WV - Cruelty - Consolidated Cruelty Statutes.

These West Virginia statutes comprise the state's anti-cruelty and animal fighting provisions. If any person cruelly mistreats, abandons or withholds proper sustenance, including food, water, shelter or medical treatment, necessary to sustain normal health and fitness or to end suffering or abandons any animal to die, or uses, trains or possesses any domesticated animal for the purpose of seizing, detaining or maltreating any other domesticated animal, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor. If any person intentionally tortures or maliciously kills an animal, or causes, procures or authorizes any other person to torture or maliciously kill an animal, he or she is guilty of a felony. The provisions of this section do not apply to lawful acts of hunting, fishing, trapping or animal training or farm livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife kept in private or licensed game farms if kept and maintained according to usual and accepted standards of livestock, poultry, gaming fowl or wildlife or game farm production and management. The section also prohibits animal fighting as a misdemeanor unless the animals involved were wild game or fur-bearing animals, in which case it becomes a felony.

WV - Dangerous - Dogs chasing deer. This West Virginia statute mandates that no person shall permit his dog to hunt or chase deer. A conservation officer shall take into possession any dog known to have hunted or chased deer and the director shall advertise that such dog is in his possession, giving a description of the dog and stating the circumstances under which it was taken. The owner then has ten days to reclaim the dog. If after a bona fide but unsuccessful effort to capture dogs detected chasing or pursuing deer, an officer may kill the offending dogs.

Horse Abuse Information.

I had the most interesting conversation this afternoon with the founder of a horse rescue organization called speak up for horses. The website is: www.speakupforhorses.org. Here is a little snippet of what this great organization does: "We decided in early 2006 to found a 501c3 registered non profit with the primary mission to educate the public on the plight caused by an unknowing public, by inadequate horse welfare laws, and by the woeful enforcement of existing laws at the federal, state, and local levels." "Speak Up For Horses, Inc. supports the rescue of slaughter-bound horses. However, because we do not yet have an equine facility to adequately house rescued horses ourselves, we partner with a variety of established equine organizations to rescue at-risk horses. We assist other equine rescues in matching available horses with adopters who contact us. We also assist CANTER Ohio and local thoroughbred trainers by photographing retiring racehorses at nearby racetracks for posting on CANTER Ohio's website." www.canterusa.org Abuse is abuse, no matter whether it be perpetrated on animal or human. I hope to have more info from this great organization.



Our name says it all: Speak Up For Horses!

Feral Dogs Are The Result Of Neglect.

I took my dog, Chance, for a ride this afternoon up Clutts Hill to Fairview Ridge and rode around to Union Ridge. Driving slowly, enjoying the weather, and periodically glancing at Chance in the rear-view mirror, as he rode with his head out the window, savoring the swarm of new smells, I noticed 5 dogs running together through a pasture. These dogs, running in a pack are called Feral or wild and can pose a very serious problem to farmers with livestock. Plus, by being in the pack mode, there is very little fear due to numbers. This problem is the result of unwanted breeding of dogs that their owners let run loose and do not spay or neuter them. This is called neglect. Neglect in the sense that the owners do not care enough to take care of these dogs. Letting them run loose and fend for themselves and reproduce over and over. If you see a group of dogs running together, do not try to approach them. Call the Animal Shelter and report it. With the lack of funding for our shelter, they probably won't respond because they just don't have the manpower. I am so glad they are now using Petfinder.com to help place their dogs. The head of the shelter, Anita Asbury, seems to be a really great person. Remember, the shelter can use newspapers, blankets, food, toys, food bowls, anything that would benefit a dog or cat. We can't forget the felines. They are just as important as the dogs. No animal deserves to be abused, as no human deserves to be abused.

Things To Consider Before Adopting A Pet.

