Nicole, photo Greyhound Adoption League of Texas
On Thursday, July 8th, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control took custody of 28 dogs, mostly greyhounds and greyhound mixes plus one Saluki. DeDe Whitcombe of Collin County Humane Society reports that the dogs were living in a shed behind a home in southeast Fort Worth, stuffed in tiny crates with no food and no water. Alerted by a Fort Worth Water Department employee, Fort Worth Animal Care & Control officers tried to negotiate with the owner and convince him to surrender the dogs. The Fort Worth Star Telegram is reporting that the owner initially refused and a warrant was issued, but he changed his mind later and agreed to surrender the dogs before the warrant was served.
Susie McQuade of Greyhound Adoption League of Texas describes the condition of the dogs as "appalling and shocking". They weighed only 35 to 51 pounds and each was covered with literally thousands of ticks. Because the infestation of ticks was so severe, there is a high probability that most of these dogs are suffering from tick-borne diseases such as ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Most are anemic in varying degrees. Some are missing tufts of hair, have visible pressure sores from being constantly crated, and all are loaded with a variety of intestinal parasites. At least one had to be taken directly to a vet for a blood transfusion.
Six of the dogs have tattoos, indicating they were most likely used for racing at one time. None of them are spayed or neutered. They appear to be a mix of purebred greyhounds, greyhound/saluki mixes, and greyhound/whippet mixes, as well as one purebred saluki and at least one lurcher - a greyhound/saluki/deerhound mix. Most of them can be seen in the slide show below.
Greyhound Adoption League of Texas has now taken custody of nine of these dogs. Greyhounds Unlimited has taken in eight. Six are being cared for by Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue, two have been placed with All Breed Rescue of Texas in Humble, one is with Collin County Humane Society, one with Saluki Tree of Life Alliance, and one is with It's a Grey Area in Pearl River, Louisiana.
The care needed for these dogs is estimated to cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars each,
which will cause a huge strain on the already tight budgets of the non-profit organizations involved. They desperately need help to pay for the medical care of these hounds, which are expected to remain in their care an arduous 4-6 months before they are fully rehabilitated and well enough to be made available for adoption. All of these organizations are 501c3 non-profits and most have no paid staff, so 100% of the money contributed goes to caring for the dogs.
To make matters worse, this past Thursday a passerby found another extremely emaciated, tick-infested greyhound that had apparently been abandoned in a park just a few miles from the home
where the initial 28 dogs were found. This dog is in very bad condition, possibly worse than the others and was unable to stand. On Sunday, volunteers from Greyhound Adoption League of Texas took him from Fort Worth Animal Care & Control to an emergency vet for a blood transfusion. He was bleeding so badly from the ticks the attending vet was forced to use pressure bandages to control the bleeding. Greyhound Adoption League has taken responsibility for this dog, named Braden who is still in critical condition as of this morning. [Author's note: please see the comments for an update on Braden].
Fort Worth Animal Care & Control cruelty investigators and Fort Worth Police detectives assigned to cruelty are in the process of preparing a case file to be presented to the district attorney for review. The District Attorney will then determine whether cruelty charges will be filed against the owner or citations issued.
Slideshow photos courtesy of Greyhound Adoption League (GALT), Greyhounds Unlmitied (GU), Texas Italian Greyhound Rescue (TIGR), It's a Grey Area (IAGA) and Collin County Humane Society
(CCHS). Mouse over the featured slide to pause the slide show.
Video, Part 1, courtesy Greyhound Adoption League
Video, Part 2, courtesy Greyhound Adoption League of Texas
Ways You Can Help Homeless Pets Happy Endings Events & Fundraisers
Subscribe above to find out when more articles are published; your email address will not be shared. And please feel free to leave a comment below!
Photo: GAP
What makes a good working dog? Where do they come from?
Graphic: HSNT
Extreme Mutt Makeover update - the training is underway
Photo:MAC
Metroplex Animal Coalition's "Real Men Neuter" campaign kicks off today
Photo: DAA
Unchained: Bolt gets a new fence, a new attitude, and a whole new life
Photo: Laurel Arabians
Happy Ending: 47 Arabians on their way to new homes after Collin County auction
Photo: Brad Kirby
Local man wants to remind everyone to "Think Lost, Not Stray"
Comments
These pictures and videos are heartbreaking. Thanks for the information about how we can help even if we can't adopt one of the dogs ourselves. --Dallas Events Examiner
I pray that the person responsible for keeping these poor dogs in these deplorable conditions pays beyond a slap on the wrist or probation.
