It's not about the people, it's about the animals ONLY

It has never been or will be personal for me, my work, questions and care for the animals is just that, it’s about them. So maybe it’s time for some of the other Animal Advocates to stop spinning the facts, same with some Shelter Employees. If it was about you I would without a doubt mention your name, take your inflated ego and leave it at the door. Animals are dying by mass numbers here in NC, many transported illegally to unknown locations up North with no vaccinations. This is not Responsible Rescue, if you really care about the animals you work so hard to get “pulled” from a kill shelter then why don’t you seem to care where or what happens to them after the “pull”. Just being out of the shelter is not “ SAFE”, you might of just sent these animals to live Animal Research Facilities, to a hoarder or to an animal abuser. I’m sorry if you think answering questions is  “drama”, that alone shows you have much to hide.

 

Again this is about the animals who have no voice on what takes place to them, the best thing you could do for these animals is to follow them from pull to adoption and make sure they are cared for, otherwise you are doing more harm than good to the bigger picture for those of us that work to better change and enhance the NC Animal Welfare Act and Statues.

 

Responsible Rescue means staying involved after the "pull", fully vetting an animal, spay and neuter, home visits on the people you hand these animals off to. Dropping them off to anyone in a Burger King parking Lot is not caring for these animals.

Animal Abuse in Fremont NC, Wayne County Animal Control Step In

 

Fremont, N.C. — A Fremont man faces charges in what Wayne County animal control officers call "the most horrific, disturbing case" of animal cruelty they have ever seen.

Lawton McKenzie, 28, of Old Black Creek Road, was arrested Tuesday on three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty after authorities who went to his home found dismembered animals, a machete, knives, bowls of blood and what appeared to be a puppy’s head in a plastic bag.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are possible, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office said. Authorities declined to release his exact address.

Animal control officers found the remains of several dozen animals on Dec. 3, Justin Scally, director of the Wayne County Department of Animal Control Services.

"There were multiple animals that had been decapitated," he said. "I don't think you're ever really prepared to see situations like this."

Other animals were being burned on what Scally described as "a homemade grill of sorts."

Investigators also found the remains of a decapitated dog with its front paws cut off, dead snakes, a dead turtle, dead puppies and what appeared to be a goat’s head on the grill.

Other items were unidentifiable. Investigators also found the remains of several predatory birds, such as owls, on the property.

An accurate count of how many deceased animals will never be available, Scally said, because of the number of unmatchable dismembered parts found on the property.

Investigators removed 26 living animals from the house, including a dying goat, Scally said. It was rushed to a local veterinarian's office and survived.

“It was the most horrific, disturbing case that I have ever investigated," he said. “What we saw, I don’t think I will ever forget for the rest of my life."

Neighbors said Tuesday they had complained to animal control in the past about animal carcasses in the yard and about pit bulls getting loose from McKenzie's residence and killing other animals in the neighborhood, including a pony and two cats.

Scally said he had questioned McKenzie before and that he denied killing the animals, that they were road kill and that he was studying taxidermy and using the animals' bones to make necklaces.

Investigators were only able to charge McKenzie last week when they determined they had enough evidence.

Scally said the animals are improving and should all have no problems if adopted. While he said the scene at McKenzie's home disgusted his investigators, workers have been concentrating on the surviving animals.

"Our goal is providing the best care that we can for these animals," he said, "and to prosecute (McKenzie) ... to the greatest potential."
The County of Wayne has filed a civil complaint against McKenzie requiring he pay for the upkeep of the seized animals. The county also requested McKenzie post sufficient funds with the Clerk of Superior Court to insure the care of the animals for an additional 30 days.
McKenzie is scheduled to appear in court on the civil charge on Jan. 15.