Do you really, really want a dog? Do you want to wake up early on a cozy Sunday morning, and take him out in the rain? After all, he needs his exercise. Are you ready to spend as much time as you can with him? Are you prepared for the lifestyle impact, the financial impact, and grooming considerations? Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick dog? Whether it’s a puppy, adult, or senior dog you’re considering adopting, the newness soon wears off, and then you’re left with a loving companion for, hopefully, many years to come. Did you know that the overwhelming majority of dogs adopted from shelters aren’t puppies. In fact, most are 2-3 years old, and up. I am going to concentrate primarily on adult to older dogs, and their particular needs. Anywhere you go, you’ll find lots of shelter dogs in need of a good home. There are other benefits to adopting from a shelter. With a shelter adoption, you’re saving more than one life — you’re making room for another dog, or allowing another dog to be kept at a shelter for a longer period of time, giving them a better chance of being adopted, too. Another rewarding aspect of shelter adoption is the special bond many owners develop with their rescued dog. Opening up your heart and home to an “orphan” usually results in an extremely strong relationship. That can mean a loyal,affectionate, and attentive dog for life. Why do you want a dog? That is the first question I ask people when they come to me and ask me about adopting from a shelter. In deciding what type of dog you should get, consider what you’re looking for in your future pet. Is he going to be a fun playmate for the children, or is his main job going to be to accompany an older person on quiet walks? Do you want him to go jogging with you, or is he going to be guarding the house? Loving him, and living with him should be rewarding for you and your newly adopted dog. The next question I ask is what kind of dog do you want? You can definitely still consider particular breeds of dogs when you’re thinking of adopting from a shelter. Many shelter dogs are not purebred, but mutts. But the shelter workers can take very educated guesses at their lineage. Let’s say you’ve always wanted a Lab. It’s a good bet you’ll find an adorable Lab-Rottie cross who’ll display the physical and temperamental characteristics of both breeds. Or you might be looking for a “working” dog, but not in the market for a “hound” dog. The biggest trick is to be filled to the brim with knowledge before you hit the shelters — and before you fall in love with a gorgeous sweetie who just isn’t right for you. I also ask if it is the right time of your life to get a dog. For a dog waiting for his “forever” home, it’s always a good time to be adopted. But don’t let him down by bringing him home, and then deciding that it’s simply not the right time for you. Dogs take lots of care and attention — and that means time — especially when they first come home. Is this the right time in your life to take on this huge commitment? Does your lifestyle allow for the flexibility it takes to acclimate your new dog into your life? Are your current commitments overwhelming, or very manageable? Most importantly, are you financially ready to commit to care for a dog? Dogs require a lot of commitment. They need vet checks, grooming, toys, beds, crate, and a good dry food that will fullfill the nutritional requirements for your dog. Table food is a no-no. A little treat from the table really isn't a good idea, but we all do it. Just don't make it a habit. I feed brown rice, BilJac dry kibble, raw green beans, no salt, and grated cheddar cheese. Vegetables are great for a dog...a lot of raw veggies may cause a little gas, too. Just a warning. Do you live in a house or apartment? The city, the suburbs, or somewhere rural? Let me be the first to dispel the myth that you can’t raise a large dog in an apartment. It’s nonsense. It doesn’t really matter how big or small your apartment (or even your house) is — what matters is that you give your new dog the daily exercise he requires to stay healthy and happy. Almost every book on dog breeds will give an indication of exercise requirements. As long as you hit the pavement and the park enough, your big dog will likely be happy lounging around your home. In fact, many small breeds (for example, Jack Russell Terriers) require more activity than large breeds. As long as you take care of his exercise needs, the size of your home really doesn’t matter — whether you’re a city, suburb, or country-dweller. Of course, an off-leash park in a city is always great no matter where you reside. Areas designated for off-leash dogs give your dog the chance to romp around as much as he likes, play with other dogs, and fetch toys like Frisbees, Kongs, and tennis balls. Of course, these parks are only for trained, socialized, friendly dogs. Additionally, dogs don’t need a yard to thrive. In fact, they may soon get bored hanging out in the backyard. Yards smell the same every day and there aren’t any new and stimulating experiences. It’s much more fun and interesting to dogs to go out
for walks (especially if you change your routes), or to dog parks, with you. This way they’ll meet other people and dogs, and be excited by new environments. Consider whether you want a male or female dog. Males tend to be more dominant and self-confident, whereas females may be more affectionate and home-loving. But, of course, these are very broad generalizations; every dog is different. Visit as many shelters as possible to find that right dog. There is a dog out there for everyone that wants to adopt. It just takes time to find him or her. Adoption is different with every shelter. When you find that right dog, you will have to fill out paper-work and answer questions. This is just to ensure that the dog will be going to a good home and not back into a horrible situation that they just came out of. Now, it’s very easy to fall in love at first sight, but you should spend time with a dog before adopting him. Look for a dog who’s happy and friendly, and avoid aggressive dogs. Many shelter dogs are energetic because they’ve been confined. If he seems “full of beans,” it’s no reason to rule him out. If you find one you think is meant for you, you’ll set the “application to adopt” process in motion.
This involves some paperwork, including the most important document: the Adoption Questionnaire. This includes a wide range of questions, such as:
• What are your reasons for adopting?
• How many members live in your household?
• How much time do you spend away from your home daily?

The Pedigree Dog Food Mosaic.

