The family’s refusal to put down Loubo, Delon’s healthy 10-year-old Belgian Malinois, came after a massive outcry from animal rights activists, The Daily Mail UK reports.

The Guardian reveals that Delon told Paris Match magazine in 2018 that Loubo was his “end of life dog”.

He further expressed his love for the Belgian Malinois saying, “I’ve had 50 dogs in my life, but I have a special relationship with this one. He misses me when I’m not there.”

In the same interview, Delon told the magazine, “If I die before him, I’ll ask the vet to take us away together. He’ll put him to sleep in my arms. I’d rather do that than know that he’ll let himself die on my grave with so much suffering.”

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The interview and Delon’s dying wish comes under the spotlight with his recent passing, once again drawing criticism from animal rights groups.

La SPA, a French animal rights organization, condemned his decision saying, “Before his death, he has expressed the wish to euthanize his dog, Luobo. However, the life of an animal should not be conditioned by that of a human.”

La SPA also volunteered to take in the dog and find him a forever family. However, after the outpouring criticisms, the French animal charity Brigitte Bardot Foundation reveals on Instagram, “Loubo, of course, will not be euthanized!”

They wrote, “”He has his own home and family,” the actor’s relatives who will take care of him confirmed to us.”

The actor passed away on Sunday, August 18, at the age of 88. And according to reports, Delon was buried at his Douchy home “in the strictest privacy” and no further details have been given by his family.

The backlash came from social media users and has even reached People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after the recent revelation on the “Miss Me?” podcast.

“She ate all three of our passports and they had our visas in and I cannot tell you how much money it cost me to get everything replaced because it was in COVID,” Allen said.

Allen reveals it was an ‘absolute logistical nightmare’ because she couldn’t take her kids to see their dad in England for about four or five months.

“I just couldn’t look at her — I was like, ‘You’ve ruined my life.’” she said on the podcast.

The singer-songwriter and actress also said that the dog was ‘very badly behaved’ and that passports weren’t the only thing she ate.

“I really tried very hard with her but it just didn’t work out and the passports were the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak.”

Social media users were quick to criticize Allen for her decision. One user from X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “why would you keep your passport near your dog and then blame the dog for doing dog stuff”.

Another user wrote, “do people not realize when they adopt animals that they are adopting an animal”

Furthermore, after PETA heard of the story, they sent Allen a letter calling out the singer on August 23.

In the letter, they wrote, “While you could get new passports and rebook your flights, Mary may spend many months in the shelter waiting for a new family – if she’s lucky enough to find one at all.”

They also wrote how it’s natural for dogs to explore the world by putting things in their mouths.

The animal rights organization wrote, “Couldn’t you have put your important documents in a drawer?”

In addition to the letter, PETA UK also sent Allen a mechanical dog toy, writing “Dogs should never be treated as accessories to be discarded when they become inconvenient. They are loyal companions who deserve the same unwavering love and commitment they offer us.”

PETA UK ‘begs’ Allen to not get another dog. They said, “Instead, we’re sending you a mechanical toy puppy, which requires none of the care, patience, or commitment that a real one does. It really is the only animal you should bring into your home.”

After the backlash she received, Allen wrote a lengthy clarification on X. She explained that the puppy, named Mary, developed separation anxiety and would act out in all manner of ways.

Allen wrote, “we worked with the shelter that we rescued her from and they referred us to a behavioral specialist and a professional trainer, it was a volunteer from the shelter who would come and dog sit her when we were away“.

“And after many months and much deliberation everyone was in agreement that our home wasn’t the best fit for Mary,” she continued.

She also reveals that Mary was rehomed within 24 hours of being returned and that the person who adopted Mary was someone they know.

“We couldn’t meet Mary’s needs and her happiness and welfare were central to us making that decision, as difficult as it was.”

Allen also expresses her frustration saying that the week has been ‘very distressing’. She wrote, “I’ve had rescue dogs pretty consistently throughout my life since I was 4 years old, I’m pretty good at ascertaining a dogs needs, I have never been accused of mistreating an animal”.

