Mother Of Two Spared Jail After Letting Dog Die Slow And Painful Death; Six Weeks Locked In Bathroom

“WTF…if an alcoholic mother of 2 , literally locked a dog in a toilet then walked away; leaving the dog unattended to die of starvation amongst other things…One has to ask…are those children safe? She knew it was wrong, the dog died an unimaginably slow death…so why no prison sentence? We are talking about a life, irrelevant whether a dog or not! A shop lifter would have been sentenced to more! This alcoholic piece of shit has got off so lightly, she isn’t fit to look after pets period, never mind children!! Judging by how much these court proceedings costs, the RSPCA…needn’t have bloody bothered!!”

• Laura Shaw, 23, abandoned pet Lulu when the animal fell ill
• Dog was found dead and covered in flies with ‘overpowering foul stench’
• Unemployed alcoholic fined and banned from keeping animals

Heartless: Laura Shaw has been convicted of animal cruelty after leaving her pet dog to die

Please note: Graphic Images Below!!

An unemployed alcoholic mother who locked her dog in a toilet and left it to die has walked free from court. “To literally lock that dog in the bathroom then walk away, show’s she was of sound mind!” 

Laura Shaw, 23, abandoned her pet Lulu for six weeks, and has now been banned from keeping animals for the next 10 years. “How long before she will do something similar to another living being??? I have a feeling we are going to encounter this name again;because her sentence won’t have done diddley squat to deter her from committing such an evil act again!!

Horrific images shown in court revealed how the animal was found covered in swarms of flies, surrounded by the empty food bowls it tried to eat. 

The mother of two was prosecuted by the RSPCA, but escaped jail after a hearing at Grimsby Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how the dog was found dead last August in a downstairs toilet at Shaw’s former home in Grimsby, surrounded by faeces and urine.

Prosecutor Nigel Burn said there was an ‘overpowering foul stench‘ and the house was swarming with large flies.

Empty plates and a bowl were found and it looked as though they had been bitten by the black cross-bred dog in a desperate attempt to satisfy its hunger. “I find this sentence strange, as below, SHAW reckon’s the dog would not eat or drink anything…if it tried to eat the bowls, obviously it wanted & needed to eat anything going!”

Shaw, now of no fixed address, admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to provide veterinary care and leaving it unattended without adequate food and water. “Strikes me, booze would have been more important to buy, than food for the poor dog!”

She claimed that she was scared to seek help after the dog became ill, but when she was asked about the animal’s death she admitted: ‘It must have been traumatic and it must have been lonely and scared.’ “WTF…why was she scared?? I can think of only one reason you would be SCARED to take a dog to a vet…that would be if a previous animal had been abused & taken to a vet; who asked too many questions!! I wonder, did that dog ever visit a vet??

Lauren Fisher, mitigating, said the dog stopped eating and drinking and that she tried giving it milk and different dog food brands, without success. “A dog may be picky with food, but will eat if hungry… but to not drink either, sounds very suspicious. I would like to know if a necropsy was done & what it said! If one wasn’t done, why?? Alarm bells should be ringing in a case like this; with a necropsy being the first thing done! “

‘Things spiralled out of control,’ she said. ‘She did not get the help that was necessary for the dog and neglected her duty as an owner to take the dog to the vet’s.’

Tragic: The dog was apparently abandoned after she fell ill and started refusing the food she was given

Ms Fisher added that Shaw’s former home had been burgled after her windows were smashed and that a large amount of her property had been stolen, causing her ‘extreme unhappiness’. “OH fxxxxxg boo hoo!! Not as unhappy as the bloody dog; I bet!”

She left the house ‘feeling scared and unable to cope’ and abandoned the dog, who was aged about 18 months to two years. “Yea, I bet the poor bloody dog felt scared because it was abandoned…probably thought it better to buy booze than vet bills & food…sick bitch!”

The court heard that the defendant also had more than £10,000 of debts.

Judge Sam Goozee told Shaw: ‘You have committed a cruel and despicable offence. The pictures I have seen show the horror and pain that Lulu must have gone through in what was a very slow death.

‘The conditions in which she was found are disgusting and she clearly had been dead for a while.

Squalid: The house in Grimsby was filled with an overwhelming stink when the dog was found last year

Probation officer Graham Marshall said Shaw had been a mental health support worker but lost her job and later ‘drank to oblivion every day whenever she could’. 

‘Looking after an animal brings responsibility and you simply ignored those responsibilities.