I just did something pretty neat. I uploaded 2 pictures of my late therapy dog, Miss Kallee and my boy I have now, Chance into the Pedigree Dog Food Mosaic which has been made to help shelter dogs. Here is the jist of the email I received from them after uploading my pictures. The site is www.dogsrule.com.

Dear Tamara,
Your dog is about to become part of something really big. The Million Dog Mosaic is a fun and exciting way to share your dog’s photo. But it’s also a way help shelter dogs, because PEDIGREE® Brand makes a $1.00 donation for every photo that’s uploaded.*. How to find your dog in the Mosaic. Your photo will be added within 24-48hours. To find your dog’s photo, just log on to the mosaic page and enter this ID number: major2 and miss3 to find your photos. Share your ID number with friends so that they can visit your dog on the Mosaic. Better yet, tell them to upload a photo of their dogs, and we’ll make a donation for every photo they submit. Other ways to help shelter dogs: There are so many ways to get involved, from adopting to donating to volunteering. For more information, visit pedigree.com today. Thanks again for uploading your dog’s photo. We’re happy that you’ve joined our growing Mosaic community of dog lovers.

source: www.dogsrule.com and www.pedigree.com

Man Who Sold Pit Bull To Vick Gets Probation.

Source: Herald-Dispatch.com

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A man who sold a female pit bull to Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation and attended some of the fights escaped prison time Friday because he cooperated with investigators and did not physically harm any of the dogs. Oscar Allen, 67, was sentenced to three years probation and fined $500 for his limited involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting ring that operated out of Vick’s 15-acre spread in rural Surry County. Vick was sentenced in December to 23 months in federal prison. Three co-defendants also have been sentenced to prison terms. “Your case is in a clearly different class than the other defendants who’ve appeared before me,” U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson told Allen. “But for your cooperation the case would not have developed as smoothly and completely as it did.” Allen, from the Williamsburg area, pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to travel interstate commerce to aid in illegal gambling and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting — the same charge to which Vick and the other three men pleaded guilty. Allen faced a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but federal prosecutors recommended that he spend no time in prison because he cooperated with investigators, had no prior criminal record and was a minor player in Vick’s dogfighting enterprise. “He came in and cooperated without any immunity or protection, knowing he would be charged,” said prosecutor Michael Gill. He said information supplied by Allen was “a significant factor” in obtaining guilty pleas from Vick and the others. Prosecutors said that while Allen helped conduct test fights to determine which dogs were good fighters, he was not involved in killing the six to eight that performed poorly. “I see no evidence of any cruel acts toward animals in this case,” Hudson said. The judge told Allen that the light punishment did not mean he condoned Allen’s behavior. “You clearly aided and abetted this conspiracy,” he said. Asked if he had anything to say, Allen told Hudson: “I would just like to apologize to the court for my actions and say I am very sorry.” Allen was indicted separately from Vick and three co-defendants. Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach was sentenced to 18 months, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta to 21 months and Tony Taylor of Hampton, Va., to 2 months. Those four men also face state animal cruelty charges in Surry County. Vick’s trial is set for April 2. Vick, who admitted bankrolling the dogfighting operation and helping execute dogs, entered a minimum-security prison in Leavenworth, Kan., earlier this month.

Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Cruelty.

What is animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty encompasses a range of behaviors harmful to animals, from neglect to malicious killing. Most cruelty investigated by humane officers is unintentional neglect that can be resolved through education. Intentional cruelty, or abuse, is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter, socialization, or veterinary care or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal.

Why is it a concern?
All animal cruelty is a concern because it is wrong to inflict suffering on any living creature. Intentional cruelty is a particular concern because it is a sign of psychological distress and often indicates that an individual either has already experienced violence or may be predisposed to committing acts of violence.

Is there any evidence of a connection between animal cruelty and human violence?
Absolutely. Many studies in psychology, sociology, and criminology during the last 25years have demonstrated that violent offenders frequently have childhood and adolescent histories of serious and repeated animal cruelty. The FBI has recognized the connection since the 1970s, when its analysis of the lives of serial killers suggested that most had killed or tortured animals as children. Other research has shown consistent patterns of animal cruelty among perpetrators of more common forms of violence, including child abuse, spouse abuse, and elder abuse. In fact, the American Psychiatric Association considers animal cruelty one of the diagnostic criteria of conduct disorder.

Why would anyone be cruel to animals?
There can be many reasons. Animal cruelty, like any other form of violence, is often committed by a person who feels powerless, unnoticed, and under the control of others. The motive may be to shock, threaten, intimidate, or offend others or to demonstrate rejection of society's rules. Some who are cruel to animals copy things they have seen or that have been done to them. Others see harming an animal as a safe way to get revenge on someone who cares about that animal.

