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Animal Abuse: Dog Skin and Bones

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By Steve Alexander Reporter

M30o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Animal Abuse: Dog Skin and Bones

Published: Fri, May 09, 2008 - 11:01 pm
Last Updated: Fri, May 09, 2008 - 11:05 pm

Steve Alexander

Mobile County Animal Control officers are investigating what they believe to be a case of animal abuse.
They say they received a call Friday about a basset hound in the Theodore area that was severely underweight.
Officers say the woman that called them said she's being seeing the dog in the area of Drexel Drive near Bellingrath Road for about three weeks.
Mobile County Humane Officer Carmelo Miranda said, "This animal has hardly has any muscle mass at all. Its barely skin and bones walking."
Animal control officers say they've found the dogs owner.
Miranda said, "The owner stated he didn't have a job, he couldn't afford to take care of the animal. In his mind, the dog was not neglected."
Field officer Walter Johnson said, "In his (the owner's) mind, he felt like he wasn't neglecting the dog. He said, 'I've been taking care of him. He hasn't been eating that much.' And I explained to him, 'Sir, it takes a long period of time for a dog to get in that condition.' "
Animal control officers say basset hounds usually weigh about 45 or 50 pounds.
They say this one weighs about 20 pounds.
And the dog's claws are long enough to start curling up.
Miranda says Saturday morning they'll bring the dog to a veterinarian Saturday morning.
He says, "The vet is going to take a look at it, to see if he'll be able to recover."
Animal control officials say the owner could face criminal charges, but he's not under arrest now.
Johnson said, "Monday we will file a petition and a deposition in court."
Animal control officials say after Monday's court hearing, a warrant could be put out for the owner's arrest.

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PS- My two most recent rescue horses were one’s that had been reported, and supposedly “investigated.” They were eating dirt and trees. I bought them to get them out of the situation, before they died. What a difference a few weeks of food, grass, worm medicine, shots and grooming has made.

WKRG-I sent the pictures of the 12 horses to you last year. I also have before pictures of these 2, plus my other other rescue I got in September. If you decide to do a story about the ineffectiveness of the system, I will be glad to share my pictures/stories so we can see something change. I also have EXTENSIVE documentation from the situation last year, to prove that not all things are as they claim to be.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/18/08 - 10:37 am • Report Abuse .

The 12 starving near dead horses I mentioned earlier are looking good now, even though the person who owns them is a “repeater,” and it took some “creative” avenues to get the investigating agency to DO THEIR JOB. Same agency was also caught in multiple lies about the investigation. All that is water under the bridge now, but it is concerning that there is not some sort of regulatory board to monitor investigations/outcomes. I personally feel that we ought to have a centralized number, like 311, to report cruelty cases, then let them assign it to the appropriate agency, and follow up.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/18/08 - 10:31 am • Report Abuse .

There is also a website where you can track the animal cruelty reports and actions taken in any area. Mobile County actually had one of the highest animal cruelty reports in the US the last time I checked!

I don’t know what it will take to change our ineffective system. I think the laws will have to get tougher. I have worked with some independent groups, because really, there are so many people fed up that NOTHING is being done. It is a lot of talk and no action. However, they are limited, because of space, they don’t get the funding from the county and other revenues that the other agencies do, it is out of their own pocket. They also don’t have a cruelty investigator. I know I have personally rescued 3 horses that were in rough shape, out of my own pocket (which is not cheap), and helped with several others.

I think it would be great if WKRG or some other media could do an undercover investigation. Call in a report and see what actually happens. continued....

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/18/08 - 10:26 am • Report Abuse .

FIrst, there is no animal police here,unfortunately. We rely on the shelters and SPCA, and their “cruelty investigators.” Anyone can be dubbed a cruelty investigator after taking a few classes. When they investigate, they determine if the animal is being mistreated. The only thing people have to provide is food, water and shelter. As to the rope, I think it has to be at least a certain length. Usually, they will give the owner a time period to bring things up to par. They DO have the authority to immediately seize an animal. But they don’t. It takes a warrent from the judge and a law enforcement officer going with you-no big deal. Livestock is different. They, for some reason in this state are considered lesser animals. The fine for animal cruelty is $1000, and up to 3 years in jail. Not much of a sentence in my opinion. There are MANY repeat offenders in our area. I know this from a personal experience story involving 12 near dead horses last summer, continued.....

