May 2010

Great news, animal advocates: Connecticut Senate Bill 274, legislation to prohibit the dangerous and inhumane chaining/tethering of dogs, proved victorious in the final hours of the state’s legislative session, passing overwhelmingly in both the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 4. SB 274 addresses some of the worst aspects of dog chaining.

“Passage of SB 274 was necessary because Connecticut’s cruelty law has been insufficient to remedy the abuses of dog chaining,” explains Debora Bresch, Esq., of the ASPCA Government Relations Department. “It is imperative that dogs not be forced to suffer on short, tangled chains, trapped in ill-fitting collars, or otherwise be exposed to risk of strangulation or injury. Endangering dogs in this way is inhumane and, tragically, can make them aggressive, transforming our best friend into a public safety hazard.”

SB 274 will now go to Governor Rell for her approval. Once it lands on her desk, the Governor has 15 days to either veto SB 274 or sign it into law—if she chooses to do nothing, the bill will become law by default.

After the hard-fought battle in the legislature to get SB 274 this far, we must ensure that the bill is not vetoed and actually becomes law—so if you’re a Connecticut resident, please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to email Governor Rell and politely urge her to sign SB 274 into law.

As always, we encourage animal lovers to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade to receive important, timely news about pending animal-related legislation in their states and in Congress.

UPDATE: Congratulations, Connecticut! Governor Rell has signed the anti-tethering bill into law. Public Act No. 10-100—formerly SB 274—will prohibit the dangerous and inhumane chaining/tethering of dogs. The new law goes into effect on October 1. Read it here.

Last fall the City of New York gave Shamrock Stables—the West 45th Street home to more than two dozen carriage horses—until June 1 to move out. The city-owned property was sold to Gotham Construction for the building of affordable housing that will include a new school, stores and open spaces.

Shamrock Stables has been leasing the lot from the City for below market value for many years. Midtown's other horse stables are already at capacity—and with a scarcity of properties that are close to Central Park and appropriately priced and zoned, the future of these carriage horses is up in the air.

The ASPCA is hopeful that the impending eviction will allow the Shamrock horses to retire. In partnership with NY-CLASS (New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets), the ASPCA has made an offer to Shamrock Stables and the City government to find homes for these horses, taking them off the streets and placing them in environments that have their best interests at heart. This option would put the welfare of the horses first and prevent them from being auctioned off to work farms or where the possibility for exploitation and inhumane treatment is high.

While both ASPCA and NYCLASS advocate for the much-needed and past-due phase-out of the carriage horses and the implementation of a safe, humane, environmentally friendly and economically viable alternative, they are hoping all parties can work in collaboration on the relocation of the horses.

"Even though we have opposing views on the proper treatment of horses, we believe that in this case, we can all work together on their behalf," says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. "We stand ready to cooperate with Shamrock Stables and the City on this important issue." 

On March 16, under the authority and request of the SPCA Serving Erie County (NY) members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were dispatched to assist in the sheltering management and care of 73 horses seized from what is believed to be the area's largest farm animal rescue ever. The animals were found living in deplorable and extremely unsanitary conditions on a farm in East Aurora, NY (about 20 miles southeast of Buffalo).

Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, was sent to the scene with other ASPCA staff skilled in horse handling. Over the past eight weeks, the group has played a vital role in helping to feed, water and clean the animals. More importantly, the team has spent time nurturing the horses, helping them to rebuild their broken spirits. On April 30, the mission came to a close, as the remaining horses were transported to new foster homes.

"Our on-site response is complete," says Jeff. "We achieved our goal to rehabilitate these horses, both physically and behaviorally. These are now happy horses, and I could not have asked for a better ending."

The following is the final in a series of field reports from Jeff on the ground in Erie County. 

Final Field Report

04-30-2010

We just finished loading the last seven mares onto the trailer—they will be making the hour drive to their new foster home. A total of 69 horses have been relocated to new homes over the past few weeks, and this group was our last haul. It has been through the great efforts of our team—including members of the ASPCA, American Humane Association, Days End and the SPCA of Erie County—that the moves went smoothly and all of the horses were rehomed without incident or injury.

