Hernando S.P.C.A.

I saw this on Fox 13 this morning and had to say something. Peoples total lack of morals and humanity will never cease to amaze me. In Hillsborough county, Michael McKinney will face felony charges for dog fighting and animal cruelty. Deputies say “the scratches on Little man’s face confirm he was used for fighting.” Little Man is is a black pit bull. Hillsborough Animal Services also seized two other dogs from Mckinney’s home. There names are Monkey and Onyx. Onyx was pregnant and deputies found 5 babies and she delivered 5 more while being cared for by Animal Services. Unfortunately, one of the first five was found dead.

McKinney has been charged with animal cruelty before. In 2006 deputies found dogs in has yard in deplorable conditions and one was even found dead, hanging from a fence. This time however, someone caled authorities prior to the animals death.

Little Man, Onyx, and Monkey are recovering with the help of Hillsborough Animal Services. They have a long road to recovery, but hopefully they can be rehabilitated.

This case is no different than Michael Vick’s. This man should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. Maybe we should pass a law stating,” If you raise an animal tp fight, and the dog must be euthanized due to it’s training, you will be charged for murder.” Essentially, that is what is happening. These dogs are extremely loyal and have amazing body strength as well as jaw power. They are only doing what they are taught. It is the owners of these dogs who are responsible for their behavior. It shopuld be the owners that are punished. Instead, many of these fantastic dogs are euthanized simply because they were taught to kill.

 Please support the Hernando SPCA or your local chapter to help give these dogs and many other wonderful animals a better life. You can save a life.

* Be sure to have a current photograph.

* You will need a leash to control pet and a collar with the pets identification.

* You will need a pet carrier, that is properly sized, for each animal.

* Have an evacuation strategy and don’t forget your pet! There are many places that are out of harms way that will care for your pet during a disaster. Check with your local animal control, humane society, specialized pet shlters, or your vet to see if space is available. Relatives and friends are also good temporary shelters.

If your pet must be sheltered, plan your evactuation route accordingly!

WHILE EVACUATING

* Pets being dropped at an animal shelter are require to have th following:

1) ID collar and rabies tag

2) Proper Identification on their belongings ( You will want the right supplies back )

3) A pet carrier or a cage

4) a leash

5) Enough food and water to last until you return

6) Water and Food dishes

7) All necessary medications and any special instructions you may have for your pet

Plastic bags and newspaper for cleanup

* Please take your pets as early as possible

* Call ahead to check for availability of space

AFTER THE STORM

* Pets will need to walked on a leash for a couple days to reaquaint them to their surroundings. After a hurricane there can be many hazards, such as downed power lines, alligators, and downed trees, all of which are new and may cause your pet to get disoriented and/or injured.

* If you return to find your pet missing, call your local animal control to find out where lost or misplaced pets can be found. Take a picture with you if possible.

* Keep an eye on your pet, often they may become defensive or even aggressive after a disaster.

PET DISASTER SUPPLY KIT

Your pet should have all the following items but you will need to take these with you.

• Proper id including shot records
• Plenty of food and water
• A cage or carrier
• Medications
• Collar, leash, and a muzzle if needed.

Helpful Links

Pet Friendly Lodging

F.E.M.A Animal Emergencies

Please copy or print this article and be sure have a solid plan that will keep both you and your pet safe.

Daniel and Elaine Fellows from Oldsmar ,Fl are in a battle with the Gull Aire Village homeowners association. Apparently there community has a one dog rule. The Fellows say they should have been grandfathered in because a real estate agent with ties to the properties developer siad it was ok to have more than one dog. Daniel and Elaine Fellows are the owners of Mistyblue and Precious, both are Italian Greyhounds.

Rick Mullins is the owner of Bellagio and Chutney.He stated he never knew about the regulation at all because a real estate agent who was eager to sell him his home did not tell him, even though he asked about the park’s rules.

These dog owners call the park president Sandy Larson and other board members “the gestapo” says Elaine and “communist” says Rick. They ride around on their golf carts searching for the most minute infractions.

Larson would not comment, other than to say, “I didn’t know there was a problem.”

Neither would homeowners association lawyer Monique Parker.

Bob Lyttle, a board member, said there is “a lot of pressure on the board.”

“There are a lot of people who say it’s a one-pet community, let’s keep it that way,” he said.

 The board rejected a proposal to allow residents in the 626-unit park to own more than one pet in February.

Before Rick Mullins bought his Gull Aire Village mobile home three years ago, he said he asked his real estate agent about the ordinances. He said the agent never told him about the one-pet rule, so he and his dogs, Bellagio, a 6-year-old cockapoo-Shih Tzu mix, and Chutney, a 9-year-old cockapoo, moved in.

“I asked the Realtor, ‘This is a deed-restricted community. What do I need to know?’ ” he said. The agent answered, “Just that you have to be 55 or over.”

Six months later, the homeowners association sent him a slip advising him of the one-pet limit.

The two sides tried mediation in 2006, but it failed.

“I told them they were a bunch of communists,” Mullins said. “I was in the United States Navy. I fought for this country for 4 1/2 years and it’s as if I didn’t belong here.”

Because he didn’t comply, the homeowners association billed him $3,700 for legal fees, phone calls and faxes.

He won’t pay it. A court date is set for Monday, but Mullins said his lawyer is trying to get it postponed.

He has tried to come up with a few solutions. He put his home up for sale but no one bought it.

And three months ago, he sent Chutney to live with his daughter.

But the dog was distraught about being separated from her family.

“Chutney revolted,” Mullins said. “She started wetting on the floor, she climbed over the baby gate and ate an ant trap, then threw up on my daughter’s new couch. She didn’t want to be there.”

Chutney came home and has been fine since, he said. Mullins said all the stress caused health problems, and in May, he had to undergo heart surgery.

* * * *

Daniel Fellows, 73, who also has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is on oxygen, takes 23 pills a day and cannot walk more than a few steps.

After he and his wife, Elaine, 62, moved into their mobile home 20 years ago, their dog died.

Six years ago, they replaced him with Precious, who looks like a tiny race dog.

“A while down the road, a breeder asked if we could take a dog with a fractured jaw,” said Elaine Fellows. “I got it in writing from the Realtor it was okay.”

Ever since, the couple say, they have been harassed by the board so much so that Daniel Fellows’ cardiologist wrote a letter asking them to back off because having the companionship of both dogs will aid in his healing process.

The couple said the board responded by demanding to know Daniel Fellows’ diagnosis, his prognosis and a list of all 23 medications he takes.

That’s when the Fellowses decided to sue. They’ve hired a lawyer and are in the process of filing suit.

“I felt they had pushed it too far,” said Elaine Fellows. “The doctor said these letters are going to kill him.”

Lyttle, the board member, said 10 homeowners were sent letters telling them to get rid of their pets.

“Eight of 10 have agreed,” he said. “We’re down to two.”

The Fellowses have no plans to give in.

“It would kill them to be separated,” said Elaine Fellows of Mistyblue and Precious..

Article found at St. Pete Times from reporter Eileen Schulte

* * * *

Wow , What a story. So do think it’s right for the H.A. to seperate these dogs after all this time? People please check the rules of your H.A. carefully. Who wants to end up in this situation?