She ended her clarification by mentioning PETA saying, “Also thank you to @peta for adding fuel to the fire. Very responsible of you.”

However, PETA fired back on Allen saying, “YOU laughed when speaking about abandoning Mary and ruined this poor dog’s life. She thought she had a loving forever home before you tossed her out, calling her “that f******* dog” who “ruined my life.””

PETA ended their statement with, “Shame on you. You don’t deserve even the toy dog we sent you.”

After the revelation that Mary was quickly rehomed, social media users had divided opinions about the whole situation.

Some were saying that it was responsible of Allen to prioritize the dog’s needs. One X user wrote, “She responsibly rehomed a dog when she realised she would not be able to meet her dog’s very specific needs. No-one should be shamed for doing that. The needs of the dog come first, and Lily recognised that.”

However, some were still not happy about Allen’s actions about the whole ordeal. “You don’t give up on your animals. As soon as you take them in they are family. You don’t look any better for this,” one user wrote.

Animal rights activists and opposition lawmakers alike have dubbed it the “Massacre Law” as they fear this will lead to millions of stray dogs being killed or being neglected in overcrowded shelters.

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, says the law is necessary to deal with the country’s stray dog problem.

The Turkish government estimates that there are around 4 million stray dogs roaming the streets and rural areas of Turkey. And Reuters reports that supporters of the law have cited concerns about attacks, road accidents, and rabies.

The law was approved with 275 votes in favor, and 224 against. And under the new rules, municipalities are required to round up stray dogs and house them in shelters to be vaccinated, neutered/spayed before making them available for adoption.

Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill, aggressive, or those that pose a health risk to humans will be put down.

The new law also states that local mayors who do not enforce the new law could be put in prison for two years, according to EuroNews.

According to Reuters, the law states that Turkey has a total of 322 animal shelters with a capacity of 105,000 dogs – obviously not enough to house all the stray dogs they have to remove off the streets.

Now, the problem lies on where each municipality will find the money and resources to build new shelters and ensure the new requirements are met.

Veterinarian Turkan Ceylan said that there are not enough places in the very limited shelters in Turkey, so this will only mean that local officers will be forced to euthanize stray dogs, regardless if they’re healthy or not, due to the lack of resources.

“We animal rights activists know very well that this spells death,” Ceylan explains.

Humane Society International reveals that it had written to the President to raise the concerns that the law will cause “unnecessary suffering and death to countless animals in a short-term fix that won’t deliver a long-term solution.”

Animal rights activists are instead suggesting alternatives such as neutering campaigns to be stepped up and supported.

They’ve also taken to the streets over the past few weeks to protest against the law.

EuroNews reports that in Istanbul’s Sishane Square, hundreds have gathered and issued a powerful message to the government: “Your massacre law is just a piece of paper for us. We will write the law on the streets. Life and solidarity, not hatred and hostility, will win.”

Furthermore, Reuters reveals that the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) will appeal against the legislation in the Constitutional Court.

“The bill is clearly unconstitutional and does not defend the right to life,” CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said. “We will do more than what is required of us in terms of building more shelters, vaccination, neutering and adoption, but it is not possible to completely fulfil this burden with the power that municipalities have.”

The new importation rules, according to the CDC, are meant to protect the health and safety of people and animals by keeping rabies out of the country.

However, the blanket ban is posing a serious danger to the indigenous dogs of the Caribbean Islands – also known as “potcake dogs”.

Now, the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, made up of a total 14 dog rescue organizations, is working hard to implore the CDC to amend the new rules to help thousands of healthy, rabies-free potcake dogs from being euthanized.

The New CDC Dog Importation Rules

Before we dig into the issue at hand, let us first take a look at what the new CDC dog importation rules look like.

On May 08, the CDC issued their new dog importation rules that will take effect on August 01 of this year.

Per the new rules, all dogs entering the United States must adhere to the following:

• Appear healthy upon arrival
• Be at least six months of age
• Be microchipped
• Be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form online submission receipt.

