country road, I would be in trouble for "dumping" and "mistreatment" of an animal.....How can that man just get away with dumping that many dogs in the country? I am sure they will wander to "someones house" and now they will be their problem? Way to go Lyons!! And beware little towns near by, your town may be the next dump site instead of a county road!!!!!!!!!!
-- Posted by teenythomp on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 1:03 PM

Snake Eyes would you please point me to the community in the county that is perfect and maybe we all could use that community as a model. For future reference please dont judge the whole town on one mans stupid actions.
-- Posted by nutzz6934 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 4:43 PM

It's not just stray dogs that are a problem in Lyons. It's also people that don't keep an eye on their dogs and let them run freely all over town. We have a lot of dogs running and hanging out in our yard, including 4 HUGE German Shepherds that run in a pack and sit in our yard. I have mentioned this to the Lyons police officer and the owners of these dogs, and still they run freely around town and in our yard. If these dogs interupt my family enjoying the outdoors this summer, threaten my 2 year old, 11 year old, my wife or myself, they will be taken care of by myself. I will not feel threatened in my own yard by someone else's dogs or anything else for that matter. If no one else will take care of this problem, I will have no choice but to put these dogs down myself. So, keep your dogs OUT of my yard.
-- Posted by nj8782 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 5:57 PM

I didnt mean to offend you there nutzz. Its the people who run your town from the top down that gives you guys a bad name in other parts of the county. Maybe you could be a role model for them.
-- Posted by Snake Eyes on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 6:08 PM

Why has my first comment not been posted?
-- Posted by nj8782 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 8:55 PM

Never mind!!!
-- Posted by nj8782 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 8:56 PM

Mr. Grant,
You want to come out here and pick YOUR dogs up that you dumped?
I have enough problems with slobs throwing trash out on my property let alone being a dump site for strays.
Or how about this, I gather up all the strays I find & dump them at YOUR house!!
-- Posted by hunter_47443 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 9:10 PM

I dont tend to disagree with you snake eyes but it is hard to get a concrete pillar to move if oyu know what I mean
-- Posted by nutzz6934 on Wed, Mar 17, 2010, at 9:57 PM

I say Dissmiss Mr Grant of his duties on the town council board!!! What he did was illegal, and he is a representative of Lyons. This makes it look as if "all" of Lyons is behind what he did by not dismissing him of his duties. He also should be charged with animal neglect! This affected others within our county. He contributed to the problem.
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Thu, Mar 18, 2010, at 9:30 AM

The gchs would like to thank the responders for not laying this incident on the shelter. The readers should also know that Mr. Grant came to the shelter posing as an adopter. Conversation led to shelter fees regarding animal in-take whereby he was informed that owned or harbored adult animals, were in fact $25 to surrender. He did not mention that he had collected 4 or 5 strays and wanted to bring them in.
While we do not engage in political matters it is obvious that Mr. Grant wanted this issue to receive public attention and therefore public outcry. It is a shame he used his visit to the shelter for mere sensationalism. We all know animal dumping is a problem and problems take money to fix. Until the community is willing to be taxed for this problem, it will continue to exist. We can preach responsible pet ownership here, but here we are preaching to the choir.
-- Posted by gchs on Thu, Mar 18, 2010, at 11:01 AM

What you call strays, I call "target practice".
-- Posted by James30096 on Thu, Mar 18, 2010, at 11:47 AM

Hello Lyons -
If you have a pet, it is YOUR pet, not MINE !
So keep it at YOUR house, not MY house.
The pet can dump its own waste in YOUR yard, not
MY yard for me to step in or run the lawnmower thru. Enough said.
By the way, Mr. Grant had the dogs in his truck with him when he went to the Linton shelter.
-- Posted by Trink on Fri, Mar 19, 2010, at 7:28 PM

Oh, that's classy James. Really.
-- Posted by Arcana on Sat, Mar 20, 2010, at 5:44 PM

Trink, I live in the country, the last thing that should have been done in this situation is to have dumped them in the country, for us to take care of. We have dogs dumped out here all the time! Did you ever think of finding the dogs a home? Just because you stepped in dog waste doesn't give you the right to dump them on us!
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Mon, Mar 22, 2010, at 6:52 PM

Just my opinion 3, I agree with you, dogs should not be dumped in the country. I do think Mr. Grant would have left them at the shelter if the $25 fee per dog was not so high. The town of Lyons pays a considerable amount to Linton for animal control in Lyons - - what for ?
I have a feeling that will stop.
-- Posted by Trink on Tue, Mar 23, 2010, at 1:14 AM

If this would have been approached in a different manner rather than deceitfully, I just imagine you would have learned that the fee is a bag of dog food, per dog at least the last time we took a stray out there it was.
Why would you think the Town of Lyons should stop paying them? Were they called? Were they notified of the problem? communication!!!
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Tue, Mar 23, 2010, at 10:41 AM

Quote from Trink "I do think Mr. Grant would have left them at the shelter if the $25 fee per dog was not so high."
So ... is that what this is all about the price that they charge? Do you realize how much dog food is sir??? because of all the stray's I pay nearly $20 a week simply over stupidity like this! I will not let them starve! It sounds as though you justify what he did because of the price, what about the $80 dollars a month I pay? you don't see me taking them someplace else! But I just might now! Sounds like Mr Grant needs a taste of his own medicine!
I try to find them a home. please act just simply act like you have a brain even if you don't....
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Tue, Mar 23, 2010, at 2:12 PM

Yes, they were called the prior week, by two different households and were told there was nothing they could do. I do not think dogs should be dumped in the country! If you want to spend your money feeding strays - go to it. Maybe the "stupidity" to quote you, is between your brain and your typing fingers. I will not fuss with you - - this is my final post. My best to you and yours.
-- Posted by Trink on Wed, Mar 24, 2010, at 12:16 AM

Wow Trink! or should I say Mr Grant!!!
-- Posted by elynn66 on Wed, Mar 24, 2010, at 5:44 PM

oh please! Don't try to make this about the price! Grant admitted himself that he dumped the dogs on a lonely country road.
By the sound of this, his intent was to starve the poor defenceless puppies to death! He don't want anyone to feed them, He would rather coyote's take care of his "problem". He wants them to starve and have a horrid death scrapping for any food they can get! Wheather Trink is Mr Grant or not, I don't really think so... but....
Trink is just as bad, this person obviously don't have any humanity either, trink wants them to starve also not wanting anyone to feed them, now this is just my observation in reading the posts of course.
what lo-lifes! and we call him a city councilman!
-- Posted by whatsupingreenecounty on Wed, Mar 24, 2010, at 9:53 PM

Well Trink, maybe I do think between my brain and my typing fingers but obviously I have alittle more humanity than you do. I could never let them starve, I feed my own dogs and cannot let these poor defenseless animals starve, sorry I guess that makes me bad, huh???
-- Posted by just my opinion 3 on Wed, Mar 24, 2010, at 10:05 PM

My family suffered a tremendous loss on Wednesday. Our dog Sugar was brutally murdered by a man who blatently admits to killing multiple dogs in the last 2 years, one of which he ATTEMPTED to kill with a bow and arrow. The poor little helpless animal survived, but only after the owners paying a surplus of vet bills. Our Sugar was 9 months old. We loved our pet. She got out while we were taking my 16 month old to the park. On our way back we saw the man and his son walking away form Sugar with a snow shovel. The dog had a punctured lung and died in my husband's arms. With my 16 month old in the car, watching, horrified as he cried out to God to save our puppy. But the biggest smack in the face is not that the man can walk around freely after committing such an offense, not that he offered no remorse or apology, not that he LIED of his reasons for killing these defenseless pets, but that the wonderful officer of this town has turned his head to this man's crimes for 2 YEARS!!! We just moved here in January, and we respected everyone in this town until this happened. When the victims of a crime cannot go to law enforcement, where is the justice in that?? I understand the leash law or whatever, but it was an ACCIDENT!!! No one in this community has ever seen a violent bone in my dog's body, and she has played and frolicked with much of the population's dogs and children and never harmed ONE!! Loved by all who are here, and beaten by a murderer in cold blood. Please, if you have it in your heart, do NOT let these crimes go unnoticed. She was our family. I wouldn't harm your children, your mothers, fathers, grandparents, or even your pets. What gives this man the right to make mine suffer and leave her to bake in the hot sun while she choked and suffocated in her own blood. WHO THE F*** DECIDED THAT THIS IS JUSTICE! I WANT ANSWERS AND I WANT MY FAMILY TO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER THIS PUNISHMENT!! I WON'T STAND FOR THIS AND IF YOU HAVE ANY MORALS Y'ALL WON'T EITHER! LYONS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE PLACE! PLEASE, LET'S TURN IT BACK TO THAT!
-- Posted by Wronged on Fri, Apr 16, 2010, at 12:08 AM
Respond to this story

2009-04-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

EAGLE SHOT IN GREENE COUNTY INDIANA-REWARD!!!!

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=31470093

The American Bald Eagle recently shot in Smith Township has died.
The severely injured 3 1/2-year-old male eagle was reported to Indiana Conservation officer Mike Gregg last Sunday afternoon near County Road 800W -- just north of County Road 600N -- northeast of Linton.
The eagle -- suffering from a massive gunshot wound -- was taken to a federally license rehabilitator, Return to the Wild, Inc., located in Nashville, Ind., for care. The age of the bird was determined after an assessment was made at the Hillview Veterinary Clinic in Franklin.
"The eagle had to be put down -- euthanized -- last night (Thursday) about 6 p.m," Indiana Conservation Officer spokesman Max Winchell told the Greene County Daily World on Friday morning. "It had just too much damage to several different bones and the muscle tissue wasn't responding like they had hoped. I guess it was too bad. I asked them if they could have amputated the wing to save it and they said part of it would have had to been amputated anyway. It was just a really bad wound."
The dead bird has been turned over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Winchell stated.
Through x-rays the type of caliber weapon that was used has been determined, but investigators don't want to release that information at this time, according to Winchell.
The DNR spokesman said investigators have received several leads in the case since news of the incident was released to the media Tuesday morning.
"We're following up on some leads. We've got some other leads that were called in. We really appreciate that. If anyone has any other information, we still want that," he said. "We are still actively working on it."
A minimum of a $1,500 reward is available for information leading to an arrest of the person responsible for shooting. Greene County Crime Stoppers also is offering a reward.
Winchell said the shooting of an American Bald Eagle is a serious federal crime.
The bald eagle, America's national symbol, was removed from the U.S. threatened and endangered species list in 2007.
Bald eagles were first listed as "endangered" in 1967, after hunting, poisoning and widespread use of DDT reduced the number of bald eagles to 417 breeding pairs in the continental United States. The eagles' status was changed from "endangered" to "threatened" in 1995. Today, there are bald eagles in Alaska and all of the lower 48 states, and 10,000 breeding pairs nationwide, according to a story that was published in the Washington Post.
Even though bald eagles are no longer listed as "endangered," federal laws and policies -- specifically, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects them.
The shooting of a bald eagle -- whether it dies or not -- is a felony under federal statute with a fine up to $100,000 and/or up to one year in jail or both, according to Winchell.
Winchell said it's a possibility that the eagle may have been mistaken for a turkey vulture or other large bird, and he added that an immature eagle does resemble a turkey vulture because it's all black.
"They (eagles) are considered mature by the age of five and this one was 3 1/2, but most of its head feathers were white," Winchell pointed out.
Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw called the eagle shooting a shame and indicated that legal action would be faced by the individual or individuals responsible if investigators are successful in their probe of the incident.
"I can't believe that anyone would intentionally shoot a bald eagle," Holtsclaw said Friday afternoon. "The number one rule of hunting is identify your target before you fire the arrow or shoot the gun. It's a shame this happened."
Conservation Officers have been interviewing area residents and are seeking any information about this crime.
"There have been other animals that have been shot in the area and we believe the shootings may be related," Gregg said earlier this week.
Conservation officers are interested in speaking with anyone who was traveling in the area of CR 800W and CR600N on March 15 or that has traveled through the area in the last month.
"This is a fairly remote and low traffic area. Information about vehicles that have been seen in the area could help make this case" Gregg noted.
Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to call the Turn in a Poacher hotline at 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

2008-09-09T11:40:00.000-07:00

2008-09-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

IT'S BEEN A LONG, HARD YEAR....BUT WE ARE STILL HERE!! NEITHER EARTQUAKE, FLOOD or TORNADO'S deterred our mission!

