Goal: Applaud taking action to eliminate horse-drawn carriages from New York City’s streets
Photo credit: jen-the-librarian via Flickr
Horse-drawn carriages have been a staple of the New York City tourism industry for a century. New York City’s Irish community makes up the majority of the horse-drawn carriage industry, and it has been intent on keeping its livelihood prosperous. However, animal rights activists cater to the opposing agenda, urging the New York City council to put an end to the city’s horse-drawn carriage industry. Their animal welfare concerns have been heard: Mayor Bill de Blasio will soon introduce legislation to end the horse-drawn carriage industry.
The horses of New York City that are forced to work long, grueling hours, and only given rest in small increments of time deserve fulfilling lives. They are not let out to pasture when their work in the city is complete each day. When the horses are on duty they are forced to dodge vehicles, endure excessive air pollution, and risk their lives for tourist entertainment. Every minute that a horse is on the streets of New York City it is at risk of being hit by a car. Mayor de Blasio is genuinely concerned about the welfare of these animals.
Of course, he has received significant backlash from some members of the community, as well as those who share ownership or are employed by the horse-drawn carriage industry. De Blasio has promised to assist these individuals in finding new jobs if the ban is honored.
When Mayor Bill de Blasio was vying for his current position he was heavily supported by animal rights activists. With their influence, along with a push from activists at Force Change and all over the country, Mayor de Blasio has unveiled a bill that, if approved by city council, will end the cruel horse-drawn carriage industry of New York City. De Blasio has publicly said, before and after election, that the horses’ welfare is his main concern.
Commend Mayor de Blasio for honoring his animal welfare stance by introducing this ban on horse-drawn carriages.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mayor de Blasio,
Before you were elected as Mayor of New York City, you took a controversial, yet necessary stance against the horse-drawn carriage industry. You have officially kept your pre- and post-election promises by introducing legislation set to end the cruel industry. I am writing to thank you for your compassion towards the carriage horses of New York City.
It is my hope that the city council favors your legislation and passes it with no hesitation. Please use the signatures that this supportive petition generates to encourage the council to show the horses compassion. You and I know that the horse-drawn carriage industry is archaic and insufficient for the needs of the working horses; it is time for the rest of the city to share this sentiment.
Thank you for fighting for the horses of New York City. Countless mayors before you did not rise to this challenge. You are a valuable asset to New York City.
“This is outrageous….please visit the link below & show you care about animals….they are not machines, they are sentient beings like us, afraid of loud noises, crowds, stress etc. I wouldn’t let my dogs live in those conditions, let alone these other poor animals who are used to wide open spaces! Please click the link below to sign the petition!”
No animal should be forced to live in these conditions!
The camels, llamas, and sheep used in these shows are imprisoned in cramped holding pens and forced into stressful and terrifying situations—including being paraded down streets amid the traffic and huge crowds of New York City.
When they’re not confined to their tiny pens or weaving through crowded streets, these animals are put on stage under bright lights in rooms with amplified sound systems.
You KNOW that this is wrong. The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and kindness, but these animals won’t experience either this season.
Urge the Madison Square Garden Company to have a heart this holiday season and stop using live animals in shows!
“As a life-long horse owner, I am so against this industry. No horse should be made to work up to 9 hours a day, dodging traffic, breathing in toxic fumes all day; with only 5 weeks a year at pasture…my comments are next to paragraphs I disagree with! Please sign the petitions & watch the videos at the end of this news post!”
While a high-profile ordinance that would ban the use of horse-drawn carriages in New York City has not yet reached the city council, the proposed legislation has drawn criticism from carriage operators as well as from a veterinarian who believes such a ban is not necessarily in the horses’ best interest.
