A related story- anybody remember this one? The guy is finally charged today. In this case the owner tortured the dog because she wouldn't breed. More commonly, they are abused until they are deemed sufficiently viscous.
Posted on 08/04/2006 12:38:40 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Caring for 48 seized pit bull dogs has cost the Dane County Humane Society more than $50,000 so far, but expenses could increase 10 times that amount if court action against the dogs' owner drags on.
Humane Society Board President Cathy Holmes told The Capital Times today that it's costing about $6,000 a week to house and feed the pit bulls at the society's facility, 5132 Voges Road, and there's no end in sight.
"This case could take up to a year and half," Holmes said. "There's not much we can do."
The pit bulls were seized June 14 from Robert Lowery's town of Dunn property during a dog fighting ring investigation. While no charges of animal abuse have been filed, Lowery has been charged in federal court on counts of drug trafficking and firearms possession.
The Humane Society and the county filed a petition in Dane County Circuit Court Thursday for Lowery and Julie Ann Dzikowich to pay for all costs to date and future costs for the care of the dogs, or as an alternative, to have the two post a $500,000 bond to cover the costs.
The petition also asks to let the Humane Society treat the pit bulls as any surrendered animal would be, including euthanasia for seven of the dogs considered so dangerous, the staff hasn't been able to get close enough to do normal assessments.
"Because these animals are so aggressive, we are asking for the authority to dispose of them," said corporation counsel Leslie Hamilton.
Dane County has a $500,000 contract with the Humane Society to handle the county's stray, surrendered or abused animals, about a quarter of its annual $2 million budget.
Holmes said the county will be asked to make up to $500,000 in county funds available for the care of the pit bulls, depending on how long the facility has to keep the dogs.
"We will continue to work to receive fair compensation for the costs of caring for these dogs," Holmes said. "We've made a formal request for financial assistance and look to ensure we won't be faced with similar situations in the future by looking at changes in our future contracts with the county."
The pit bulls have also taken an emotional toll on the staff and are suffering significant stress themselves, being penned in the isolation and quarantine kennels, away from the other dogs and out of public view.
"We've had some staff indicate they would not like to care for the pit bulls," Holmes said. "It's very hard on the staff."
Three staff members are needed to restrain the most dangerous dogs when they are taken out of their kennels so the kennels can be cleaned and new food and water provided for the dogs. Staff must use lock poles attached to the dogs' collars so they don't turn on the staff.
"Some of the dogs are so dangerous they still have their original collars and chains on, seven weeks after we've taken them in," Holmes said.
She added that the Dane County Humane Society is one of only two in the state (Milwaukee being the other) with secure enough facilities to handle pit bulls.
Because of all the kennel space needed for the pit bulls, the facility's dog area has been filled to capacity eight times since June 14. Adoption fees for the other dogs and cats at the shelter have been cut to increase the chances for animals to be adopted quickly.
Holmes said the Humane Society has had to impound seized animals in the past, but nothing on the scale of taking care of 48 pit bulls at one time.
The last time the society had this many seized animals to care for? That was 1982, when 35 pit bulls were seized from Lowery during an earlier dog fighting investigation.
"They filled the shelter," Holmes said.
Dog Fighting. It truly is "The Sport of Kings".
Why aren't they euthanizing all of them? They're ruined as pets. When you go to adopt a dog and ask, how'd it come into the shelter, and they tell you, oh, he was part of a dogfighting ring, will YOU be taking that dog home to play with your kids?
"Why aren't they euthanizing all of them?"
These dogs are currently "evidence," but I agree with you. I'm betting that a staff member at the shelter gets bit; or worse, God Forbid.
This guy has changed my attitude toward pit bulls and dangerous dogs. The problem is not the dogs, it's the people who own the dogs and who are responsible for them.
Cesar's taken dogs just like these pits and turned them into calm, submissive animals whom he keeps as dog therapists to go along with 25 or so other throwaways.
He's a miracle worker with dogs, and with the people who own them. Catch him tonight, for two hours, on National Geographic Channel, at 8 PM CST.
I've watched his show a few times. I agree that problem pets generally are problems due to their owners, but I think these dogs are beyond saving.
We'll see how it all shakes out if they don't drag their feet on a trial for these two evil losers.
Why is the staff being penned in isolation and quarantine kennels? /s (Another journalist with bad writing skills or a lazy editor.)
Wow, I think that makes TWO things we've agreed on in 5 or so years. :-)
His unique way to calm excited dogs caught the attention of some very famous Hollywood people, and they invited him to work with the bad habits of their dogs.
He seemed to work magic, and here he is, with a television show, three books, multiple DVDs, and is in demand for seminars all over the country.
I'm loving this week, and will faithfully watch the new season of his NGC show.
Someone apparently just dumped it out here in a rural area. They eat like a horse and are as strong as a bull. I was glad to see her gone.
We live on a farm and I can't begin to tell you the number of cats that have been dropped off here. Some of them have been very good mousers; if they're the least bit "tough" I let them live in the barn. If not, they go to the shelter where someone can give them the more "cushy" life of a Viking Kitty. ;)
I know what you mean, we do the same thing here. They keep our house and sheds rat free.
That pit/mixed pulled up a 20-24 inch cork screw stake in the ground...twice. I would watch her when I went on the front porch to smoke and she would run headlong the length of the cable and then leap when she got to the end of it. I started smoking on the back porch.
I need to make something clear. My last post gives the impression that the pit/mix was vicious. It was just the opposite. All she wanted to do was play with you, but she didn't know her own strength. When she saw us she got over excited.
"I started smoking on the back porch."
LOL! I have a Basset Hound and if you don't know stubborn in a dog, let me assure you that they are the 'distilled essence' of stubborn. Man, he was soooo hard to train to stay in the farm yard...let alone getting him to stay in the COUNTY. (He's a joy now that he's old and lazy and no longer wanders far.)
I used to chain him to a cinderblock when he was a pup, because he, too, understood those "corkscrew" chains and would spend the day tugging and pulling and unwinding the thing from the earth!
With the cinderblock, when he took off, he at least had an anchor that allowed me to eventually catch up to him. I told visiting friends and relatives that I was training him for the 'Doggie Tractor Pull' at the State Fair, lest they turn me over to PETA, LOL!
We did that with many a stray dog until the owner came for them or the pound. You're right, a cinderblock makes them easier to catch, but, this pit was an entirely different category. She pulled that block like it was a feather, didn't impede her in the slightest.
because he, too, understood those "corkscrew" chains and would spend the day tugging and pulling and unwinding the thing from the earth!
Dogs are smart creatures.
Basset Hounds are a beautiful breed.
I've always been a Black Lab owner, but this guy makes me know there will be more Bassets in my future. They get along well with the Labs and are a great "High and Low Hunting Tag-Team."
The Basset actually greets me with something in his mouth when I come home, which is a total Lab trait.
Nature versus Nurture? I think so. :)
FYI, we both joined FR within DAYS of one another, LOL! Guess we've got more than Dog Stories in common. ;)
I bet they do make a great team.
Of all the dogs, yellow Labs are my favorite. A more faithful and loving dog I would be hard pressed to name.
A related story- anybody remember this one? The guy is finally charged today. In this case the owner tortured the dog because she wouldn't breed. More commonly, they are abused until they are deemed sufficiently viscous.
Poor dog. What a tragic story.
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