It's been a hellaciously rough year in our area, with earthquakes that made massive old oaks which provided shade unstable and they had to be removed. After that came severe flooding. Flooding, oddly, turned to drought, with no flowing water to homes for nearly a week (a water main broke under a flood area and could not be reached to be fixed). Shortly thereafter our county was likewise declared a disaster area due to Tornados damage.

We feel happy and blessed that despite some damage and costs we lost nothing that wasn't replacable, and the animals in our care continued to receive all the care they needed.

WE COULD REALLY USE YOUR HELP!!! With all the disasters befalling elsewhere and people losing their homes and jobs, donations and grants have been very sparse. We do all we can to continue top notch care for animals in our sanctuary but we are unable to continue to take in new animals in need as we struggle to maintain those we have. PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO GROW AND HELP MORE ANIMALS BY DONATING TODAY! We gratefully accept any donation via mail at Rt 2, Box 219C, Jasonville, IN. 47438 or through our Paypal site which is listed and linked on our home page at midwestanimals.petfinder.com. THANK YOU FROM THE ANIMALS AND THE HUMANS HOLDING DOWN THE FORT!

2008-02-22T17:17:00.000-08:00

IS COMPASSION THE RADICALISM OF OUR TIME?

Based on the names I've personally been called in my efforts to help animals, Compassion IS indeed the new radicalism. This is from our friends in Ohio.

While driving down River Road the other evening the car ahead of mine made a definite swerve into the opposing lane in an effort to hit a cat that was sitting in the road. They hit and killed the cat.
It was difficult to ascertain from behind, but my guess is they were in their late teens, early twenties and out for a joy ride. I could see them waving their arms around in the air in a triumphant manner.
Tears came to my eyes, because the death of this cat affected me in an entirely different way.
Why is it, do you suppose, that so many children are becoming less compassionate? What would possess someone to not only senselessly take a life, but to enjoy the act of killing, as if they had earned a game point?
Dr. Albert Schweitzer, Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952, said, "There slowly grew up in me an unshakable conviction that we have no right to inflict suffering and death on another living creature unless there is some unavoidable necessity for it, and that we ought all of us to feel what a horrible thing it is to cause suffering and death out of mere thoughtlessness. And this conviction has influenced me only more and more strongly with time. I have grown more and more certain that at the bottom of our heart we all think this, and that we fail to acknowledge it because we are afraid of being laughed at by other people as sentimentalists, though partly also because we allow our best feelings to get blunted. But I vowed that I would never let my feelings get blunted, and that I would never be afraid of the reproach of sentimentalism."
Compassion is indeed the radicalism of our time.

2008-02-22T15:35:00.000-08:00

THIS STORY OF HOPE AND COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS IN THE MIDDLE OF IRAQI WAR ZONE, BROUGHT TEARS TO OUR EYES.
Dog Saved by Marine Gets Home in US
By CHELSEA J. CARTER,
AP
Posted: 2008-02-22 12:17:29
Filed Under: Iraq News
SAN DIEGO (Feb. 22) - It began with a simple act of kindness to save an abused, injured dog from becoming one more victim in the Iraq war.

Major Brian Dennis, AP
The DogsOf War
1 of 4
While on patrol in Iraq last October, Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and his squad got to know a dog who came around and took scraps of food. One night in late December, Dennis found the dog in bad shape. It was bitten, stabbed, nearly freezing and close to death. Dennis treated the dog, whom he called Nubs, and slept with him that night to keep him warm.
But what followed for Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and the mutt was a tale of friendship and loyalty that spanned miles and overcame long odds - one set to take a turn Friday with the anticipated arrival here of the Marine's best friend."This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse ... is going to live the good life," Dennis told his family in an e-mail from Iraq.The tale unfolded in October, a few months after Dennis deployed to Iraq from San Diego to work as part of the military team building infrastructure along the Syria-Iraq border and training Iraqi forces to take over.Dennis, 36, of St. Pete Beach, Fla., had volunteered for the assignment. It was a departure from his role as a fighter pilot. He had seen the country from the air, but it was different on the ground.

Dennis wrote stories home about the reciprocal relationship that desert dogs, strays wandering outside border towns, had with Iraqis."The dogs get to eat the Iraqi scraps and have a home in the middle of the desert," he wrote in an e-mail. "The Iraqis get an incredible early warning system; these dogs hear anything approaching from miles away and go nuts and scramble to defend their territory."While on patrol in the Anbar province, Dennis spotted what appeared to be a gray and white, male German shepherd-border collie mix. He named the dog Nubs after learning someone cut the ears off believing it would make the dog more aggressive and alert.Within weeks, Nubs was greeting Dennis during routine patrol stops along border communities. The Marines fed him bits of their food and by November, the Marine and his unit were keeping an eye out for the dog, which routinely chased their Humvees when they departed.Life on the run, however, was taking a toll on the dog. He had lost a tooth and been bitten in the neck. In late December, Dennis found Nubs near death in freezing temperatures. The dog had been stabbed with a screwdriver.Dennis rubbed antibiotic cream on the wound and slept with Nubs to keep him warm."I really expected when I woke up for watch he would be dead," Dennis wrote. "Somehow he made it through the night."Dennis thought he had seen the last of the dog days later when his squad headed back to its command post some 65 miles away. He couldn't take the dog with him and watched as it tried to follow the Humvees away from the border.Two days later, while Dennis and a comrade were working on a Humvee, he looked up and saw the dog staring at him."Somehow that crazy damned dog tracked us," he wrote Jan. 9.But the reunion was short lived. Military policy prohibits having pets in war zones, and Dennis was given four days to get the dog off the base or kill him.The decision was easy: Nubs was going to San Diego. The logistics, though, were anything but easy.With help from his Iraqi interpreter, Dennis managed to find a Jordanian veterinarian to get the care and paperwork needed to get the dog to the states. He also negotiated the red tape to get Nubs across the border into Jordan.His family and close friends helped raise the $3,500 needed to get the dog from Amman, Jordan, to San Diego, said his mother, Marsha Cargo."I just can't believe it. Out there in the middle of nowhere these two find each other," Cargo said.A colleague in San Diego agreed to care for the dog and have it trained until Dennis returns in March from Iraq."We anticipate a real steep learning curve for Nubs," Capt. Eric Sjoberg said. "We want him to learn to just be a dog."For now, though, Dennis will settle for the knowledge that Nubs is finally safe - and waiting for his master to follow him.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-02-22 08:46:45

2008-01-24T16:56:00.000-08:00

HELP KEEP KITTENS "KOZY" !!!! DONATE TODAY!!

Winter weather is bringing massive increases in our electric bills, as we heat 3 buildings to be comfortable for our feline friends to relax in. Although we are being as frugal as possible, our electric provider has steadily increased the cost per kilowatt of energy, and this is the first winter of heating our 3rd building for constant cat residents. We make sure all our furbabies are snuggly and cut back in all areas possible. Usually we can get by with heat lamps throughout the buildings, but recent extreme cold temps means we have to use of portable oil heaters to keep the temps livable. PLEASE HELP OUT WITH A DONATION IF YOU CAN, and HELP "KEEP KITTENS KOZY"! Thank you!

2007-12-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

A Forgotten Dogs Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With no thought of the dog filling their head
And Ma' in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap
Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below
When, what to my wondering e yes should appear
But Santa Claus - with eyes full of tears
He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick
Last year's Christmas present, now thin and sick
More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain
"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."
I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year
For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear
The gift of a dog is not just for the season
We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons
In our haste to think of the kids a gift
There was one important thing that we missed
A dog should be family, and cared for the same
You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain
And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight
"You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"
Author Unknown

2007-11-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

MAJOR PUPPY MILLER EXPOSED IN ODON INDIANA AMISH COUNTRY- LEVI GRABER

"Puppy Mills" are horrendous places were dogs are used as livestock, kept contained in small cages, bred until they can breed no more and then killed". The shame of this industry is throughout Indiana and many other states and is the prime reason pupppies should never be purchased from 'pet stores' and 'back yard breeders'.

As reported on Indianapolis WTHR news channel.

http://www.wthr.com/global/Story.asp?s=7409962

13 InvestigatesIndiana's Puppy Pipeline
Posted:
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Nov 26, 2007 03:03 PM EST
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Nov 26, 2007 10:50 PM EST

Puppy Pipeline Part 1
Puppy Pipeline Part 2: Preview
Check All Clear All

This cocker spaniel puppy at a south-side pet store...
...came from this commercial breeding farm in Daviess County.
Puppy broker Levi Graber tried to have WTHR staff arrested during their recent visit to a puppy breeder.
Richard Isley plays with schnauzer puppies that will not become part of the Puppy Pipeline.
Joe Street says the caged breeding dogs that supply Uncle Bill’s with puppies “have all their needs met.”
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HEADLINES