What happens when authorities prosecute an animal cruelty case?
Depending on the severity of the case, individuals found guilty may be imprisoned. Appropriate sentencing can also include individual or family counseling, community service, or diversion programs. It is rarely the goal of the authorities to imprison a child for cruelty to animals. Law enforcement officers and judges recognize that cruelty to animals is one part of a complex problem. Sometimes the official response to animal cruelty provides a family its first opportunity to get help.

Can reports be made anonymously?
While many jurisdictions will respond to an anonymous complaint, successful prosecutions often depend on an identifiable witness who can authenticate evidence.

Will I be required to testify?
If a case goes to trial and you have identified yourself as the complainant in either a written or an oral report, you may be called to testify

What Is Animal Hoarding?

The following criteria are used to define animal hoarding:

More than the typical number of companion animals. The inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter, and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness, and death. And the denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household, and human occupants of the dwelling. Animal hoarding jars communities across America on a daily basis with approximately 1500 new cases discovered each year. Thousands of animals suffer and some die in squalid surroundings, devoid of adequate food and water, yet, the owners insist nothing is wrong. Standing in three inches of feces, breathing acrid ammonia in the air, and in plain view of dead and dying dogs, one woman said to me on an abuse case I went out on, “I never hurt any dogs, I love my babies. The fact is I protect them.” Conditions often become extreme before law enforcement officials can glean enough evidence for a search warrant. “The biggest problem is they are never allowed access to the house until it becomes so severe that something tragic happens. Communities are left to cover the cost of rescuing, treating, housing, feeding, and in some cases euthanizing the animals. Additional financial costs for incarceration and public defenders add to the burden. Although the case of a dog being violently killed is shocking, in animal hoarding cases the suffering can be felt by hundreds of animals for months and months on end.
source: petabuse.com

What A Felony Anti-Cruelty Law Should Do.

Apply to all animals.
Apply to first-time offenders.
Have large fines and lengthy prison time as penalties.
Have no exemptions.
Allow or require convicted abusers to get counseling at their own expense.
Prohibit abusers from possessing animals or living where animals are present.
Additionally, statutes should be combined with a strong commitment to enforce the law. Police, psychologists and even the FBI recognize the link between animal cruelty and acts of violence toward people. To better protect communities, all states should have strong penalties and should work to educate and increase community awareness of the significance of animal cruelty crimes. Every state has a law against animal cruelty. But what's surprising is the degree to which the states differ in their prohibition of cruelty. While some states have strong felony-level penalties, others still categorize egregious acts of intentional cruelty, such as setting an animal on fire or maliciously beating an animal, as misdemeanors or felonies with relatively weak penalties. As of June 2007, 43 states have enacted felony-level penalties for certain acts of animal cruelty, 29 of them in the last ten years. Some states have relatively effective laws that do not contain felony-level penalties, and not all states with felony-level provisions have otherwise strong laws. While the majority of states cover all animals, several restrict felony-level penalties to crimes against zoo or companion animals.

List Of WV Rescue and Humane Organizations, Continued.

Humane Society of Morgan County Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Humane Society of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV 26102 Phone: 304-422-5541

Humane Society of Raleigh County Beckley, West Virginia

Humane Society of Ritchie County Harrisville, WV 26362

Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Shelter Huntington , WV Phone: 304-696-5551

Jackson County Animal Shelter Cottageville , WV Phone: 304-372-6064

K9 Furbabies Rescue (Sheltie & Collie) Kearneysville, WV 25430 (outskirts of Martinsburg, WV)

Kanawha Charleston Humane Association Charleston, WV 25311 Phone: 304-342-1576

Karmana Farm Glengary, WV 25421

Katie's Rescue Shelter Camden-on-Gauley, Webster County, WV 26208

Lawrence County Humane Society Ironton , OH

Lawrence County Humane Society Louisa , KY Phone: 606-673-4509

Marion County Humane Society Fairmont, WV 26554

Mason County Humane Society Point Pleasant, WV 25550

Mercer County Humane Society Princeton, WV 24740

Mid-Atlantic English Springer Spaniel Rescue Virginia and West Virginia

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, Inc. West Virginia

Mineral County Humane Society Piedmont, WV 26750

Monongalia County Canine Adoption Center

National Humane Education Society Charles Town, Jefferson County, WV 25414-0340

Nicholas County Animal Shelter Summersville , WV Phone: 304-872-7877

North Mountain Small Dog Rescue Martinsburg, WV 25401

One At A Time Gerrardstown, WV 25420

Pike County Animal Shelter Pikeville , KY Phone: 606-432-6293

100 miles South from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia (click here for directions)

Putnam County Animal Relief Center Winfield , WV Phone: 304-586-0249

Roane County Animal Shelter Spencer, WV 25276 Phone: 304-927-2555

Scioto County Dog Pound Portsmouth , OH Phone: 740-353-8802

South Ohio Animal Rescue Portsmouth, Scioto County, is 45 miles NW from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia (click here for directions).