Horse carriage owners and operators oppose such legislation on grounds that their industry is already heavily regulated, and their horses are well-protected under a current law. Photo: John Manuel/Wikimedia Commons
Last year, Allie Feldman, executive director of New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets (NYCLASS), called for a citywide ban on horse-drawn carriages on grounds that the carriages were inhumane. At that time, she said 16 members of the New York City council would support an ordinance that would replace horse-drawn cabs with electric vintage replica cars. In January, newly-elected New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio said he would back any legislation that would ban the operation of horse-drawn carriages in the city. However, Feldman said that, so far, no legislation has reached the members of the New York City council.
“We haven’t introduced a bill and we haven’t even named a sponsor yet,” said Feldman.
Meanwhile, horse carriage owners and operators oppose such legislation on grounds that their industry is already heavily regulated, and their horses are well-protected under a current law. Stephen Malone, spokesman for the Horse and Carriage Association of New York and a 30-year owner/operator of horse-drawn carriages in the city, said an ordinance passed in 2010 gives carriage horses at least five weeks of vacation each year, bigger stalls, and quality veterinary and farrier care. “Whoopy fxxxxxg do…5 weeks of vacation a year, still isn’t sufficient!!
“This industry is regulated enough,” Malone said.
At the same time, Malone said the proposed ordinance would force him to relinquish his horses in order to make sure the animals never work again.
“These horses are not just business assets to me, they are my business partners,” Malone said. “They are not business partners, they are slaves that are over worked; nose to exhaust pipe up to 9 hours a day!!”
The lack of work is just one reason why veterinarian Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVN, a professor in the Rutgers University Department of Animal Sciences, opposes legislation that would take these horses from their owners and force them into permanent retirement on yet unspecified farms.
Ralston said regular work and a set routine helps to keeps horses healthy and enhances the animals’ quality of life. “Sorry, did she really say ‘ enhances the animals’ quality of life’?? What utter bxxxxxxt! Making a horse walk on concrete, nose to exhaust pipe, dodging traffic, up to 9 hours a day; could cause severe leg & hoof damage which would give no horse a decent quality of life!”
“The carriage horses, on the whole, are showing no signs of distress or unwillingness to work when asked to do so,” asserted Ralston. “They are well adapted to their environment. If they weren’t, they would not last long on the streets.” ” Well I would bet if they had a say in the matter, horses wouldn’t want to be on the streets. It’s not a willingness to work, they don’t have much say in the matter; they are forced to work!”
More importantly, Ralston said, such legislation sets a dangerous precedent for horses as well as for the humans who look after them.
“If a horse is in its stall without access to pasture, but is getting quality basic care and regular exercise, should we say that this horse is being abused, or is it cruel to ask a horse to do a job that it is well-trained for and capable of doing without distress?” Ralston said. “No it’s not cruel to keep a horse in it’s stall, my horse is in over winter, as are most, to let the pastures rest!.But she goes on the walker twice a day & goes in the working arena twice a day; to let off steam & have a roll around with the other horses; so that isn’t cruel! But I do think it is cruel to make a horse work on concrete for up to 9 hours, surrounded by noise, fumes & dodging traffic; which I would say as a horse owner, would cause some amount of stress!!”
“This is the norm for a majority of the horses kept in urban and suburban settings, and this (kind of legislation) sends a terrible precedent that should have the entire horse industry up in arms.” “Sorry but horses are flight animals that could react in a second to a certain noise, which would put all parties in danger…I can’t believe a vet would say a horse wouldn’t be in distress…surrounded by loud noises & traffic…glad she’s not my horses vet!!”
Meanwhile, Feldman declined to comment on whether NYCLASS will talk with horse-drawn carriage operators and others about what the proposed ordinance should contain.
“All I can say is that we intend to make sure our ordinance is fair and equitable to all parties,” Feldman said.
While New York City’s proposed ordinance is being prepared, lawmakers in Philadelphia, Pa.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Chicago, Ill., are re-examining their own rules governing horse-drawn carriages.
In Philadelphia, Mark McDonald, press secretary to Mayor Michael Nutter, said the city has no current plans to ban horse carriages there. Instead, a working group is reviewing regulations already on the city’s books.
