"Rescuer" = hoarder

WTAE-TV4, Pittsburgh:

CENTERVILLE, Pa. -- Police and humane officers raided a kennel at a home in Centerville, Washington County, and said they found dozens of dead dogs on Tuesday evening. Animal control officers said there were dogs in cages inside and outside Calico Creek Critters Rescue, and even in a nearby incinerator.

Wouldn't be the first time a so-called "rescue" was actually the sick manifestation of an animal hoarder or collector.

From the Tufts site, links about hoarding in the media.

Killer Bees!

According to a post at the Hard Copy board, Africanized bees have moved as far north as Rio.

Be careful out there.

On horses

We've been hearing scuttlebutt about some horses that may not be well maintained - possibly inadequate shelter, poor nutrition (visible ribs), etc. So here, links to the basics on what you're lookin' at and who to call to make a complaint.

The horse's body condition is scored on a scale developed by Dr. Don Henneke, called, unsurprisingly, the Henneke Scale. This is an MS Word doc that will download and open, so you can easily save it for future reference or printing. If that bugs ya, google the phrase "Henneke Scale" for a different format.

Here are some photos of horses, rated by the author of the page. Not for the faint of heart. In a nutshell, you shouldn't be seein' ribs, overgrown hooves, wounds attracting flies, or too much fat.

Who to call? We've heard that humane enforcement by Bogalusa Police Department and the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office is spotty and inconsistent.

We recommend phoning Humane Society of Louisiana, 1.888.6 HUMANE, or fill out their online form, which can be done anonymously. They were prompt and effective at getting care for the animals at Cassidy Park.

You can also contact the Louisiana Livestock Brand Commission Crimestoppers at 1.800.558.9741.

Animal neglect by the City of Bogalusa

Visitors to Cassidy Park noticed that one of the goats could barely walk - it ambulated mostly on its front knees. Its front hooves were at least six inches overgrown. Then there was the donkey with a fly-blown wound on its neck.



Some people posted about it on the Washington Parish Hard Copy board; someone else posted the video above on Youtube. One of the volunteers for Humane Society of Louisiana arrived at the discussion and promised to sort out what was happening at the park. He returned to the board on Monday, Oct. 8, to inform us that a vet had been out to care for those animals and there would be regular vet visits going forward.

In my opinion, someone at the City should be charged with neglect. This was inexcusable.

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