Additional rules also apply based on where the dog has been in the last six months and whether or not the dog is vaccinated in the United States. For example, if a dog is arriving from a country with a high risk of dog rabies, then the dog must be vaccinated against rabies.

And no dog is exempted from these rules – even service dogs and dogs born in the country must adhere to these importation rules.

This also means that the current temporary suspension for the importation of dogs from countries with a high risk of rabies during the COVID-19 pandemic will expire when the new rules go into effect.

The Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition On The New CDC Ban

As per the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, when the new importation rules were announced, there was one rule that was not previously mentioned nor made clear:

“Effective August 1st, the CDC is banning all dogs from entering the United States from ALL foreign countries under the age of 6 months old/180 days old.”

This means that rabies-free countries are not excluded from this ban, which the members of the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition are all from, and therefore do not pose a risk.

This has sent concern among Caribbean dog rescue organizations. And because of this, the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition, made up of 14 dog rescue organizations and committed to the rescue and welfare of the indigenous Caribbean dogs, was formed.

The Coalition is imploring the CDC to amend their new ban to at least allow rabies-free countries to be exempt or to reduce the age of the imported dogs from 6 months to 16 weeks.

The latter request is due to the fact that members of the Coalition can only rescue potcake dogs by airlifting them off the islands. And a 6-month-old Caribbean puppy will exceed an airline’s in-cabin weight limit of 20 lbs.

The Coalition also highlights that the existing Caribbean Island rescue health protocols fall in line with the guidelines for required and recommended health care as outlined by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

Linda Gunville, Director, Bruno Project Rescue, Inc. explains, “With the dog receiving a rabies vaccination at 12-weeks-old and adhering to strict health protocols, we oppose this blanket ban.” 

The Coalition also explains that the potcake dogs they rescue do not take up shelter space in the United States, where shelters are already at maximum capacity.

The President of the Bruno Project Rescue, Inc., Blake Ulrich, also says, “With respect to the intent of keeping canine-rabies out of the United States, this blanket ban will end up doing more harm than good for rescues within the Coalition. The dogs we rescue do not take up shelter space in the States as they travel directly into permanent homes.”

Janelle Nadeau, Foster Coordinator, Adoption Coordinator, and Flight coordinator for New Life for Paws also tackled the ongoing crisis across US animal shelters reaching maximum capacity and how it is not the responsibility that the potcake dogs must be burdened with.

Nadeau said, “Astronomically high veterinary costs and lack of low cost spay/neuter clinics throughout the US are a driving factor to why people cannot afford their pet and shelters overflowing.”

Potcake dogs are also called cunucus and coconut retrievers. And they have a long and somewhat mysterious history.

They are believed to be derived from a mix of Labrador, German Shepherd, and Fox Terrier breeds that the Spanish and English people exploring the islands bought with them throughout the years.

And as a result of their heritage, potcake dogs vary in coat color, size, and appearance. But they typically have long noses, large, pointed ears, and a smooth coat.

Volunteer dog rescuer and Potcake Place K9 Rescue founder Jane Parker-Rauw describes a potcake dog as “intelligent, loyal, calm and resilient” – characteristics that make a wonderful family companion.

Furthermore, the dogs are also described as resourceful, strong, and brave dogs due to the fact that most of them have to live their lives in the streets, fending for food.

Protecting And Saving The Potcakes

Did you know that a potcake dog’s life expectancy on the island, with human intervention, is only three years?

This is because potcakes are mostly born in the wild and do not have a home of their own. As a matter of fact, locals consider these dogs as pests and do not treat them very kindly.

These dogs die from being run over by cars, tied up, drowning during hurricanes, being kept in boxes that are too small as they grow, being poisoned, slashed by machetes, stabbed by locals, etc.  So, staying in the island will do more harm than good for them.

There is also the problem of overpopulation on every island that potcake dogs are found. Unfortunately, most of the Caribbean Islands do not have enough resources or space to control this.

