Foaming at the Mouth

Update on the dogs seized in a Washington, GA alleged dogfighting bust from Washington Police Department Lt. Joe Nelson:

“‘Was it scary?‘ Yes, yes, these dogs were vicious. These dogs were bred to kill. They were foaming at the mouth, they were ready to attack,“ says Lt. Nelson.

Police arrested Tavaris and Lawanda Ramsey and seized the pit bulls, drugs, and other valuables. But, authorities say this ring is far-reaching and expect to make more arrests.

Walking with us Monday, the lieutenant found a pregnant pit bull in the woods near the house and says if Animal Control hadn’t taken it, a litter of killer dogs was inevitable.

So they just fall out the birth canal snarling, snapping and ready to eat people?  By gosh by golly, that sounds skeery.

It’s a heart-wrenching situation for any animal lover, including those at Washington-Wilkes Animal Shelter where the dogs are being held. “Our efforts are put forth trying to save the dogs, do the best we can for them. But that’s the key, to do what’s best for the dog,“ says Gloria Wheatley.

The shelter says it’s looking for a sanctuary for the six puppies, in case they can be saved. They say the three adult pit bulls will have to be put down. As for the pregnant pit bull they took Monday, it was very skittish, but they say they’ll monitor it and decide what to do with the puppies forthcoming.

What about what to do with the dam?  Or is she doomed for death without qualified evaluation like the other adults?  Sorry but you people don't sound too heart-wrenched.  Are you familiar at all with the term "animal shelter"?

And where are you HSUS?  Why is there no publicity for getting these dogs individual evaluations in accordance with your supposed "interim" policy on bust dogs?  I know it's not a glamorous case like a chimp mauling someone or a circus elephant or chickens in cages but come on - even the unsexy cases should get a share of those donated funds.  It will cost money to provide these dogs with quality care while the legal case is sorted out and to bring in a trainer experienced with rehoming bust dogs to perform individual evaluations.  And the local authorities will need to be educated and influenced to do the right thing.  Legal action may be necessary to try to save these dogs.  HSUS can do all those things.  In fact, they've done those things in order to get bust dogs killed, like they did in Wilkes Co, NC.  Here's an opportunity to put your money where your "interim" mouth is in Wilkes Co, GA and save these dogs from being killed without qualified evaluations.  

Every dog deserves a fair evaluation.

9 Pitbulls Seized in Washington, GA

Dogfighting bust news from Wilkes Co, GA (video at link):

WASHINGTON, Ga.---Evidence of dog fighting and drugs were found earlier this week at a home in Wilkes County.
[...]
When the Washington Police Department went in with a search warrant on Tuesday they were shocked at what they found. Cocaine, marijuana, almost a dozen dead animals around the property and nine more pit bulls...trained to kill.

Well they sure made that assessment fast. I wonder how they got a qualified trainer in for individual evaluations so quickly. Or is that just the TV people being dramatic and no one has been in to give these dogs fair evaluations yet?

"When we found nine dogs chained up, viscous put bulls -- these dogs were scarred up every last one of them," says Lt. Nelson.

Another nine animals, dogs and cats were found dead, some badly decomposing on the property. They could have been the bait.
Investigators believe some of the dead animals and some of the pit bulls may have been family pets that were stolen.

"We feel some of those animals that were recovered might have been family owned pets because we've had a lot of complaints here of missing dogs or stolen dogs," says Lt. Nelson. "I mean, these dogs I don't think could be anybody's pet again.

Well that is one possibility, another one being: Maybe they could be pets again. Maybe we need a canine behaviorist experienced with rehoming bust dogs to come in and individually evaluate these dogs before we make determinations like that.

The nine pit bulls found are at the humane society in Washington. They are currently trying to get custody of those dogs.

The shelter believes the three adults will have to be euthanized but that there may be hope for some of the puppies that they believe had just begun training. They are not up for adoption.

Right. For one thing, the owner has not been proven guilty in a court of law yet so he is still the owner. For another, if he chooses (or is forced by the courts) to sign over custody of the dogs to the shelter, it sounds as if they've already got at least 3 pink needles lined up.

Seems to me, this would be another good opportunity for HSUS to mobilize its vast resources and get on the horn to educate this shelter and local law enforcement about their new "interim" policy recommending individual evaluations for bust dogs. If necessary, they could help with funding to bring in an outside behaviorist for the evaluations and to cover expenses in providing quality care for the dogs. Just a(nother) suggestion...

I'm guessing this is the shelter trying to obtain custody - and apparently planning to kill at least some - of the dogs: Washington-Wilkes Humane Animal Shelter.

Every dog deserves a fair evaluation.