Puerto Rico's throwaway puppies head to greener pastures in the Northeast

No one knows for sure how many stray and abandoned dogs roam the streets of Puerto Rico. Estimates range from 100,000 to 250,000 or more. They are often left to die, unless they're picked up by a kindly tourist or a rescue group.

"They're everywhere. There are beaches and dumping areas where people just go when they have a pregnant __dog or a litter of puppies they want to get rid of," Twig Mowatt, co-founder of All Sato Rescue tells MNN. "People just aren't accustomed to the idea of spay and neuter. It's really bad."

All Sato Rescue works to find homes for the satos — or mixed breed dogs — that have no place to live. Typically that means vetting them and packing them on a plane for the northeastern United States. Most recently, eight puppies and four adult dogs made the trek to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Maine. It was the first trip funded with help from a grant from the ASPCA and Subaru.

But it's not the first time pups have made a similar voyage. For more than two years, All Sato has been flying dogs about once a week to the Portland shelter and other shelters throughout the Northeast. Last year alone, the group found homes for 2,500 Puerto Rican dogs.

"In New England people are very, very good about spaying and neutering their pets, so there are not a lot of local surrenders at these shelters," Mowatt says. "When people want to do the right thing and they go into a shelter and there's no animal to adopt; that's pretty discouraging."

When the dogs from Puerto Rico arrive, they don't stay long, Mowatt says. "They get adopted immediately. It's shocking," she says. "It's so wonderful."

Not only that, but they drive traffic to the shelters and increase interest in any dogs that might otherwise have been overlooked.

Where the dogs come from

These shar-pei mixes were sent from Puerto Rico to Sterling Animal Shelter in Massachusetts. (Photo: All Sato Rescue)

Because there are so many dogs to choose from, the rescuers at All Sato work with the Humane Society of Puerto Rico and other rescue groups to see which dogs have been languishing for a while. In Puerto Rico, Mowatt says, if people want a dog, they tend to go to breeders and pet stores instead of considering adoption, so it's hard for dogs in shelters to find homes. Sometimes the destination shelters will also request a specific type of dog.

"We try to give preference to dogs that have been waiting a long time or are in an emergency situation and need to be moved," Mowatt says. "A shelter may want all puppies or a range of sizes and weights. It's all a little bit of mix and match."

In Portland, the shelter has been incredibly accommodating, Mowatt says. The shelter has taken older dogs, a three-legged dog, teeny puppies, a 120-pound Great Dane and a __dog that had lost an eye.

Sometimes purebreds or purebred mixes get sent to breed rescue groups that can easily find homes for them.

All dogs are given thorough vet checks and are tested for any behavioral issues before they are sent out for adoption, Mowatt says.

Currently, the group is working with three shelters in Maine, two in New Hampshire, four in Massachusetts and one in New Jersey. They're often shelters that don't have many dogs for potential adopters, especially puppies.

"We rescue a lot of very, very young pups," Mowatt says. "They are totally vulnerable and friendly normal puppies ... tossed out on the streets."

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Dogs Take Over Humans’ Beds

Have you ever come home, tired from a long day at work, longing to crawl into bed only to find your four-legged furry friend has beat you to it? Does your dog make space for you on the bed or does your __pet claim the bed as his or her own?

The following ten images show dogs sleeping very comfortable on their humans’ beds. We doubt they’ll move over for their masters.

Joel was rescued from a puppy mill by National Dog Mill Rescue and went through …

Dog Who Lost His Ears Gets Earless Doll To Cuddle

Scooby’s burns are healing and he is now quite affectionate with members of the veterinary team. Photo: BluePearl Veterinary Partners

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Little Scooby is convalescing.

A couple of weeks back, he and another dog were left in a car while their owners went into a food pantry to collect supplies. When a fire started in the car, the other dog was able to escape — but Scooby wasn’t — and he suffered very serious burns that necessitated the removal of his ears.

He can hear just fine, but even so, the staffers at BluePearl Veterinary Partners in Blaine, MN, wanted him to know he was still beautiful and very much loved, so vet tech Leah Falon decided to make 3-year-old Scooby a Hello Kitty doll who looked like him!

“[She] him the stuffed toy because she didn’t want him to feel lonely,” BluePearl spokesperson Carrie O’Brion told TODAY in an email.

Scooby cuddles with Leah Falon, who made his new Hello Kitty doll. Photo: BluePearl Veterinary Partners

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Scooby’s vet bills were covered by Frankie’s Friends, a nonprofit that helps cover the cost of crucial medical care for __pet owners in need.

Scooby has been getting lots of love as he heals at the hospital and seems to take comfort in his earless doll. He carries it around with him, and naps on top of it.

“At first, he didn’t want anyone to touch him because everything hurt. But now that he’s feeling better, he’s really affectionate. He’s started asking for belly rubs,” Falon said. “He’s so sweet and he has these really soulful eyes.”

Scooby is recovering well, but will need some post-op care and has to wear booties to protect his burned paws for now.

Once discharged, Scooby will live with one of BluePearl’s vet techs until his people are able to take him home for good.

A puppy is getting a second chance after being rescued by a Detroit police …

Dog Left to Starve to Death in a Trailer Is Now on the Way to a Happy Life

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The lab-terrier mix shelter staffers have named Faith is lucky to be alive after being rescued from truly horrendous conditions in Coal Center, PA.

She was rescued by a Humane Society Police Officer, who found her starving, trapped in a crate that was filled with animal waste. An investigation has been opened to determine who is responsible.

Faith weighed in at just 20 pounds and a Facebook post on the shelter’s site said she was “a 1.5 out of a 9 on the body mass scale.” Clearly, it said, Faith had been starved.

A dog of Faith’s size should weigh more than 20 pounds. Vets say she was most certainly starved. Photo: Washington Area Humane Society

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She has since been thoroughly bathed and given both fluids and a feeding tube.

Faith was found amid filthy conditions but is now getting the care she needs. Photo: Washington Area Humane Society

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The Washington Area Humane Society has a funding page set up. Donations will help cover the cost of Faith’s care. You can also follow her progress on their Facebook page.

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A clean, rested Faith was reported to be doing very well after her first overnight having responded well to fluids. She is on the road to recovery! Photo: Washington Area Human Society

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An update Wednesday morning said that Faith had done very well in her first overnight. Her care will continue at the shelter until she is adoption-ready.