• Reporter: Beau Minnick
• Web Editors: Kelly Gardner, Kelly Hinchcliffe

What is going on with the Pitt County, NC Courthouse

This case has been going on since July 11,2011. Why has this case not been heard?

http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/18304/NC/US/

76 animals seized from home

Greenville, NC (US)

 

Incident Date: Monday, Jul 11, 2011

County: Pitt

 

Charges: Misdemeanor

Disposition: Alleged

 

You can contact the Pitt County DA's Office at:

http://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/clarkeverett/clarkeverett.htm

 

Alleged: Catherine Campbell

 

Authorities on Tuesday served a woman with 21 warrants on charges of animal cruelty and neglect following the July 11 rescue of 76 animals from her Pitt County home.

 

Catherine Campbell, 40, of 109 N.C. 903 North is scheduled to appear in District Court on Sept. 22, said Michele R. Whaley, director of Pitt County Animal Control. Campbell was released from custody on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

 

Acting on an anonymous tip, Whaley had to muster assistance from the Humane Society of the United States and other area shelters to find temporary boarding for the dogs, cats and a rabbit.

 

Whaley said she suspects that Campbell received many of the animals from shelters in different parts of the state and possibly other states.

 

"This woman believed she was a rescuer because she was taking dogs and cats home from shelters," Whaley said at the time of the rescue. "She did not want them taken from her, thinking they were better off with her than in a shelter."

 

A variety of dog breeds were discovered tethered on chains to trees, the chains wrapped around tree trunks, Whaley said. They lived with with no water and no shelter from the sun and in poor sanitary conditions. Many of the animals were kept in cages that were too small for them. Many of the dogs had to be euthanized.

 

Cathy Campbell's home housed 15 dogs, 16 wolf hybrids and three cats who had to be euthanized due to medical conditions.

 

Pitt County Animal Control director Michele Whaley told Nine on Your Side the animals were not in the best conditions. Many of them were very dehydrated, had severe tick and flea infestation and some of them had mange and other different medical conditions.

 

Whaley's office had intervened with Campbell in 2010, when the woman had about 30 animals. Two officers worked with her to bring standards of care up to an acceptable and legal level, Whaley said.

 

When Whaley received another complaint, she dispatched an officer familiar with the case just before the July Fourth weekend. He reported conditions were worse than last year.

 

The Pitt County Animal Shelter continues to care for some of the animals. Anyone interested in assisting with animal care or adoption is asked to call 252-902-1975.

 

References

 •reflector.com- Jul 27, 2011wnct.com- Jul 27, 2011witn.com- Jul 27, 2011

 

« NC State Animal Cruelty Map

« More cases in Pitt County, NC

 

 

Read more: 76 animals seized from home - Greenville, NC | Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/18304/NC/US/#ixzz2DTJUZ1IU

 

Again you can contact the Pitt County  DA's Office at

http://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/clarkeverett/clarkeverett.htm

 

 

Top 10 Reasons to Spay or Neuter

Whether you’ve recently adopted a pet or you’re considering it, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make is to spay or neuter your cat or dog. Spaying—removing the ovaries and uterus of a female pet—is a veterinary procedure that requires minimal hospitalization and offers lifelong health benefits. Neutering—removing the testicles of your male dog or cat—will vastly improve your pet’s behavior and keep him close to home.
Many states and counties have established low-cost spay/neuter programs that make surgery easily affordable and accessible. To find a low-cost program near you, search our Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Provider Database. If you're in New York City, the ASPCA mobile spay/neuter clinic offers free or low-cost spay/neuter surgery for financially needy dog and cat owners with proof of public assistance. Please contact our hotline at (877) SPAY-NYC for a listing of dates and locations in all five boroughs.
Not convinced yet? Check out our handy—and persuasive—list of the top 10 reasons to spay or neuter your pet!

1. Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast cancer, which is fatal in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats. Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
2. Neutering provides major health benefits for your male. Besides preventing unwanted litters, neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat. While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they'll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house!
4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate! That includes digging his way under the fence and making like Houdini to escape from the house. And once he's free to roam, he risks injury in traffic and fights with other males.
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved. Neutered cats and dogs focus their attention on their human families. On the other hand, unneutered dogs and cats may mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house. Many aggression problems can be avoided by early neutering.
6. Spaying or neutering will NOT make your pet fat. Don’t use that old excuse! Lack of exercise and overfeeding will cause your pet to pack on the extra pounds—not neutering. Your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor food intake.
7. It is highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot less than the cost of having and caring for a litter. It also beats the cost of treatment when your unneutered tom escapes and gets into fights with the neighborhood stray!
8. Spaying and neutering your pet is good for the community. Stray animals pose a real problem in many parts of the country. They can prey on wildlife, cause car accidents, damage the local fauna and frighten children. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in reducing the number of animals on the streets.
9. Your pet doesn't need to have a litter for your children to learn about the miracle of birth. Letting your pet produce offspring you have no intention of keeping is not a good lesson for your children—especially when so many unwanted animals end up in shelters. There are tons of books and videos available to teach your children about birth in a more responsible way.
10. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of cats and dogs of all ages and breeds are euthanized or suffer as strays. These high numbers are the result of unplanned litters that could have been prevented by spaying or neutering.

How Heartworm Happens: The Life Cycle

First, adult female heartworms release their young, called microfilariae, into an animal's bloodstream. Then, mosquitoes become infected with microfilariae while taking blood meal from the infected animal. During the next 10 to 14 days, the microfilariae mature to the infective larval stage within the mosquito. After that, the mosquito bites another dog, cat or other susceptible animal, and the infective larvae enter through the bite wound. It then takes a little over 6 months for the infective larvae to mature into adult worms. In dogs, the worms may live for up to 7 years. Microfilariae cannot mature into adult heartworms without first passing through a mosquito.

 

 

What Are the Signs of Heartworm Disease?

For both dogs and cats, clinical signs of heartworm disease may not be recognized in the early stages, as the number of heartworms in an animal tends to accumulate gradually over a period of months and sometimes years and after repeated mosquito bites.

 

Recently infected dogs may exhibit no signs of the disease, while heavily infected dogs may eventually show clinical signs, including a mild, persistent cough, reluctance to move or exercise, fatigue after only moderate exercise, reduced appetite and weight loss.

 

Cats may exhibit clinical signs that are very non-specific, mimicking many other feline diseases. Chronic clinical signs include vomiting, gagging, difficulty or rapid breathing, lethargy and weight loss. Signs associated with the first stage of heartworm disease, when the heartworms enter a blood vessel and are carried to the pulmonary arteries, are often mistaken for feline asthma or allergic bronchitis, when in fact they are actually due to a syndrome newly defined as Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD).

 

 

How Do You Detect Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm infection in apparently healthy animals is usually detected with blood tests for a heartworm substance called an "antigen" or microfilariae, although neither test is consistently positive until about seven months after infection has occurred.

 

Heartworm infection may also occasionally be detected through ultrasound and/or x-ray images of the heart and lungs, although these tests are usually used in animals already known to be infected.

 

Prevention

Because heartworm disease is preventable, the AHS recommends that pet owners take steps now to talk to their veterinarian about how to best protect their pets from this dangerous disease. Heartworm prevention is safe, easy and inexpensive. While treatment for heartworm disease in dogs is possible, it is a complicated and expensive process, taking weeks for infected animals to recover. There is no effective treatment for heartworm disease in cats, so it is imperative that disease prevention measures be taken for cats.

 

There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection in both dogs and cats, including daily and monthly tablets and chewables, monthly topicals and a six-month injectable product available only for dogs. All of these methods are extremely effective, and when administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented. These medications interrupt heartworm development before adult worms reach the lungs and cause disease.

 

It is your responsibility to faithfully maintain the prevention program you have selected in consultation with your veterinarian.

Person County Raid in NC

 

 

ROUGEMONT, N.C (WTVD) -- More than 100 animals were seized from a Person County farm by the Humane Society of the United States and Person County Animal Control Tuesday.

The Person County Sheriff's Office served a search and seizure warrant on the property and found 39 horses and nearly 70 small-breed dogs, cats and birds being housed in unsanitary conditions.

Officials became concerned about the facility after receiving complaints from the community. The horses at the farm were described as being very thin. Some were suffering from medical issues that required immediate attention.