“The (working group) will focus on licensing and enforcement of our (regulations) regarding carriage horses and the stables that house them,” he said.
In Salt Lake City, City Council Chairman Charlie Luke said council members voted to support an amendment to the city’s existing ordinance on Feb. 4. In part, the amendment regulates the ages of carriage horses, authorizes random drug testing of drivers, and requires carriage companies to educate the public about the carriage trade and how carriage horses are cared for. Luke also said the ordinance puts under contract the company that provides horse-drawn carriages in Salt Lake City.
“The contract gives us more leverage to regulate the industry,” Luke said.
Finally in Chicago, Donal Quinlan, press secretary to Ald. Ed Burke, said Burke introduced legislation on Feb. 5 that would cease the city’s issue of new horse-drawn carriage licenses until all such licenses have expired. That ordinance, which is backed by Mayor Rham Emanuel, remains pending in the Chicago city council.
Owenshad originally been arrested on December 6 and charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of only 90 days in jail and an $800 fine.
“The felony charge comes with a much stiffer penalty if the suspect is convicted,” Yahya said.
In addition, Owensis now charged with two counts of driving under suspension and two counts of being a habitual traffic offender. The felony cruelty charge could bring Owens from six months to five years in prison. If convicted of multiple offenses, he may face significantly more time.
Why the shift from misdemeanor to felony charge? There seems to be only one answer. People like you — many, many people like you — used social media, e-mails, letters and phone calls to call for sterner charges for this harrowing crime. Greenville County heard the outcry, took a closer look and seems to have decided stronger charges were warranted.
Want to see how happy and well Andra Grace is now? The Justice for Andra Grace Facebook page has posted this video, as well as many others, so well wishers can keep up with her remarkable recovery. Rescuers were able to recover four of Andra Grace’s puppies as well. They are doing well and will accompany her to their new foster location.
Andra Grace’s puppies, resting before their trip to their new foster home
A Heartwarming Reunion with Two Special Women
Andra Grace had two special visitors on December 19. Kaye Skinner and Jennefer Bullock, the two women who reported seeing Andra Grace being dragged behind the truck, were reunited with her.
According to the Justice for Andra Grace Facebook page, when Kaye and Jennefer saw the pickup truck go by them in the opposite direction, dragging a helpless dog behind it, they turned around to follow it. After the truck sped away without the dog, they searched the roadway until they found her.
Kaye and Jennefer called police and stayed by Andra Grace for the two hours it took for help to arrive. They covered her battered, bloody form with a jacket while trying to soothe her. It might break your heart a little to know that Kaye and Jennefer say poor Andra Grace was wagging her tail as they did what they could to help her.
Kaye Skinner and Jennefer Bullock are reunited with a much recovered Andra Grace
Andra Grace is nowhappily settledin her new foster home, where her two foster parents are both veterinarians. She’s getting a lot of loving care and is well on her way to a contented and satisfying life. Likewise, her now-weaned puppies are in foster homes and can look forward to long, happy lives.
Care2 readers, your signatures on our petition helped turn the tide with respect to the crime committed against this gentle and loving dog. Your outrage, coupled with a deluge of phone calls and e-mails to Greenville County officials, appears to have convinced authorities to take a closer look at this case. Now Roger Owens is charged with a felony. The possible punishment he faces for this heinous act of cruelty is considerably increased.
May justice prevail for Andra Grace and for all abused animals.
On the day after Thanksgiving, two people witnessed something that horrified them — someone in a pickup truck was dragging a helpless dog down the road on a rope. The rope broke, leaving the dog, an emaciated female pit bull, to die by the road. The trail of blood indicated the poor dog had been dragged over a mile. Her injuries were extensive and grievous. Fortunately Animal Control got the dog to an animal hospital, where it is now receiving care and love.
The truck driver has been identified, and reportedly has at least one prior animal cruelty conviction, but incredibly he has only been charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty in this case.