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29 Hank, the stray dog …

Two-Year-Old Took His Dog for a Walk Like a Big Boy, but Forgot to Tell Anyone He Was Going

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According to news reports out of Ionia County, Michigan, a two-year-old boy decided he was going to adult and take his dog for a walk.  As cute as that is, one could imagine the panic his parents were feeling when they couldn’t find him or the dog anywhere on the property, because apparently, he forgot to tell anyone that he was going.

The county sheriff’s office was alerted to the problem at about 11:17 am on March 29th.  The Ionia County Search and Rescue Team was dispatched right away, while the sheriff’s deputies reported to the family’s home to take statements and search the immediate surrounding area.

Many people were there to assist their neighbors in their time of need.  Thankfully, at about half-past noon a neighbor called in a tip saying they saw the boy and his dog not far from their home.  The boy’s father was searching in that proximity on his ATV, so police got in contact with him and he raced over to see if they were still there.

As luck would have it, they were.  The family was very happy that they were safe.  Both the dog and the boy had a medical assessment done were found to be in perfect shape.

A press release from the sheriff’s department said, “The child decided that he wanted to take the dog for a walk and had placed a leash on the dog and exited the home.  The child and dog were found together, unharmed.”

Watch closely at 00:50.... [dcs_head top="0" color="#666666"] …

Tampa Family Whose Child Is Battling Cancer Reunited With Missing Pit Bull

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The Whartons had been trying to find their dog for more than a week when luck stepped in and they were reunited.

The Tampa, FL, residents had been out of town attending an inline skating competition with their children — their daughter competes — when their three dogs escaped from grandma’s yard. Two were re-wrangled, but Nannah got away.

It was a tough blow for the family, whose youngest son, Bentley, has been battling a rare form of eye cancer.

“Nannah was missing, so we worried,” 8-year-old Ariana told WTSP.

The family had been heartbroken without their 9-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier. They have had her since she was a puppy.

“She always was good and kind, and she always licked,” said 6-year-old Brody.

“We drove the streets. We called for her. I started posting on Facebook, every little website that I could find. Just knowing she’s not here, it’s like a piece of us is missing,” saiud the kids’ mother, Ashley Wharton.

Like their determined fight against cancer, the family wasn’t giving up on finding Nannah and decided to drive the neighborhood yet again.

“We drove past a house and luckily it had a chain-link fence and I saw her as plain as day. I said her name, she started barking, and she was really excited. I knocked on the door and said, ‘Excuse me you have our dog, Nannah, in your backyard and we’ve been searching for her.’ She’s nothing but a big bundle of love. We’re happy to have her home. We will sleep much easier knowing she’s here with us,” says Wharton.

The family had Nannah says she followed them and their pit bulls home from the park. Since she recently had a bath, she wasn’t wearing a collar. They took good care of her and had been trying to track down the heartbroken owners.

Winter is not easy for many, particularly those who are homeless. Many of them …

UPDATE: Caitlyn’s Abuser Will Spend the Next 15 YEARS Behind Bars

By now, you’ve likely heard about Caitlyn, the dog whose muzzle was taped so tightly that she risked losing her tongue and suffering permanent damage to her nasal passage.  She’s absolutely thriving now, and her abuser was sentenced to five years in prison for what he did to her, to be served concurrently with a 15-year sentence for other crimes.

The 15-month-old chocolate pit bull mix was found in June 2015 on the porch of a South Carolina resident who called 911 after seeing what horrible shape she was in.

She was taken to the Charleston Animal Society, who got her immediate medical attention.  The blood flow had been completely cut off from her tongue, making the situation quite delicate.  When the tape was removed, Caitlyn screamed in excruciating pain.

“It was 36 hours of torment,” CAS spokesman Alwin Roman told the court.

Caitlyn’s former owner, William Dodson said he taped her snout shut because she wouldn’t stop barking.  He was charged with felony ill treatment of an animal, and was indicted in February 2016.  He will serve 5 years for what he did to Caitlyn, but it will be served concurrently with a 15-year sentence he received for a federal drug and weapon conviction.

Dodson made no apologies for what he did, and Judge R. Markley Dennis Jr. told the abuser that he wished the sentence could be longer.

Meanwhile, Caitlyn is doing wonderfully in her loving new home.  She has fans all over the world and is an ambassador for animal welfare.

 The FDA would like you to reconsider before handing that next bone over to …

The Doctors’ Tribute to Dr. Travis’ Dying Dog Nala Brings Him to Tears

 

Dr. Travis Stork, known for his stint on The Bachelor and as one of the hosts on The Doctors, absolutely loved his rescue dog, Nala, whom he had for 17 years, and broke down in tears when his colleagues created a lovely tribute to her shortly before she died.

“She is the most gentle, kind thing I have ever come across in my life,” Dr. Travis explained.  “She is literally who I wish everyone could be.”

Nala has been by his side through thick and thin, through med school and residency up to the success he has now attained.   Sadly she died shortly after this tribute was filmed, but three panelists discussed how dogs touch our lives, and how we must cherish the memories we have with them.

“It was about a year ago that she passed,” said Dr. Drew Ordon, referring to his bulldog, Lulu.  “You know, she was like a family member, the kids grew up with her… the kids picked her out when we got her.  She was on the show a number of times, and it really is like losing a family member.”

“Pets are the best,” Dr. Travis concluded.

      Many of you will remember a story about a dog …

Former Shelter Dog Demands to Mother Her Family’s Foster Kittens

When three one-week-old kittens were brought into the Atlanta Humane Society just before closing time, one of the staff members brought them home with her because there was no time to find a foster.  Once, home, she tried to keep them separate from her other pets, but when Mika, an AHS alumna, heard them cry, she insisted on standing guard and caring for the kittens.

Lauren Gaddis, adoption manager for the AHS adopted Mika from the shelter last year.  Her name was Momma then, which now seems incredibly apropos!

“A patron came in to the shelter around 6:15 p.m. She had three very small (likely a week old) kittens that she had found outside,” she told PEOPLE. “She cared for them for two days but could not keep caring for them. Because it was so late in the evening, we were unable to find a foster to take them, so my husband and I decided we would take care of them for the night.”

Gaddis and her husband have a whole gaggle of pets, so she wanted to keep the babies sequestered so they’d feel safe and comfortable.  But their piercing cries alarmed Mika, who refused to be isolated when she was so clearly needed.