Bob Segall/13 Investigates
Have you ever wondered where pet shops get all those cute little puppies? We did, and what 13 Investigates discovered is something many pet stores do not want you to see. We went undercover to help you understand how this big business operates and to show you exactly where most of these dogs come from.They are cute, cuddly companions just waiting for a new family. But where do pet store puppies come from?
"Our puppies come from local breeders who are USDA-licensed," a sales clerk told me during a recent visit to a pet shop. She was truthful. At the same time, she was not telling the whole story.
What most pet shops do not tell customers is their abundant supply of puppies comes from a well-hidden puppy pipeline. That pipeline is a big business made possible by commercial breeding, a process that requires many dogs to live their adult lives confined to a cage.
13 Investigates spent eight months tracking the state's internal puppy pipeline, and it begins in a place few people would expect.
Daviess County is a quiet farming community two hours southwest of Indianapolis, and it is also the puppy breeding capital of Indiana. Towns such as Odon and Loogootee are home to dozens of Amish families who operate large-scale breeding kennels.
The kennels are not advertised. Many are tucked behind picturesque farm houses well away from publicly-traveled dirt roads. They are commercial breeding operations and each year, the facilities supply local pet shops with thousands of puppies. During our visits to Daviess County, 13 Investigates found cage after cage filled with dogs whose sole purpose is to breed puppies. Many of the facilities cage between 60 and 200 dogs and, together, they offer pet stores nearly any breed desired.
From the breeding farms, puppies are loaded inside small cages in a cargo van to be delivered to pet stores which, in some cases, are located hours away. Which pet stores the puppies are delivered to is not a big concern to the breeders.
"When they leave here, we've got no idea where they're going," said one of the breeders.
The breeders do not know the destination of their puppies because the sales and deliveries are controlled by a middleman or "broker." The most prominent broker in Daviess County is Levi Graber, who provides puppies to Safari Pets (PDF) and Uncle Bill's Pet Centers in Indianapolis and Pass Pets in Bloomington. Graber does not like strangers asking questions about the puppy pipeline.
When 13 Investigates went to the home of a breeder in Odon, Ind., to ask about details of her commercial kennel, Graber met WTHR photojournalist Bill Ditton and me in front of the home, blocked our news vehicle from leaving the driveway and called sheriff's deputies to have us arrested. Two Daviess County deputies responded to the complaint and declined to issue charges. "You obviously didn't do anything wrong," said one of the deputies.
At that point, Graber told us "hit the road, and I mean do it immediately." He then followed us for more than an hour and filed another complaint with the sheriff's department as we drove around Daviess County gathering more information for our investigation.
Several days later, the puppy broker apologized.
"I should not have treated you that way," Graber said during a face-to-face meeting in Indianapolis. "That was not a smart thing to do, but we are very skeptical when people start asking lots of questions."
Graber said his breeders have nothing to hide. He said they maintain clean and safe facilities, regularly call in a veterinarian to inspect the animals, and "do whatever's necessary to make sure the dogs are happy."
It is important to point out that all of the dogs and puppies we saw appeared to be well fed and in good health. Still, Graber says the public is not welcome at the breeding facilities. "When strangers come in, it means a lot of stress for both the dogs and the breeders," he explained.
There is another important reason the puppy pipeline is not open for public viewing: it would create a public image problem for pet stores.
"People's perception of this is not going to be good," said Joe Street, vice president of Uncle Bill's Pet Centers, the largest pet store chain in central Indiana. "I have no problem with what you found, but most people will not like seeing that."
Uncle Bill's sells about 2,500 puppies a year, according to Street, and most of those come from Levi Graber and his network of Amish breeders.
"Without a doubt, unequivocally, I can state that they are the best quality puppies that we have been able to find," Street said. At the same time, he admits many of his customers will not like seeing the reality of commercial breeding, which 13 Investigates captured on undercover video.
"People are going see all those dogs in cages and think 'I wouldn't want to live in those conditions ... I wouldn't want to live in a cage,'" he said. "What they don't realize is dogs are not people. They do fine in cages and, actually, they'd rather be around other dogs than around your or me. The reality is all of their needs are being met, so I have no problem with that whatsoever."
Not everyone agrees.
Richard and Linda Isley breed AKC-registered schnauzers in their Franklin home. Unlike the dogs and puppies we saw in Daviess County, the Isley's schnauzers sleep in a warm bedroom, they have plenty of room to run and play and they get lots of human attention. The family breeds one litter of puppies per year and you won't find any of those puppies in a pet store.
"Dogs are very social. They want to be with you, Linda Isley said. "In commercial set-ups they don't live that kind of life. It's kind of like a prison. A responsible breeder would never sell their puppies to a pet store."
Raising puppies with human interaction helps to socialize them for a future home, according to Deborah Howard, founder of the Companion Animal Protection Society. The organization opposes commercial breeding because of its impact on adult dogs.
"If your dog was kept in a run or kept in a cage day in and day out, didn't get out, wasn't socialized, wasn't allowed into a home, didn't get to interact with people, would you want your dog in that situation?" Howard asked. "That's a commercial livestock condition."
Graber said some of his breeders allow their adult dogs out of their cages to run free "on nice days." 13 Investigates visited commercial breeding facilities in Daviess County on several warm, dry days this fall and saw only caged dogs - none running free.
WTHR's undercover video troubled veterinarians at the Humane Society of Indianapolis. The video shows lots of flies and piles of feces in and around some of the cages. The veterinarians expressed concern not only with some of the hygiene conditions, but also with the construction of some of the cages. Those cages have floors consisting of wood slats that are spaced apart to allow for urine and feces to pass through. Janet Lubinski, the Humane Society's senior director of shelter services, says the slats may be spaced too far apart.
"It's an opportunity for [dogs'] feet and their legs to get caught and injured in those spaces," the veterinarian said.
After seeing WTHR's video, Street told 13 Investigates he plans to visit the kennels that provide puppies to Uncle Bill's. If he sees any conditions that are detrimental to the dogs, Street said he will require the breeders to make changes.
"If the animals' needs are not being met, they know I won't do business with them," he said. "I've been down there before; the conditions have always looked good...and I really do believe this is the best way to produce healthy companion animals for people."
If it is the best way, few people get to see it. Pet stores, breeders and brokers - none of them want you to see puppies moving along Indiana's puppy pipeline. That's why the pipeline has been such a well-kept secret. Despite the secret, there's a huge supply and lots of demand, and that means this pipeline will keep on flowing.
In the meantime, local animal shelters and Humane Societies remind you they have thousands of dogs looking for good homes through adoption.
Coming up Tuesday on the Nightbeat: For some local pet shops, the puppy pipeline stretches far outside Indiana. Bob Segall and 13 Investigates is going to take you undercover again -- hundreds of miles away -- to show you something you've never seen before. It's the private world of dog auctions -- where the highest bidder wins, but consumers and puppies sometimes lose. See that part of our undercover investigation Tuesday night on Eyewitness News at 11:00 pm.
Thinking about adopting a pet?
If you are thinking about purchasing or adopting a new pet, here are some resources to check out:
Indianapolis Humane Society 7929 Michigan RdIndianapolis, IN 46268(317) 872-5650 Indyhumane.org
Puppy Buying Guide Tips from Humane Society of U.S.Companion Animal Protection Society American Kennel Club list of dog rescue organizations

2007-11-21T16:33:00.000-08:00

One horse killed, another wounded near Linton
http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1292226.html

Oreo is dead.
A beautiful black horse with a bright white blaze on its nose, Oreo was shot with a .22 caliber gun and found lifeless in a Greene County pasture Monday.
Oreo was one of two horses shot on the same property. The other horse, Tigger, was shot with a deer rifle but is expected to recover.
Oreo and Tigger's owners, Ken and Karen Diehl, live in a heavily wooded area on a Linton rural route and had eight horses. Now they have seven.
"It's deer season and we've heard shooting all week," said Ken. "Around dark, I started looking for the horses, went down past the creek and over to the other field and found Oreo dead. I led one of the others back up to the corral area and the rest followed. Once we got up to the corral, I saw that Tigger had been shot too."
The Diehls called their veterinarian and the Greene County Sheriff's Department and both arrived about the same time.
"The vet looked at Oreo and told us it was a .22," said Diehl. "He wasn't able to tell us if the horse had been shot right there or if he might have been shot somewhere else and just dropped there."
The call record at the Greene County Sheriff's Department is a report of shots fired near C.R. 1250 West and C.R. 545 North. A report is not available yet but the case is being investigated by Greene County Sheriff's Deputy Leon Dunigan.
For now, the Diehls are left to speculate about what happened to their horses. They could have been shot accidentally by hunters, but two horses, one black and one red, by two different guns does not sound like an accident.
Lana Robertson, president of the Greene County Humane Society and member of the Greene County Horse Council, says it's been a long time since she's heard of any horses being accidentally shot.
If this were an accident, Robertson wondered why the hunters did not contact the owners rather than just leaving. If this was done on purpose, Robertson said she hopes the people are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
"I would strongly advise hunters to take every care and precaution they can to make sure they know what they're shooting at before they raise that gun," said Robertson.
Oreo was a Haflinger, a breed of horse that looks like a small Belgian horse. They're about 54-56 inches tall, shorter than most horses but they have a stocky build.
Tigger, who is a reddish half-Haflinger and half-quarter horse, is now recuperating inside the Diehl barn.
"The vet thinks he's going to be OK, as long as there's no infection," said Ken. "We're lucky it's not fly season. He's had penicillin and tetanus shots and we're using a special cleaning solution and a salve on his wound."
The rest of the Diehl horses are going to be staying in the corral by the barn for the rest of hunting season.
Robertson says that would be a wise precaution for all horse owners to take at this time of year.
"I advise people to keep their horses up near the barn or even inside the barn during hunting season," said Robertson. "I've even known of people who splashed white or orange paint on their horses if they're in an area that's heavily hunted."

2007-11-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR GOOD REASON! :)

TWIST AND SHAKE IT UP!!

Recent events have brought forth much needed change! New, exciting and motivated people have come forward to offer help and support! We will soon be appointing new board members and moving forward with likeminded individuals towards the goal of helping ease (and someday end) animal suffering in Greene County, Indiana.

In this season of change, changing leaves , changing times, we do feel change is good! To change is to grow!

Big thanks to all those of you who have helped us in the past and those we have just met!

2007-10-27T16:15:00.000-07:00

2007-10-14T17:28:00.000-07:00

This 'joke' email has circulated among rescue workers and animal groups for some time now, but due to it's pretty accurate protrayal of how volunteer rescues feel sometimes, we wanted to share it with you.

Hello, You have reached 123-4567, Tender Hearts Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation:
Press 1 if you think we are veterinarians and want free medical advice.

Press 2 if you know we are a rescue organization but want to save money and have us give you free, untrained medical advice anyway.

Press 3 if you make $200,000 a year but still want us to pay to spay the "stray" in your yard (house).

Press 4 if you have a 10-year-old cat and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the cat a new home right away.

Press 5 if you have three cats, had a baby and want to get rid of your cats because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and cats at the same time.

Press 6 if your cat is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation.

Press 7 if you just got a brand new kitten and your old cat is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 8 if your little kitten has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute kitten who is not active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly cats because they don't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old, unaltered, aggressive dog.

Press 12 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home today and pick up the animal you no longer want.

Press 13 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your pet.

Press 14 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a pet off on your way to work.

Press 15 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left an animal in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the animal with no message.

Press 16 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your pet that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility.

Press 17 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old cat to be euthanized because we can't get to your house in the next hour.

Press 18 if you're going to get angry because the volunteer had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the animals in care of another trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 19 if you want one of the perfectly trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred tiny dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 20 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats.

Press 21 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer.

Press 22 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal pet while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course.

Press 23 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up.

Press 24 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick, or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 25 if you want us to take your female dog/cat who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion.

Press 26 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 27 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 28 if your two year old male cat is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 29 if you previously had an outdoor only cat and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 30 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel.

Press 31 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 32 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 33 if your pet's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed.

Press 34 if your new love doesn't like your pet and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the pet.

Press 35 if you went through all these 'presses' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family.

2007-10-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

AS THE CAT POPULATON CONTINUES TO EXPLODE IN RURAL INDIANA, GREENE COUNTY, OPTIONS FOR HELPING THEM HAVE RUN OUT.

MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS HAS TAKEN IN NUMEROUS CATS AND CONTINUE TO HOUSE AND CARE FOR THEM.

NOTHING BUT SPAY/NEUTERING WILL STOP THIS SAD STORY!!

UNFORTUNATELY, REPORTS THAT THE NEARBY "HUMANE SOCIETY" ARE REFUSING TO TAKE IN CATS AND KITTENS UNLESS THE PERSON BRINGING THEM IN CAN PAY FOR THEM TO BE EUTHANIZED, IS ONLY MAKING THINGS WORSE. PEOPLE ARE CHOSING TO LET STRAY ANIMALS SUFFER, OR CONTINUE TO BREED, SINCE THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO 'DONATE' TO GET THE 'SHELTER' TO TAKE THEM IN.

2007-10-07T15:39:00.000-07:00

KEEP YOUR PET HEALTHY!