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/18/08 - 10:19 am • Report Abuse .

I understand your frustration southfan, but it is better to err on the side of caution. I have a dog with a liver shunt and malformed chest that causes her to breathing to appear funny. If anyone saw her, because she is very thin from the shunt, they would think I was not feeding her, which is not true. I have boiled chicken and rice for that baby, syringe fed her expensive formulas from the vet and everything I know to do. She will eat when she wants to, unlike any other dog who would snatch a piece of chicken an wolf it down in 2 seconds. She will take it and hide it. Short of spending $2000 plus dollars for the surgery, which would have to be done at Auburn or LSU, and which she may not survive, or it may not work, there is nothing I can do. She has outlived the life expectancy both me and my vet thought she would live. We never thought she would live over 6 months. She is now 1 1/2.

I am somewhat involved in rescue (independently). I want to clarify some things about rescue. cont.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 05/18/08 - 10:08 am • Report Abuse .

I’m sure Mobile requires a license and vaccination for rabies.I think they would put all their calls on a priority basis and suspected animal abuse would probably come way down the line as compared with problems with the people. As for talking to the people first,it’s a good idea if you can get them by phone. Going up and knocking on someones door you don’t know and asking them about their care of their animals I don’t think would be a real good idea,since they passed that latest law that lets property owners shoot when they thought they are in danger. There’s only one side of the story when there is a shooter and a dead person.That is one reason I try to get to know my neighbors and if I didn’t feel comfortable doing it,I would let my fingers do the walking and knocking and if unsuccessful in contacting them,take the next step.

Posted by carl on 05/18/08 - 8:35 am • Report Abuse .

Ms. Flott said she realized there was something wrong with the neighbor who did not talk to us first. My husband was appeased so I am sure she was polite about it. I know she said as soon as she saw the dog and his tags that she knew that he was being cared for. Other than that, no.

As a pet owner, I am ignorant about these policies. I don’t know if the lack of intervention you taked about applies all over the state. It doesnt seem to be proactive. On Cable, we are led to believe that COPS can take the dogs and have them evaluated as well as evidence gathered. Does Mobile even require a dog license?

Posted by southfan1981 on 05/18/08 - 8:07 am • Report Abuse .

That’s what I am told by the lady living next door to them that the animal officer told them before they left and to my wife. I believe it was said ,if they were on private property and on ropes and not vicious, they were not biters because I led them home once or twice with bread and they both seemed real afraid of people,they could not do anything at this time.I had seen the dogs when they moved in and they looked healthy,this time before I got involved you could count their ribs and most other bones in their bodies,It was heart breaking. I realize the SPCA has all it can handle and most animal shelters but some times you have to step in an give a push. I know mistakes will be made in reporting these cases and I don’t know any way around it other than confirming it, if possible before hand,and apologizing to the owner if a mistake was made. Did you receive an apology from anyone?

Posted by carl on 05/18/08 - 7:52 am • Report Abuse .

Well, deep breath.. I’d rather have someone knock on my door than have an issue ignored. At least they cared enough to see that the dog was okay. My problem was the insinuation of GUILT of some sort. My husband later pointed out the other water bowl, under the house and an extra bowl of food that he had not finished.

I cant understand why they can’t intervene unless the dogs are abandoned. Is that what you are saying? If they see a dog is in poor shape, they cannot impound it, require proof of rabies and license?

Posted by southfan1981 on 05/18/08 - 6:38 am • Report Abuse .

Well SOUTHFAN1981, just hearing your side of it I would definitely be on your side from what I’ve heard so far. An these things need to be checked out before getting too deep and crying “wolf”,and I’m sure there is others,But I bet 90% of calls to the local animal shelter and SPCA are warranted. The basset hound in the article and the ones I mentioned in my neighborhood doesn’t even get close to your situation. I held back for awhile to learn more before jumping in.After confirming with my eyes the before and after of the two dogs,I called the local animal shelter to learn two other neighbors had already reported it,a couple of days earlier.They did finally show up and said they could do nothing unless they were abandoned . In this case I think it helped,they are no longer tied to a tree,in all kinds of weather.I believe they are in a shelter out back now.For my part I don’t regret my involvement in this,to err on the side of safety is best.

Posted by carl on 05/18/08 - 6:17 am • Report Abuse .