 

 

“We let Mika smell them.  She quickly stood over and ‘guarded’ them from everyone else, letting them know these were her babies,” Gaddis explained.  “She continued to lick them, roll them over and clean them and guard them throughout the rest of the night. It was so amazing and sweet. It gave us insight to her life before us when she had been a mama dog.”

The kittens – named Catherine, Heather, and Tommy – are doing well now, thanks to Mika’s doting nature.  They will need adoptive homes soon, but the Atlanta Humane Society – and most other shelters worldwide – are always in need of foster homes to give pets the love they need and prepare them for life with new families.

“Without foster parents and without people willing to step up and care for the kittens and puppies who come into our shelter, these little ones wouldn’t have a chance,” said Christina Hill, AHS Director of Marketing and Communications.

“Puppy and kitten season sounds cute, and it can be, but it is also an urgent time where we here at the Atlanta Humane Society, and at shelters across the nation, desperately need our communities to step up and help us care for these little ones. All shelters are in need of foster parents willing to save lives, but we’re also always in need for baby supplies like formula, bottles, blankets and toys.”

If you would like to help AHS with the major influx of kittens and puppies they’re sure to see soon, please click here to purchase something from their Amazon Wishlist.

The Lutheran Church Community (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dog teams have arrived in …

Adopted Dog Saves Her Injured Mom in a Real Life Lassie-Style Rescue

When her mom fell down the side of a steep cliff, rescue dog Abby knew just what to do – get help.  She ran to find her dad, and then led him to where the woman lay injured.  She had to be airlifted to a hospital, and Abby was rewarded with lots of treats.

Sue and Michael Pethick, from Caloote, South Australia, were on vacation at Gleesons Landing on Yorke Peninsula with their two-year-old red heeler mix, Abby, who had been adopted from a shelter about a year ago.  While Michael went fishing, Sue opted to take Abby for a short walk.

“She headed off and after 15-20 minutes I got worried because she hadn’t come back,” Michael explained to The Adelaide Advertiser.

“I heard a noise in the distance, like a voice in the distance, but I couldn’t work out what it was.  I thought something was wrong … then I happened to see about 200m up on a bushy sand dune, Abby was standing on top of it and I thought that was really strange.

“I called her and she came running to me and I said ‘take me to mum’ and she turned around and headed down this little track, along the cliff face and walkways and … she stopped near an edge where it goes down to the beach and waited for me to catch up — three meters down, there was Sue laying on her back.”

Sue had been attempting to walk down an embankment to the beach when she lost her footing and fell down the cliff face, breaking her ankle.

“Sue was telling me that Abby didn’t want to leave her (but) she told Abby to go find dad (and) that’s what (she) had done,” Michael said.  “For some reason — I don’t know how she knew what to do.”

He called emergency services, and Sue was airlifted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.  Police called Abby a “wonder dog” for her heroic actions.

“For her to come and try to find me was just amazing and then for her to take me to Sue … it’s just really one of those things that you only read about,” Michael said.

“We’re very fortunate that she needed to be rescued and we rescued us about a year ago and now she’s rescued us.”

He also sang her praises on Facebook: “Loving our little girl even more.”

“She’s certainly a little hero now,” Michael told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. “I’ve just pulled a big bone out of the freezer so when that defrosts she’ll get that.”

  Most of us - and our dogs - are happily enjoying the nicer weather. …

North Carolina’s Newest K-9s Are Rescue Pit Bulls

Rather than spend $15-20,000 on specially bred and trained German shepherd and Belgian Malinois K-9s, a North Carolina sheriff’s office opted to accept a grant from animal rescue groups and take in two homeless pit bulls.  They had only been on the job for a week when one of them made their first meth bust!

This comes from Clay County NC Sheriff’s Office:

From New York and Texas to Clay County, two new deputies hit the streets!

On March 13th the Clay County Sheriff’s Office welcomed two new deputies to the department, K-9 Sarah and K-9 Phantom. K-9 Sarah and K-9 Phantom come to the department by way of a grant from the Animal Farm Foundation of New York and Universal K9 of San Antonio Texas. The two foundations have taken on the mission to show that departments do not need to spend $15-$20,000 for a pure-breed German shepherd or Belgian Malinois to search and find illegal drugs, at the same time giving dogs destined for a life in a shelter or euthanasia a second chance at life serving law enforcement officers and departments around the country.

Their new partners, Deputy Chris Harper and Investigator Heath Woodard, recently attended a handlers course in Midlothian, Texas to bond with and train their new K-9 partners, as well as learn the ins and outs of narcotics detection with their new furry, four-legged partners. They trained with eight other law enforcement officers from Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana; searching buildings, cars, packages, big rigs, and even airplanes. The course was hosted by Midlothian Police Department and was instructed by Midlothian PD K-9 Handler and Trainer Wes Keeling. Both Deputy Harper and his new K-9 Sarah and Investigator Woodard and his new K-9 Phantom have been certified by both Universal K9 and American Working Dog Association in the detection of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

What will be the most shocking to some will not be that Clay County Sheriff’s has the new K-9 deputies, but rather their breed:  K-9 Sarah [tan and white] is a pit bull and K-9 Phantom [black and white] is a pit bull-Boston terrier mix.  K-9 Phantom was rescued from a shelter in Texas and K-9 Sarah was rescued from a shelter in New York, where they had spent a year looking for homes before they found a new life as police K-9s. Brad Croft of Universal K9 and Stacey Coleman of Animal Farm Foundation are trying to show the world that even though pit bulls get a bad rap in the media, they aren’t all bad dogs and can do great things for the communities they serve. K-9 Storm, who was in the class with Phantom and Sarah, was set to be euthanized if she had not been rescued the day before her euthanasia date and given a second chance at her new life being a narcotics detection dog. She now proudly serves the Red Oak Independent School District in Red Oak, Texas with her new partner, school resource officer John Julin.

Both Phantom and Sarah are only single-purpose dogs, meaning they are only trained in narcotics detection. They are not and never will be trained in criminal apprehension or bite work. No pit bull/pit bull mixes granted by Animal Farm Foundation and Universal K9 will ever be trained in bite work or criminal apprehension. They want to show the country and the world the loving and caring nature that most of us have experienced with our pit bulls and show that the pound puppies have what it takes to go up against and sometimes exceed their expensive pure-breed cousins.