Summers County Animal Control and Welfare Project Hinton, WV 25951

Tri State Collie Rescue Barboursville, WV 25504, OH and KY

Tucker County Dog Pound Parsons, WV 26287

Upshur County Dog Pound Buckhannon, West Virginia

Wildwoods Rescue Hedgesville, WV 25427

List Of WV Rescue and Humane Organizations.

Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue Sanctuary Delray, WV 26714

Animal Friends of North Central West Virginia Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV 26507-1244

Appalachian Animal Rescue Friends Delbarton, Mingo County, WV 25670

Appalachian Great Pyrenees Rescue

B.A.R.K. Bluegrass Animal Rescue of Kentucky - Louisa , KY (606) 686-9520; joenik@foothills.net


Bosleys Pom Posse West Virginia and Nationwide

Braxton County Humane Society, Inc Sutton , WV Phone: 304-765-2200

Brooke County Animal Shelter Follansbee WV 26037

Clay County Humane Association Clay , WV Phone: 304-651-2496

Fayette County Animal Control Center Fayetteville , WV 25840 Phone: 304-574-3682

Gallia County Animal Shelter Gallipolis , OH Phone: 740-441-0207

Hampshire County Animal Control Paw Paw, WV 25434 Animal Control

Hampshire County Pet Adoption Program Highview, WV

Hearts From Heaven Ripley , WV Phone: 304-415-3275

Hedgesville Hounds Morgan, Berkley, Jefferson Counties of West Virginia and Maryland

Help For Animals Barboursville, Cabell County, West Virginia

Humane Society of Berkeley County Martinsburg, WV 25401

Humane Society of Hampshire County Augusta, WV 26704 Shelter

Humane Society of Jackson County Ohio, Inc. Jackson , OH Phone: 740-286-6435 Shelter

Humane Society of Lawrence County Ironton, Ohio 20 miles NW from Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia 606-673-4509 (click here for directions)

The World Society For The Protection Of Animals.

I saw a commercial for this organization that I didn't know existed. I felt stupid not knowing this great organization was available and helping all types of animals, not just the dogs, cats,and horses. Please check out this great, great organization. The website is: www.wspa-international.org.

Raven's Haven.

I found a fabulous parrot/exotic bird rescue called Raven's Haven in Vienna WV. I thought it was quite interesting so I went to their website. Really neat stuff being done there. Check out the website. Their "Mission Statement" is:

Mission Statement goals of Raven’s Haven are:
1. To rescue languishing, abused or unwanted parrots from abusive or neglectful situations.
2. To act as a placement service for friendly, tame birds whose guardians have had to give up their bird(s) in urgent or emergency situations.
3. To serve as an educational resource and advice service for:
A. Prospective bird guardians.
B. Current bird guardians.
C. Schools, as an educational resource on the care and responsibilities of owning any animal as a pet.
4. To serve as a permanent sanctuary for birds not suitable for adoption. Our long term goals include building a permanent home for these birds.

www.ravenshaven.org

The Horse Protection Act.