Overall, our response has dramatically improved the lives of these animal victims—physically, behaviorally and mentally. I can remember the first days after rescue, when the horses would react to us with horror and fear. They were emaciated, dirty and their manes full of tangles and mats. Today, these healthy animals can be gently walked with a halter lead and approach humans with interest and affection. I have spent more than a month working with these abused and broken animals and have watched them recover little by little each day. I can now only describe my final goodbye as moving.

It was during the morning feeding—when my favorite sound of the horses munching hay filled the air. As I approached each stall, a head would appear, and I would receive a gentle nuzzle from a nose. There were no flared eyes, no ears pulled back, no pinning against the stall walls—these horses were at peace. They were comfortable in their surroundings and with me. At the end of this journey, I know that these are happy horses with enriched lives—and I could not have asked for a better farewell.

When disaster strikes, it is the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team's first priority to get into the field to save as many animals as possible. At the height of the recent flooding in Tennessee, the team navigated swift water currents, pulling struggling animals from floodwaters, out of trees and from dilapidated homes.

On May 8, a family who had been forced to leave pets behind placed a desperate call to authorities. "The family had been able to move the animals to higher ground before they were evacuated," reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA's Director of Operations. "But this was almost four days ago, and we had no idea the conditions we would find them in."

Aided by the ASPCA's powerful and fully equipped search and rescue boat, the Team set off for the home in question. "In situations such as these, proper gear and equipment is vital for a successful rescue," says Kyle Held, Midwest Director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response. "When doing water rescues, it's always the unseen that presents the biggest hazard. The murk could be covering shattered glass, wire fencing, even cars or other large objects that the boat could potentially hit—or worse, that a rescuer could step on or become entangled in"

Yet, the most eminent danger of floodwater is contamination. The water itself becomes a deadly toxic soup, which can cause serious harm to both humans and animals, reports Held. "It's polluted by everything you find in a home—sewage, kerosene, garbage, bleach and other hazardous chemicals—and it's everywhere."

Navigating the flood waters, the team arrived at the scene to discover a dozen chickens, a peacock and a goat congregated on a tiny area of dry land which was rapidly shrinking with the rising water. "When you see an emergency situation like this, the initial impulse can to be to rush in because you know the animals are in desperate need," reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA's Director of Operations. "But you have to slow down, size up the entire scene and determine the safest course of action." An investigation of the home, uncovered a cat, as well.

After taking precautions, the team successfully secured the animals on the boat. During their final survey of the scene, they noticed a small Tabby cat stuck on top of what appeared to be a small trailer engulfed in water. "The cat was hiding in a small nook," says Cardona. "The amount of dry space left was so small, she was soaked, but surrounded by 4-feet of water, there was nowhere for her to go."

The ASPCA search and rescue boat has the capacity to hold dozens of animals comfortably. "As soon as the animals were secured in the boat, they fell asleep," says Joel Lopez, ASPCA's Logistics Manager. "Between the rain, followed by severe heat, and not having access to food or water, they were just exhausted. I like to think they were finally able to relax, now that relief had come."

The next step was to get the animals back to the shelter and decontaminated, a process that consists of repeated washings with Dawn liquid dish detergent. "We set up several decontamination stations at the shelter," explains Lopez. "These animals have been exposed to heavily polluted waters, and since they groom themselves by licking their fur or preening their feathers, the risk for serious illness is high."

At the shelter, a reunion of pets with their families is always a touching experience and this case was no exception. "The family was there to greet us as we arrived back at the shelter," says Lopez. "Emotions were high—they were just so happy to be reunited with their beloved pets."

For vital information on creating disaster plans that include your pets, visit our Disaster Preparedness Tips.

While many have their sights on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, four counties in Tennessee have been declared a federal disaster area after devastating floods hit the Southern state. The flash floods killed at least 28 people and put Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House under six feet of water, and have also affected countless numbers of companion animals, livestock and wildlife.