However, South Carolina law also contains a felony animal cruelty provision applicable to anyone who:
“…tortures, torments, needlessly mutilates, cruelly kills, or inflicts excessive or repeated unnecessary pain or suffering upon any animal or by omission or commission causes the acts to be done…”
Please sign this petition asking 13th Judicial Circuit Solicitor W. Walter Wilkins to prosecute this case under the felony provision of South Carolina’s animal cruelty law, rather than as a slap-on-the-wrist misdemeanor as currently charged.
“How in hell could this knob head not notice his horse was lame? Horses have a distinct bob of the head, that indicates which leg, front or back is causing them pain; thus making them lame! You would have to be a complete novice not to notice a horse that is lame! I’ve said it before & will carry on saying it…horses should not be used on the streets of NYC, working nose to tail amongst car fumes; 9 hours a day, seven days a week!! Any idiot could drive a horse pulled carriage; but it takes a real horse lover to really understand the horse & know when they are ill!! I feel guilty that my horse has to be stabled each night, to let the grass rest over winter…but these poor horses only feel grass under their feet for a couple of weeks per year; it’s wrong, very wrong!!”
A carriage horse driver with a chequered history was charged on Friday with animal cruelty after a police officer observed him working a horse that was visibly injured, according to court documents.
Horses working 9 hours a day, 7 days a week IS WRONG!! (Not Blondie)
The officer, Brian Coll, was on patrol in Central Park shortly before midnight on Wednesday when he noticed a horse struggling to pull the weight of the carriage to which it was yoked.
He questioned the driver, Saverio Colarusso, and learned that the horse, Blondie, had been hurt for four days, according to court documents.
Despite the injury, Mr. Colarusso had worked Blondie for five hours that day, Officer Coll testified in the complaint.
He then summoned Sgt. Raymond Aviles, a mounted police officer with training in dealing with horses.
“The horse had an injury to the rear left leg,” Officer Coll testified, “causing it to have difficulty walking and substantial pain.”
Mr. Colarusso was arrested. If found guilty, he could face a fine of up to $1,000 and a year in jail.
It is not the first time Mr. Colarusso has gotten in trouble. In 2010, he was charged with drinking while on duty after being spotted drinking a beer while standing next to his carriage. Two other bottles of liquor were found inside the carriage.
He has also been fined for driving his horse through city streets at unauthorized times, failing to keep a daily log and not turning on the lamps on the side of his carriage after dark.
A lawyer representing Mr. Colarusso did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
About 200 horses work in Central Park, and animal rights advocates said that while Mr. Colarusso’s arrest might be unusual, many horses onNew York City’sstreets were suffering.
“This incident further reinforces the need for an end to carriage horse operations in the city,” said Bret Hopman, a spokesman for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “The A.S.P.C.A. believes that the use of carriage horses in 21st-century New York City is unnatural, unnecessary and an undeniable strain on the horses’ quality of life.”
The union that represents carriage drivers did not respond to calls and an email seeking comment.
Christina Hansen, a spokeswoman for the carriage industry, said it was “shocked and saddened to learn that one of our drivers was charged with animal cruelty.”
She said that if the driver were to be convicted, it would be the first time a carriage operator, owner or stable was found to have committed cruelty.
“I have spoken with the owner of Blondie, who says that he was unaware that Blondie had shown any signs of lameness or discomfort when being driven by Mr. Colarusso,” she said.
Ms. Hansen did not identify the owner by name, but she said: “He has suspended Mr. Colarusso pending the outcome of the investigation. We do not tolerate any mistreatment of the carriage horses in our business.”
If the police had not noticed Blondie’s condition, animal experts said, the injury could have proved fatal.
A subsequent examination by a police veterinarian found that Blondie had a condition called thrush — an infection of the hoof that if left untreated can lead to the horse becoming permanently lame, and subject to euthanasia.
Thursh can occur when a horse is not cared for properly and is kept in unclean conditions. After Mr. Colarusso’s arrest, an order of protection was issued directing him to stay away from Blondie.