Many of the dogs and cats suffered from eye infections, skin infections and other signs of severe neglect.

"The Humane Society of the United States is glad to help Person County Animal Control with this very sad case of neglect," said Kim Alboum, North Carolina state director for The HSUS. "The conditions in this home are egregious and these animals desperately needed rescue. Now they are on the path to much better lives."

"The situation here deteriorated so badly that we knew it was time to act," said Ron Shaw, director of Person County Animal Control. "I'm incredibly grateful that we did, because the conditions for the small animals living inside were deplorable."

The owner surrendered the animals, and they will all be taken to area shelters for immediate evaluation and treatment by veterinarians.
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Update on HeartWorms Meds from Novartis

                                     
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
LATEST UPDATE AS OF August 28, 2012:
Various stages of pre-production and production have begun for some Novartis Animal Health brands. Production, packaging and shipping of the 5mg strength of Clomicalm® (clomipramine hydrochloride) is now ongoing at the Lincoln plant, and shipments of that stock keeping unit (SKU) began in mid-June. We also have initiated validation batch production of Sentinel® (milbemycin oxime / lufenuron) Flavor Tabs® at the plant, a critical phase of process testing that is required before full scale production can begin. As we validate, technical issues do arise. Due to the evolving situation at the plant, we cannot give exact dates when product will be shipping.
We have invested significant resources to achieve the swiftest possible resolution of this issue, and our robust team of staff and consultants is working hard to ensure that normal production resumes as soon as is practically possible. We realize that the temporary interruption in product availability has created challenges for pet owners who rely on Novartis Animal Health products, and we deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused you. Once a definitive production schedule is available, it will be communicated.