Some will wonder what the cost to the county for the new K-9s and equipment is, as any concerned taxpayer should. The K-9s themselves were free, and the training was free – all provided by grants from Animal Farm Foundation and Universal K9. The hotel, per diem, collars, leashes, harnesses, food, crates and other K-9 expenses were paid for by drug seizure money. The only money coming out of the Sheriff’s Office budget was fuel for the vehicle that was driven to Midlothian Texas and the pay for the two deputies that attended the training. So instead of paying $30-$40,000 dollars that would have been typical with most departments, the Sheriff’s Office spent a fraction of that. Also, both Sarah and Phantom are roughly one-and-a-half- to two years old, so they will have many years to serve Clay County and its residents, sniffing out illegal drugs on our streets.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office would like to express their great gratitude to Animal Farm Foundation and Universal K9. Had it not been for their great work, both Sarah and Phantom may still be looking for their forever homes. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank Chief Carl Smith of Midlothian Police Department for opening his department and allowing such a great program and training to be carried out at their department. The Sheriff’s Office along with Deputy Harper and Investigator Woodard would like to personally thank K-9 handler and trainer Wes Keeling for taking many, many hours away from his family and his work to ensure that the officers in his class received the best training available.

“As always, it makes me feel proud to be able to help find productive jobs for these dogs and at the same time provides them with a new home,” Universal K9 operations director Brad Croft told The Dodo. “I visit shelters often and pit bulls fill them. The more I am able to place these dogs the more I can save. It’s really a win-win-win for the dogs, law enforcement and taxpayers.”

Very few people actually like having to work out, but it's an important part of …

Dog Who Lived on a Chain for 6 Years Without Shelter Can’t Stop Sniffing Her Way Through Life

Norica Prigoana, one of Romania’s best-loved animal rescuers, was trying to buy a used stove when she caught sight of a beagle on a three-foot chain in the seller’s yard.  She didn’t take home a stove that day – she took home Lady instead!  Now this doggo has a spectacular life, and can’t stop enjoying her freedom, sniffing out every little thing she can.

Norica spotted Lady tied up to a decrepit old car, the underside of which was the closest thing this poor lass ever had to a shelter.  She endured six long and brutal winters outside, but her vibrant spirit never diminished, and she instantly lit up when a pair of friendly eyes met her own.

Lady’s true owner lived abroad, and it took weeks of intense negotiation, but Norica finally secured her release.  On the morning of Freedom Day, she couldn’t get to the residence fast enough, and was overjoyed to see Lady take her long-awaited jaunt.

How felicitous that the light should create a halo around Norica’s head!

“Lady was amazed that she could run free to smell every single stone,” Norica said. “She met new dogs and cats and she was very friendly. She had no problem with meeting other animals, as she was so happy to be free from the chain that kept her hostage for six years without the possibility to run even to move more than one meter.”

Lady wasn’t the world’s biggest fan of her first vet exam or bath, but she withstood it with the utmost decorum.  Unfortunately, Norica isn’t able to keep all the dogs she rescues, and her shelter was packed to the limit at 150, so Harmony Fund sponsored her stay at a foster center.

“International adoption plans are now underway for Lady, who has only just begun to explore the millions of wonderful scents this world has to offer,” Harmony Fund said.  “Lady prefers to view the world through the tip of her nose, and today, she can’t get enough of the good things that are coming her way.”

“She is now very interested to see everything around her, but she is MOST interested in sniffing,” Norica added.

If you would like to help Harmony Fund continue saving animals like Lady and these puppies, who were just dropped off at Norica’s gate, please click here to donate.  Every dollar helps!

    Well, this one choked us up…As many of you already k …

How do I get rid of skunk smell on my dog?

Spring is in the air, which means more animals may be traipsing through your backyard — and not all of them may be welcome. Take a skunk, for instance. If your pup happens to be outside when it’s nearby and mistakes said skunk for a squirrel, it could find itself the recipient of a stinky spray that can’t be rinsed off easily.

It is said that skunks developed their stinky spray because they are nocturnal and are prone to surprise attacks from predators. And that spray is powerful stuff. Skunks can spray upto 10 feet out of their anal glands. The spray can be extremely irritating and can even cause temporary blindness. People can often detect it from up to a mile away, meaning you don’t have to be anywhere near Pepe le Pew to suffer the consequences.

If you don't take steps to remove the smell from your __dog right away, it can linger for up to a year, according to PetMD.

When Rexy doesn't smell so sexy

Skunk spray is powerful stuff, and humans can often detect from up to a mile away. (Photo: ANURAK PONGPATIMET/Shutterstock)

You may have heard that bathing in tomato juice will do the trick, but unfortunately, that won’t do much besides mask the smell. The strong scent of tomato juice tricks your nose into thinking you can’t smell skunk any more. But if another person were to enter the room, he or she would still smell the stink.

So what does work? To find out, we have to explore what makes that stinky smell in the first place:

The reason a skunk spray smells so bad is due to a group of chemical compounds known as thiols. From How Stuff Works:

These compounds are characterized by their attached sulfur and hydrogen atom and are notorious for a strong smell. Two highly volatile thiols, (E)-2 butene-1-thiol and 3-methyl-1-butanethiol, are the main components responsible for the characteristic odor of skunk spray.

To neutralize the odor, you must change the thiols into compounds that don’t smell as bad. The way to do this is by oxidation — adding oxygen, which will produce odorless sulfonic acid.

In layman’s terms, try this recipe from William F. Wood, a chemist at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California: Mix 1 quart of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, a quarter cup of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid detergent, and give your __dog a bath with this mixture.

Pet MD says dogs often are sprayed by a skunk in the face, so start by washing away spray residue in his eyes, nose and mouth with cool water. Then use the mixture to create a lather on your pup’s fur. After five minutes, rinse him off and give him a sniff test. You may need to repeat the process a few times.

This mixture can also slightly lighten your dog’s hair color, so be forewarned. Also, you’ll need to make a new mixture for next time, as you can’t store it for the future.

But there you have it: A simple fix to a common quandary.

Source : mnn[dot]com

Leptospirosis: How worried should dog owners be?

When you go for your dog's annual checkup, chances are your vet has talked to you about the leptospirosis vaccine.