Our Agents rely on concerned citizens toreport incidents or issues they may witness regarding the care and conditions of NYC’s carriage horses. The following tips will help you report suspected carriage horse problems:
The two most important pieces of information to provide are the time of the incident and the carriage license plate, a 4-digit number located on the back of the carriage. With the time and number, we can track down the horse and driver involved.
Other helpful information can include: color of horse, color of carriage, location of incident and hoof brand number of horse.
To report carriage horse cruelty or neglect, contact us at enforcement@aspca.org or 877-THE-ASPCA (843-2772).
How You Can Help
If you are a resident of NYC, show your support by contacting your Councilmember and asking him or her to support Intro. 86, the humane and safe alternative to the carriage horse industry.
If you are from out of town, please write to the mayor to voice your concern, and stay involved by visiting our website at ASPCA.org.
If you witness any abuse of a carriage horse, write down the license plate number found on the back of the carriage, the time and location, along with the color of the horse or any distinguishing markings, and, if possible, the horse’s hoof number, which is branded on the front left hoof. Then call 877-THE-ASPCA (843-2772) to report it.
“WTF….if the owners don’t allow their dog to be in the boot of the car in it’s crate; I pity how the poor thing lives at home!! If that’s how they feel then they shouldn’t have pets at all; bloody heartless morons!!”
A South Carolina animal control officer went above and beyond her call of duty when she spent two hours following an SUV that had a dog strapped outside of it.
Nicole Hubbard and her boyfriend were driving along the I-95 in Georgia when they noticed an airline crate attached to the cargo holder of a Dodge Durango.
“We were riding back from a family vacation,” Hubbard said. “We thought, ‘Surely, they don’t have a dog in the back of it.’ But when we got up next to it, there the dog was.”
A beagle mix was inside the crate, which was positioned directly behind the tailpipe, sending exhaust right through the carrier. Hubbard noticed there was no water container for the pup (which probably would have sloshed around anyway).
How Utterly Stupid & Ignorant
With it being 94 degrees out, she was concerned that the dog could become very ill from the heat and exhaust, not to mention the anxiety of being in a crate on the outside of a vehicle.
Though it appeared securely rigged with bungee cords, a bad bump could have knocked the carrier off and into the path of another vehicle.
She immediately informed highway patrol, who told her an officer would be dispatched to pull the vehicle over.
“We stayed behind them, and no officer ever came,” she said. She called again, but this time was told police couldn’t respond.
“They said they just don’t have an officer to send,” Hubbard said.
The couple continued to follow the SUV for about two hours, until they crossed the South Carolina border. She called the SC highway patrol, who showed greater concern for the situation.
“They were wonderful,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard with her own dogs.
An operator kept her on the line until a trooper could be sent to the area. Finally, the SUV was pulled over.
Hubbard does not know if the driver was issued a summons. It is unlikely that what was done would legally be considered animal cruelty, but it certainly falls under the definition of stupidity.
Hubbard said keeping a dog in a crate by an exhaust pipe with no water on such a hot day was unacceptable.
There wasn’t even enough room for the dog to turn around inside.
“I was just amazed that somebody could be that uneducated of the dangers with that dog being there,” she said. “Hopefully, they learned something from it.”
“Please Note Graphic Image: furthest down page! Two items of related news: the first shows yet another image of an elephant killed by speeding train, in March 2013. In that article India’s Rail Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal stressed the need to protect the elephants from trains…the current news below is a step in the right direction!”
BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to check growing number of cases of elephants being fatally hit by trains, Odisha government today signed an MoU with the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) to develop a mitigation plan.
The New Delhi-based WTI would identify and map the critical accident prone sites and habitats of elephants and also identify factors – ecological, physical and man-made- responsible for accidental deaths of elephants.
“WTI will prepare a detailed report on mitigation plan and implement the Rs 9.9 lakh project over a period of 12 months,” said Forest and Environment minister Bijayshree Routray after signing the MoU.