BACKGROUND
A decision was made in December 2011 by Novartis Animal Health to temporarily suspend production at its Lincoln, NE processing plant, which is responsible for manufacturing several Novartis Animal Health brands including Interceptor® (milbemycin oxime) Flavor Tabs®, Sentinel® (milbemycin oxime / lufenuron) Flavor Tabs®, Program® (lufenuron) Flavor Tabs®, Program® (lufenuron) Suspension, Milbemite® (0.1% milbemycin oxime), Deramaxx® (deracoxib) and Clomicalm® (clomipramine hydrochloride).
We assure you that all Novartis Animal Health brands remain safe and effective when used according to the product label. There were no veterinary product recalls as part of the temporary plant shut down. Veterinarians can continue to prescribe - and pet owners can continue to administer - these trusted brands with full confidence.
The decision to temporarily suspend production was done with great consideration after several quality and regulatory reviews determined that system upgrades and other improvements were needed to enhance the facility's processes and functions so that it could better meet the needs of our customers in the future. We understand the challenges this might pose, and we deeply regret the inconvenience this may have caused our customers. Your continued support during this temporary period is appreciated, and we will continue to keep you informed about when we expect to resume full production and shipment of new product.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why are Sentinel® Flavor Tabs® and Interceptor® Flavor Tabs® not available at my veterinary clinic?
In December 2011, Novartis made the voluntary decision to temporarily shut down its Lincoln, NE manufacturing plant, which manufacturers many Novartis Animal Health products, to focus on system and process upgrades. The decision to temporarily suspend production was driven by the company's ongoing commitment to the highest standards.
Novartis teams have been working hard to resume regular production schedules for our veterinary products. We have been making good progress. However, definitive production timelines are not available at this time. Once this information is available, it will be communicated.
2. What products were affected by this temporary shutdown?
Novartis Animal Health brands produced in Lincoln, NE for the U.S. market include Interceptor® Flavor Tabs®, Sentinel® Flavor Tabs®, Program® Flavor Tabs®, Program® Suspension, Milbemite®, Deramaxx® and Clomicalm®. Products produced in Lincoln for Canada include Interceptor® Flavor Tabs®, Sentinel® Flavor Tabs® and Program® Flavor Tabs®, which are affected by the temporary shutdown at Lincoln.
3. Are the products safe?
Yes, all of the brands remain safe and effective when used according to the product label. There were no veterinary product recalls as part of the temporary plant shut down. Veterinarians can continue to prescribe them, and pet owners can continue to administer these trusted brands with confidence.
4. If my veterinarian has products in stock, are there any dangers in using these products? Are there any product issues?
Novartis Animal Health has not received any reports of another brand being mixed in with one of its products, although we did learn of a single Clomicalm® bottle containing an isolated Clomicalm® tablet of a lesser strength. (Ongoing progress at the manufacturing site should have this issue fixed shortly). For precaution, we recommend that all Clomicalm® tablets be examined prior to administration to ensure they are the correct size, shape and color, and any perceived abnormality should be reported to Novartis Animal Health.5. My dog can only use Novartis heartworm products, what should I do?
We realize that the temporary interruption in product availability has created challenges for pet owners who rely on Novartis Animal Health products and we deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused you.
We recommend that you work closely with your veterinarian to determine the best health care needs of your dog during this temporary situation.
6. In a Novartis news release dated February 2, it was stated that already-manufactured product was being shipped out to veterinarians, so why doesn't my veterinarian have product?
Already-manufactured products did begin shipping in early February. However, the temporary voluntary stoppage of production and distribution of the products affected has created a back-order situation for many of our veterinary customers and we have not been able to meet all of the demand.
7. I buy Sentinel® Flavor Tabs® (or Interceptor® Flavor Tabs®) online through a retailer. Why do they not have product and where can I get it if they don't have it?
Since Novartis Animal Health does not sell directly to online retailers, we are not able to tell you where retailers purchase their product supply. Novartis supports the veterinary-client relationship and only sells its products directly to licensed veterinarians.We recommend that you check with a veterinarian in your area for assistance and product availability. To find a veterinarian in your area, go to www.sentinelpet.com and click on the Veterinary Finder link.
8. What will Novartis do to make up this inconvenience to pet owners and veterinarians?
We would like to tell veterinarians and pet owners throughout the US and Canada just how much we regret the temporary supply disruption and the issues it may have caused for them. Novartis Animal Health is committed to the highest standards of quality and care for pets. We are making every possible effort to ensure that we get back to normal production schedules as soon as possible - so that we can continue to provide trusted products that protect the health of our beloved pets. Our ultimate commitment to our valued customers is having the best sustainable solutions in place for them for the long term.
9. The lack of product availability may cause current users of Novartis products to switch to other products to fulfill their pet's health needs in the short term. How will you address this with veterinary practices/pet owners?
Our department of Technical Product Services and Pharmacovigilance (1-800-637-0281) offers help to veterinarians with questions about patient care. And when production resumes, Novartis intends to do its very best to see that our brands reach as many clinics, and their patients, as soon as possible.10. How are you keeping pet owners and veterinarians informed of progress?
Please refer back to this website for updates.
11. How can veterinarians and pet owners get more information about this issue?
If you have additional questions about product availability, please call Customer Service at 1-800-332-2761. For technical questions about use of our veterinary products, or to report an adverse event, please call Technical Product Services and Pharmacovigilance at 1-800-637-0281.

More Puppy Mills Busts in NC

Large dogs seized from Wilson breeding operation

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Twenty-eight Great Danes, Mastiffs and Dobermans were seized from a breeding operation in Wilson on Aug. 23, 2012.

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• Dozens of dogs seized in sting at alleged puppy mill

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Wilson, N.C. — A Wilson couple was charged Thursday with animal cruelty after more than two dozen large-breed dogs were seized from a breeding operation, authorities said.
The raid at a property on Evansdale Road is the second time this month that law enforcement officers and animal welfare advocates have seized dogs and puppies from a breeding operation in eastern North Carolina.
Wilson County deputies removed 28 Great Danes, Mastiffs and Dobermans from outdoor kennels behind a mobile home, with the assistance of the Humane Society of the U.S., the SPCA of Wake County and the Great Dane Rescue Alliance.
"What led to this was just years of complaints from consumers who were getting sick puppies," said Kim Alboum, state director of the Humane Society.
Alboum said state law doesn’t require inspections of breeding operations, and complaints weren’t enough for authorities to step in until animal cruelty could be demonstrated.
"What we saw in this particular facility were a lot of dogs with old and new wounds," she said. "We saw a lot of infection – staph, mange – but many of the dogs were just so, they just seemed broken."
Breeders Cyndi and Joe Williams were each charged with one count of animal cruelty, and authorities said more charges are possible. Their court date was set for Oct. 8.