Leptospirosis (or lepto) is a disease caused by an infection with bacteria that are spread by the urine of an infected animal and can be found in water or soil. The bacteria can survive there for weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wild animals can spread the disease and then dogs can pick it up through an open cut or when drinking from an infected water source.

Rats can also be common carriers of the disease, so lepto can be found in large urban areas where rodents are a problem. They might transmit the disease after drinking in a puddle or leaving droppings on streets or in kennels where dogs are housed.

The disease is zoonotic, meaning it can be spread from animals to people. The disease isn't very common, but it is serious.

"It's not simple to get leptospirosis but if you're a __dog and you get it, you're really sick and you could die," veterinarian Lori Bierbrier, D.V.M, a medical director at the ASPCA, tells MNN. "And on top of that it can then be transmitted to a person. It’s a pretty big deal all around."

Without treatment, lepto can cause a slew of serious human health problems, including liver failure, kidney damage, meningitis, respiratory issues and can eventually lead to death.

Lepto symptoms and treatment

Lepto can cause serious damage to a dog's liver and kidneys, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, muscle tenderness, increased thirst and lethargy. Because those are some of the same symptoms seen in many other conditions, a vet will typically base a diagnosis on exposure history as well as diagnostic tools such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays and ultrasounds.

Lepto is typically treated with antibiotics but often can require a long hospital stay. The outlook can be positive for the pet if the disease is caught early, but there's still the chance of permanent liver or kidney damage.

If your __dog is diagnosed with lepto, there are key steps you have to take to keep yourself and your family safe. Avoid contact with your dog's urine and if you have to clean up a spill, be sure to wear rubber gloves. Wash your hands after handling your pet and try to keep your dog from urinating in any standing water that other animals might come in contact with.

(Little is known about lepto in cats, although it is rare and appears to be very mild, according to the AVMA.)

Preventing lepto

If your dog isn't the rugged outdoorsy type, he may not need the lepto vaccine. (Photo: Anna Jurkovska/Shutterstock)

There is a leptospirosis vaccination that is targeted toward several strains of the bacteria that can cause the disease. It's kind of like the flu vaccine, Bierbrier says, where it protects against some of the more common strains that are circulating, but doesn't guarantee protection against the illness.

"The vaccine isn't perfect," she says. "It can be a little bit of a false sense of security that you are protected when you're not."

One common sense precaution you can take to keep your pet safe is to always carry drinking water for your pet, Bierbrier suggests. That will keep him from drinking out of puddles or streams or any other place where water can be infected with lepto bacteria.

Talk to your veterinarian to discuss whether your dog is a good candidate for the vaccine. Your animal's location and lifestyle are the two factors to consider. If you have a pet that is almost always indoors, walks on sidewalks, and isn't playing in woods or in rivers or streams, he may not need the vaccine. However, if your dog is an outdoorsy type or you live somewhere where rats are an issue, it may be worth getting the vaccine.

Active dogs that come in contact with water and wildlife are at the top of the list for the vaccine, says Kwane Stewart, D.V.M., chief veterinarian officer with American Humane.

"If you have a dog that you take out occasionally hiking, that probably warrants a lepto vaccine, but if you have a small breed dog that you just walk in your neighborhood, that probably wouldn’t," Stewart says.

He evaluates every dog on a case by case basis, also taking into consideration that some dogs have reactions to the vaccine. Your vet can dig into your dog's history and lifestyle — like does your dog mostly keep to city streets but you take him hiking in the wilderness for a week every year — which can help make the decision about whether to vaccinate or not.

"It's really still a rare disease. In my 20 years of practice, I've diagnosed it maybe six times out of thousands and thousands of animals," Stewart says. "We don't want to scare people. We just want them to be aware."

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Cats are subtle, but they really do love us!

We've all felt it — the sneaking suspicion that our cats only love us because we feed them. Take my cat, Josephine. She's extra affectionate when I ring her dinner bell, but when she hops into my lap at other times of day, I sometimes wonder if it's only because she knows I'll feed her again soon.

A new study published in Behavioural Processes allays my fears that my cat is in our relationship purely for the expensive kitty chow.

Kristyn Vitale Shreve, a PhD candidate at Oregon State University's Animal Science program, looked at 50 cats — some from a shelter and some that were family pets. The kitties were kept away from toys, human beings and food for a few hours.

Then, the cats were given the option to socialize with people, get food, smell stuff or play with toys. The time a cat spent in each area was recorded, as were the order of the cat's choices. The point, says Shreve, was to "examine individual cat preferences."

According to the data collected and crunched, "Although there was clear individual variability in cat preference, social interaction with humans was the most-preferred stimulus category for the majority of cats, followed by food," according to the paper. About 50 percent of the cats preferred people and 37 percent preferred food. But even those cats that got lower social scores weren't what Shreve would call antisocial. "Some who preferred food also spent a large percentage of the time interacting with the humans or also spent a large percentage of time playing with the toys, etc."

Shreve says she's ultimately interested in understanding cats better. As a cat trainer and a scientist, she wants to know what can motivate cats for training — and she also wants to further human-cat understanding. "We can examine if these preferred items serve as enrichment for cats which would be beneficial to shelter cats and potentially other captive wild cats to reduce negative behaviors."

She also wants to dig into some of our preconceptions about cats, including their reputation in our culture as being aloof, independent and maybe even unloving. Shreve's study pokes a good-sized hole in those ideas, not to mention the idea that cats can't be trained: "Although cats are commonly trained in scientific settings and for entertainment outlets, many still perceive cats as untrainable. This may be partially due to our lack of scientific understanding," she says.

Cats are mysterious, sure — it's part of what makes them interesting and different from our other favorite pets. But that doesn't mean we can't use good science to understand them better.

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This cat is a master of the shell game

The shell game, where you attempt to follow a ball hidden under rapidly moved around cups, is a favorite of street corner hustlers. It's a quick way to lose a few dollars. That is unless you're a crafty cat.

The video above shows at cat simply crushing the cup-and-ball game. Even with four cups, he's so sure of skills that he's picking the cup before his human even settles the cups. And it's the right cup, of course!

Okay, so it's probably not skills so much as the cat's ability to smell or hear the ball and identify it where it is based on his senses. But it's still pretty delightful watching him always get it right!

Source : mnn[dot]com

After 5 Weeks & DNA Testing, Capone Returns to his Family – with Stipulations

Capone, the senior Shepherd-mix owned by the Abbato family in Aurora, Colorado, has finally been allowed to return home to his family – but not without a few stipulations.