This post is not about dog abuse, but horse abuse. Dogs are not the only animals that are abused. I showed American Saddlebreds for many, many years and saw first hand at horse shows what was happening to the Tennessee Walkers. The Walkers were able to show at American Saddlebred sanctioned shows. Racking horses were not popular back then. Now, they are everywhere. This area is full of them. I am sure that someone will come back and say to me that cutting the tendon in the Saddlebred's tail to get it to stand up is cruel, and having to wear a tail-set is too. Soring of feet is horrendous and using a tail set does not even come close to abuse. This is my opinion.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) enforces the Horse Protection Act (HPA). The HPA is a Federal law that prohibits horses that have been subjected to a practice called soring from
participating in auctions, exhibitions, sales, or shows. The HPA also prohibits drivers from transporting sored horses to or from any of these events. Soring is a cruel and inhumane practice used to accentuate a horse’s gait. Soring may be accomplished by irritating or blistering a horse’s forelegs through the injection or application of chemicals or mechanical devices that cause irritation. Soring may also be accomplished by the infliction of cuts, lacerations, or burns, or by the engagement of any practice that could reasonably be expected to cause a horse to suffer pain or distress while walking, trotting, or otherwise moving. An accentuated gait may also be accomplished by using inhumane hoof trimming or pressure-shoeing techniques. Sored horses sometimes develop permanent scars in the pastern area due to the use of the painful chemicals or devices involved in the soring process. When it walks, a sored horse responds by quickly lifting its front legs to relieve pain. In the 1950s, some horse owners and trainers who wanted to improve their horses’ chances to win at shows used soring as an unfair shortcut to conventional training methods. Because sored horses gained a competitive edge, the practice became popular and widespread in the 1960s. Public outcry over this abusive practice led to the Horse Protection Act, which Congress passed in 1970 and amended in 1976. The HPA is intended to ensure that responsible horse owners and trainers will not suffer as a result of unfair competition from those who sore their horses and that horses will not be subjected to the cruel practice of soring. Although the HPA covers all horse breeds, Tennessee walking horses, racking horses, and other high-stepping breeds are the most frequent victims of soring. Responsibility for preventing sored horses from being exhibited, shown, or sold rests with owners, riders, sellers, trainers, and managers of these events. Owners and trainers benefit if a horse wins a show or sells for a high price, thus leading to greater incentive to sore the horse. Event managers, however, have the major legal responsibility to exclude or disqualify sored horses at their auctions, exhibitions, sales, or shows. Designated Qualified Persons To facilitate enforcement of the HPA, APHIS established the designated qualified person (DQP) program. DQPs are USDA-accredited veterinarians with equine experience, or they are farriers, horse trainers, or other knowledgeable horse people who have been formally trained and licensed by USDAcertified horse industry organizations or associations. DQPs are hired by the managers of a sale or show to assure that sored horses are not exhibited or offered for auction. DQPs are responsible for physically inspecting every Tennessee walking horse and racking horse before it may be exhibited, shown, or sold and every first-place horse after it is shown. DQPs must report to show management any horses that do not meet Federal regulations under the HPA. It is show management’s legal responsibility to disqualify sored horses. Monitoring DQPs and Enforcing the HPA APHIS inspection teams attend some horse events to conduct unannounced inspections. The APHIS inspection team may include veterinary medical officers (VMOs), animal care inspectors (ACIs), and investigators. The primary responsibility of APHIS’ VMOs is to evaluate the DQPs’ inspection procedures. VMOs also observe horses during shows, sales, and exhibitions and may examine any horse for signs of soring. DQPs may have their license canceled if their inspection procedures do not meet HPA standards.

Don't Let Your Dog Freeze.

With the weather finally acting like winter, it is going to be too cold for any dog that has to live outside. They should be brought in. When a dog is tied to a chain or rope, they can't get to any cover, if they don't have a shelter. But, feral or abandoned dogs can find caves and shelter to get out of the weather. This doesn't make it any easier on them, as they have to feed when they can. But, I see dogs everyday where I live, go without food or water. It is vital that outside dogs have plenty of food and their water checked everyday. The food provides the body with fuel to burn, and the water keeps the body hydrated. Bring in your dog(s) this week-end, as it is to be in the single digits.

10 Ways To Help Your Local Shelter.

source: www.aspca.org

You don't have to be an animal expert to help your community's local shelter. You just need to have the time and the desire to lend a helping hand. And it doesn't have to be a lot of time, either. In fact, whatever you do for a living, you're bound to have skills and talents that your local shelter can use.

1. Go to school! Dog school, that is. Grab a handful of tasty treats, find a suitable canine, and get to class. Helping teach shelter dogs to sit, stay, walk calmly on a leash, come, or shake paws will make them infinitely more adoptable.
2. Get your shelter online. Can you give your community's homeless animals the "cybershelter" advantage? This is a wonderful way for teens who aren't yet old enough to become volunteers to get involved. They can take pictures and develop short bios for each dog.
3. Design a computer Program. If you are a techie, consider customizing a management program than can help adopters select the right pet for them.
4. Let's make it legal! Shelters always seem to be in need of volunteers with professional legal skills. And joining the Animal Legal Defense Fund is a good way to help.
5. Work it, baby! Designated a day for coworkers to donate spare change or pool their tips for the benefit of the shelter. Make it an event! Publicize it with flyer's and signs, and remind everyone about the important work that the shelter does.
6. Cats, up close and personal. You may want to satisfy your need for feline contact by spending time socializing shelter cats. They (volunteers) spend time each day playing with the cats, getting to know them, grooming them, and generally keeping them as happy as they can be, given the inherent stress of being in a shelter. And based on input from "feline socializers," adoption counselors can make better placements.
7. Do you have the "write" stuff? Write or start a newsletter! It's a great way to keep members, supporters, adopters, and the public informed about what the shelter does and what it needs. Many shelters rely on volunteers to write articles, and some newsletters are produced entirely by volunteers. Be sure to include heartwarming stories and a donation envelope!
8. Throw a party. Organize an event for all your friends, and donate the proceeds to the shelter. Any kind of social event - a clam bake, a Super Bowl Party, a jazz brunch, or a dog walk - is a great way to make new friends and raise money.
9. If you had a hammer. If you're handy, then you are hired! Go to your local shelter and ask if they have any renovations they need done.
10. The numbers game. Shelters on a shoestring can reap enormous benefits from the guidance of a caring accountant. To operate smoothly, any nonprofit must keep good records.
Don't know where your local shelter is? Go to www.aspca.org for a list.