After losing a beloved family pet a few years ago, to cancer, we threw ourselves into reading everything we could find on pet health issues. While it came too late to save our own dog, it's not too late for others.

If your reading this blog, then you have computer access. Please do a simple search on veterinary issues for your pet and make your own decisions.

**If your pet or an animal you find is showing any illness symptoms AT ALL....do not allow them to be vaccinated. (A knowledgable vet will not vaccinate a sick animal...even if you are taking a pet to a vet for the first time and the staff tells you your pet 'must have shots before it can be seen'....explain your animal is showing illness symptoms and you do not wish to vaccinate until it is better. If they insist, find another vet.

There is extensive controversy regarding the safety of vaccines and the issue of whether or not we are over vaccinating our animals if we submit them to yearly vaccines. There is much proof that a one time vaccine can last a pet for it's lifetime and giving it more can result in actually making your pet ill. You can ask for a 'titers' test' for proof that your animal still has sufficient immunity from previous vaccines.

**Please note, there IS an option in Indiana of a one year or 3 year rabies vaccine. Please ask your vet to stock and use the 3 year vaccine.

We strongly recommend to those of you wishing to keep your pets alive and healthy for many years, to do your homework. We recommend the following books:
Dr. Pitcarin's "Natural health care for cats and dogs"
Dr. Martin Goldstein, "The Nature of Animal Healing"

Both of these books are an eye opening look into pet care from licensed vets with a holistic approach to health.

(You maybe suprised to read the pet food section and the details of what the USDA allows to be put into pet foods. Unless your pet food is certified as only using 'human grade' ingredients, the left over, diseased and inedible parts of animals are most likely being rendered back into your pets food. Again, there is a wealth of information online about this issue such as :What's REALLY in Your Dog's Food? - )

2007-09-07T19:25:00.001-07:00

YouTube - MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS

2007-09-07T19:24:00.000-07:00

YouTube - MIDWEST FRIENDS OF ANIMALS

CHECK OUT OUR NEW YOUTUBE LINK VIDEO ABOVE!!

2007-09-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

OH HAPPY DAY! JUSTICE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SERVED ON McCOY'S FORMER OWNER, BUT MAC IS CERTAINLY 'BEING SERVED' IN HIS NEW HOME! THANK YOU MAGGIE, FOR GIVING HIM A NEW LIFE, AND FINALLY THE LOVE HE DESERVED ALL ALONG!!

2007-08-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

REMEMBER ME??? REMEMBER McCOY!?? I was seized by police from the Sharon Flater residence in Linton , starved to 24 lbs , heartworm infested, and ready to die. I got a lucky break and didn't die but more about that later.

Just heard that the judge gave my old owner 180 days in jail (suspended), 1 year probatioin, and 40 hours community service. Not much justice for what she let happen to me. Is it?

2007-08-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

WE HAD A LITTLE HELP SOCIALIZING THE KITTENS FROM 9 Year old Krysten this month. She feel in love HARD with some of our babies! THank you Krysten for all your help!! :)

2007-08-16T15:57:00.001-07:00

gcindiana.info // View Forum - G C H S

A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION ON THE GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ARE LOCATED AT THE LINK ABOVE

2007-08-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

gcindiana.info // View Forum - G C H S

A WIDE VARIETY OF COMMENTS AND DISCUSSION ON THE GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY ARE LOCATED AT THE LINK ABOVE

2007-08-16T15:55:00.000-07:00

The local 'inhumane' society makes some more excuses as to why people's dogs were put down the same day they came in.

Greene County Daily World: Story: GCHS has in-house policy concerning three-day hold

GCHS has in-house policy concerning three-day holdFriday, August 10, 2007By Halea Franklin, Staff Writer
A recent case, in which a dog from Bloomfield was taken to the Greene County Humane Society and euthanized without notifying the owner, has caused many people to question animal ordinances in place within the county.
On July 23, a dog, named Bear, belonging to Jerry and Becky Pate of Bloomfield was impounded by the Bloomfield Police Department. Linton Animal Control Officer Chuck Botsford was called in for assistance and later transported the animal to the Greene County Humane Society.
According to Greene County Humane Society President Lana Robertson, the animal shelter was told the dog was aggressive and was humanely euthanized.
Currently, according to Greene County Humane Society Shelter Administrator Rene Abram, they have a policy regarding a three-day hold on strays.
"However, in-house, we have an overriding policy regarding the three-day hold should an animal be deemed aggressive, severely injured, or critically ill," Abram explained. "In this type of situation, it may be necessary for staff or other authorized individuals, such as law enforcement officers, animal control officers, or licensed veterinarians to order a humane euthanasia of said animal."
According to Greene County's animal control ordinance, which was adopted by the Board of Commissioners in 1997, any animal at large, unlicensed dog, viscous dog or female dog in heat that is not confined shall be taken by a law enforcement officer or an animal control officer and impounded in the county animal shelter.
If the owner of an impounded animal can be identified by a license tag or other means, the animal control officer shall immediately upon impoundment notify the owner by telephone or mail, according to the county's ordinance. Any animal that is not claimed by the owner within three days of impoundment shall become the property of the county and may be placed for adoption or humanely euthanized.
According to the city of Linton's animal control ordinance, which was passed in 1984 by the Linton City Councils, dogs and other animals found to be running at large shall be taken by an agent of the city and impounded for no less than five days or until claimed by the owner. Immediately upon impounding the animal, every effort shall be made to notify the owner of the impoundment and the conditions in which the owner may regain custody of the animal.
Abram said it's the animal shelter's first responsibility to weigh the potential risks involved in housing an animal that could potentially injure someone -- whether it be an employee, volunteer, citizen or even another animal.
"These are uncomfortable situations, but the purpose of laws and policies is to offer the most protection to the most people," Abram said. "In the case of Bear we are sympathetic towards the Pates and their loss. We realize Bear was caught in the worse case scenario. We had an obligation to weigh the rights of and give the highest regard to other people and animals in terms of their safety. It does not happen often, but it does happen."

2007-08-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

FOR YEARS NOW THE MANAGEMENT AT THE GREENE COUNTY 'HUMANE SOCIETY' HAS TAKEN THE ATTITUDE OF 'IT'S EASIER JUST TO EUTHANIZE THE ANIMALS THEN WORK ON GETTING THEM RESCUE'....AND "if we do our jobs too well, we won't have jobs".
WITH THIS KIND OF MENTALITY IS CHANGE EVERY POSSIBLE??

IN TODAYS GREENE COUNTY DAILY WORLD, AFTER NUMEROUS STORIES FROM THE PAPER PATTING THE GCHS ON THE BACK......WE SEE NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHIES TO THE PATE'S WHO LOST THEIR DOG TO AN UNCARING SHELTER.

http://gcdailyworld.com/story/1244242.html

Did Bear the dog really have to be put to sleep?Friday, August 3, 2007
o the editor:
On July 23, 2007 we discovered our dog and tie out were both missing. We began looking for Bear, but didn't find him. We then contacted the town garage to report our missing pet. We then received a visit from Kenny Tharp telling us that Bear had been taken to Greene County Humane Society because he was aggressive.
Bear might have looked scary because he had what the vet called cherry eye. He has played with our children and grandchildren, as well as adults. Bear has never exhibited any sign of aggression. We called the Humane Society only to learn our dog had already been put to death.
Bear didn't bite anyone, so where is the aggression? What happened to the two- bite law? Bear might have scared someone, but he didn't hurt anyone. We also received a ticket for Bear running at-large (which this would have been his first offense) at running at-large. Later, we received a phone call from Officer Tharp telling us to ignore the ticket, that he was going to tear it up.
There was a lot of discrepancy on the stories told between the Greene County Humane Society and Officer Tharp. One of the town employees we spoke to said Bear wasn't aggressive as we were told.
My point for this letter is this was definitely a needless death. If Bear was so aggressive, why wasn't he sedated when he was transported to GCHS? Who gave them the right to take his life when he did nothing wrong? If Bear did bite someone, we would have had 10 days to fight to get him back. Instead, we have to explain to our children and grandchildren what has happened to our family's beloved pet.
This makes two needless deaths in two months. Another dog, Samson, was loved by our whole neighborhood yet someone shot him several times. Remember the St. Bernard's that were shot several times!
What's next, poodles? Poor judgment was definitely used in Bear's situation. We can't bring our beloved pet back, but at least we can warn people how the Bloomfield police or Greene County Humane Society is not very humane. Officer Tharp should make better judgment calls -- after all he is our new town marshal.
Becky and Jerry Pate
Bloomfield

2007-07-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

WHILE HORRORS LIKE THE MICHAEL VICK DOG FIGHTING OPERATION ABSORB OUR OUTRAGE....WE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS IS HAPPENING IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES!!! THE ONLY HOPE FOR JUSTICE LAY IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL POLICE AND 'HUMANE SOCIETIES'. IF THEY REFUSE TO DO THEIR JOBS, THEN THE ANIMALS WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER.

PLEASE, PLEASE REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY AND 'HOUND' THE AUTHORITIES TO TAKE ACTION!!!! GREENE COUNTY ANIMALS NEED HELP!!!

2007-07-24T20:30:00.001-07:00

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN TO VICK"S CAREER!!!!

2007-07-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

MICHAEL VICK AND HIS "PUPPY" !! THIS DEAR ANIMAL LOVERS IS WHAT MUST MAKE US CRY OUT IN A UNFIED VOICE!!! PLEASE ASK THE NFL TO DITCH VICK. AS WELL AS NIKE, and THE FALCONS.

2007-06-23T10:25:00.001-07:00

KITTEN SEASON IS IN FULL FORCE!!! WE CAN SAVE THEM IF WE CAN RAISE THE MONEY NEEDED FOR THEIR CARE!!! PLEASE DONATE SO WE CAN SAVE MORE SWEET BABIES LIKE THESE! THIS LITTER ALONE WILL COST US OVER $250 in Spay/Neutering alone.

2007-06-23T10:17:00.000-07:00

WHILE WE ARE HELPING DOMESTIC ANIMALS, OTHERS IN OUR GROUP ARE DOING ALL THEY CAN TO HELP WILD ANIMALS IN NEED AS WELL!! PLEASE DONATE TO EITHER (OR BOTH) EFFORTS SO WE CAN KEEP SAVING ANIMALS!!! WE ARE HAPPY TO DO ALL THE WORK AND WORRYING.....BUT WE SIMPLY CAN"T DO ALL THE FUNDING!!!! DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE!!

2007-06-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

SWEET SOPHIE ON THE MEND!!!! The kitty posted about below with the tail wound is now doing much better, she is sweet and loving. She is still a bit wonky with her walk from her back leg but that doesn't stop her from anything! :)

2007-03-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

JOIN IN THE JOY OF SEEING McCOY FLOURISHING IN HIS NEW HOME!!! :) THIS is what makes our work worthwhile!

2007-03-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

McCoy (Mac) Happy in his new home! Below are pictures of Mac and his new friends, doggy pal and visiting family! His new owner is keeping up with what the legal ramifications to his previous owner are, but unfortunately, her hearing has been continued again with no future date set. The important thing, in the end, is Mac is where he is now loved and adored!!

2007-02-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

HAPPY MAC GETS A HOME!!
The beginning of McCoy's happy ending started February 12, as his new owner arrived from out of state to take him home and spoil him forever!

Don't forget how Mac looked when we received him at 25lbs and nearly dead in late July '06!

AFTER BEING TREATED FOR HEARTWORM INFECTION AND NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, McCoy welcomed in '07 in great health!

