Recordpub.com - Second life for dog left to be killed

By Mike Sever
Record-Courier staff writer
A 2-year-old German shepherd brought in to the Portage County Dog Pound to be euthanized has gotten a second chance at life.
The dog was brought in last week by its owners with an extraordinarily bad case of mange. The owners said they were told it would cost hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars to cure the disease, Dog Warden Dave McIntyre said.
Luckily, veterinarian Dr. Laura Blair was on duty at the pound and saw the dog shortly after it arrived.
The female dog was nearly bare of fur, with only the back of its ears and a saddle-like patch on its back, along with open sores along its shoulders and scabs on its rump.
Dr. Blair determined the dog had an eye infection and demodex mange, a painful but not contagious type that would take months to develop.
The disease is easily treatable with antibiotics, which are available for free at Giant Eagle.
“That’s the part that gets me — the drugs are free,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre said he consulted with the Portage County Humane Officer and has charged the former owners with misdemeanor animal cruelty.
“We have a shepherd rescue group that will take the dog and foster it back to health,” which could take “months to years.”
“She’s on six different medications,” McIntyre said, so the pound is accepting donations of money that will go to the rescue group to pay for the dog’s veterinary bills.
Donations should be marked “for German Shepherd Dog #161” and sent to the Portage County Dog Warden, 8120 Infirmary Road, Ravenna OH 44266.

14.	Posted by Sands March 18, 2010
	While reading the responses to the article it doesn't surprise me the turn it has taken. Just like all the other articles that are posted. Not quite sure how it has gone from concern for the dog, to blasting the warden, the humane officer, people, and then a commercial for Friends of Animals. So here are a few things I know, including my own commercial for FOA What we need to realize is that there are laws regulating what an officer can or cannot do for an animal situation, just as there are laws regulating what officers can do for people. So before you rant and rave, remember steps have to be taken in order for things to be done with justice served (and I am not just talking about this case) and an appropriate sentence given. Friends of Animals is a great organization that provides assistance to those who NEED assistance in spaying or neutering only if you can prove that you NEED it. Some clinics that take them only take them from clients, some have blood work that is required and cannot be refused, so call the listed clinics before purchasing your certificates. Even though its "just a stray" or "its just an animal" it is still a surgery that is being performed by a doctor who can treat 8 species not just one. Care for animals is not free, even if its "just a Barncat"

13.	Posted by zinger March 16, 2010
	There is a major problem with the warden and the shelter. They take this job to protect and care for those that are abused. When someone calls, they MUST respond and not take it so lightly as when they will get to it. This one situation could have been prevented by the WARDEN responsible action on behalf of the animal, but it was not. He could have taken her in before this got out of control, but he did not. These indigent people brought her into the pound. So many times the warden just goes to the house and talks to these stupid people about the animals, never removing or going to see first hand, just the word of those people. When neighbors call, passerby call there must be action taken, not waiting until it is to late. There are rescue organization that will take many abused animals in, this must be a priority of this county to see that these animals are removed NOW not later and placed with the groups that will provide good care. Just like the horses that were abused and dyeing, and still left the horses in that woman's care, not until the judge opens her eyes to have ALL the horses removed. What does it take, death.

12.	Posted by jminsgirl March 16, 2010
	this dog came from Ravenna. they do have chikdren but they sre just as bad as the adults. they could care less about the dog. Thats what kind of people they are. Im so glad that Princess(that was her name) got a new chance at life. She was a beautiful puppy and so sweet whenI first saw her 2 years ago. they allowed her to get pregnant and all 10 babies died from neglect and the freezing weather. These people are just plain cruel. They should be charged just like child abusers. Dogs cant fend for themselves. they depend on you to take care of them. They cant speak up. I have 3 dogs 1 that i just took in 2 months ago that was a stray,1 adopted from the apl and the other from a puppy sign. I love them like my kids. I could never imagine the pain that Princess felt. Im just soooo gtareful that they were able to save her and give her a new home.

11.	Posted by creagan11 March 16, 2010
	You are very welcome!! I wish more people knew about it so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spread the word. I never opt for all the extra bloodwork and stuff so you literally just hand them the certificate and nothing more. I have also used the free antibiotics from Giant Eagle for dogs and it does require a prescription. The office visit is definitely the down side but at least you wouldn't have the cost of the meds on top of the office visit which sometimes can be quite costly. So yes you are right, nothing is free but at least this does help minimize the cost a bit.

10.	Posted by creagan11 March 16, 2010
	For low cost spaying and neutering, please check out the Friends of Animals website at www.friendsofanimals.org If you put in your email address and your zip code, they will email you a list of all the participating vets in your area that accept the certificates. Mine in Kent does. I just purchase them online and they come in the mail so its very easy. I am actually having two dogs done this Friday as a matter of fact. The costs are $65 for a female cat, $51 for a male cat, $90 for a female dog, or $64 for a male dog. You can also purchase these same certificates at the APL but I believe they charge an extra $10 per certificate. There are several vets in our area here that accept them but you need to know about them on your own.

8.	Posted by hiswife March 15, 2010
	I'm so glad the dog got another chance at life. the poor innocent creature did nothing wrong. No animal should ever be chained up outside with no shelter, food, or water. I agree with sowhat...they shold be chained up outside with no food or water or shelter so they can see how it feels. I've had to take a dog to the pound, and I don't like the way him or my family was treated, but it was beyond our circumstances why we couldn't keep him. If they didn't care about the dog they should have just took it there or given away to someone who would properly care for it to begin with instead of making it suffer. The fact that the medicine was free makes me sick. Even if it wasn't, they could have arranged payment plans with a vet. I pray to God these people don't have children, I could only imagine how they would act if any of them were to get sick and they are to fork out some money.

7.	Posted by sowhat March 15, 2010
	These people should be chained naked to a pole in the woods, then euthanized them when they become sick. There is NO excuse of abuse, do they have offsprings lets call children services. So easy to abuse animals it is the same for these kinds of people to abuse children. This type of abuse takes a very long time to progress as it has, so stop with the act of kindness you ignorant people, she just became a burden with neighbors and the calls, you just wanted to dump her off. Why not post their names .....