Last year, the state has witnessed death of about 13 elephants due to train hits. While seven jumbos were killed due to train accidents in Keonjhar, four in Berhampur of Ganjam district and two in Dhenkanal district.
WTI will simultaneously organise consultations/ meetings/workshops with the staff of forest department and other stake holders departments and finalise mitigation plan and jointly implement a few identified shot term mitigation plan like signage along the railway track and awareness of train drivers, the minister said.
March 2013 – Giant elephant killed by speeding train INSIDE nature reserve as it tries to cross track in remote northeast India –
This tragic photo shows the body of a tusker elephant who died today when he was hit by a speeding train in West Bengal.
The adult elephant was struck by a train in a forest at the Buxa Tiger Reserve, a few miles from Alipurduar in north east India.
A speeding passenger train, the Guwahati-bound Somporkkranti Express, hit the elephant while he was crossing the railway line. He died instantly.
The tiger reserve where the elephant was killed is inside the Buxa National Park, which runs along India’s boundary with Bhutan.
This means that the tiger reserve serves as international corridor for elephants migrating between India and Bhutan, making a it a danger spot for train drivers.
Indian forest guards now have the difficult task of getting the huge animal off the tracks so that the train line can reopen.
Sadly this fatal collision was not an isolated incident.
As recently as December last year, five elephants were killed after they were hit by a passenger train in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.
They were crossing railway tracks with their herd.
At the moment there are around 26,000 wild elephants in India.
Although elephants are worshipped by many Indians, their shrinking habitat has made them increasingly unsafe, especially when travelling cross country.
The state of Orissa in eastern India last year issued a warning, asking trains to slow down because of moving elephants herd, but they say it was ignored.
The main reasons for elephant deaths are poaching, eating crops poisoned by farmers, and being hit by trains.
Last week, India’s Rail MinisterPawan Kumar Bansalstressed the need to protect the elephants from trains, describing the animals as ‘gentle giants’ whose lives must be safeguarded.
Molly was in a tragic car accident with her owner John Philippi late Thursday night.
Sadly Philippi lost his life in the accident but Molly survived, though initially authorities had no idea she had been in the accident. When state troopers discovered the man’s dog was missing they went above and beyond to find the German shepherd.
State Trooper & Molly
Philippi, a 45-year-old Minnesotatruck driver, was driving his truck with Molly by his side late Thursday night. Suddenly, his truck tipped on Interstate 94 in Wisconsin and then was hit by another semi. Philippi was ejected from his truck and died.
When State Patrol officers arrived on the scene of the accident they had no idea that Molly had been involved, she was nowhere to be seen. When they contacted Philippi’s family members about the accident one of his nephews asked about Molly.
A notice went out to all law enforcement officers in the area to be on the lookout for Molly. One state trooper even went door-to-door at nearby homes to ask if anyone had seen her.
“We wanted to find that dog,” said State Patrol Lt. Jeff Lorentz. “We didn’t want it hit by another vehicle.”
Friday morning the State Patrol office received a tip, someone had seen a German shepherd near an exit. The area was searched but Molly wasn’t found. State Patrol officers did not give up though. Later that day, trooper John Vernonstarted walking the interstate in the area of the crash with some volunteers when he spotted paw prints in the snow near the crash site.
Vernon followed the tracks and found Molly underneath a pine tree trying to stay warm. Vernon called out Molly’s name and the dog walked right to him.
Molly had a 6-inch gash on her leg and she let out a yelp when Vernon touched it. Molly is now staying with Philippi’s relatives while she recovers from her leg wound. Once Molly is healed the family will decide who she will stay with permanently.
The family is incredibly thankful to the extra efforts of the State Patrol officers, especially Vernon. Even the State Patrol office recognizes the extra effort Vernon, who has an affinity for dogs, put into the search.
“I don’t think anybody showed more determination than trooper John Vernon,” said Lorentz.
A Telford man facing a spate of animal cruelty and weapons charges in connection with his arrest last month has been on animal welfare authorities’ radar for nearly two years, according to Tracie Graham — a Humane Societypolice officer and shelter manager with the Montgomery County SPCA.