Local rescue groups have taken in many of the breeding dogs the breeders have gotten rid of over the years, Alboum said.
"(One) dog's mother was surrendered four weeks ago, and she was in absolutely horrendous condition," she said. "When she was surrendered, (her puppy) was only 10 days old."
Veterinarians checked the dogs before 16 of the animals were sent to the SPCA of Wake County and the other 12 to the Great Dane Rescue Alliance for further care and housing.
Because the dogs were seized, their future could be tied up in court. None of the dogs will be put up for adoption until the legal issues are resolved, officials said.

• Reporter: Laura Leslie
• Photographer: Tom Normanly
• Web Editor: Matthew Burns

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Puppy mill owners found guilty of animal cruelty

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Raleigh, N.C. — A Wilmington couple arrested this month on animal cruelty charges pleaded guilty Friday to dozens of charges, the Brunswick County District Attorney's Office.

Amelia and Andrew Millis pleaded guilty to 24 counts each of Class I cruelty to animal charges and were placed on probation for 36 months.

In addition, they are banned for life from possessing any animal. Both will be subject to frequent warrantless searches for compliance, the district attorney's office said.

On Aug. 3, Brunswick County sheriff's deputies and animal rights advocates rescued more than 150 dogs, more than two dozen birds and one cat from a double-wide trailer with no electricity in Leland.

Most of the remaining dogs were sent to SPCAs in Guilford and Mecklenburg counties, but the SPCA of Wake County is expected to put 39 of the dogs taken from the puppy mill up for adoption.
Anyone interested in adopting an animal should contact the group directly.

WRAL  http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/11441455/

NC might just have the right man in Legislation, GO Jason Saine

Raleigh, N.C. — A North Carolina state lawmaker says he plans to introduce a bill next year that would regulate puppy mills.

More Info
Focal Point: 'Puppies and Politics'

First-term Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, said Monday that he and Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union, have been discussing the matter for the past couple of weeks but that a bust Friday at an alleged puppy mill in Leland prompted him to speak publicly about it.

Brunswick County sheriff's deputies and animal rights advocates rescued 160 dogs, 26 birds and one cat in the raid of the breeding operation inside a doublewide trailer without electricity.
Many of the dogs were matted, caked in filth, covered in fleas, and in need of veterinary care. Some have broken jaws from severe tooth decay.

"No animal should be treated that way," Saine said. "We're in a place in society now where I think, certainly, we can have some reasonable regulation that prevents instances like that happening."
According to the Humane Society of the United States, about half of all states have some type of regulation on commercial breeders.

Animal rights advocates have been trying for years – most recently in 2010 – to get similar regulations in North Carolina, but they have gotten nowhere.

Kim Alboum, director of the Humane Society's state chapter, says that there are regulations for breeders who sell to pet stores or to research laboratories but there is no oversight regarding sales to the general public.

Ninety percent of breeders, she says, sell to the general public through newspaper advertisements and the Internet.

"There are no state standards for breeders. They don't even have to register. Federal laws don't cover most of them, either," she said. "We have to wait until these animals are literally suffering and dying before we can go in. We could avoid so much pain for the animals if we just had minimum standards for them."

Over the past year, there have been nine puppy mill busts in the state – more than any other state in the country, according to Melanie Kahn, national director of the Humane Society's campaign to stop puppy mills.

"Almost every product sold in this country is subject to some sort of regulation, but somehow dog breeding is not," she said.

But dog breeders and groups that represent their interests say that puppy mill regulations could have unintended consequences for legitimate and responsible dog breeders.

The North Carolina Federation of Dog Clubs recently opposed proposed federal regulations on Internet dog sales. Many of its arguments are similar to their reasons for opposing puppy mill regulations.