This is why numerous dog rescue organizations do their best to rescue and care for potcake dogs, so they can get a second chance at a safe, suitable, and loving forever home off the Caribbean Islands.

Furthermore, these dog rescue organization do not just take care of these dogs, they’re also doing everything they can to educate locals about proper animal care and the importance of spaying/neutering to change the locals’ perspective on the dogs.

While it is true that much more work is needed to protect and save potcakes, there is no doubt that these dog rescue organizations are slowly making a positive impact on the lives of these dogs.

How Does The New CDC Ban Affect The Potcake Dogs?

Most tourists fall in love with potcake dogs and want to adopt and bring them back home in the US.

As a matter of fact, back in 2011, one of our authors and the Co-Founder of Clear Conscience Pet, Amanda Malone Bennie, flew to the Turks and Caicos Islands with her family, fell in love with potcake dogs, and decided to adopt one.

The way these dogs get to go home to their forever home is by flying in-cabin with their adopters or with a flight volunteer as puppies.

And members of the Coalition fly between 100 to 150 dogs to safety and into their forever homes in the US each year.

However, since the upcoming CDC ban states that all dogs entering the country MUST be at least 6 months old, saving and adopting the dogs will be impossible and will, therefore, cause unnecessary deaths to thousands of puppies throughout the Caribbean.

Ulrich says, “The ban will cause thousands of innocent puppies on the island to die or live short lives where all they will know is starvation, dehydration, poor health and suffering.”

This is because at 6 months old, potcake dogs usually exceed the in-cabin weight limit of 20 lbs. At this point, the dogs will have to fly cargo instead of flying in-cabin.

But this poses another problem – as many Caribbean Islands do not allow dogs to fly in cargo due to the temperatures and the size of small island planes that don’t have enough space for kennels.

And those that do have cargo-capable planes charge thousands of dollars instead of the in-cabin fee of $125.

Alison Driscoll, President & Co-Founder of the Caribbean Canine Connection calls the CDC ban “cruel” and “inhumane” explaining, “This incredibly cruel and unnecessary ban on puppies under 6 months of age from being allowed to enter the US will lead to the suffering, torment, and death of thousands and thousands of puppies and dogs all over the world, who would have otherwise been able to receive a second chance at a happy, healthy, and wonderful life with a loving family here in the states.”

Furthermore, this will result in shelters (that are already at full capacity) to house puppies for months to a year until they can get a flight.

These puppies would’ve otherwise been given a new hope at life and would have been flown to their forever homes.

“The shelters simply do not have the physical space to take in and keep all of the dogs for 6 months let alone a few years,” Gunville reveals.

Furthermore, the Coalition works tirelessly to control overpopulation and each rescue group from the Coalition spays and neuters between 500 to 1000 strays a year.

With this ban, the issue of overpopulation will also cause problems for the tourist attractions, such as beaches, in the Caribbean Islands – as they will become breeding grounds for the dogs while overpopulation grows at a rapid pace.

Gunville explains, “The money received from the adoption donations is how the shelters are able to afford spaying and neutering the strays.“

The Effects Of The New CDC Ban Before It Even Gets Enacted

Even before the new CDC ban takes into effect on August 01, members of the Caribbean Dog Rescue Coalition are already seeing and experiencing its devastating effects.

“After June 1st any newborn puppy born is left the fend for itself, most likely dying a horrifying and painful death and we will run out of time to save them. They wouldn’t be old enough to fly by the August 1st deadline,” Nadeau explains.

Nadeau also reveals that they have been receiving hundreds of messages from tourists begging them to help and rescue puppies they’ve found dumped throughout the island of Aruba, and they had to painstakingly refuse.

“Their time to be saved has run out,” Nadeau said. “Daily, there are pleas for NLFP to assist with a happy, healthy puppy who could easily be on their way to a much better life.”

What You Can Do To Help Protect Potcake Dogs

The Coalition is doing their best to help save potcake dogs so they can live a better life in the US. However, they cannot fight the good fight alone. So, they are calling for public support to pressure the CDC to reconsider its stance and amend the ban.