Graham said that since late 2011, she and other Humane Society officials have been investigating 52-year-old Earl C. Heitz III, of the 100 block of Forrest Road, on suspicion of animal cruelty and failure to provide proper care for animals.
Heitzwas arrested at his home by Franconia Township police on March 21 and arraigned on 27 charges — including 21 counts of cruelty to animals and three counts of felony illegal firearm possession — after a report of an injured goat led officers to his residence.
MCSPCA seized 24 animals from the property, “which are being housed and cared for,” said Graham, who — citing the ongoing nature of the case — did not disclose the medical condition of any of the animals. She said that the removed animals included 11 puppies, three chinchillas, two goats, two roosters, two guinea fowl, two parrots, one iguana and one cat.
On Wednesday, Heitzhad his preliminary hearing before District Judge Kenneth Deatelhauser of Souderton continued for a second time. Court personnel did not provide a reason for the continuance. Heitzremains free after posting $50,000 bail on March 22.
“This is not the first time there’s been a problem like this with (Heitz),” according to Graham. She said that on Feb. 19, she filed four non-traffic summary citations for animal cruelty against Heitzwith District Judge Catherine Hummel-Fried of Red Hill. That was in regard to 40 animals — including goats, horses and cattle — Heitzallegedly keeps on an Upper Salford property that’s owned by someone else, said Graham, adding that those animals have not yet been seized from the property.
“We are going to be requesting forfeiture of all of the animals,” she said.
Court records show that the four citations are in the process of being transferred from Hummel-Fried’s court — Graham explained that she is trying to have them consolidated into Heitz’s criminal case in connection with his March arrest.
According to police, just after 1 p.m. on March 21, officers were dispatched toHeitz’sproperty after receiving a tip that a goat on a nearby road had been struck by a vehicle and appeared to have a broken jaw, and that several dogs were running up and downHeitz’s driveway.
When officers approached the house to locate the homeowner, the criminal complaint states, they found the front door wide open, announced their presence but got no response and then, “not knowing if the homeowner was injured or incapacitated,” entered the residence for a well-being check.
Inside, officers found “deplorable conditions,” according to the affidavit: Animal feces in every part of the home, a dead fish on the floor of an upstairs bedroom and a number of live animals both inside and outside the home, including puppies, goats, chickens, chinchillas and birds. Police said they also found three .22 caliber rifles inside the house, which authorities took for safekeeping since the house was open “and anyone would have access to the firearms.”
The MCSPCA and Humane Society then responded to the scene and made the decision to take the 24 animals into protective custody, the complaint states, and an official from Franconia Township was also called in to inspect the property. The township made the determination to condemn the property and posted an official notice to that effect on the front door of the house that afternoon.
Police said that as they were leaving the property, Heitz returned and asked what was going on. According to the affidavit, Heitzwas advised that authorities were called to the property because of the goat that had been injured, that the MCSPCA had taken his animals, that the township had condemned the property and he was not permitted inside the house and that he needed to leave the property immediately.
Shortly after 5 p.m. that same day, police received a call that someone was at the house and there were dogs running on the property, court papers state, and while officers were en route back to the property, they learned from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s office that Heitz was convicted of a felony drug charge in 1992 and thus was prohibited from possessing firearms. Police said they were advised by an assistant district attorney to make an arrest based on that information.
Upon arrival, Franconia police — observing that the township’s condemned property notice had been removed from the front door — knocked on the door, and when Heitzcame to the door he was taken into custody without incident.
A new date for Heitz’s preliminary hearing has not yet been scheduled, court records show.
According to information posted online by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Heitz’sForrest Road property is listed for Sheriff’s Sale on May 29.