NOW HE IS SETTLING IN TO HIS NEW FOREVER HOME!

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SENT PRAYERS AND DONATIONS FOR HIS CARE AND WELL BEING! THANK YOU TO LINTON VET CLINIC FOR SEEING HIS POTENTIAL AND GIVING HIM A CHANCE AT GETTING INTO RESCUE!!

MAC's NEW HOME with FURRY ROOMATE AND VISITING NEPHEWS PHOTOS COMING SOON!!

McCoy's Story in "his words": STORY OF MAC- IN HIS WORDS"Each morning of my life I opened my eyes and wondered how much longer my life would last. I wondered if each day held any relief or if things would instead get worse". For 3 long years I suffered from extreme neglect at the hands of a woman who thought nothing of watching me waste away and my bones appear. I thought I remembered seeing a veterinarian once when I was a puppy.....but I had not seen anyone since then. "I wondered every morning what was worse, the pain in my empty stomach or the unbearble itching from the thousands of fleas that fed upon my weak body, or my lonliness and lack of love. Even the ticks that attached to me had died a slow death from starvation""I've lived a sad life chained to a small dog house without any other shade in the blistering sun. I wondered why the people who passed by my home didn't notice me or at least bring me something to eat. Surely they could see I was in danger and dying? Finally the day came that my friend and companion died. That was a sad day. My buddy was the only thing that made me feel loved, and now my buddy was gone. I watched as they put my buddies body in a plastic bag and just left it, in my sight. Now each day I woke up looking at the body in the bag daily and felt sadness for my friend, and wondered if that would be my fate soon too., just another body in a bag. Soon with the outrageously hot weather, I smelled my friends decomposing body long before I opened my eyes each morning. So now I wondered how much worse things could be. I woke up hungry, flea infested and itching and now smelling death. Things were only going to get worse for me and I prepared to meet my end.A miracle then happened. Neighbors began complaining to the police about the smell in our yard. When they came to investigate and found the body of the dead dog, they saw me too. I looked like a walking skeleton and had ripped out all my hair on my body from fighting the fleas and pests. I heard alot of talking with the owner....the police wanted to see the other dogs in the house but she refused to show them, for now, the focus turned finally , at along last, to helping ME!! ! I was thrilled to greet the policemen and pose for pictures. Then they went away and my heart dropped......for about an hour I wondered if my saviors would be back. My heart surged with happiness when back in rode the hero's, vet statement in their hands and they seized me and took me into the nearby vet office.I was still so happy to be off my short chain and my hopes were so high that I might find some relief here from my stomach pain and painful skin. Everyone huddled around me for a long time.....checking me for everything imaginable. Everyone there was kind and looked at me with sad eyes and had many harsh things to say about my owner. Everyone seemed very upset and I often heard the repeated refrain, "How can anyone do this to their dog?" In the end they decided that besides obviously being emaciated (I think that means super skinny and underfed!) I had heartworm infection and a skin infection.There was much discussion over what the next step was, I didn't know some people were wondering if it would be the 'right thing' to 'humanely euthanize' and end my life. What they needed was a safe place for me to go to , someplace where there people would treat me with all the love and care they'd give their own pets. Who would possibly want to come in and pick up a dog in my condition and treat me with loving care? They wouldn't even know me at all and no one had cared up until then. All I could do was show my best traits, my sunny smile, myeagerness for love, my willingness to comply with all they asked of me. Then I settled into a kennel at the vets to await the decision.Little did I know, the vet tech was burning up the phone lines looking for a safe place for me to recouperate. She reached another animal group and that group sent another man in to take more pictures of me at the vet. He seemed kind and was aghast at what he saw and said he WOULD be back for me. I crossed my paws and hoped for the best!(In a dramatic twist, the animal control officer showed up after that and asked for me and said he wanted to take me for a second opinion and then to be euthanized, but the Dr. stood up for me and said, "NO WAY!!" He explained what a great disposition I had and how special I was and that he would not let me be destroyed. Whew...dodged another bullet!! THANK YOU LINTON VET CLINIC!!)Then a nice lady came in for me!! Her energy told me she wanted to help me and would take me home. Home to a safe place to rest and recouperate. A home with a soft bed, plenty of good food and lots of love! A place where the damage of my life could be undone. I weighed 28.2 when I left that day. I'd gained a few pounds in the 2 days at the vets!!And now here I am, cuddled into a nice bed, and fed every 2 hours with both good dog food and what I especially love...REAL HUMAN FOOD!!! My new foster mom makes up a recipe with ground beef, karo syrup, peanut butter and oatmeal....that is deeeeelishious!!! I barely chew it I just wolf it down!!! I hear her husband laugh that she cooks more for me then for him. I'm sure glad she does! yummy!! They take me out alone into the yard to explore and go potty. I think my new roomates will like me when they get to know me, but I'm so weak and off balance now, "Mom" says I have to keep quiet and stay safe. I'm still alittle wobbly and weak. So I get to walk the garden alone with "foster mom' and sometimes by myself.....but I always find my way right back to the door way that leads to my help and happiness, a good meal and a soft bed and a kind word. Thank you God....and Thank you Linton Police Dept for getting me help! I know I would have been dead soon without your help!!!

UPDATE: After 7 long months of recouperating and being spoiled, I've gone to my new home in Wisconsin!! More updates soon.

2007-02-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Please help us thank the Mayor of the CIty of LINTON INDINA for demanding the the Greene county Humane Society begin spay/neutering of all animals before they leave the shelter!!!

PLEASE WRITE: tjones@minerbroadband.com: councilman-kellyfoglesong@yahoo.com and please CC copy us at MIDWESTANIMALS@aol.com

and just THANK AND PRAISE THEIR DECISION TO MAKE SPAY NEUTER MANDATORY!!!

2007-02-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU to all of you who have suggested and helped us start a building fund, to help build a better shelter for GREENE COUNTY animals!!! The picture here is a recent dog in the nearby local shelter, which calls itself a 'humane society'. HELP US BUILD A TRUE HUMANE SOCIETY, WHICH CAN DO MORE TO HELP AREA ANIMALS IN NEED!! THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE DONATED SEED MONEY!! HELP US MAKE IT GROW!! WE ACCEPT PAYPAL DONATIONS and have a PAYPAL LINK AT OUR SITE AT MIDWESTANIMALS.PETFINDER.COM OR EMAIL US FOR MAILING INFO!!

2007-01-29T17:57:00.000-08:00

WE'D LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN THANK THE LINTON CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR INTERVENING ON BEHALF OF McCOY WHO WAS STARVING AT A LINTON HOME!

WE THINK THE LINTON POLICE ARE TAKING ANIMAL ABUSE SERIOUSLY AND KUDOS TO THEM FOR TAKING ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE ANIMALS IN NEED!!

McCOY IS PICTURED HERE CELEBRATING NEW YEARS AND A NEW LIFE!!

2007-01-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

Since finding posting of meetings of the local shelter are difficult, as they are not run in the newspaper, we'll attempt to post what we believe to be the gist of the meetings here.

On Tuesday the 16th, it was stated that the dog which they were taking 'offers' on had found a home and 'offers' were no longer being taken. Shelter Manager, Rene Abram, stated the animal was off the market and a good home was found for the dog, and the shelter had met the adopters in person at the shelter and were comfortable with them. The shelter insists this was not an 'auction', that they were just 'taking offers'. (?) It is our opinion they were not able/or simply would not, grasp the reasoning behind why this was an inappropriate thing for a 'humane society to do'.

The board officers and members were stated at the following:
President- Andrea McCann, Linton, Indiana
Vice President- Kathy Crouch, Bloomfield, Indiana
Sec/Treasurer (combined)- Martina Swaby, Linton Indiana
Board members-
Lana Robertson- BuckTown(or Buck Creek?) Indiana
Troy Jerrells- Linton Police Chief (stayed for initial 20 minutes of meeting)
Rene Abram- Owensburg (shelter manager)
Dr. Scott Borters of Bloomfield Veterinary Clinic (absent)

Also in attendence were 2 area wildlife rehabilitators, the leader/organizer of a jr. humane society effort, 2 vet techs from the local vet office in Linton.
-Extensive discussion was had on our opinion of the importance of finding a way to alter animals before they leave the shelter. The vet techs offered to help transport to their clinic. No decisions were made and the urgency of the matter was not agreed upon.

-We are reviewing notes on more subjects covered now. I don't remember getting a clear answer as to what method of screening adopters they were using and if they were doing it with each adoption.

- We asked about the status of ever seeing a 'Standard Operating Procedure' manual in place at the shelter and it was reported it was being worked on currently.

Discussion was had at great length on the procedures for helping neglected /abandoned animals. The shelter board is insistent that they CANNOT remove an animal, even one in immediate danger, without police presence. Board member and County Commissioner emphatically stated the Prosecutors office will NOT prosecute cases submitted by them, it must be fully documented and presented by police/sheriff dept. The board member who is the local chief of police had left by then and clear answers were not attainable. Discussion of recruiting police /sheriff auxilary volunteers to assist was discussed.

Members renews their membership.

2007-01-15T19:36:00.000-08:00

Tempers are hot among animal lovers over the local Greene County Humane Society 'auctioning off a small dog". Our mail is overflowing with crossposts about this shelter. Read further for some of the details of our struggles with them. MOST RECENTLY....between their October nomination meetings for officers and board members, and their NOVEMBER elections.....they slid past a sneaky meeting that was advertised in a different place, so that no member saw it and they then met by themselves, changed their bylaws...and made the people who were just nominated, INELIGIBLE!!!!!! In our opinion this is just concrete evidence of their unethical attitude and actions. Their new bylaws, which were , as stated, never voted on by members, just their current board, pretty much covers them to do anything they want and re-elect themselves as they chose. Despite our original intentions to form our group solely as a SUPPORT group for this shelter, as we brought more and more extreme mismanagment issues to their boards attention, we were told our help was not wanted or needed. THEY MAKE VERY POOR DECISIONS, INCLUDING RAISING FUNDS BY SELLING DEAD CAT BODIES TO A BIO-MED COMPANY THEY REFUSE TO GIVE DETAILS ON. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT SCENARIO IS- IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION THAT THEY HAVE THE ANIMALS BEST INTEREST AT HEART, THIS MAKES THE CATS WORTH MORE DEAD THEN ALIVE!! As distasteful as that is, it's the least of their problems when it comes to making poor decisions.

2007-01-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

FOR THOSE OF YOU ASKING, CLEARLY WE HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY 'GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY' (ALTHOUGH WE OFFERED HELP TO THEM, THEY'VE REJECTED, FOR YEARS) TO OUR UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS ARE AS STATED IN POST BELOW. ANDREA McCANN OF LINTON INDIANA, BOARD PRESIDENT, COUNTY COMMISSIONER KATHY CROUCH (KATHYCROUCH.COM), RENE ABRAMS (SHELTER MANAGER), DR. SCOTT BORTERS OF BLOOMFIELD (BLOOMFIELD VET CLINIC) MARTINA SWABY, LANA ROBERTSON OF BUCKTOWN (SULLIVAN COUNTY), APPRENTLY SOON TO BE ALSO APPOINTED, LINTON POLICE CHIEF TROY JERRELS AND OTHERS.

2006-12-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Hoarding dogs and cats, dog found dead - Linton, IN (US) THE FLATER CASE WHICH INVOLVED MAC (McCoy) is reviewed on this update of a website called 'Pet Abuse.com" link above.