‘Can you imagine what it would be like if a child went through what Lulu did? As an adult, you would never place a child in that position and you should not place an animal in that position.’ “A life is a life, that dog suffered the same as a child would, except it wouldn’t have got that far with a child because friends, neighbours, social workers etc. would have said something…but it was only a dog…that doesn’t make it any less of a heinous cruel & cold hearted thing to do!”

Shaw was handed 200 hours of unpaid work, banned from keeping animals for ten years and ordered to pay £150 costs. “Well they might as well not bothered… what’s the point in a fine when she is already in debt? This sentence is weak & pathetic & stinks!!

Speaking after the verdict, an RSPCA spokesman said: ‘This was a shocking incident. The poor animal would have suffered terribly, and it is terrible to leave a living creature to die like this.

‘We hope this sends a clear to message to people that neglect or abuse of animals is not acceptable.’ “No it’s not, & THIS DOESN’T SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO SAY ANIMAL ABUSE IS UNACCEPTABLE…WTF…what was her penance? Banned from owning animals for 10 years, 200 unpaid hours & £150 costs??? WTF…WTF does that say to other animals abusers? NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THEM…THAT’S WHAT…WHEN WILL THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM START GROWING SOME BALLS & MAKING PEOPLE PAY BY GIVING PRISON SENTENCES

News Link:-: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270186/Mother-spared-jail-letting-dog-die-slow-painful-death-weeks-leaving-locked-toilet.html#ixzz2JlFqrq93
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Lulu’s story on causes.com:-http://www.causes.com/actions/1728724-lulus-story?recruiter_id=186595784&utm_campaign=invite&utm_medium=wall&utm_source=fb

Robots to Replace Navy Dolphins in Hunt for Underwater Mines

Since the 1950′s the Navy has been using marine animals like bottle-nosed dolphins and sea lions in their efforts to keep the ports safe.

The dolphins are taught to locate underwater mines so humans can go and retrieve them.

But, with the advancement of technology, it seems that dolphins might be replaced by robots for their mine hunting duties in the next five years. Animal activists shouldn’t rejoice just yet. One would think that these animals would be retired after their service to the country, but the Navy plans to keep them working.

Mike Rothe, head of the biosciences division at the Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific in San Diego, said, “About a quarter of (the Navy dolphins) would be affected. But it’s not like they are going to go jobless. We have other assignments.”

Other assignments include finding and bringing back objects from deep water as well as locating enemy swimmers. Sea lions perform a sort of citizens arrest. Once they find a swimmer who doesn’t belong, the sea lion attaches a claw-like apparatus. The North County Times described it as a sort of boot one might put on the wheel of a car to keep the swimmer stationary.

The government does take responsibility for these animals even when their duties are complete, but heading to a marine sanctuary isn’t exactly at the top of the list. The government has been known to loan out dolphins to Sea World. Not exactly a great “thank you” considering Sea World’s track record with animal welfare. “We humans really do take the piss when it comes to using animals, to not give them a decent retirement is disgraceful…they have to squeeze every last drop out of the poor animals, by then, it’s too late for them to enjoy anything!!”

As some small consolation, at least the government no longer captures wild dolphins for the program. They have a breeding program, not that those dolphins don’t deserve to live their lives free from government control. Sadly, for sea lions, breeding isn’t an option. Most are orphans who were stranded when they were youngsters.

The best we can say from this news, is at least the dangerous duties will be lessened for these creatures. Perhaps one of the animal organizations out there is also trying to get them a better retirement plan. Sea World is hardly relaxing through their golden years…

News Link:-http://www.ecorazzi.com/2012/12/04/robots-to-replace-navy-dolphins-in-hunt-for-underwater-mines/

Will Work For Fish: Navy to End Militarized Dolphin Program

Published on 18 Nov 2012

The U.S. Navy will replace its Sea Mammal Program for aless expensive robotic option.

Diesel: From Death Row to Certified Search & Rescue Dog

“I love a good rescue story & this is one of the best. Had these good people not stepped in, Diesel would have been looking down from Rainbow Bridge! I wonder if whoever sent him to the pound, bought him as a family pet for very small children; then realised he was a bit too boisterous for them to handle. Whatever the story, I’m so happy this beautiful dog has found his true calling in life.”

“But it just goes to show how many decent, good dogs do get sent to death row, through no real fault of their own. Perhaps if their owners just spent a little more time picking the right breed for their family & found time to train their dogs properly, instead of just letting them find their own way; they wouldn’t end up being so misjudged. Kudos to the Missouri German Shepherd rescue group & Monroe City SAR, for giving this dog his life back!”