“This poor girl really has been through the mill! As her story broke, donations from around the world, meant she could have the surgery to repair her face. But before surgery could commence, Kabang was diagnosed with Cancer. Since being in the US, Kabang has been having treatment for the cancer, & has become a much-loved dog by all that come into contact with her. Kabang has the heart of a lion & cheated death before when she was just a puppy!. Originally rescued by the owner & intended for the family’s dinner table he couldn’t kill her because his daughters had become so attached to her. I pray now she will soon become well enough, to return to the Philippines & be back in the small village, with all her family, where this story first started; as a much-loved & heroic pooch!!”.
It’s been a long road for Kabang. After battling cancer and heartworm, the hero dog who saved two girls in the Philippines from an oncoming motorcycle, finally received the first of her dental and facial surgeries to repair the damage she sustained while saving the girls.
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Kabang’s story is well-known by many animal lovers. Back in 2011 she threw herself in the path of a speeding motorcycle to prevent it from running over two girls.
In the process she lost her upper jaw and snout. Her story soon became known worldwide thanks to social media. Touched by her heroics people from all over the world donated to bring Kabang to UC Davis to receive the best care and receive re-constructive surgery.
Upon arrival at UC Davis it was discovered that Kabang was suffering from both cancer and heartworm disease. She needed to be treated for both before she could undergo any re-constructive surgeries. Finally on Tuesday Kabang was ready to begin her surgeries.
Dr. Boaz Arzi and Dr. Frank Verstraete at UC Davis performed Kabang’s first surgery this week. They removed two teeth and reconstructed her left eyelid. The procedure was performed without any complications and Kabang is recovering well. She will rest and recover from this surgery before receiving her final facial surgery later in the month.
DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
You can find out more about me & this blog by reading "ABOUT THIS BLOG" on the menu (when i finish it) lol
PLEASE NOTE.....
Not all of my posts will be current news, or even about animal abuse! I do like to share other animal news, uplifting stories or videos; some that are funny or just touch the heart!
If I have anything to say on any post, you will see it in bold blue writing. I try to remain a lady, but it's hard to contain my anger & emotions at the some of the stories I post; I don’t have a heart of stone, tears stain many articles I write!
Lastly, my apologies for any errors; I am learning whilst posting, so if you find anything that doesn't work or a broken link, sorry, I'm only human!!!!
ABOUT THESE POSTS
I would just like to make readers aware, that I search for stories on the internet; regards animal abuse etc. I copy stories etc. from the internet; assuming these stories are correct at time of publishing. Having said that, sometimes the press get it wrong! So I just want to add that at the time of me posting a news story, I presume all the facts seem present & correct.
Please note....all people mentioned in this blog, are presumed innocent, until proven otherwise, in a court of law.
Error: Please make sure the Twitter account is public.
Flag Counter Added May 2012
Face Book – Please Take Notice
For anyone wishing to connect to me via my Facebook page...PLEASE NOTE, ONLY PEOPLE I ADD AS ANIMAL ADVOCATES CAN SEE MY WHOLE PAGE...I do this out of respect for those friends I have who do not wish to see graphic images, videos or links of animal abuse!
As 99% of my page is animal related; anyone not in the above group of friends; will only see a limited amount of posts!!
DUE TO ANIMAL HATERS...I WILL ONLY ADD PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVE WHO THEY ARE via Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter etc. & WHO HAVE A GENUINE INTEREST IN ANIMAL WELFARE... i.e. if your Facebook page has absolutely nothing to do with animals, I see no point in joining my page. My Facebook is solely for animal welfare, I am not interested in playing games etc. I don't mean to sound rude but I am not interested in the amount of friends I have, its the quality of those friends that count.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND REQUESTS FOR YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN. I do not want anyone to be upset by graphic images etc.
My aim is to educate & raise awareness to the horrors animals face, at the hands of humans, every day, around the world!!
We can not hope to achieve better laws, to protect animals, unless we unite as one, to speak up for those who are voiceless!!
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DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS BLOG - SOME PICTURES & VIDEOS CAN & WILL BE VERY GRAPHIC - SO PLEASE, VIEW THIS BLOG AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION.
STOP ANIMAL ABUSE 
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