Two rescue workers in British Columbia charged with stealing pets from yards and rehoming them

December 30, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw 1 Comment

Police allege that this bulldog named Sampson was taken from his home without permission by two rescue workers posing as representatives of Animal Welfare. (Photo courtesy of RCMP press release)

I posted today’s Friday quote, about rescuing kitties who are simply out for a walk, and then coincidentally came across this story about an animal rescue group in Canada who have taken concern for pets to a whole new level.

Police in British Columbia have arrested 58-year-old Janet Olson and 59-year-old Louise Reid, both directors of A Better Life Dog Rescue, and charged them with breaking and entering and stealing a family pet. According to a press release issued by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the pair would allegedly target homes with a seemingly healthy, unattended pet in the yard, don official looking uniforms to present themselves as an “Animal Welfare” service, take steps to disguise the license plate of the vehicle they operated, and then proceed to remove the pet from the private property without any judicial authority.

“This investigation quickly revealed Olson and Reid were operating their charitable not for profit organization beyond the scope of its mandate and allegedly unlawfully acting beyond their good will intentions,” states Cpl. Drew Grainger in the press release.

Members on the Property Crime Target Team observed Olson and Reid enter the backyard of a Coquitlam residence where they subsequently walked away with a Bulldog named Samson on November 21, 2011. The pair were promptly arrested for theft of the pet. At the time of the arrest both Olson and Reid were wearing Animal Welfare uniforms. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal rescue, Animals and the law, Animals in the news, Dogs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Friday food for thought quote: stray cats … or not?

December 30, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw 1 Comment

"Seriously? Can't a guy just go for a walk in the neighborhood?"

Not to discount the work of cat rescuers who rescue and care for stray cats. But this passage from Linda Lombardi’s “Animals Behaving Badly” made me wonder how much of shelter crowding might - again, might – be the result of well-meaning rescuers unwittingly “saving” cats who already have families:

“Many a perfectly contented outdoor cat has found himself scooped up from his daily route and confined, then seen his photo plastered on ‘found cat’ posters, when all he wanted was to be left alone to get home in time for dinner.”

- Linda Lombari, author ”Animals Behaving Badly”

Filed Under: Animal behavior, Animals and the law, Books, cats, Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , 1 Comment

New Year’s resolutions for animal lovers: #5 – Learn something new about animals

December 30, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw 2 Comments

One of my goals for 2012: learn more about otters! (Photo credit: Jacqueline Yockey)

To say that I read a lot would be an understatement; I try to average a book a week, and my topics range from pop fiction to indepth nonfiction on a variety of subjects. But one this is for sure: on my reading list every year are books about animals. All kinds of animals.

This year, for example, I stumbled upon a book called “Red Tails In Love” at the used bookstore, about the birds in Central Park, specifically the red tailed hawks that made headlines when they nested on a posh building. That led to “The Big Year”, a book about three guys chasing a dream of seeing the most birds in a single year.

Note that I am not a birdwatcher. I just like learning stuff. I’m fascinated by facts and figures and trivia and stuff that makes me go, “Ooo, now that’s interesting!” (For example, did you know that people used to use dogs to turn the spits that roasted meat in a fireplace? They were called … Turnspit dogs!) I think it’s important to keep learning – it makes me a better pet owner, a better person, and a better member of my community. (And maybe even a little more interesting … or at least it gives me an edge when I watch “Jeopardy”.)

So my last suggestion for a New Year’s resolution: #5 – Learn something new about animals! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bible verses, Birds, Books, cats, Critters, Dogs, Elephants, Wildlife Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

American K-9 Detection files lawsuit over 2010 death of 14 military working dogs

December 29, 2011 By Joanne Brokaw Leave a Comment

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American K-9 Detection Services, LLC (AMK9) has filed suit in Harris County, Texas, District Court, against Indian Creek Enterprises dba Animal Port Houston (APH) and its successor company, Live Animal Transportation Services dba Animal Port Houston (APH) regarding the deaths of fourteen (14) of its contract working dogs (CWDs) while en route to Afghanistan last December, 2010.

According to court papers, “The lawsuit arises from the tragic and wholly avoidable death of fourteen military service canines that were killed as a result of APH’s unlawful, negligent and intentional decision to leave the canines overnight in a sealed transport truck without proper ventilation. At the time of their death, the canines – which has been trained in explosives detection – were en route to Afghanistan to support U.S. military operations and safeguard American soldiers.”

AMK9 lawsuit filed in Harris County, TX

AMK9 supplied the canines to Hill Country Dog Center for deployment to Afghanistan in fulfillment of a contract AMK9 had with the U.S. government. Hill Country arranged for the dogs to be flown aboard a Royal Dutch Airlines international cargo flight departing from Bush Intercontinental Airport on December 20, 2010.

On that date, fifteen dogs were transported from Hill Country’s facility to the airport 250 miles away by Hill Country employee Jason Dill and custody was transferred to Christopher Kyle Hay of Live Animal Transportation Services. Dill accompanied the canines, who were all properly crated in transport kennels, and Hay to the airline’s receiving terminal. Dill recieved a call from Hill Country to return one of the dogs back to their facility. According to court documents, Dill verified that the remaining fourteen dogs were safe, alive and in good health and left to make the 250 mile return trip to Hill Country. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animals and military, Animals and the law, Animals in the news, Dogs Tagged With: , , , , , Leave a Comment
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