For example, the federation says, regulations could create unreasonable financial hardships for home-based hobby breeders, who don't generate the same level of income as commercial breeders.
"It would threaten the future of a vast number of small, responsible dog owners and breeders, as well as have long-term implications on our agriculture industry," NCFDC President Peter Lunding said.
Larry Sorenson, of Clayton, has bred and shown dachshunds for 35 years and has been recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breeder of merit. He also says that a poorly written law could end up hurting good breeders.

"We're not opposed to reasonable, enforceable laws," he said. "The problem is in the drafting of the laws – definitions. What's the definition of a puppy mill situation? Is it a number? Is it a procedure?"
A clearer definition of what constitutes a puppy mill, he said, would make him more comfortable with regulations.

He adds that recent busts prove that the state's current animal cruelty laws are strong enough.
"We have had a number of convictions now that people are finding these out, and they are being brought to the light and being eliminated," he said.

But Kahn disagrees.
"We know the current laws aren't working, because we've had so many raids in North Carolina," she said. "All of those raids have been because the situation has risen to the level of animal cruelty. That's why authorities have been able to go in."

In Friday's Brunswick County case, the dogs' owners, Andrew and Amelia Millis, of Wilmington, were arrested on charges of animal neglect and animal cruelty. Both were in the Brunswick County jail Monday afternoon under $1.5 million bonds.

The SPCA of Wake County has taken in 39 of the dogs and puppies seized from the Millises.
Spokeswoman Mondy Lamb said Monday that some of the dogs are facing serious health problems but that others should be ready for adoption in about two to three weeks.
Anyone interested in adopting a dog should contact the SPCA.

• Reporter: Laura Leslie
• Photographer: Keith Baker
• Web Editor: Kelly Gardner

Copyright 2012 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

50 Counts of Animal Cruelty in Cleveland County NC

NC woman facing multiple animal cruelty charges

By: Associated Press | MyNC
Published: August 02, 2012 Updated: August 02, 2012 - 5:27 PM

» Comments | Post a Comment

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- A Cleveland County woman is facing charges after authorities say she was keeping approximately 50 dogs, cats and rabbits on her property.

County animal control officers say 62-year-old Carolyn White Kirby faces multiple charges of animal cruelty. She is free on bond, and it's not known whether she has an attorney.

Animal control supervisor Tripp Bowling said many of the animals were housed in small cages in the yard or inside the home with no electricity, air conditioning or lights. He said an anonymous call last weekend tipped officers to the situation.

Some of the dogs appeared to be healthy and well-fed while others looked malnourished.

Bowling said Kirby told authorities she loved the animals but couldn't care for them. He said the animals are now in the county's custody.

Yadkin County couple charged with animal cruelty

By: Michael Hewlett | Winston-Salem Journal
Published: July 27, 2012 Updated: July 27, 2012 - 11:44 AM

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A Yadkin County man and woman were arrested on animal-cruelty charges after investigators found a malnourished horse on their property, according to a news release from the Yadkin County Sheriff's Office.

Diego Armando Arroyo-Solis, 21, of Yadkinville was charged with one count of felony cruelty to animals and one count of felony kill animal by starvation. Faith Smith Arroyo, 28, of Jonesville, was charged with one count of felony kill animals by starvation and one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Yadkin County detectives received an anonymous call about an animal complaint in Jonesville and they discovered a horse that was extremely malnourished and in bad health, the sheriff's office said in the news release. The horse belonged to Arroyo-Solis.

Per recommendation of the local veterinarian, the horse had to be euthanized.

mhewlett@wsjournal.com (336) 727-7326

Breed Specific bans at Camp Lejeune

New Lejeune pet policy bans specific breeds, aggressive dogs

August 04, 2012 8:55 AM

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AMANDA WILCOX - DAILY NEWS STAFF

http://www.jdnews.com/articles/marine-106859-corps-aggressive.html

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is changing their pet policy and banning all aggressive dogs and specific dog breeds as of Sept. 30.