Animal lovers and advocates alike are urged to join their campaign to protect these vulnerable animals by doing any of the following:

1. Learn more about the potcake dogs and the situation here.
2. Support and sign the Humane Society of the United States’s petition opposing the ban here.
3. Sign and share the following change.org petitions:
   • Petition by No Dogs Left Behind, Inc.
   • Petition by Save the Satos
4. Use this sample letter to contact the CDC and lend your voice to the cause.
5. Follow the Coalition on Facebook to read helpful information and stay up to date on the latest details of the situation.
6. Buy any of the Coalition’s merchandise. Proceeds go towards the Coalition for any legal fees incurred.
7. Donate to the members of the Coalition in any way, shape, or form. See all the members here.

The Cane Corso, later named Barney, was spotted on the side of Route 23 in Copake by a passerby. The passerby thought Barney was hit by a car because he had a swollen leg that was causing pain to the pooch.

Copake’s Dog Control Officer was called on the scene, and Barney was rushed to a veterinarian.

Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA reveals that after numerous x-rays, it was discovered that the Cane Corso was not hit by a car, but was rather suffering from an advanced stage of Osteosarcoma or bone cancer.

“Osteosarcoma is one of the most painful conditions to have and without proper pain management it can cause excruciating pain,” CGHS/SPCA wrote.

In a statement released by PETA, investigators believed that the poor pooch was abandoned by his owner(s) because they knew of Barney’s condition but failed to seek medical assistance.

“Rather than getting treatment for Barney’s agonizing condition, someone dumped this suffering, sick dog on the side of the road,” PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien said.

Sadly, because Barney was already in so much pain, a decision was made to humanely put him down.

Currently, there have been no leads or suspects identified yet. So, PETA is asking the public for help and is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information on the person(s) responsible of abandoning the pooch.

O’Brien said, “PETA asks anyone with information to come forward immediately, as there may be more suffering animals in this person’s custody.”

Ron Perez, president and investigator with the CGHS/SPCA calls Barney’s abandonment case as “one of the most shameful, cowardly acts of cruelty one can do to an animal”.

“In their most desperate time of need, to abandon an animal on the side of the road – in Barney’s case, knowing the painful condition that he was suffering from – is unconscionable and shows depraved indifference to this dog,” Perez said in a statement.

Anyone who has information on Barney’s owner is encouraged to contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office at 518-828-0601.

And this February, we aren’t just celebrating the month of love, but we’re also letting black dogs stand out in the spotlight as we celebrate Black Dog Syndrome Awareness month.

Dive right in and find out everything you need to know about this phenomenon — it’s emergence, impact, and how we can help change it!

This negatively affects the adoption rates of black pets, in this case, black-colored dogs. And is something observed by a lot of shelters and rescue groups not only across the country, but all over the world.

For example, this scientific study published in 2023 found that black dogs did not experience longer adoption times nor higher euthanasia rates in shelters.

And then another study conducted in 2013 found that coat color doesn’t influence a dog’s adoption rates. The researchers also noted that Black Dog Syndrome may be more prevalent in certain areas of the world, possibly due to cultural differences.

However, there are also studies such as this 2011 study saying that the appearance of a dog is the most frequently cited reason for potential adopters.

But while researchers surrounding Black Dog Syndrome have conflicting evidence, people involved in animal rescue firmly believe in the phenomenon’s existence.

According to these individuals, rescues and shelters frequently see potential adopters overlooking black-coated dogs, which makes it harder for them to find their forever homes. Sometimes, black dogs can stay in shelters for a year or two before finding an adopter.

Below, we’ll discus these factors for a better understanding of the Black Dog Syndrome.

Mythology

In mythology, black dogs are generally portrayed as menacing or malevolent. The most prominent example, Cerberus, the multi-headed dog of Hades that guards the gates to the underworld, is a black dog. And throughout European mythology, black dogs have been associated with death.