2006-12-28T08:37:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: THe final two dogs from the trailer pictured below are gone, but many dogs live in similar conditions all over the county. Email us to join our efforts to make a difference for other suffering animals!

2006-12-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

WE WERE RECENTLY SENT THE FOLLOWING LINK TO A GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY BOARD MEMBER, WHO IS ALSO A BACKYARD BREEDER. PERHAPS THIS MENTALITY OF ANIMALS AS "PRODUCTS" IS WHAT IS WRONG IN GREENE COUNTY? LINK WITH PICS IS: Toy poodle puppies - Indianapolis Classifieds - Free Classified Ads
Toy poodle puppies
Ad ID: 90399

Price
$500.00

Listed Time
10/25/2006 11:05:32 AM
Phone
812-798-1339
User ID
43058
Item Location
Indy

Description

Apricot females available.Shots UTD, fully vetted, tails and dewclaws done.Very friendly., loving puppies paper training started.Puppies bron 8-18-2006Contact Martina Swaby812-847-8018812-798-1339 poofywoof@hotmail.com

2006-12-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

TWO NEW DOGS ARE NOW CHAINED UP WHERE THE SEIZED DOGS WERE IN THE TRAILER IN JASONVILLE INDIANA!!! SITTING IN MUD, PICTURES TO COME TOMORROW. Greene County Humane Society advised. Unbelievable. Hoarder mentality at its worst.

2006-12-12T12:07:00.000-08:00

The dogs from the house below have been removed by the local H.S. as of yesterday evening at 5:30pm. While we do not know if they were surrendered or if the courts will have to decide the animals fate, we have offered to help find them quality rescues. In an email last night to Andrea McCann, Greene County Humane Society President, we (Midwest Friends of Animals) offered to donate heartworm tests and vaccinations for all dogs seized from this property, and to help post nationally for quality rescue groups to respond to take them into their care. As of today, we have not had a reply.

2006-12-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

(CLICK ON EACH PIC FOR BETTER VIEWING) DAY 3 FOR THE JASONVILLE DOGS WITH NO CARE, NO WATER, WHICH THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY WILL NOT ACT ON. TODAY THEY WERE NOTICABLY LESS ENERGETIC, DID NOT COME RUSHING TO THE END OF THEIR CHAINS TO BARK, STAYED IN THEIR HOUSES OR LYING DOWN. POSSIBLY ON THE BRINK OF DEATH!!!

2006-12-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

BOARD MEMBERS OF THE GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY CONSIST OF ANDREA MCCANN- PRESIDENT, LINTON . COUNTY COMMISSIONER KATHY CROUCH, BLOOMFIELD. MARTINA SWABY, LINTON INDIANA. RENE ABRAM (SHELTER MANAGER) OWENSBURG INDIANA. BLOOMFIELD VET CLINIC VET, SCOTT BORTERS, ODEN INDIANA. REPORTEDLY JOINING THE BOARD THIS YEAR, TROY JERRELS, LINTON CITY POLICE CHIEF, LANA ROBERTSON, BUCK CREEK. STEPHANIE SPIERS, UNKNOWN. CLICK ON ANY OF THE BELOW PICTURES TO VIEW THEM IN LARGER FORMAT FOR DETAILS.

2006-12-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

DECEMBER 9- 2006 24 HOURS LATER, THESE DOGS HAVE STILL HAD NO CARE. EMPTY WATER DISHES ARE NOW OVERTURNED. ONE DOG HOUSE HAS BEEN OVER TURNED BY STRONG WINDS. NO ONE HAS BEEN SEEN COMING TO FEED OR WATER THE DOGS. PICTURES TO COME SHORTLY.

2006-12-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

CLICK ON PICS FOR LARGER VIEW AND TO CONFIRM TWO OF THE DOGS HAVE NO CONTAINERS NEAR THEM AT ALL. WE CAN ONLY GIVE YOU OUR WORD THE OTHERS ARE EMPTY AS WE CANNOT TRESPASS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO GET THE PICS SHOWING THEY ARE EMPTY BUT CAN SEE WITH THE NAKED EYE THAT THEY ARE.

ALL CONTAINERS IN THESE PICTURES ARE EMPTY, NO WATER IS AVAILABLE. WEATHER IN JASONVILLE HAS BEEN AS LOW AS 9 DEGREES. DOG HOUSES HAVE NO BEDDING OR STRAW. DOGS SUFFERING IN JASONVILLE INDIANA. GREENE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY HAS BEEN CALLED REPEATEDLY DUE TO THE FACT THESE DOGS HAVE HAD NO WATER OR FROZEN WATER AT AN UNOCCUPIED HOUSE ON KENTUCKY STREET. SHELTER HAS TOLD CALLERS COMPLAINING THERE IS "NOTHING THEY CAN DO" and TOLD LOCAL POLICE THEY ARE "WORKING ON PAPERWORK TO SEIZE THEM" LOCAL ORDINANCES ALLOW FOR ON THE SPOT SEIZURE WHEN DOGS ARE IN DANGER. PHOTOS AND DETAILS HAVE BEEN SENT TO BOARD PRESIDENT ANDREA MCCANN WITH NO RESPONSE. BESIDES THESE DOGS, DOGS CAN BE HEARD INSIDE THE TRAILER AND ARE IN UNKNOWN CONDITION!! WHEN THE HUMANE SOCIETY WON'T DO IT'S JOB, WHAT NEXT? WATCH THEM DIE A SLOW, COLD DEATH?

2006-12-05T12:52:00.000-08:00

The Greene County Humane Society (which is not affiliated with any national groups) is comprised currently of Andrea McCAnn, President;County Commissioner Kathy Crouch, Bloomfield Vet Clinic Vet, Scott Borter; Rene Abram, Shelter Manager; Martina Swaby, poodle breeder; and recently announced others to join next year. THeir names and actions will be announced here. The current county problems are exacerbated by the current running of the only county funded animal facility. As noted in the letter to the editor, they refuse to alter all animals before releasing and do not screen adoptors, adding to the problem in the county. THE ABOVE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD CONTINUOUSLY REFUSE TO ADDRESS THESE MATTERS. The shelter recently reported it was underfuned and not able to treat injured or sick animals, despite the fact a veterinarian is on their board of directors. This begs the question, what happens to animals that come in hurt as strays and Indiana law says they must be held for 3 days? Do they have to lie in a kennel with a broken leg for 3 days? Or do they euthanize them anyway, for a problem that could be medically addressed? They have accused us of only being involved with their meetings to act as a 'watchdog' for their actions, despite the fact we have contributed many supplies and spent many hours arranging rescue for their death row animals. They do not want their decisions publicized for some reason. Perhaps being held accountable is not to their liking.

2006-12-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

Recently the nearby 'Greene County Humane Society' had it's election meeting. At this meeting it was announced they had changed their bylaws, which allowed them basically to put themselves back onto the board unopposed, prompting the following letter to the editor of the Linton Daily World newspaper- LETTER TO EDITOR;
Don't like the way a game is going,? Change the rules! If you're achild that may work, but should a board of directors be able to do that? In my opinion, that’s what the Greene County Humane Society didNovember 21st, at their annual election meeting! Between their October nomination meeting for new officers and the November election meeting, they changed their bylaws which made some of the people nominated in October, ineligible! Tricky!

Instead of announcing the meeting in the AREA NOTES, as usual, it was placed in the classifieds, where it’s unlikely members saw it. With no members present, the board then changed bylaws to suit themselves.

Member’s who don't subscribe to the newspaper and scour it daily for obscure placements of a meeting announcements , are out of luck! Is that how GCHS values it's members?

The current board at the ’election meeting’ included Andrea McCann, Scott Borters, County Commissioner Kathy Crouch, Martina Swaby and managerRene Abrams. They announced that the previous meeting had taken place and bylaws changed. The board then nominated and voted themselves back into office and appointed new board members whose qualifications are unknown. Is this a board we should trust and support? This is supposedly the “new and improved” Humane Society?

This isn't the first time something similar has happened. In January, GCHS representatives delayed a number of members from renewing membership’s resulting in them not being ’eligible’ to vote at a meeting that removed two board members. They subsequently apologized to those members that were cheated out of voting and acknowledged it was unfair, but nothing changed. What is the ‘benefit’ of being a ‘member’?

Seems like the GCHS is it’s own worst enemy. Besides alienating their members, they complain the county is a “dumping ground for animals“, they are overworked and under funded. However, they continue to add to the very problem by adopting out ‘unfixed’ animals and ‘trusting’ that the adopter will spay/neutering the pet, hopefully before it “accidentally'“ breeds and brings more unwanted animals into the mix. (Some animals are adopted already pregnant, another good reason to spay/neuter before adoption).

Also adding to the problems, claims “there is no time” to check reference on adopters (although members have offered to do it for them) missing the opportunity to eliminate adopting animals to some of the people who may have a history of abandoning, abusing /neglecting or breeding shelter animals! Talk about chasing your tail!

The shelter “can't afford” to treat any sick or injured animals that come in -even though they have a vet on their board- don't spay/neuter before releasing animals, and don't check out adopters, how are they a ‘humane society’ and not a “dog pound”?

*NOTE: Any group may use the name ‘humane society’ with no affiliation with any national groups and no requirements to meet any standards, or answer to any other office. Typically, the public believes they are.

How do members who care, get true “humane society” standards in place? Volunteers have offered help in these efforts, yet the board continuously drags it’s feet on making a commitment to change. Frustrated volunteers have moved on to help other groups, leaving GCHS complaining they have no volunteers. More tail chasing!

If tax dollars are going to be pumped into this bottomless pit of a problem, the county should consider appointing an independent, unbiased oversight committeeto review the GCHS activity. Some authority beyond themselves needs to be available to hear public concerns and complaints, since there is no alternative to addressing problems concerning the board itself.

Board members will, no doubt, offer a different “spin” on these matters and attempt to discredit those who hold them accountable, but the facts speak for themselves.

2006-11-26T20:32:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!! I"m very happy to report, I feel and look great! I have some slight arthritis in my leg and finally weighing 60lbs, I take some meds now and again to help. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ALIVE!! I heard the woman who nearly starved me to death was supposed to have her hearing this month, but I don't even like to think about that time in my life anymore. I just want to get belly rubs and ear rubs and enjoy the good life. I'm still looking for my forever home! I don't like to brag, but don't I look handsome now with my new coat!

2006-11-22T09:06:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Mac is doing fine now, ready to be adopted!! Up to 60lbs and actually could probably drop a few of those..hah. It's awfully hard to deny him food when he wants it! :)

2006-10-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

NEW PICS OF MAC!!! Updated 10-30-06- Looking great, feeling great!! No more heartworm and the neutering is finished and he is free to be happy and healthy and find his new forever home!!! He 'howls' hello every time he see's you. He is a riot! Help us find his forever home.

2006-09-07T17:38:00.000-07:00

LETS NOT FORGET MAC'S OWN WORDS!! AND HIS AWESOME BEFORE AND AFTER PICS!!