Earlier this week, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team were deployed at the request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society to help with the crisis. The ASPCA is currently on the ground caring for more than 70 animals, including dogs, cats and various birds rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes. The team is also continuing the search for additional animal victims.

Thursday morning, in conjunction with the Dyersburg Fire Department, the Field Investigations and Response Team explored the flooded streets using a search and rescue boat. Reports had recently surfaced that a herd of cattle was stranded in a nearby pasture.

"The fire department took us on their rescue boat to survey the flooded area," reports Allison Cardona, the ASPCA's Director of Operations. "But the current was a lot stronger than we anticipated, and it was determined not safe to do the cattle check by boat."

The team immediately began searching for an alternative way to reach the stranded herd. Within hours, with the help of local authorities, they were able locate a small-plane pilot willing to take Cardona on a fly-over of the flooded pasture.

"We saw approximately 35 head of cattle in the affected area," she reports. "Fortunately the water was receding, the cows appeared active, and they had access to dry land."

"Countless numbers of animals have been adversely impacted by the storms' recent destruction and are in need of emergency care," says ASPCA Senior VP of Anti-Cruelty, Matt Bershadker. "We are proud to assist Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and to be in a position to provide aid for all animal victims."

UPDATE: If you would like to directly help the animals impacted by this disaster—either with donations or by fostering/adopting—please contact the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society at (731) 285-4889 or through its website, dyerhumane.org.

After two days of intense thunderstorms that brought devastating floods to the city of Nashville, TN, and forced evacuations across multiple states, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team have been deployed at the request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. The ASPCA is currently on the ground helping to care for more than 70 companion animals, including dogs, cats and various birds that were rescued from floodwaters, trees, rooftops and abandoned homes in the Dyersburg city limits, approximately 80 miles north of Memphis.

ASPCA responders arrived Tuesday afternoon and immediately established a temporary shelter behind the humane society to handle the overflow of animals—providing extra cages, bowls, food, industrial fans and other necessary supplies. The team also set up a decontamination station where animals affected by the polluted flood water can be washed and cleaned.

"The temporary shelter has helped ease the strain on the already full humane society," says Allison Cardona, the ASPCA Director of Operations. "The Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society and its staff and volunteers have been extremely dedicated toward the animals in their community during this life-threatening event."

The ASPCA has also worked with local authorities to implement a water rescue team, with volunteers navigating some areas in small motor boats to access abandoned pets. Most of the animals in custody have been removed from homes at the request of pet parents forced to evacuate and will be housed at the temporary shelter until they are claimed. All incoming animals will recieve a physical exam, and if veterinary records cannot be located, will be vaccinated as a precaution. The Humane Society is not charging for the emergency boarding or medical care.

"Our city has been declared a disaster area and many neighborhoods have been evacuated," says Dr. Carol Feather, President and Co-founder of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. "We're grateful for the ASPCA's assistance, and to our own staff and volunteers, all of whom have been working non-stop to help animals that are abandoned or lost. We want to save all the animals we can—that's our job."

In addition to the ASPCA, local businesses assisting Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society include Hollywood Feed, which provided cages, and Pet Stop, which relieved the organization of some of its adoptable pets so room could be made for incoming animals.

"The ASPCA will continue to provide supplies, support and manage the temporary shelter and decontamination area for as long as we're needed," says Cardona. "We are glad to be in a position to provide relief."

Please stay tuned to the ASPCA blog for breaking news on this disaster and our efforts to aid.

After two days of intense thunderstorms that brought devastating floods to the city of Nashville, TN, and the need for evacuations across multiple states, members of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team are on the scene at the request of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society. The ASPCA landed in Tennessee on Tuesday night to help local groups care for animals displaced by the floods. In addition to bringing much-needed sheltering supplies, the ASPCA is prepared to provide a water rescue team and other resources to assist with the recovery efforts as needed.

The ASPCA's joel lopez, left, and Tiptonville, Tenn. Animal Control Officer Chandra Davis washing a rooster outside the Dyersburg-Dyer County Humane Society, where the ASPCA has established a temporary shelter and decontamination station for animals impacted by recent flooding.

We will post updates as we receive them—please check our blog for the latest news.