He was on death’s doorstep last January, one week away from being euthanized due to having been labeled an “aggressive dog” by the Missouri German Shepherd Rescue.  

His name was Koda, and he was believed to be unfit to be in public.  Then Monroe City Search and Rescue stepped in and rescued the 3 year old, and nothing has been the same since.

On January 13th, Koda was picked up and brought to the home of Monroe City SAR  and within days was displaying his agility and intelligence.  He was so enthusiastic that his name was immediately changed to Diesel.  He has never looked back.  Lead K-9 Handler Rich Enochs used tennis balls as rewards and nothing could make Diesel happier.  He adjusted very quickly to life at SAR and got along well with the other dogs, so much so it was hard to believe that what they were initially told about Diesel’s behavior was true.

Monroe City K9 Search & Rescue is a Non-Profit 100% volunteer based organization dedicated to finding the missing, lost and injured.  SAR K9s are trained to find living victims that m may be trapped, injured or lost.  ”Find” is the most important word they know.

SAR dogs are trained to follow a scent in different terrain and weather conditions and to identify the victim from other scents. Their skills are sharpened through regular training sessions and by handlers with daily training at home and in the field, and their training is ongoing and time intensive.

It’s as if Diesel was born to be a SAR dog.  He has become a True SAR K9, visits with the Mentally Handicapped, is “Best Buds” with the Lead Handler’s 2yr old grandson and has become family with the other SAR K9s and,  on October 9th Diesel passed his certification testing.

He is certainly enjoying his new role and being the benefactor of the love and attention he deserves, and Monroe City Search and Rescue made all this possible by believing in him.

News Link:-http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/10/diesel-from-deaths-row-to-certified-search-and-rescue-dog/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LifeWithDogs+%28Life+With+Dogs%29

 

 

Charities Warning Of Potential Crisis For Horses And Ponies

“Redwings is one of my favorite charities in the UK, they do immense work taking care of neglected, sick & abandoned horses; but their name is not as well known as World Horse Welfare etc. I support all equine charities, just wish I could help more.  I rescued 1 but can’t take anymore as I don’t have any fields anymore, I now keep mine in full livery (due to my disability)  which is expensive, but I know they are well taken care of. I do have several virtual adoptions & fosters, which is a great way to help the charities; without physically having the horses!

 Redwings is working alongside other welfare charities to call for government and public help in a landmark report that warns of an impending crisis in England and Wales which could leave the welfare of many thousands of horses at risk.

The report, ‘On the Verge: the approaching Equine Crisis in England and Wales’, predicts that another harsh winter will leave animal charities physically unable to cope and asks what will happen to the increasing numbers of horses being abandoned or suffering from welfare concerns

We are asking the public to rehome more horses; for horse owners to take responsibility for their animals and not pass the problem onto local authorities, charities and landowners; and for the Government and other agencies to meet us halfway and help rein in this problem before another winter of misery for hundreds of horses and ponies.

• All the organisations have seen increasing numbers:
• The RSPCA took in more than twice the number of horses, 304, between April 2011 and March 2012 as it did the previous year.
• World Horse Welfare has seen the numbers of horses taken into its centres rise by 50% from 129 in 2006 to 194 in 2011 and has had to restrict admissions to the most severe cases.
• Redwings has seen a 28 per cent increase in equines being taken in from 2006 to 2011 and has seen abandonments rise from 160 in 2009 to 450 in 2011. So far this year we have had an astonishing 636 horses and ponies reported to us as abandoned up to the end of September.
• Last winter HorseWorld saw a threefold increase in the number of abandoned and neglected horses it rescued, compared with the previous year.

Nicolas de Brauwere, Head of Welfare at Redwings Horse Sanctuary and Chairman of the National Equine Welfare Council, said: “It is an extremely serious state of affairs. In February this year, for example, we had a situation where a group of more than 60 horses and ponies that had been left to fend for themselves in Wales were facing euthanasia by the local authority which had found itself in an impossible situation through the irresponsible actions of a callous owner. On that occasion several charities stepped up at the last moment and offered them a home, but we had to stretch ourselves and our teams to the limit to do so.

“Another case like that may be the final straw, which is why we urgently need the help and support of both the public and the government as this winter approaches.”

Overbreeding

Horses are still being bred on a large scale and continue to be imported from Ireland and the continent, despite there being no market for them. This has led to the market becoming saturated, with animals being sold at some markets for as little as £5.