Superstitions

Just like with black cats, people believe that black dogs bring bad luck and are omens of death. As a matter of fact, in some African cultures, black dogs were associated with witchcraft and are seen as supernatural beings.

They are believed to carry the evil spirits of ancestors and are therefore potentially dangerous. Because of these superstitions, there’s also a stigma that black dogs are aggressive.

Pop Culture References

Like mythology, pop culture has depicted black dogs in a negative way. Whether it’s in books, TV, or movies, when a dangerous dog is part of the story, they’re almost always described as a black dog.

Take “Grim” from the “Harry Potter” series as an example. Grim is an omen of death and he is depicted as a big, black dog. Another great example is “The Hound Of The Baskervilles” which is a story focusing on a large, demonic, and black dog.

The Color

The color black is often associated with sadness, fear, anger, and/or guilt. And for most cultures, black is the color of mourning and is also associated with loss and death. Furthermore, there is a term called “Black Dog” which is used to describe feelings of depression.

Facial expressions and physical appearance

Due to their coat color, the facial expressions, features, and personalities of black dogs are often harder to capture in photographs.

So, they are seen as less photogenic and potential adopters that rely on the “first look” of photos often overlook them because adopters can’t seem to find that “connection” with the dogs.

Black Dog Syndrome Awareness Month

While it’s difficult to determine whether Black Dog Syndrome is real or not, animal lovers who have experienced it first-hand agree that it is a common, and unwelcomed phenomenon.

And February is the perfect time to raise awareness on Black Dog Syndrome as we celebrate Black Dog Syndrome Awareness Month.

This is an initiative that aims to raise awareness about the phenomenon, debunk the myths surrounding black dogs, advocate for black dogs, and promote their adoption.

As we raise awareness about this phenomenon, we do not only reduce the negative stereotype surrounding black dogs, but we also help promote equal opportunities for adoption, encourage informed decision-making, and promote inclusivity.

How To Help

Black dogs are no different than dogs of other colors, well, except for their coat color. But that’s just about it! Black dogs act the same, and will love you just the same.

And there’s so many ways to help highlight these amazing characteristics in black dogs and reduce the stigma surrounding them! Here are a few ways to help:

1. Share posts on social media: If you see adoptable black dogs on social media sites like Facebook, you can help increase their chances of finding a forever home by sharing posts and promotions about them.
2. Consider adoption: If you’ve been looking to adopt a dog of your own, why not consider adopting a black dog? This might be your sign to get one!
3. Help a local shelter: If adopting is simply not an option, you may opt to donate to your favorite local rescue so they can continue caring for the dogs in their care.
4. Utilize the hashtag #BlackDogSyndromeAwareness: If you already have a black dog, share how amazing they are on social media, talk about their plight in animal shelters and rescues, and use the hashtag #BlackDogSyndromeAwareness.

All Dogs Deserve A Fair Chance

This month of February, let’s lend a helping had to black dogs in their plight by helping reduce the stigma surrounding them so that, just like other dogs, they can find their own forever homes.

Do you have a black dog yourself? Share how amazing, fun, and loving they are in the comments below!

The 22 dogs consisted of 17 Golden Retrievers, two Corgis, a French Bulldog, a Sheepdog and a Malamute. And before China Rescue Dogs flew them to the U.S., they each got veterinary care, a microchip, and a loving home waiting for them in the U.S.

The dogs sat through a 12-hour flight from China to Los Angeles, which was paid by WeatherTech Founder and CEO David MacNeil, who has been dedicated to helping dogs stuck in dog meat trade.

MacNeil said, “We have nothing but compassion for animals that were bred in inhumane circumstances for their meat, exist locked in horrific cages, and cannot help themselves as they suffer terribly every day until they die.”

According to People, the dogs’ new parents from from Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Utah, and Virginia, all showed up at the Los Angeles airport to meet their new pooches for the first time.

Jill Stewart, co-founder of China Rescue Dogs said, “We are delighted to have successfully brought these dogs over, assuring them love and safety for the rest of their lives,”

She also thanked people who helped make the journey possible saying, “We’re also grateful for the best practices of animal health and inter-agency collaboration that were the hallmark of this particular journey. With our new Rue’s Kennels at LAX, we look forward to being able to help save as many dogs as possible.”