Animals Matter!

Please go to this website and sign the petition to get a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare passed. This is another great organization. www.animalsmatter.org

February is National Lobby Day for Animals.

Feb. 13 is National Lobby Day for animals in 23 states.

The Difference Between Rights and Welfare.

***This is a snippet of part of a guest column I had in the Herald Dispatch***

Animal Rights Vs. Animal Welfare.

Animal WELFARE is about humane treatment of animals; in fact, animal welfare is essentially synonymous with the original humane movement begun in England in the l840's.

Animal RIGHTS is claiming animals have legal rights, as people do, and the most basic animal right is the right not to be owned or used for any purpose at all by human beings.

Animal WELFARE supporters aim for a balance between owning and using animals as humanely as possible and allowing owners and breeders their rights to own, use, and breed animals.

Animal RIGHTS supporters aim to end all ownership, use, and breeding of all animals. They envision a world in which no animals are left anywhere, because, allegedly, man has so mis-treated animals, man no longer deserves to have animals. If it is not possible to end the existence of all animals by sterilization, then at least, all animals should be set free to make their way in the wilderness. Anything less than that is slavery.

Animal RIGHTS people do NOT believe in animal welfare. On the contrary, they are not interested in so-called humane treatment of animals, because they believe there should be no interaction at all between animals and human beings.

No-Kill Shelter Does an Adopt-A-Thon in Pullman Square.

source: I was on the square today and saw this going on and went over to check it out. I also see where the Herald Dispatch had a small story on this event.

Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, Little Victories No-Kill Shelter was at Pullman Square with some volunteers and a small number of dogs and cats for their Adopt-A-Thon. The shelter is located on Wire Branch Road, Ona, WV. Wire Branch Rd. is on the right as you are heading up Rt. 60 toward Milton. Start looking on your right after you come up the hill from passing Cabell Midland H.S. The road is marked with a green road sign. The money collected will go to funding for care of the shelter dogs and cats, and for the spay or neuter. To learn more about this great organization, go to their website at www.littlevictories.org.

Looking For A Few Good Dogs and People.

source: Herald Dispatch - online

A private organization called the Tri-State Search and Rescue Association, located in Hurricane, WV, is taking letters of interest and resumes for 2-4 openings for handlers. After reading this story in the Herald Dispatch this a.m., I checked out their website, www.tristatek-9.com. Really cool stuff. They have 130 acres that houses their training facility. They have mature dogs and puppies for sale and training in these specialties: Police K-9 training, tracking/search/rescue and Personal Protection Dogs. They also can train dogs for arson detection, bomb, bodyguard & Security, and patrol and security. They also offer trainer courses.

Source: Herald Dispatch

Some Information I Have Learned Through The Years.

There are many different reasons why individuals abuse animals. Animal cruelty covers a wide range of actions (or lack of action), so one blanket answer simply isn’t possible. Each type of abuse has displayed certain patterns of behavior that we can use to help understand more about why people commit the crimes we encounter today. Animal cruelty is often broken down into two main categories: active and passive, also referred to as comission and omission, respectively. (1) In every pschology class I have ever taken that studied Serial Killers, said statistically, people that abuse animals usually go on to harm humans. (2) Passive Cruelty (Acts of Omission):
Passive cruelty are by cases of neglect, where the crime is a lack of action rather than the action itself - however do not let the terminology fool you. Severe animal neglect can cause incredible pain and suffering to an animal. Examples of neglect are starvation, dehydration, parasite infestations, allowing a collar to grow into an animal’s skin, inadequate shelter in extreme weather conditions, and failure to seek veterinary care when an animal needs medical attention. In many cases of neglect where an investigator feels that the cruelty occurred as a result of ignorance, they may attempt to educate the pet owner and then revisit the situation to check for improvements. In more severe cases however, exigent circumstances may require that the animal is removed from the site immediately and taken in for urgent medical care. (3)
Active Cruelty (Acts of Comission):
Active cruelty implies malicious intent, where a person has deliberately and intentionally caused harm to an animal, and is sometimes referred to as NAI (Non-Accidental Injury). Acts of intentional cruelty are often some of the most disturbing and should be considered signs of serious psychological problems. This type of behavior is often associated with sociopathic behavior and should be taken very seriously. (4)
1,2,3,4 are taken from my own notes from a Pschcology class I had. We studied killers for a semester.