Although the Marine Corps banned aggressive dog breeds in 2009, owners who had lived on a Marine Corps base with a restricted dog prior to the ban were allowed to “grandfather in” their dogs and keep them on base but new residents were not allowed to bring the restricted breeds on base when they moved.

Animal Control has recently taken over pet registration aboard Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River, and as a result, they’re enforcing a stricter ban on pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf hybrids.

As of Sept. 30, regardless of when the dog was acquired, all owners of pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf hybrids must either move out in town or give up their dog. All current pet owners must also reregister their pets under the new system by the same date.

“It also has to do with base housing,” said Sgt. Brent Mitzel from the Provost Marshal’s Office Animal Control. “There (have) been incidences in the past with bites and stuff like that, and we’re all just trying to limit the potential hazards.”

Alisa Johnson, a Marine and president of Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit organization that helps military members find homes for their pets while deployed, said just because a dog is a specific breed, doesn’t mean their personality is predictable.

“If you have a family pet that has never displayed any type of aggression, why is the pet and their family being punished?” Johnson asked, adding that a more suitable option would be to ban only those specific dogs that show instances of aggression, instead of all breeds that people suspect may be prone to aggression.

Mitzel said Animal Control will also test dogs for aggression during registration, and if the dog is considered aggressive by the staff, regardless of the breed, it will not be allowed on base.

“If they try to bite us, snap at us, growl, snarl show any type of aggression toward us, we’ll make that determination on whether we believe that pet is aggressive,” Mitzel said. “If it’s a three-pound dog and it’s trying to bite everybody’s hand off, we will not register that dog on the base.”

During registration, animal control will also assess the dog to determine if it is a banned breed or a mix of any of the banned breeds, and if they suspect the dog is one of those, they will not register the pet on base either, Mitzel said.

“We’re going to tell the owner they can contest it with a DNA test if they’d like. Once we get the results back, if it’s not one of those banned breeds and it’s not aggressive, then we’ll register it on base,” he said, adding that if the results come back positive, the dogs will be forced to leave the base, with or without their owners.

Although DNA testing has long been used by military bases and veterinary clinics to determine the breed of a dog, Johnson told The Daily News that no scientific evidence exists to prove DNA testing for breeds is accurate.

“In a memorandum distributed Army-wide on Feb. 3, 2012, Col. Bob Walter, director of the Army’s Veterinarian Service Activity, stated there is no scientific method to determine a breed and that breed bans are unlikely to protect installation residents,” the petition from Johnson’s nonprofit that calls for standardized pet policies across the military reads. “The letter recommends generic, non-breed, specific dangerous dog regulations with emphasis on identification of dangerous and chronically irresponsible owners.”

Currently, the Army and Air Force ban pit bulls, rottweilers, Doberman pinschers, chows and wolf hybrids, while the Marine Corps bans only pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf hybrids. Navy policies vary by installation. Some private base housing offices have additional breed restrictions beyond the listing of the military branch, meaning a family that moves from one base to another could be forced to give up their dog depending on the pet policy on that particular base.

“There is a huge lack of consistency with these policies,” Johnson said. “What we’re asking for is the DoD to give our military some piece of mind ... It’s a huge morale problem when you have families that are being broken up over breed restrictions.”

Johnson’s petition on Change.org calls for a standardized, consistent military policy for all pet owners, regardless of the breed. The petition asks the military to focus on strong enforcement of general dangerous dog policies and pet education programs for troops.

“With so much uncertainty in military life because of constant moves ... pets are a stabilizing component for helping families in stressful times,” the petition reads. “Some service members are required to live in government housing and, as more troops operate in a joint environment, the policy should account for these realties.”

Johnson added that their petition is not “an attack on military policies.” Rather, it’s a request for the military to “make a change that’s going to help our military families, instead of hurt them.”

To view or sign the petition, visit change.org/petitions/standardize-military-pet-policies.

For questions regarding the Camp Lejeune pet policy changes, call PMO Domestic Animal Control at 910-451-5143.

Contact Daily News Military Reporter Amanda Wilcox at 910-219-8453 or awilcox@freedomenc.com.