Animal Control officials in Aurora, Colorado seized Capone on February 24th after he jumped over a fence and escaped from his backyard. The shelter refused to return him to the family that has loved him for the last decade because, they said, he looked like a wolf-hybrid. A few days ago, DNA test results proved what his owners say they’ve known all along – their __dog is not a wolf.

On Wednesday, after nearly 5 weeks of isolation in the shelter, Capone was finally released back into his family’s care. The charges of keeping an aggressive animal and keeping an exotic/wild animal were dropped. The $1,000 fine was suspended and several hundred dollars in impound fees were waived.

Now, the family must make a few changes or risk losing him again. Until the family replaces their 4′ chain link fence with a 6′ tall privacy fence, Capone must be contained inside the home unless he’s on a 6′ leash being held by an adult. He must be confined to another room or inside a crate before the family answers their front door. The Abbato family must enroll in behavior modification training with him. And, if he is ever found to be aggressive in the future, he must be turned over to the city.

Charges of having an animal at large and not having current rabies and county license stood.

Although these stipulations seem excessive – the city was mistaken in their determination that Capone was a wolf hybrid and held the __dog in isolation, without any human touch, not even from his family, for nearly 5 weeks -for a dog that simply escaped his yard, the Abbato family are willing to do everything the city asks. They’re just happy to have their family member back home.

Do you think the stipulations are excessive? Weigh in with a comment below!

RECALL ALERT: Three Brands of Pig Ears Dog Chews Recalled

Three different brands of pig ear __dog chews sold individually and in 6-,12-, and 25-pack bags manufactured by EuroCan Manufacturing are being recalled due to the potential for Salmonella contamination.

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, EuroCan Manufacturing is voluntarily recalling Lot Number 84 consisting of it’s individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags of Barnsdale Farms®, HoundsTooth® and Mac’s Choice® Pig Ears because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is a risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare provider.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The pig ears were distributed throughout the United States and Canada. The pig ears were packaged as individually shrink-wrapped, 6-pack, 12-pack and 25-pack bags in the Barnsdale Farms®, Barnsdale Farms®-Select, Houndstooth® and Mac’s Choice® brands. The lot number being recalled is 84. No illnesses of any kind have been reported to date.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing revealed the presence of Salmonella in the product. The company has suspended distribution of the product while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem. Consumers who have purchased any of the above-described Barnsdale Farms® pig ears should return product to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumer with questions may contact the company Monday – Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time at (888) 290-7606.

Real Life Idiotic Reasons People Have Abandoned Their Dogs

There are a few unavoidable and unfortunate circumstances that result in people having no choice but to rehome or surrender their dogs.

Sadly, a vast majority of excuses are shameful, ridiculous, or downright idiotic.

A __dog is a part of the family, to be loved and cherished every day of his or her life. A __dog is not a toy to be played with a few times and then tossed when it’s not fresh and new anymore.

These are just a few of the ridiculous real-life reasons people have abandoned their dogs.

“I don’t like the way he looks at me.”
A woman surrendered her 4-month old Pit Bull puppy to a shelter because she felt uncomfortable with the way he was staring at her. He had never growled, bitten, or otherwise shown any signs of aggression.

“He sheds too much.”
When a Golden Retriever mix was surendered due to his excessive shedding, shelter workers found that he was covered in scars and nicks from being constantly shaved. The dog was, as a result, very frightened of clippers and feared being groomed.

“The dog doesn’t match the new carpeting.”
A family recarpeted their home and then dumped their dog because the fur she was shedding stood out too much against the color of the carpet.

“He’s old and no fun anymore. I want a puppy instead.”
When a senior dog was left at a shelter, his previous owners explained that the dog was too old and too slow. They wanted to trade him in for a newer, younger model.

“She keeps peeing in the house and not on the puppy pads.”
This dog did not have any medical issues that caused her to urinate indoors. She simply lacked training. Her owner assumed that all she needed to do was put down a puppy pad and the dog would never have another accident again and would magically begin to “go” outdoors. Within just a few weeks at her new home, with proper training she was going potty outdoors.

“He won’t stay out of the trash.”
A majority of owner surrender cases are behavioral, and most of those due to lack of training. This dog owner didn’t bother to both train his dog, or to put the trash where he couldn’t reach it.

“Her hair keeps getting knotted and I can’t afford to go to the groomer every week.”
When this family went looking for a new puppy, they picked the adorable Pomeranian puppy at their local pet store. They chose the dog based solely on her looks, not once taking the time to learn more about her breed and what health, lifestyle, and grooming requirements would need to be met.

“He’s sick and I can’t afford to go to the vet.”
A sick little Lab-mix was surrendered to the shelter where he was treated and quickly recovered. His treatment would have been an inexpensive veterinary visit and a round of antibiotics, many of which are filled for free at certain pharmacies. His owner had never bothered to even make a phone call and did not have a primary veterinarian. It’s not known whether he’d ever received any vaccinations.

“Now that he’s not a puppy, he’s not as cute.”
This dog was only about a year old when he was surrendered. His owners had kept him through the adorable puppy stage and when he began to look like an adult dog, dumped him.

“My new boyfriend doesn’t like him.”
Wonder if the new boyfriend is as loyal, loving, and committed to her as her dog was before she abandoned him.

“I don’t want a gay dog.”
A man surrendered his Bulldog mix because, as he claimed, the dog was gay and wouldn’t stop humping other male dogs. Upon surrender, he requested the dog be euthanized. The shelter did not euthanize the dog and he was placed in a loving home with a human that understands dog behavior.

The list of absurd excuses can go on forever and will continue to grow until people realize that dogs are a lifetime commitment.

What are some of the most idiotic excuses you’ve heard for dumping a dog?

Caitlyn the Dog’s Abuser Sentenced to 15 Years Prison on Unrelated Charges

Just one day before he was set to face sentencing for the 2015 abuse of Caitlyn the dog, William Leonard Dodson was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on unrelated weapons and drug charges.

The 43-year old North Charleston, South Carolina man has been behind bars since June 2015 when his dog, now known around the world as Caitlyn, was found with electrical tape tightly wound around her muzzle, limiting her breathing, restricting blood flow to her tongue and face, making it impossible for her to eat or drink, and inflicting serious, life-threatening pain and suffering.

