Dog neglect
Chicago, IL (US)Date: Jan 2005
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
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A malnourished and cold black lab, named Dallas, was found in January. Those who live nearby say Dallas started rummaging around in their trash cans � then she finally showed up at a neighbor's door.
"I thought it was strange that she was getting into the garbage because she'd never done that before," the woman told me (she wants to remain anonymous). "But I didn't put two and two together ... that she was desperately looking for food � until she showed up at my back door, shivering and starving."
The neighbor tried contacting the owner, but no one was home. So she took Dallas into her own home, then took her to the vet because "it was pretty obvious she was in need of medical attention."
The doctor estimated Dallas had lost up to 50 percent of her body weight, and told the neighbor he did not think the dog would have lasted much longer without proper food and shelter.
While this neighbor � and self-described animal lover � didn't hesitate to pay the $200 vet bill, she knew she could not take Dallas into her home permanently because she already had two dogs. So she spent the weekend on the Internet, calling around to area rescue groups, mostly connecting with lots of pleasant voice mails.
Finally, she hit pay dirt when she hooked up with Kendall County's Pet HAVEN and its president, Jean Cook.
"I've seen a lot of neglected animals," Cook said, "but in eight years, I've never seen a case this bad."
Both women had no qualms about reporting the suspected neglect to authorities. The neighbor called LaSalle County officials, as well as the Illinois Animal Welfare Bureau, which is required by law to investigate cases of abuse and neglect. (Under Illinois law, a first offense is a class B misdemeanor; a second offense, a class A felony.)
But nothing came of the investigation.
"Someone showed up at (the owner's house)," said the neighbor, "but he didn't even get out of his truck to check things out."
Jeff Squibb, a spokesman with the animal welfare bureau, said the field agent could find neither the owner nor the dog when he went to the home; and at that point, "because the dog was not on the property, it would have been difficult to prove whether it was not being taken care of or had just run away."
His suggestion: If you suspect an animal is being abused or neglected, call your local animal control agency or the Bureau of Animal Welfare � (217) 782-6657 � but do not remove the animal from the premises.
But Dallas' rescuer says that advise isn't always doable.
"The dog was at my back door, literally starving and freezing to death," the neighbor told me. "My first response was to save her life."
Although it's unlikely charges will be filed in this case, the good news is Dallas' tale is leading toward a happy ending. She's convalescing at Country Comfort Kennels in Yorkville where, according to all reports, she is basking in the love and attention a dog of her disposition deserves. And those protruding ribs and pelvic bones are starting to become less noticeable.
Interested in fattening her up even more? Call Pet HAVEN at (630) 554-2190 to see about adopting this dog with the liquid brown eyes and gentle demeanor.
In spite of what Dallas has been through, "This is one very sweet, friendly dog," says Cook. "And she would make a great pet for anyone." References | The Beacon News |
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