I vote for making the scum live in the same conditions as the dogs were found. But in their case, they aren't rescued. Bastards.
Thank you so much for writing about this. I have sent a donation. I hope more people can provide some assistance to the rescue groups helping out. Terrible how these dogs suffered.
Braden died of Renal failure last night.
He was in kidney failure exacerbated by his dire medical condition due to acute malnourishment and exposure plus epic external and internal parasite infestation. Braden was released from his pain and suffering last evening with loving friends surrounding him, the only family he ever knew.
Thank you so much for exposing this story to the DFW area (and beyond). Folks in the greyhound adoption community have been aware of it for a bit over a week, and it's CRUCIAL that the story gets out into the larger public. Any concerned folks PLEASE consider making a donation to this cause - these animals need all of the financial help available to heal properly, and live the rest of their years happily and in good health. As far as the "owner" is concerned - I only wish that he will face the full extent of the law. This is the worst case of abuse/neglect I have ever seen - and I've seen a lot. Again, thank you for your donations - and thank you Examiner, for getting this story out there.
Breaks my heart. I can't stand to see animals treated inhumanly. Why, can't people do things right ? Build a something correctly to house them.
I do hope there is a criminal case against this person.
Dear Sweet Braden:
I am very sorry that you suffered so much misery while on this earth. I am sorry that there are humans who act so inhumanely; and that at this moment there are probably millions of animals suffering across this "great" nation. I am sorry there is a "sport" that races your breed.
I am sorry that you and your fellow canine friends weren't rescued sooner. I wish you could have known love and human friendship more than for just a few days.
Humans who inflict pain and misery onto an animal do not deserve to share this earth.
Rest in peace, Dear Boy.
omg! after all the years of having pets and donating to pets in need when i can, i am still surprised at people's cruelty. what the heck is wrong with people? seems like a lot of people don't care at all about life anymore. these poor dogs..they didn't hurt anyone..just wanted love, attention and care. i hope this guy gets his one day.when are people going to get it that pets are not disposable junk? they were given to us for companionship and love..that is what they give us. i still can't wrap my head around treating animals like this and i don't think i will ever understand it! i pray things go well for the dogs on their road to recovery and a forever home!
Exerpt from the GALT website...
Update 7/29/10
Rachel died this morning at 6:45 of a massive seizure. Test results are expected back today that should give a diagnosis.
Martin is in very critical condition, and Pudge has been moved to the Animal Diagnostic Clinic under the care of Dr. Doug Bronstad.
Please don't let the death of these dogs be in vain.
A third greyhound has died....
Update 7/29/10
Martin left us today, July 29, at 5:05pm with loving friends surrounding him, and his foster mom, Holly, whispering in his ear. Martin's condition continued to deteriorate today with his experiencing advanced neurological symptoms. Dr. Doug Bronstad, board certified in Internal Medicine at the Animal Diagnostic Clinic in Plano has been in charge of both Martin's and Rachael's cases. Per Dr. Bronstad, "A dog with the severe neurological issues that Martin presented can expect to suffer debilitating and often fatal seizures in the immediate future and has no chance at recovery."
The test results are still pending; PCR tests for distemper were submitted. Results were hoped to be received today, but have not been reported at this posting. Martin, along with many of the 28, arrived at FWAC with green mucous in his eyes, as did Rachel and several others. All medical reports have and will continue to be turned over to the Ft. Worth Police
Beyond sad. Thank you to GALT and the other organizations for stepping up to the plate and helping these dogs. I hope the remaining will make it to their forever home as soon as they are well.
I cant believe that there are people in this world that can be so heartless! It is an act of inhumane conditions that needs to cease! The owner should be placed in the same living conditions and left to die so that he can experience how those poor helpless dogs with nothing but unconditional love felt when they were abandoned! He will burn even if he does not get the court repremand that he or she deserves! He is a dispicable excuse for an human!
I don't know what to say to this. It is shocking to me that anyone would have the heart to torture these (or any) animals. Thank God for all of the people working together to save these animals.
I know Fort Worth Animal Care & Control is trying to do a good job and succeeding, mostly. But Braden should have been taken to emergency vet care immediately on the Thursday he was found, NOT made to stay in the shelter for 72 hours before transfer to GALT. That his condition met the "life threatening" criteria exempting him from the 72-hour shelter requirement should have been obvious; animals in extreme starvation are likely to be in organ failure. He probably suffered unnecessarily for that 72 hours. FWACC, please re-evaluate your intake & emergency care transfer criteria!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!