Irresponsible Breeding is Abuse.

Did you know that in some states, irresponsible breeding is against the law? By this, I mean that if one person has a male and one person has a female of the same breed, and they just put the dogs together without doing the proper DNA testing and vet checks, with the proper hips/eyes/elbows, etc., it is illegal. In 2003, A.K.C. started the Frequently Used Sire Program. If a breeder has more than 3 litters in a calendar year, the sire must be DNA tested before the 4th breeding or if the breeder has 6 litters in a lifetime,(ex: 3 litters in 2006 and 3 litters in 2007) the sire must be DNA tested before the 7th litter. I also understand that there are quite a few new registry's that have popped up in recent years. One that seems to be prevalent around the Tri-State is the CKC or The Continental Kennel Club. They just are not as stringent on their rules. Not saying that they are not good, just not as stringent on the rules as A.K.C. I am just more comfortable with A.K.C. With the CKC, you don't have to do the DNA like with A.K.C. Even though I don't breed, I have a digital xray of my Yellow Lab's hips and spine. I am a purist. I do not believe in mixing breeds to get a "designer" dog. I have been working dogs for over 20 yrs. I have seen a lot of these mixed breeds or "designer" dogs, and have seen the health issues that come with mixing. Purchasing a puppy from a pet store is extremely risky. Most purchase their puppies from puppy mills. And, if looking for a puppy, make sure that you see the parents. Seeing the parents will give you an idea of what you are buying, i.e. temperament, looks, and any faults, such as cherry eye, or conjunctivitis, which is hereditary, weak hips or elbows, which also are hereditary. Buying from a pet store does not allow you to view the parents. Not having all the information on your puppy is like, well, like when I go to the doctor and, being adopted, as I am, don't have any idea what my medical history is. Remember, knowledge will help you purchase that puppy that will fit right into your home, hence making you and the puppy both happy.

This information was gathered by me throughout my years working with dogs.

A Miserable Life.

Hello everyone....I was traveling to a friend's house this morning and took Big 7 Mile road, by the IGA on Rt.2 to get there. As I drove toward Union Ridge Rd., I began to notice the dogs tied up to way too small plastic dog houses, or wooden ones with holes all through it. For every dog a rescue organization rescues, their are 6 more, every second, that need help, too. This is really sad.

If you see a dog being abused, or chained up and no food or water, please remember...call the humane society, it can be anonymous, as I have done it many times. Our shelter is now connected with www.petfinder.com, so more dogs are being adopted and not euthanized and thrown away with the trash.

I have a first cousin and his wife that adopt dogs and have quite a few. We saw each other at a funeral for my aunt, and she was talking about how they help Little Victories No-Kill Shelter with donations. I wish everyone were as caring as my first cousin, Alan and his wife, Catherine. Thanks to you both. I would like to end this post with a quote: "Why is it that my heart is so touched whenever I meet a dog lost in our noisy streets?" E'mile Zola

Fundraiser to help Putnam Animal Relief Center

source: Herald Dispatch - online

On January 12th, 2008, from 6-10pm, a fundraiser called the "Fur Ball" will be held at the Charleston WV Cultural Center. Tickets are $100.00 per person and the funds will go help build a new Putnam County Animal Relief Center.

Some very special guests will be there including WV's First Lady, Gayle Manchin.

Opened in the mid 80's, the shelter has battled overcrowding due to increased population in the county. I heard that they are increasing their runs by 20 and that would make a total of 70 runs for the dogs. I also heard about the addition of 50 cat cages." As said before, location is key. They need to bring the shelter into the forefront near the road and the property I heard they are working with, will come out to the main road. I also was told by a volunteer that they had recently gotten a $20,000.00 grant for something called site preparations.

The Charleston Cultural Center is donating the venue for free. For tickets and information call Jeff Barnes @304-757-5700 or email him @ jbarnes@jbarnes.com. You may also send a donation to: Putnam County Animal Relief Center @ First State Bank, 1101 Hospital Dr., Ste. 102, Hurricane, WV 25526.

Come out and enjoy the food and music and save an animal's life.