ASPCA Expert Testimony Helps Convict Gothic Kitty Creator

On February 3, the trial of “gothic kitty” creator, Holly Crawford of Luzerne County, PA, came to a close. Crawford was charged with using a 14-gauge needle to pierce the ears, necks and tails of three kittens and then attempting to sell the bejeweled felines over the Internet. The 35-year-old was found guilty of one misdemeanor count and one summary count of animal cruelty.

Crawford, who owns a dog grooming business, was charged after a tip led humane investigators and the state police to her home on December 17, 2008. Investigators found and seized three kittens wearing heavy ear, neck and tail piercing jewelry. At least one of the kittens had a thick elastic band wrapped around its tail to prevent blood flow, as a means of docking it.

Crawford pleaded not guilty to the charges, saying she used sterile needles and surgical soap when piercing the kittens. Her defense attorney further argued that parents often have the ears of their children pierced.

Despite these arguments, a Luzerne County jury found Crawford guilty. Helping to seal the conviction was expert testimony from the ASPCA’s leading forensics veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck, who testified that the kittens had been maimed and disfigured, had their hearing altered, and could have died.

The cats are now recovering in the custody of a local SPCA—the cost of their rehabilitation already exceeding $1,000.

Crawford’s sentencing hearing is set for March 31. She faces up to five years in prison.

If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it. To report animal cruelty in New York City, call the ASPCA's tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty elsewhere.

Dogs Rescued from Mississippi Puppy Mill Arrive at the ASPCA

On February 7, while folks around the country celebrated Super Bowl Sunday, the ASPCA Adoption Center was in festive spirit, as well. ASPCA experts gathered to welcome 34 dogs rescued from a notorious puppy mill operation in Holly Springs, MS. The dogs, which include small breeds such as Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos, Pugs, Yorkshire Terriers, Corgis and Chihuahuas, were discovered living in feces-encrusted pens and filth. The ASPCA worked with Pet Airways to bring the rescued pooches to the Big Apple.

“We are grateful for the collaboration of Pet Airways, which offered to fly these dogs at cost, as well as local and out-of-state animal welfare agencies that assisted in this effort,” said Matt Bershadker, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA’s Anti-Cruelty Group.

Last week, under the authority and request of Shirley C. Byers of the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office in Marshall County, MS, the ASPCA dispatched members of our Field Investigations and Response Team to manage operations in the investigation of a local puppy mill. More than 94 dogs were seized and signed over to the ASPCA. Many were underweight with skin problems, among other medical conditions.

Participating agencies on the scene included American Humane Association, Marshall County Humane Society, Mississippi State University and Collierville Humane Society. In addition, many veterinarians and volunteers assisted in the on-site medical treatment of the animals.

“We are glad to have been able to be part of another major, collaborative effort to rescue these dogs from such deplorable conditions,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Adoptions Center. “Once we have medically and behaviorally evaluated these dogs, we look forward to finding them forever homes.”

For more information about puppy mills and how to fight animal cruelty, visit www.aspca.org.

Thank You!

The ASPCA is extremely grateful to the shelters and organizations that have aided in the housing and future placement of these animals. We are honored to recognize their generosity. They include:

• Atlanta Humane Society
  
• Marshall County Humane Society
  
• Olive Branch Animal Shelter
  
• MS State University Homeward Bound program

ASPCA Pet of the Week: Lion in Winter

Loyal Leo is part Pit Bull, part Labrador, and all sweet canine goodness. He’s two years old, but still a puppy at heart, and would make a fun-loving sidekick for an experienced pet parent. This energetic young boy first arrived at the ASPCA in June 2009, but as much as we love our leaping Leo, we think he’s been here way too long and is more than ready to find a home to call his own.

Leo still needs some basic training, and will thrive best in a structured household without young children or other doggies. If you’re interested in adopting this plucky pooch, please call our Animal Placement department at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4120. Or to view other animals looking for homes, visit our Adoption Center online.

****Got Facebook? Won’t you please donate your status to Leo? Just copy and paste the following message onto your profile status to help spread the word that this pooch needs a home!

[Name] is donating my status to Leo http://www.aspca.org/leo, a dog at the ASPCA who needs a new home.

Manhattan Man Brutally Beats and Blinds 6-Pound Dog

On February 1, Manhattan resident Joseph Graves, 30, was arrested by ASPCA Special Agent Omar Negrillo for brutally beating and blinding his girlfriend's 6-pound Yorkshire Terrier with a belt. Graves had been pet sitting the 4-year-old pup, named Emmet, while his girlfriend, a Broadway actress, was on tour in Florida.

On January 16, at approximately 5:30 A.M., Graves lost his temper after the dog allegedly misbehaved while getting ready for his morning walk. When confronted about the incident, Graves told ASPCA investigators that the dog's actions caused him to go into a rage and beat him with a belt buckle and kick him.

Despite Emmet's serious injuries, including an eye hemorrhage, Graves waited two days before taking the tiny pup to a veterinary hospital. He was finally treated at the West Chelsea Veterinary Hospital for six broken ribs, multiple contusions, bruised kidneys and internal hemorrhaging—he also underwent surgery to have his left eye removed. Suspicious of the dog's critical injuries, the hospital staff contacted the ASPCA for assistance.

"The dog suffered traumatic injuries and could have easily died if the suspect had waited much longer," says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel for the Humane Law Enforcement Department. "This pet was nearly killed because this person couldn't control his temper—it's inexcusable."

Graves was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony, and criminal mischief. He is currently released on $2,000 bail, and is due back in court on April 27.

Emmet is currently recovering with a relative of his pet parent.

If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it. To report animal cruelty in New York City, call the ASPCA's tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty elsewhere.

Animal Relief Efforts in Haiti: Field Report #4

Jeff Eyre, the Northeast Director of the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response Team, is currently on the ground in Haiti, assisting with animal relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that struck the region on January 12. The ASPCA is a member of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), headed by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which has deployed a team of experts to bring direct aid to the animals affected by the crisis. With limited communication in and out of the area, the following is the fourth in a series of field reports from Jeff on the frontlines.

Day Five:

Today we went back into the city and stopped at an area to treat local dogs and cats. A woman who was by her house said that we were the first people to offer any help or stop to ask if they were all right. We then moved into a more devastated area and again set up and treated dogs and cats.
 
After this we drove to the Bolivian army base where they have requested us to check the dogs that are there. We estimated there were ten dogs and one possibly with puppies. The army offered to feed us and use their personal facilities. The team will return tomorrow to complete the assignment.

We then returned to our tent cities area and set up again and treated and performed wellness checks on dogs and cats. Today there were forty eight dogs and eighteen cats. One dog was treated and is a possible candidate for surgery for a tumor. We submitted an on scene photo for veterinarian review.
 
There is a red alert for a possible earth quake until Sunday and rain and flood warnings until Thursday. There is little left of buildings and what shelter there is will not sustain any further weather extremes. It is estimated another 100.000 people will be displaced if this weather comes. I am supposed to rotate out in the early am.

Photos from the scene in Haiti can be seen in the slideshow below.

If you would like to support the animal welfare relief efforts in Haiti, please direct your donations to IFAW or WSPA.