In March, 2015, Dodson was arrested after fleeing from North Carolina police after a traffic stop. While running from police, he tossed a Baretta 9mm handgun, along with marijuana and cocaine. He was captured and arrested. While out on bond two months later, he purchased Caitlyn, then named ‘Diamond’ from a neighbor for $10. Two days later, when her previous owner stepped outside to leave for work, he found his former __dog on the front porch, her muzzle taped shut. Apparently the __dog had returned to the only home she knew for help.

Dodson was arrested in June, 2015, a week after Caitlyn was found and, with assistance from Caitlyn’s original owner, the abuse was traced back to him. He pled guilty to felony animal cruelty charges and the bond on his unrelated drug and weapons charges was revoked. He has been jailed since June 2015 while awaiting sentencing in multiple cases.

With an extensive arrest record that included several felonies, Dodson faced between a minimum sentence of 15-years to possible life in federal prison. He was given the minimum sentence of 15-years, after which he’ll serve 2-years of probation. The felony animal cruelty case was not considered during sentencing.

Dodson will stand before a judge again on Friday, March 24, 2017 for sentencing in the Caitlyn case. Dodson faces between 180 days and 5-years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine for the felony animal cruelty charge, but it is unlikely additional time will be added to his current 15-year sentence.

State drug charges from the March 2015 arrest remain pending.

Caitlyn is now healthy and happy, though she still deals with the psychological effects of her abuse. Image via Charleston Animal Society.

Now, nearly 2-years after her horrific ordeal, Caitlyn has recovered from multiple surgeries, including having a portion of her tongue removed, thanks to incredible care by the Charleston Animal Society and supporters around the world.

Although her physical wounds have healed, she continues to suffer lasting psychological effects, including trust issues around certain men. Caitlyn is currently living with a permanent foster family that includes children and a canine pal named Oreo. The Charleston Animal Society will continue to pay for her medical care for life. The rescue posts updates about Caitlyn frequently to their Facebook page.

Although additional charges for Dodson are unlikely, Charleston Animal Society CEO Joe Elmore argues that the full maximum sentence should be handed down.

“It was attempted murder,” he said. “If a good Samaritan hadn’t called it in, Caitlyn would have died an excruciating death. … It was cruel. It was premeditated. It was despicable.”

Firefighter saves dog with 'mouth to snout' resuscitation

When Santa Monica firefighters were called to a burning apartment, they found the lifeless body of a tiny __dog overcome by the heat and smoke on the floor of a bedroom. They pulled out the dog, named Nalu, but he wasn't breathing and didn't have a pulse.

For 20 minutes, firefighter Andrew Klein performed CPR including "mouth to snout" resuscitation on the 10-year-old bichon frise/Shih Tzu, while his owner knelt by thinking the little __dog had died. Firefighters also gave the dog oxygen through a specially designed mask for pets. And then a small miracle happened: he eventually regained consciousness, according to a Facebook post from the Santa Monica Fire Department.

“It was pretty amazing because I’ve been on a number of animal rescues like this that did not come out the same way that Nalu’s story did," Klein told KTLA. "It was definitely a win for the whole team and the department that we got him back.”

Nalu was taken to the vet where he spent 24 hours in an oxygen chamber and is now doing well.

"I stood there in shock, and then I followed them and was in shock," Nalu's owner, Crystal Lamirande, said. "I’m a nurse and now I know how family members feel when they watch us do CPR on their family members. It’s awful.”

Photographer Billy Fernando was on the scene and captured photos and videos of the rescue. His video shows firefighters patting Nalu and rubbing his side as they give him oxygen saying, "C'mon bud" and "Atta boy" as he starts to come around.

"This brave firemen (sic) named Andrew Klein from Santa Monica Fire Department went in for the rescue and gave the pet a CPR and took care of him back to life," he wrote on Facebook and Instagram. "Faith in humanity restored."

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Drone finds lost dog after 5 days trapped on a mountain

Cherry was rescued after being spotted by a heat-seeking drone powered by the Resource Group. (Photo: Resource Group Unmanned Aviation Services)

Cherry, a 5-year-old Chihuahua mix, was out walking with her owner in South Wales when she went chasing after a stick and never came back.

Her desperate owners organized search parties through the mountainous terrain and created a Facebook page, spreading the word about the little dog's plight. A local caving club looked down mine shafts and crevices, while scads of volunteers scoured the frigid, rugged mountainside looking for any sight or sound of the missing dog.

With family members convinced that a helicopter might be the only way to find Cherry, they listened to so many people who posted on the missing dog's Facebook page and set up a Go Fund Me account. Within a day, they had raised about $1,500 to pay for an eye in the sky.

But they didn't need to use the funds. A local drone company stepped up and offered their services to find the missing pup. Using a drone fitted with a thermal camera, a pilot from Resource Group Unmanned Aviation Services found Cherry in an old mining tunnel within 20 minutes. With the help of police, fire service and RSPCA members, they rescued the __dog nearly five full days after she had disappeared.

"We are delighted to have been able to reunite Cherry with her owner," Resource Group's John Larkin said. "This just goes to show the widespread applications of drone technology from aerial inspection and surveying to search and rescue situations, highlighting the breadth of our Unmanned Aviation Services."

The __dog was taken immediately to the vets, where she was found to be tired and a bit bruised but declared healthy, despite her exciting ordeal.

A community effort

Villagers raised more than $1,500 for Cherry's search and rescue. (Photo: Missing Cherry/Facebook)

The family is offering to return the funds or donate them to the charities and organizations that helped with the search and to the community, says Jasmine Slingsby, whose father owns Cherry.

They are incredibly grateful to the drone company, of course, but especially to all the people who volunteered their time and money to help with the search.

"The drone was the thing that found her and without it she wouldn't be found. We can't praise them highly enough," Slingsby says. "But without the community, the other things wouldn't have been accessible to us."

Slingsby has since started a website for people who have lost their dogs in hopes they can have the same kind of community support. She says her family is amazed by the amount of kindness and dedication people showed for a tiny dog and a family they had never met.

"It was overwhelming; we couldn't believe such kindness exists," she tells MNN. "Many of the people who turned up were strangers and the love they showed our family is unreal. I don't have the words to thank everyone the way I want to."

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Mary Jo DiLonardo writes about everything from health to parenting — and anything that helps explain why her dog does what he does.