China Rescue Dogs is a non-profit organization committed to helping and rescuing dogs caught in the Chinese dog meat markets. After rescuing the dogs, the organization rehabilitates them and provides them loving furever homes in the U.S.

Currently, China Rescue Dogs is raising funds again to rescue and fly more dogs to the U.S. just before the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, which starts on June 21 and ends on June 30.

If you wish to donate and help China Rescue Dogs, feel free to visit: chinarescuedogs.org

After being hospitalized for a number of illnesses, a dog found stuck to a sidewalk in Florida for days is reportedly making a full recovery.

According to Tri-County Humane, the dog was found stuck to a sidewalk on Yamato Drive in Boca Raton, Florida, on January 23. The dog was named Trooper by the shelter that found him.

The animal shelter believes the dog had been there for days and was “left to die” given its awful state.

“The smell was unbearable,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “There was no way a dog could have ended up like this over night [sic]. How long was it going on? How long does he have? Did he get to us in time?”

Trooper had 22 medical issues, including paralysis, a heart murmur, corneal ulcers, an enlarged prostate, worms, severe periodontal disease, ear infections, and a urinary tract infection, according to the shelter.

They also discovered maggots crawling through Trooper’s fur, overgrown nails, and decaying teeth when they were shaving him down. Aside from several tests made, Trooper underwent hours of grooming, baths with Keto shampoo because of burns from feces and urine.

The dog’s rehabilitation would cost more than $2,500 in medical costs alone, so the shelter is requesting donations to help pay for it. As of January 29, the fundraising had raised more than $18,000.

On an update made by the shelter on their Facebook page on February 14, Trooper is happily recovering 25 days after arriving at the Tri-County Humane.

A man in northwest Georgia was detained at his residence after being accused of raising more than 100 pit bulls for dog fighting and breeding them. 

Following a lengthy investigation into a “massive dog fighting operation,” Paulding County sheriff’s detectives on November 8 made the 55-year-old Vincent Lemark Burrell their target at his home about 30 miles from Atlanta.

Detectives discovered unvaccinated pit bulls tied to trees or metal stumps at the house using large and extremely heavy logging chains and thick collars. Some of the pit bulls were emaciated, while others were very strong and aggressive toward other dogs.

“Dogs were tied to trees, tied to metal stobs in the ground, and were kept without being properly hydrated and fed,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release. “Many of these dogs were basically left in the elements with little to no shelter for days on end. Furthermore, these dogs were not being seen on a regular basis or vaccinated by a veterinarian.”

Deputies also found some dogs in the basement of Burrell’s house, where authorities had to wear protective equipment just to be able to safely enter the home due to the presence, along with the odor, of urine and feces. The 106 dogs discovered on the property were all taken to shelters.

The sheriff’s office reports that Burrell is currently being held without bond in the Paulding County Jail and that it predicts charging Burrell with more than 100 additional counts as their investigation progresses.

“I am proud of the teamwork that has been exhibited in this case and I am thankful that these dogs are safe now,” said Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge in a statement. “The dark and sinister world of dog fighting is a despicable culture that has no place in our world.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the detectives at 770-443-3047 or through the Paulding Sheriff mobile app.

While remodeling their recently acquired home in Maine, a couple recently came across an unexpected visitor: an abandoned puppy.

The malnourished pit bull mix was found by the new owners inside a closet, where it appeared to have been left for an unknown period of time.

According to Caribou Police Officer Douglas Bell, the dog was in need of food and medical attention when authorities arrived on the scene on November 9, and it was acting aggressively.

The age of the dog and how long it had been in the closet are unresolved questions to Caribou Police.

“Once the humane society looks at him, we’ll have a better idea of whether he’s suffered any infections or serious injuries,” Bell said. “Once we’re able to interview the owner and know the dog’s condition, we’ll have a better idea of what we might charge them with.”