Economic climate

Horses can cost up to £100 per week to look after and in the current financial climate, people try to cut back on vet costs, hoof care and feed. This inevitably leads to welfare problems.

Both factors have led to a visible increase in the problem of fly grazing – illegal grazing of horses on public and private land. Fly grazing is a problem for farmers, landowners and local authorities, and increasingly it is leading to welfare concerns, as too often these owners do not provide basic care for their animals.

RSPCA head of public affairs, David Bowles, said: “We have a perfect storm of horses continuing to be bred and imported to the UK adding to a rising population and people, suffering under the economic climate, cutting back on animal care bills.

“People need to start realising that there is very little financial reward in breeding horses and ponies, especially where there is poor husbandry or the animals have genetic problems. You won’t make your fortune, all you will have is lots of horses and animals on your hands which need feeding, shelter and care and which you will not be able to sell.”

• What the Government can do:
• – The Government should introduce criminal legislation targeting fly grazing – punishing offenders with fines and seizure of horses
• – Introduce legislation or mechanisms to better link horses to owners to tackle irresponsible ownership
• – Increased intelligence-led enforcement of horse imports and exports
• – Review the Tripartite agreement** that allows the import and export of vulnerable horses and ponies into and out of Britain from Ireland and France
• – Encourage responsible breeding through guidance and education
• – More assistance for local authorities including provision of places to keep horses on a temporary basis
• – Improve enforcement and cooperation between enforcement agencies and charitiesWhat YOU can do:
• – The horse owning public can play an important part by keeping on top of their own situation. If you need help, please contact our Welfare helpline on 01508 481008 for advice before the situation escalates into a welfare problem.
• – If you think you could give a good new home to a horse or pony you can view the horses we have available for rehoming here: www.redwings.co.uk/rehoming. The National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) is a membership organisation for over sixty horse charities and welfare organisations and details of how to rehome a horse from any of its members can be found at http://www.newc.co.uk/
• – Members of the public can also write to their MP  (click the link below to send email) and ask them to lobby the Secretary of State Owen Paterson about the national horse crisis and ask him to support tougher laws to encourage responsible ownership and improve enforcement. http://campaign.publicaffairsbriefing.co.uk/emailsupport.aspx?cid=defb0b88-91af-4aab-a047-f6aff6db6c97
  

  Tiny Tilly was dumped on the side of a road with a severe leg injury

And of course, please continue to support us so we can help as many horses as we can, just like those below…and thank you for all your support in the past from everyone here at Redwings. Thank you!

Left on the verge

Horse welfare charities need your help to handle what could become a ‘horse crisis’ in England and Wales.

We are under immense pressure due to the increasing number of horses and ponies needing our help. There are 2,800 equines in our rehoming centres, which are now at capacity, and it is estimated that a further 6,000 horses are at risk in England and Wales. There is real concern that should there be another harsh winter, we will be physically unable to cope with the number of horses needing urgent care.

World Horse Welfare, the RSPCA, Redwings, The Blue Cross, The British Horse Society and HorseWorld are working together with the support of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) to try and overcome this crisis, and have produced a report showing the problem and our proposed solutions, but we also need the support of the horse owning public, government agencies and local authorities. 

Please help us by emailing your MP and asking them to support us in dealing with this crisis. We need Government support for the solutions in our report. By contacting Ministers, MPs can use their influence to help us – but we need you, their constituents, to ask them to do so.

News Link:–http://www.redwings.org.uk/news-horsecrisis.php

UPDATE: Man charged with murder. April Jones Missing: David Cameron And Police Appeal For Public’s Help (PICTURES)

April Jones – Have you seen her?

UPDATE SUNDAY 3.45.pm

“MARK BRIDGER CHARGED WITH PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE – CHILD ABDUCTION & THE MURDER OF APRIL JONES”.

———————————————————————————————————————–

Police searching for missing five-year-old April Jones have appealed for residents in the area of Machynlleth, the Welsh village where the she was last seen, to check their “gardens, outbuildings and immediate environments” for any clues to her disappearance.

The search for Jones has now entered it’s fourth day and is becoming ever more urgent. Detectives confirmed that Jones suffers from cerebral palsy and would be in pain without her medication.

Police have been given until 5pm tomorrow to question the only suspect in the case, 46-year-old, Mark Bridger.

Mark Bridger is still being questioned by Police but is yet to be charged

Detectives have said that they are dealing with a “vast amount of forensic analysis” but have made it clear that this alone will not solve the case and that help from the public is crucial.

The appeal came as Prime Minister David Cameron issued a heartfelt appeal for information.