STORY OF MAC- IN HIS WORDS"Each morning of my life I opened my eyes and wondered how much longer my life would last. I wondered if each day held any relief or if things would instead get worse". For 3 long years I suffered from extreme neglect at the hands of a woman who thought nothing of watching me waste away and my bones appear. I thought I remembered seeing a veterinarian once when I was a puppy.....but I had not seen anyone since then. "I wondered every morning what was worse, the pain in my empty stomach or the unbearble itching from the thousands of fleas that fed upon my weak body, or my lonliness and lack of love. Even the ticks that attached to me had died a slow death from starvation""I've lived a sad life chained to a small dog house without any other shade in the blistering sun. I wondered why the people who passed by my home didn't notice me or at least bring me something to eat. Surely they could see I was in danger and dying? Finally the day came that my friend and companion died. That was a sad day. My buddy was the only thing that made me feel loved, and now my buddy was gone. I watched as they put my buddies body in a plastic bag and just left it, in my sight. Now each day I woke up looking at the body in the bag daily and felt sadness for my friend, and wondered if that would be my fate soon too., just another body in a bag. Soon with the outrageously hot weather, I smelled my friends decomposing body long before I opened my eyes each morning. So now I wondered how much worse things could be. I woke up hungry, flea infested and itching and now smelling death. Things were only going to get worse for me and I prepared to meet my end.A miracle then happened. Neighbors began complaining to the police about the smell in our yard. When they came to investigate and found the body of the dead dog, they saw me too. I looked like a walking skeleton and had ripped out all my hair on my body from fighting the fleas and pests. I heard alot of talking with the owner....the police wanted to see the other dogs in the house but she refused to show them, for now, the focus turned finally , at along last, to helping ME!! ! I was thrilled to greet the policemen and pose for pictures. Then they went away and my heart dropped......for about an hour I wondered if my saviors would be back. My heart surged with happiness when back in rode the hero's, vet statement in their hands and they seized me and took me into the nearby vet office.I was still so happy to be off my short chain and my hopes were so high that I might find some relief here from my stomach pain and painful skin. Everyone huddled around me for a long time.....checking me for everything imaginable. Everyone there was kind and looked at me with sad eyes and had many harsh things to say about my owner. Everyone seemed very upset and I often heard the repeated refrain, "How can anyone do this to their dog?" In the end they decided that besides obviously being emaciated (I think that means super skinny and underfed!) I had heartworm infection and a skin infection.There was much discussion over what the next step was, I didn't know some people were wondering if it would be the 'right thing' to 'humanely euthanize' and end my life. What they needed was a safe place for me to go to , someplace where there people would treat me with all the love and care they'd give their own pets. Who would possibly want to come in and pick up a dog in my condition and treat me with loving care? They wouldn't even know me at all and no one had cared up until then. All I could do was show my best traits, my sunny smile, myeagerness for love, my willingness to comply with all they asked of me. Then I settled into a kennel at the vets to await the decision.Little did I know, the vet tech was burning up the phone lines looking for a safe place for me to recouperate. She reached another animal group and that group sent another man in to take more pictures of me at the vet. He seemed kind and was aghast at what he saw and said he WOULD be back for me. I crossed my paws and hoped for the best!(In a dramatic twist, the animal control officer showed up after that and asked for me and said he wanted to take me for a second opinion and then to be euthanized, but the Dr. stood up for me and said, "NO WAY!!" He explained what a great disposition I had and how special I was and that he would not let me be destroyed. Whew...dodged another bullet!! THANK YOU LINTON VET CLINIC!!)Then a nice lady came in for me!! Her energy told me she wanted to help me and would take me home. Home to a safe place to rest and recouperate. A home with a soft bed, plenty of good food and lots of love! A place where the damage of my life could be undone. I weighed 28.2 when I left that day. I'd gained a few pounds in the 2 days at the vets!!And now here I am, cuddled into a nice bed, and fed every 2 hours with both good dog food and what I especially love...REAL HUMAN FOOD!!! My new foster mom makes up a recipe with ground beef, karo syrup, peanut butter and oatmeal....that is deeeeelishious!!! I barely chew it I just wolf it down!!! I hear her husband laugh that she cooks more for me then for him. I'm sure glad she does! yummy!! They take me out alone into the yard to explore and go potty. I think my new roomates will like me when they get to know me, but I'm so weak and off balance now, "Mom" says I have to keep quiet and stay safe. I'm still alittle wobbly and weak. So I get to walk the garden alone with "foster mom' and sometimes by myself.....but I always find my way right back to the door way that leads to my help and happiness, a good meal and a soft bed and a kind word. Thank you God....and Thank you Linton Police Dept for getting me help! I know I would have been dead soon without your help!!!!! BIG hugs to you alll- MAC"When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken OR cease to be honest" ~ Author unknown.

2006-09-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

HI THIS IS MAC REPORTING!! MEET MY NEW ROOM MATE!! He is a great guy who just barely escaped his final days at a shelter after his owners abandoned him there!! He is so funny and tells great jokes!! I'm glad he got to come keep me company! His owners said he was 'old' and didn't want him anymore, but the poor guy is only 6-8 years old! He is hoping for maybe, some donations to help get his cataract in his right eye removed, but for now, he's using his left eye great! He beats me to the ball each time it's thrown! We sit up and do guy things together, talk about chicks and the 'old days' that we are glad not to be living in anymore!! If you can donate to help with my roomie's medical, please check MidwestAnimals.petfinder.com for paypal options!! This lady is debating what to name new roomie but he said they were laughing at the vets and listed him as 'Sylvester' like the Black and white cat from the cartoons.....they have a warped sense of humor here! haha

2006-09-01T19:45:00.000-07:00

IN MEMORY OF TIAGO!! To Leanne and all her friends who donated in memory of her late dog, Tiago, THANK YOU!! Your generosity is very kind! MAC THANKS YOU TOO! MAC had his first Heartworm treatment today! He is doing ok, a bit sore, came home and yowled, barked for his dinner and scarfed it down, so his appetite is still up to par!!

2006-08-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

UPDATE- Mac was delivered to have his first Heartworm treatment this morning. He will spend 3 days at the vet's. Prayers and good vibes for his health are welcome! (It's possible that some dogs can die from HW treatment, but we dont think it will faze Mr. Mac. After all he endured in his life, he can come through alittle 'chemo therapy' so to speak!! Mac SAYS: "The Linton vet clinic was the place I was taken to upon being taken away from my neglectful owner. THEY were the people who stood up for me!! THEY were the ones who refused to release me to be euthanized elsewhere. They are the ones who found Midwest Friends of Animals to help me! !! So...I'm not scared being here for a few days or anything. These folks couldn't be any nicer to me!! And they are spoiling me with all kinds of good stuff!!!! Foster mom has been cutting me back a bit because I was starting towards 'pudgy' and she said it would be bad for my back arthritic leg to get too heavy.....so NOW its' like being at Grandma's and getting all the good stuff and treats!!! I'll talk to you all again when I get out!!! Thank you for caring about me!!!!!

2006-08-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

HAPPY MAC!!! Can you hear him singing James Brown?? "I feellll good...nah, nah,nah,nah, nah, nah, nah...I KNEW that I WOULD...nah, nah, nah, nah, nah , nah nah!! " Hopefully happy Mac will be starting his HW treatment this week! Still awaiting biopsy results on leg lump, but looking gooooooood!! Approx weight approaching 50lbs!!! THANK YOU TO THE KIND PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONATED TO HELP GET THIS BOY HEALTHY AND ONE HIS WAY TO A NEW LIFE!!!!! Adoption for his forever home, still being sought!!! You won't be sorry, he is one AWESOME DOG and NO trouble!!!

2006-08-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

BELOW Is the story in today's paper of the family who had Mac (McCoy) detailing the situation. Noticably absent, is any mention that our group stepped up to help the sickest of the dogs. Not sure why they wouldn't have the courtesy of mentioning that Midwest Friends of Animals is in care of the original dog in this story, but there you have it. LINK: The Daily World - News
Local News
‘Dead smell' leads officials to home in SE Linton
By Andrea McCann, staff writer

By Andrea McCannThis dog was removed from the home of Sharon Flater after police investigated neighbors' complaints of a sickening odor coming from the residence. Another neglected dog was removed a few days earlier, when a dog also was found dead and decomposing. The dog above was treated at Linton Veterinary Clinic and transported to the Greene County Humane Society, where it's available for adoption. A cat seized at the same time also is adoptable.
An animal cruelty case was recently brought to light when neighbors complained of a strong “dead smell” coming from a Linton residence.During the investigation, substandard living conditions observed at the residence prompted Linton Police Department officers to contact the Greene County Health Department and Adult Protective Services.On July 20, LPD Det. Sgt. Duane Collenbaugh responded to the complaint about the odor and found a decomposing dog near 1040 A Street Southeast and another - live - dog chained and neglected in the backyard. The dead dog was in a trash bag along the property line, and the resident of the home claimed it was not hers.“The other dog was malnourished and had other problems,” said LPD Chief Troy Jerrell.He said officers took that dog to a local veterinarian's office, where the staff asked to keep it and find a home where it could be nursed back to health.Sharon Flater, 62, who lives in the residence, according to Jerrell, would not let officers look inside the home for other animals during that July 20 visit. Several anonymous tipsters claimed that there were other animals in the home that were being neglected, so a search warrant was requested.
“It was primarily based on the original complaint of the bad smell,” Jerrell said. “Upon entering the property (on July 20) and talking to Sharon, they found the first dog in bad shape. The vet stated the dog had been neglected.“She wouldn't let them in the residence, so (Collenbaugh) went back to the courts for a search warrant.”LPD officers, led by Collenbaugh, executed the warrant on Aug. 9. Animal Control Officer Chuck Botsford said four animals were located inside the residence on that date. He transported a dog and a cat - which Flater claimed were not hers - to Linton Veterinary Clinic for examination. Botsford said the pets were covered with fleas and appeared very thin.“Another two dogs are not too bad,” he said.Those animals, which Botsford described as looking like a Chihuahua and a miniature collie, were not seized by the police.Jerrell said animal cruelty charges were filed on the neglected dog found July 20, and more charges are expected to be filed in the Aug. 9 case.“We can't prove she owned the dead dog,” he said. “We can prove she was in possession of the dog tied up in the backyard.”They also can prove she was in possession of the animals found in her home on their second trip.Both the cat and dog - seen by Monica Poehlein at Linton Veterinary Clinic - were in generally poor condition, had literally hundreds of fleas, were underweight, and had tapeworms, she said. They also had some thinning of the hair coat because of the fleas, according to the vet.“The dog was pleasant to work with, not aggressive,” Poehlein said. “Other good news is the dog is heartworm negative, and the cat is negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.”Poehlein was uncertain what would become of the animals when they left her office.“Duane has done a real good job on this case, sticking with it and being thorough,” Jerrell said. “We've received several complaints from the neighborhood. Since the first incident, he's been working to prove there were more animals. Once Duane had probable cause, he took it to the courthouse to get a warrant.“Chuck's done a real good job for us, too.”While working on the case, the officers discovered there had been no utilities to the house since May. Collenbaugh said the living conditions were unsanitary, and a probable cause affidavit stated that there were dog feces and urine on the floors of every room. That information was forwarded to the appropriate authorities.“We're communicating with the health department and adult protective services to help her out, as well,” Jerrell said. “The poor conditions are the basis of that communication.”On Aug. 15, Sam Rotman of the Greene County Health Department condemned the home, giving the residents until Aug. 30 to move their belongings to a more sanitary environment. Collenbaugh said Rotman previously had received anonymous complaints, but couldn't act on them because he needed a signature. The LPD's case provided the evidence he needed to take action.“He posted paperwork on the door stating they had to be out of the house by the 30th of August due to health reasons,” Collenbaugh said.“Adult protective services met with them, but I cannot tell you what type of assistance (the department) is giving them.”Collenbaugh said Adult Protective Services responded quickly to the residence.“We're not wanting to throw anybody out in the street without a place to go,” he said. “It was Sam's job to show it was unhealthy conditions. Adult Protective Services went there the very next day.”According to Shirley Blackmore of Adult Protective Services, she discussed several avenues of assistance with the Flaters. She said she could not divulge the details of their conversation or the department's investigation.Jerrell explained that an elderly woman had owned the residence in which the Flaters lived. When she passed away, it went to a relative, who rented it to Flater. Flater got behind on rent, payments weren't made, and the house was repossessed.“There's supposedly someone from Florida in the process of buying it,” Jerrell said, “but we can't get a straight answer on who owns it and how to get a hold of them.”The Flater family had no comment.

