var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime() Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Puppy mill - 34 poodles seized - Rockport, AR (US)
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Case ID: 16276
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Attorneys/Judges
Judge(s): Sherry Burnett


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Puppy mill - 34 poodles seized
Rockport, AR (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jul 23, 2009
County: Hot Spring

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 10 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Blanche Crisman

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

As Belinda Holden goes about her day to day business, she is followed around by a two-year-old poodle named Rosie.

It’s not unusual for a pet to follow its owner around, but in Rosie’s case, it is a little difficult. Rosie does not have the use of her back legs and therefore has to drag them behind her everywhere she goes. She was one of 34 poodles rescued from a home in Hot Spring County recently.

Rosie was born with luxating patella, which causes the kneecap to slip and makes walking difficult, if not impossible. This ailment is more common in animals that have been inbred. It is also a very treatable condition through proper care and early rehabilitation and training. Rosie lived most of her life in a cage with no way to exercise, causing her back legs to grow almost upside down. Most of the animals that were with Rosie at the time of her rescue were taken by a rescue group in Houston. The group was unable to take Rosie because the surgery she needs is very expensive.

Belinda Holden has been working with rescue groups for about a year. When she learned about Rosie and her condition, Holden not only invited Rosie into her home, she teamed up with Mary Ann Taft of Stop Animal Cruelty to try to find Rosie a cart. Cart’s are made for animals who have normal strength in their front legs and shoulders, but need assistance in the rear. Carts are sized by a dog’s weight, age, activity level, and exercise terrain. Optional stirrups are available for dogs with neurological deficits that cause foot dragging or knuckling and can be upgraded if necessary to cope with increasing levels of disability.

While researching Rosie’s condition, Holden begin communicating with a rescue group in Wisconsin. Mary Palmer, with the North Central Maltese Rescue Group, started asking question’s about Rosie and wanted to know if she was going to get the treatment she so desperately needed. Holden explained to Palmer that financial limitations would only allow her to buy a cart for Rosie.

The more Palmer learned about little Rosie, the more she wanted to help. Palmer informed Holden that if there was any way she could get Rosie to Wisconsin, the North Central Maltese Rescue Group would get Rosie the surgery she needed. The NCMR group works closely with Dr. Ray who has a high success rate performing this surgery. After the surgery, the NCMR will also give Rosie all the rehabilitation and training needed to ensure an active healthy life.

Holden was beside herself when she learned there would be a possibility that Rosie could receive a second chance at life. The only problem was getting her to Wisconsin. As luck would have it, Holden’s stepdaughter was coming for a visit and would be returning to her home town of Chicago at the end of this week. Holden’s stepdaughter agreed to transport Rosie to Chicago and meet with a member of the rescue group who would then take Rosie the rest of the way to Wisconsin. Holden said “It is a miracle. My prayers have been answered.” Through the help of so many different people all over the country, Rosie is finally going to get the help she needs.

The surgery needed to repair Rosie’s legs is very expensive. To make a donation to this cause please visit the North Central Maltese Rescue website at

Case Updates

A woman whose dogs were seized in July of 2009 pled guilty to charges of animal cruelty Thursday morning in front of District Judge Sherry Burnett. Blanche Crisman, who owns Blanche’s Dog Grooming in Hot Springs, pled guilty to 10 charges of animal cruelty Thursday.

Crisman was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $240 in fines. As part of her probation, Crisman is not allowed to own any dogs during that one year period; however, she is allowed to continue her pet grooming business.

On July 23, 2009, Stop Animal Cruelty of Hot Spring County, along with an HSC deputy, seized 34 dogs from Crisman’s residence at 525 Red Dog Lane in Rockport.

Many of the dogs were in bad health due to their living conditions, and several were covered in urine and feces.

The dogs were kept in small cages that were, in some parts of the residence, stacked to the ceiling. The animals ranged from eight weeks to 16 years old.

The rescue group had a warrant that had been signed by Judge Burnett, but Crisman surrendered the dogs when the group arrived at her home.
The majority of the dogs were taken to Fletcher Veterinary Clinic in Hot Springs, and several of them underwent various surgeries due to their poor health.
Source: Malvern Daily Record - Jan 25, 2010
Update posted on Mar 18, 2010 - 8:05PM 

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