Bell reported that the Caribou police are continuing to pursue information about two people who might be the dog’s owners. Since both of the people are believed to be homeless and were not the previous owners of the house, he chose not to reveal the address where the dog was discovered.

Depending on the severity of the animal’s medical condition, those arrested for these kinds of allegations may face cruelty or aggravated cruelty to animals charges under Maine law. A conviction could result in a $500 fine for each infraction as well as liability for the animal’s medical costs.

The person could also be barred by a court from having a pet or working with animals for at least five years.

Authorities claim that a dog grooming shop owner in South Florida was caught on camera abusing the animals in his care.

News reports say that Plinio Roberto de Camargo Jr., co-owner of American Dog Pet Grooming in Boca Raton, struck dogs and mercilessly pulled their hair.

According to an arrest report, a man reported that his wife, a hairstylist at the salon, was “devastated” after seeing abuse at the establishment and sent the videos to an animal control officer. He then called the Palm Beach County Animal Control Department to report this. The abuse reportedly led some caregivers to resign, according to the man who reported the case to the authorities on behalf of his wife because she only speaks Portuguese.

De Camargo, 47, “intentionally tormented two dogs in his care by punching and striking the dogs multiple times, while pulling the dogs’ hair in a cruel and inhumane manner,” detectives wrote in the report.

The employee told authorities her boss “abuses dogs on a daily basis by hitting them with his hand, a brush, a nail file, clipper or other grooming items,” the report states, adding the employee believes de Camargo “gets frustrated when dogs misbehave and hits them so they will stop moving.”

In the first video, de Camargo was described by deputies as violently manipulating a black poodle while blow-drying it in the sink and “grabbing the back of the dog’s head, pulling the dog’s hair, and pushing the dog down the sink.”

The second video depicts de Camargo striking a dog with a closed fist before striking it again with his right hand. The report states: “The dog is howling and crying and seems to be in pain because the man hit him.”

In the third video, de Camargo is seen blow-drying a small white dog while holding him by the back of the head and twisting his hair as he picks him up.

It’s not the first time the man has reported the abuse to officers. According to the report, the dog groomer’s husband reported in May that de Camargo had mauled a dog that later died of a heart attack, but the case was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.

The co-owner allegedly told the owners of injured dogs that their animals “had a difficult time being groomed” and that they should take them to the veterinarian in order to conceal their partner’s alleged abuse.

Brazilian national De Camargo entered a not-guilty plea to the accusations.

Outrage arose after a woman boasted online about killing a wolf in Montana, only to discover it was a domestic dog. According to Aaron Bolton of Montana Public Radio, the incident is drawing attention to the state’s wolf hunting regulations.

Amber Rose Barnes, 36, proudly posted about the death on Facebook and included gruesome images of the dead husky, which she initially believed to be a wolf pup. Thousands of people expressed their outrage. Some demanded the cancellation of her hunting license.

Her post read: “So this morning I set out for a solo predator hunt for a fall black bear. However, I got the opportunity to take another predator wolf pup,” she wrote. “2022 was a great feeling to text my man and say I just smoked a wolf pup.”

The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office verified in a statement that the animal Barnes murdered was one of 11 husky and shepherd crossbreeds that had been abandoned in nearby Doris Creek’s forested area.

“The parties were able to pick up 11 dogs which were turned over to Animal Control and taken to the animal shelter. Animal Control later located several other dogs in the Doris Creek area which were also taken to the animal shelter. Several of the dogs have tested positive for parvovirus and are currently being evaluated. We are looking to identify the person or persons who left the dogs in the area of Doris Creek,” the sheriff’s office said.

“During this investigation, we were advised through Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks that one of the dogs may have been shot. The person who is believed to have shot the dog has been identified. The case is under investigation.”

Barnes defended herself despite the criticism she received in public. “Yes I made a mistake because I did think it was a hybrid wolf pup … yes I would still have shot it because it was aggressive and coming directly for me!”

So far, no charges have been filed.