He said: “My heart just goes out to April’s family.

“This is every family’s nightmare, having this happen and the fact that she suffers from cerebral palsy, something I know a little about from my own children, only makes this worse.

“My appeal would be to everyone, if you know anything, if you saw anything, heard anything, have any ideas you can bring forward, talk to the police, help this family find their lovely child.”

Bridger is due to be interviewed again today with police still trying to piece together his movements around the time of Jones’ disappeared.

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan from Dyfed Powys Police said: “The investigation continues and our focus remains finding April.

Police Search For Missing 5 Year Old April Jones

MACHYNLLETH, WALES – OCTOBER 03: Police search bushes in fields close to where Mark Bridger was arrested on October 3, 2012 near Machynlleth, Wales. Five-year-old April Jones was abducted from outside her house on Monday night. Police have arrested 46-year-old Mark Bridger in connection with her disappearance in the Machynlleth area. . (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Police Search For Missing 5 Year Old April Jones

MACHYNLLETH, WALES – OCTOBER 03: Canoeists search river banks close to where Mark Bridger was arrested on October 3, 2012 near Machynlleth, Wales. April Jones, a five-year-old girl was abducted from outside her house on Monday night. Police have arrested 46-year-old Mark Bridger in connection with her disappearance in the Machynlleth area. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

April Jones missing

Detective Superintendent Reg Bevan during a press conference in the Welsh Government Building in Aberystwyth Ceredigion, holding up a photo of 46-year-old Mark Bridger who has been arrested following the abduction of April Jones, and his Land Rover.

April’s Mother Coral, with step-grandfather Dai Smith

April Jones’s mother Coral, with step-grandfather Dai Smith, during a press conference in the Welsh Government Building in Aberystwyth Ceredigion, where she appealed for a safe return of her daughter.

“My prayers are will all the family of little April. ”

News Link:–http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/04/april-jones-missing-david-cameron-police-appeal-publics-help_n_1938550.html?utm_campaign=100412&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-uk&utm_content=Photo

Missy the dog, stranded by owner on mountain, will live with rescuer

Missy was rescued Monday by volunteers. Her owner, Anthony Joseph Ortolani, faces animal cruelty charges. (Photo courtesy: Alex Gelb)
Read more: Missy the dog, stranded by owner on mountain, will live with rescuer – The Denver Post

“My personal opinion is that nobody should take a pet along with them on their dangerous sports & hobbies events! Typical example here, that dog could have died…if you want to risk your own life, fine, but leave those who can’t speak for themselves…at home!”

The owner of a dog rescued from a Colorado fourteener last month after he had to abandon her to help a friend down the mountain has agreed to give the 5-year-old pooch to one of her rescuers.

Anthony Ortolani, 31, faced charges of animal cruelty for leaving his German shepherd/rotweiller mix, Missy, behind on the saddle between Mt. Bierstadt and Mt. Evans.

He will plead guilty to a less serious violation of a Clear Creek County ordinance, said his lawyer, Jennifer Edwards, founder and attorney with The Animal Law Center.

Missy was stranded for eight days before rescuers found her bloodied and close to death on the ridge.

Ortolani received death threats after the story broke, he said Sunday. The threats have made him concerned for his family, and for Missy as well, he said.

Discussions leading to the plea bargain included talk of him giving the dog up, said Edwards, but are not the reason for his surrendering the animal.

“I don’t want to give her up, I love her, but those people risked life and limb to get her out of there and that has got to be worth something,” he said.

Ortolani is an experienced climber who has submitted seven of the state’s fourteeners, and Missy accompanied him on six of those climbs, he said.

Ortolani was climbing with the 19-year-old son of a friend.

Bad weather was moving in, and the canine, whose feet were blistered and bleeding, was unable to walk.

When his climbing companion’s water supply broke, Ortolani decided it was time to come down. The two men tried to carry the 112 pound dog over the rocks for two hours. “Lifting and carrying her over that type of terrain is exhausting,” he said.

He decided to leave her there and help his partner down, he added.

Ortolani called a friend who contacted the Clear Creek County Sheriff’s Office and asked if a search and rescue party could get to the dog. The friend was told that the region was too dangerous and search and rescue doesn’t rescue animals.

Edwards said mountain communities should make some provisions for rescuing stranded pets. “We would hope that there be some sort of process in place to assist animal owners who choose to take their beloved pets up into the mountains,” she said.

News Link:-http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21558095/missy-dog-stranded-by-owner-mountain-will-live