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Happiest goose ever gives woman a hug

If only every animal was this excited to see you.

The woman her arms as if to say, "Hi there! I'm back!" and the goose comes running to greet her, honking and flapping its wings in clear excitement.

The two share a short embrace before taking a very brief walk. The woman then picks up the goose, and once it's settled, the goose wraps its wings around her and gives her a brief nuzzle ... before it seems to indicate that it would like some neck rubs, which the woman happily provides.

After a quick ruffling of feathers, the excitement passes and everyone seems back to the normal routine. Just a woman and her goose, hanging out and being best friends.

Source : mnn[dot]com

Senior dogs and veterans are better together

Greg Brabaw and Pops enjoy a sunny moment together. (Photo: Mike Walzak/One Last Treat)

A longtime Marine in Vietnam, Detroit veteran Greg Brabaw was living at home with no family and few friends when someone reached out to the One Last Treat organization on his behalf. They thought Brabaw might be a good candidate for the group's program pairing vets with senior dogs looking for homes. Soon, the grizzled Brabaw met Pops, a little Chihuahua.

"Greg was really all alone. When we brought him Pops, he basically opened up to us and told us how much Pops allowed him to think about something other than his own suffering" says Joel Rockey, the founder of One Last Treat. "They are pretty much best friends now."

The nonprofit, which got started in the summer of 2016, hunts for senior dogs looking to live out the rest of their lives with love and attention. A special program under the group's umbrella, called Vet Friend Till the End, finds the dogs homes with veterans and then pays all the pets' health bills.

Rockey came up with the idea not long after spending five years in the Navy in Iraq and Afghanistan and returning home. He wanted to focus his energy on something he felt passionate about, and he happened upon an old pug in a snowstorm. The __dog was blind, deaf and injured, but Rockey took him home and named him Lurch.

"He only lived for three more months, but we gave him a pretty awesome three more months," Rockey says. "I felt really compelled to gear my energy towards animals and how to make their lives better. I liked being there in their last moments, so I called my vet buddies and they were down with the idea."

Homes instead of treats

Veteran Dave Kidder recently adopted his new pal, Peggy Sue. (Photo: One Last Treat)

Originally, the team planned to bring treats to senior dogs that were about to be euthanized in animal shelters. But shelters didn't want to call attention to the last hours of those dogs, so they had to formulate a new game plan.

Now they find senior dogs and get them first into foster homes, and then into adoptive homes. In the nine or so months the group has existed, they've found homes for about 25 dogs. Many are adopted by everyday people; some are adopted by veterans. If a veteran adopts a __dog from their organization or another rescue, they'll pay the veterinarian bills for the rest of the dog's life. The majority of dogs have come from the Detroit area, but the group has pulled dogs out of shelters when they've been in California and have veteran/dog "teams" coming on board in Ohio, Missouri and California.

"We try to pull animals that will be good companion animals ... relaxed and laid-back and not too much going on healthwise," Rockey says. "Maybe they're starting to go downhill a little bit but not knocking on the door." That way the dogs might be with their adopters for at least a few years, he says.

There are currently working with seven dog/veteran teams. Supporters often donate to a specific team to help pay their bills.

Rockey's own rescue dog, Bandit, is more than 16 years old. (Photo: One Last Treat)

Rockey says the benefits to the dogs is obvious; they get homes instead of being overlooked. But the benefit to the veterans is unmeasurable.

"The biggest thing is self importance. As a vet myself, I think veterans, when they get out of the military, aren’t asked to do anything anymore," Rockey says. "They start losing self importance. Everyone is thanking them, but they're not being asked to do anything. When they're taking care of a senior animal, they're needed and it creates a new sense of value in their life."

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Kylie and Snowflake, just a girl and her duck

We love our pets, but it's the same as a mother-child relationship — unless you're a baby duck encountering a 4-year-old girl named Kylie.

Kylie Brown, who is now 6 years old, met Snowflake when her family adopted him as a duckling in 2015. The duck imprinted on the little girl and since then has followed her around practically everywhere, just like a duckling would its mother.

According to the Portland Press Herald, Snowflake has accompanied the family on various family outings around retail stores and state and local parks. Even during canoe trips, he doesn't stray from Kylie; he just paddles alongside their boat. He's also allowed inside the Brown homestead — so long as he has a diaper on.

These days, Snowflake waits for Kylie to return from school, rather impatiently to be sure, but it's worth if he gets a lullaby at the end of the day, as the video below shows.

Source : mnn[dot]com

Family’s Senior Dog Faces Euthanasia as Animal Control Says He’s a Wolf-Hybrid

Animal Control officials in Aurora, Colorado last month seized a senior __dog and are refusing to return him to the family that loves and misses him because, they say, he looks like a wolf-hybrid.

The Abbato family adopted Capone from the Adams County Animal Shelter nearly 10 years ago where he was listed as a German Shepherd mix. For almost a decade, Capone has been a member of the family, sleeping in the family home, playing with his canine brothers, and living a wonderful life with the only family he’s ever known.

Last month, Capone escaped his backyard. “He jumped the fence. It’s the first time in the seven years we’ve lived here,” Capone’s owner, Tracy Abbato told FOX31.

Aurora Animal Control picked up Capone on the day he escaped. But, when the Abbato’s came to collect him from the shelter, they were turned away.

“They say he is a hybrid-wolf now and don’t want to release (him) back to us because he is an exotic animal,” Abbato said. Animal Control says that based on his appearance, mannerisms, and behavior, they suspect his is part wolf. With studies showing that nearly 75% of dogs in shelters are mis-categorized or labeled the wrong breed by shelter staff, the Abbatos are confident that Capone is not a wolf.

Although the Abbato’s veterinarian confirms Capone is a shepherd mix, Animal Control submitted a DNA test on March 1 to determine his actual genetic breed make up. If the DNA shows that he’s a wolf-hybrid, despite living safely in a loving home for a decade, he could face euthanasia if a nearby wolf sanctuary cannot provide space for him.

While they wait for DNA results to come back, Capone is forced to wait in the shelter, away from his family.

“I don’t understand. This __dog has a loving, caring home. People who abuse dogs, leave them outside in 2-degree weather, how do they still have their dogs?” Abbato asked.

The Abbato family, who now face criminal charges of an animal running at large, keeping an aggressive animal, and keeping an exotic/wild animal, have hired an attorney.