2006-08-16T18:52:00.000-07:00

2006-08-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Mr. Mac got trimmed up and the bump on his leg removed today. He weighs in at 46.9 lbs now and is getting very strong! We are told charges were filed against his owner and 2 other animals seized. We were not contacted directly on the matter and the animals were taken to a nearby shelter. Unfortunately, the charge is only a misdemeanor. We are told the owner is likely moving and will probably start all over again, with strays off the street, in some other town, we would guess.

Mac is a very happy boy and his eyes are lighting up again!! When he got here they were sunken so deeply in his head and were very flat and lifeless, his brighter look was the first thing the vet tech noticed today! More details to come as soon as we have his biopsy results back, we will begin Heartworm treatment. :) He is getting so strong, he nearly dragged me off my feet at the vets to get out and back into the car to get 'home'. He does a VERY funny warbled, "woooo....whoooo....woooo....YOWL HOWL" thing when he sees it's meal time. It sounds rather pathetic but we think it means he is happy! He shared his room with a new foster dog his size today...the foster was large but still a puppy and Mac, circled and joined in the "playful stance, chest butting, now come chase me" game that puppies do together, it was good for our souls to see him acting young and happy!! He should start Heartworm treatment next week and we will be hoping to find his perfect forever home SOON!!! If you or someone you know has the huge heart and extra love to take him in, please start talking to us about it now!! The sooner he can line up a home, the sooner he can settle in and start enjoying the life he was denied until now!!

2006-08-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Quick update on Mr. Mac McCoy the starving dog. He is gaining weight steadily. Still fighting a skin infection but doing better. He needs are increasing, however, as recent recommended medications include an 8oz bottle of specialized shampoo that requires use every other day, an ear cleaner and ointment. The Shampoo is $19.25 for every 8 oz, the Malacetic Otic cleaner for ears- $12.12 and the Otomaxointment $16.00 POTENTIALLY SAD NEWS- We have brought to the attention of a vet, a small growth on his leg, suggestions are for an immediate biopsy to determine whether or not it is malignant. Prayers and donations are welcome!! Barring any unexpected problems, we hope to have his neuter and heartworm treatment started within the next 3 weeks, if we can get his skin cleared up and a bit more weight on him! Thank you to all who have cared and written, prayed and donated....we are not out of the woods yet, unfortunately. Any additional help who be a great blessing!!!

2006-07-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! LOOK AT ME ONLY SEVEN DAYS after rescue!!!!

I went to the ve today for my official weigh in! We couldn't believe it, I gained 12 pounds in 7 days!!!! I went from 28 lbs upon leaving the vets to 40 lbs today! Who said my foster mom can't cook?!? haha Just kidding, she doensn't officially 'cook' my food but she sure does a good doggie meatball!! I've been eating 5-6 times each day! I feel so much stronger and stand taller already! I am more interested in what is going on in the world!! Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts! Keep 'em coming!! I'm going to need them to get through heartworm treatment when I am up to it!!!! Oh, and not to be vain, but I think my hair is starting to grow back in too!! :) I'm going to be a movie star in NO time at this rate!

2006-07-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

STORY OF MAC- IN HIS WORDS
"Each morning of my life I opened my eyes and wondered how much longer my life would last. I wondered if each day held any relief or if things would instead get worse". For 3 long years I suffered from extreme neglect at the hands of a woman who thought nothing of watching me waste away and my bones appear. I thought I remembered seeing a veterinarian once when I was a puppy.....but I had not seen anyone since then. "I wondered every morning what was worse, the pain in my empty stomach or the unbearble itching from the thousands of fleas that fed upon my weak body, or my lonliness and lack of love. Even the ticks that attached to me had died a slow death from starvation"

"I've lived a sad life chained to a small dog house without any other shade in the blistering sun. I wondered why the people who passed by my home didn't notice me or at least bring me something to eat. Surely they could see I was in danger and dying? Finally the day came that my friend and companion died. That was a sad day. My buddy was the only thing that made me feel loved, and now my buddy was gone. I watched as they put my buddies body in a plastic bag and just left it, in my sight. Now each day I woke up looking at the body in the bag daily and felt sadness for my friend, and wondered if that would be my fate soon too., just another body in a bag. Soon with the outrageously hot weather, I smelled my friends decomposing body long before I opened my eyes each morning. So now I wondered how much worse things could be. I woke up hungry, flea infested and itching and now smelling death. Things were only going to get worse for me and I prepared to meet my end.

A miracle then happened. Neighbors began complaining to the police about the smell in our yard. When they came to investigate and found the body of the dead dog, they saw me too. I looked like a walking skeleton and had ripped out all my hair on my body from fighting the fleas and pests. I heard alot of talking with the owner....the police wanted to see the other dogs in the house but she refused to show them, for now, the focus turned finally , at along last, to helping ME!! ! I was thrilled to greet the policemen and pose for pictures. Then they went away and my heart dropped......for about an hour I wondered if my saviors would be back. My heart surged with happiness when back in rode the hero's, vet statement in their hands and they seized me and took me into the nearby vet office.

I was still so happy to be off my short chain and my hopes were so high that I might find some relief here from my stomach pain and painful skin. Everyone huddled around me for a long time.....checking me for everything imaginable. Everyone there was kind and looked at me with sad eyes and had many harsh things to say about my owner. Everyone seemed very upset and I often heard the repeated refrain, "How can anyone do this to their dog?" In the end they decided that besides obviously being emaciated (I think that means super skinny and underfed!) I had heartworm infection and a skin infection.

There was much discussion over what the next step was, I didn't know some people were wondering if it would be the 'right thing' to 'humanely euthanize' and end my life. What they needed was a safe place for me to go to , someplace where there people would treat me with all the love and care they'd give their own pets. Who would possibly want to come in and pick up a dog in my condition and treat me with loving care? They wouldn't even know me at all and no one had cared up until then. All I could do was show my best traits, my sunny smile, myeagerness for love, my willingness to comply with all they asked of me. Then I settled into a kennel at the vets to await the decision.

Little did I know, the vet tech was burning up the phone lines looking for a safe place for me to recouperate. She reached another animal group and that group sent another man in to take more pictures of me at the vet. He seemed kind and was aghast at what he saw and said he WOULD be back for me. I crossed my paws and hoped for the best!

(In a dramatic twist, the animal control officer showed up after that and asked for me and said he wanted to take me for a second opinion and then to be euthanized, but the Dr. stood up for me and said, "NO WAY!!" He explained what a great disposition I had and how special I was and that he would not let me be destroyed. Whew...dodged another bullet!! THANK YOU LINTON VET CLINIC!!)

Then a nice lady came in for me!! Her energy told me she wanted to help me and would take me home. Home to a safe place to rest and recouperate. A home with a soft bed, plenty of good food and lots of love! A place where the damage of my life could be undone. I weighed 28.2 when I left that day. I'd gained a few pounds in the 2 days at the vets!!

And now here I am, cuddled into a nice bed, and fed every 2 hours with both good dog food and what I especially love...REAL HUMAN FOOD!!! My new foster mom makes up a recipe with ground beef, karo syrup, peanut butter and oatmeal....that is deeeeelishious!!! I barely chew it I just wolf it down!!! I hear her husband laugh that she cooks more for me then for him. I'm sure glad she does! yummy!! They take me out alone into the yard to explore and go potty. I think my new roomates will like me when they get to know me, but I'm so weak and off balance now, "Mom" says I have to keep quiet and stay safe. I'm still alittle wobbly and weak. So I get to walk the garden alone with "foster mom' and sometimes by myself.....but I always find my way right back to the door way that leads to my help and happiness, a good meal and a soft bed and a kind word. Thank you God....and Thank you Linton Police Dept for getting me help! I know I would have been dead soon without your help!!!!! BIG hugs to you alll- MAC

"When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken OR cease to be honest" ~ Author unknown.

2006-07-22T10:31:00.000-07:00

WHO IS TO BLAME FOR THE CONDITIONS ANIMALS SUFFER IN GREENE COUNTY INDIANA? Obviously, the first responsibility belongs to the animal owner/caregiver. So what happens when the owner won't /can't comply? GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS need to answer for the laws and efforts in the areas they are elected to serve. UNFORTUNATELY, TWO of the three Greene County Commissioners have voted against reinstating an effective, active ANIMAL CONTROL COMMISSION. BART BEARD (County Commissioner President) and LARRY HASLER have voted to 'table' decisions regarding the matter for many months. Their response was that an overwhelming amount of 'voters' called them to complain that they did not want ANIMAL COPS interfering in their handling and care of their animals. BEARD and HASLER bowed to public pressure from people like DON WILE (Former County Surveyor) who complained publicly in the Linton paper that the people pushing for an animal control commissioner 'maybe' radicals who would ban hunting, and stop him from breeding hunting dogs without first paying a 'large fee' to have an intact animal. ***None of which things were ever discussed regarding a new animal control commision. DON WILE , of LINTON INDIANA then offered to serve on any future animal control commission, with what would appear to be the intention of rendering it useless. MR. WILE implied numerous innuendos about anyone wishing to see an animal control board formed and publicly stated local animal welfare groups had 'hidden agenda's' . THE HIDDEN AGENDA SEEMS TO BE Mr.WILE's and others objecting to animal control. Above are photos taken of Mr. Wiles backyard which is set up for raising roosters. While it is not illegal to raise roosters......typically this type of 'endeavor' is allegedly related to the illegal 'cock fighting' industry. *For legal purposes, please note that no one is accusing anyone of a crime or involvment therein. Has to make one wonder why someone else protests so vehemently against animal protection and control laws? COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND HUMANE SOCIETY OFFICIALS WERE MADE AWARE OF THIS AND SENT PHOTO'S. NO ACTIONS HAVE EVER BEEN TAKEN TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER TO DATE.

2006-07-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

'McCoy' is so sweet, he never fails to wag his tail when we walk past him or speak to him. He nearly knocks himself over wagging it as hard as he can while he eats! He is weak but always 'smile's' when you speak to him! 2 chicken breasts and several 'satin ball's' later, he's settled down to sleep. Pray he can recover enough for heartworm treatment soon!

2006-07-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is but one of many animals who are suffering extreme neglect and abuse in Greene County, Indiana. Local County Commissioners have refused to reinstate a long defunct Animal Control Commmission to help address these atrocities, due to the local 'good old boy's' complaints that they want no authority involved in how they chose to keep, breed, use, their animals. Bowing to public pressure from cruel and ignorant voters, these types of problems continue unchecked, in most of the county. THIS BOY has been one of the few rescued from their life of hell, by the Linton Police Department and a private volunteer group just today July 21st, 2006. THIS dog should weigh 50-60lbs and weighed in at 25lbs. After 2 days in the local vets, he's already gained 2lbs and has been diagosed Heartworm positive. If you would like to help him on his journey to health and a chance at a new life of happiness and love, please donate at MidwestAnimals.petfinder.com.