Animal-rescue operator found culpable of animal cruelty

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has established the operator of a Phoenix animal-rescue shelter guilty on nine counts of animal cruelty. Diane Habener was arrested in November 2009 after investigators found dozens of dogs and cats living in deplorable conditions at two Phoenix locations. Sheriff’s deputies found that the Animals were without food and water and were living in excrement.

 Many were imprisoned in kennels too small to even allow any real movement by the Pets animal. "It appears as though Ms. Habener got in way over her head by taking in too many animals," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said at the time of her arrest. "She did not provide the proper care needed to safely and caringly house these animals."Judge Janet Barton found Habener guilty on nine wrong counts of unkindness to animals and not guilty on seven others at a non-jury trial. Habener faces probable jail time, a fine and probation when she's sentenced April 15.

Family violence/animal unkindness link to be studied

The SPCA, which has been given a $100,000 funding for the year-long study, will work with Victoria University and Womens' Refuge on it. The society's national chief executive, Robyn Kippenberger, says it will speak with at-risk adults and children to see if pets have also been debilitated in violent households.

She says it will urge the Government for money to shift people away from an aggressive person, and make sure Animals leave too. United States research shows that pets are 15 times more likely to be hurt or killed where there is domestic violence, and that people who hurt animals are also likely to hurt people. Ms Kippenberger says both family aggression and Pets animal abuse often go under the radar because people are too scared to report it.

South Dakota reports fall in animal rabies cases in 2010

The Department of Health's Lon Kightlinger says South Dakota had 32 rabid Pets animal cases in 2010, down from 53 the previous year. Nine of those cases were domestic animals. Kightlinger says it's important for people to keep their pets vaccinated because rabies is always a possibility. He says the skunk population is the main tank of the disease.

Seven animal rabies cases have been reported so distant in 2011. Infected wild animals can pass rabies to pets or livestock, which can in turn expose humans. Officials say wild animals that appear tame can be rabid, so it's important that people don't attempt to catch or handle wildlife.

Chinchillas, Deer amid 60-Plus Hoarded Animals

Suffolk County Police uncovered an unusual and alarming case of animal meanness on Long Island Tuesday -- numerous animals, including farm animals and exotic pets, were found inside of a Shirley home. According to Quality of Life Task Force investigators: one cow, one pig, eight goats, five dogs, six cats, two ducks (one was found dead), several chinchillas, one sun conure (a type of bird), two cockatiels, seven fancy rats, two love birds, three hens, one pheasant, one diamond dove, several cats, and approximately 75 pigeons were removed from the house, with five of the pigeons found dead. Veterinarians were at the scene to help the animals who could motionless be saved.

“This animal hoarding is one of the most egregious excellence of Life Task Force cases we have seen," according to Supervisor Mark Lesko. Many animals inside the house were already dead, and firefighters were forced to don HazMat suits with gasp devices to be able to investigate the basement of the house, where many of the Pets animal corpses were left to rot. Feces covered the inside of the residence, and the front and back yards were littered with abandoned tractor equipment. The home is owned by an 85-year-old woman, but a 23-year-old male care taker was taken into custody. He has reportedly said that the animals are his. Criminal charges are predictable but have not yet been filed.

Animal shelter over cargo

Animal Shelter more and more animals are brought in, but not sufficient are being placed in good homes. Workers at the shelter say both the economy and the recent weather are to blame. There are over 70 animals in all. Cats, dogs and birds abandoned or surrendered by their previous owners, all needing loving homes. Only 20 animals have been adopted. The shelter is now beseeching for the public's help.

Shelter workers say the over crowding has gotten so bad that as of Saturday morning only 7 cat cages were obtainable. On one day the shelter took in an overwhelming 16 cats within a half an hour. The animal rescue league prides itself on not turning away any Pets animal in need. Anna Vinacco who works at the shelter says many owners can no longer afford to keep their pets. Whatever the reason-- these fuzzy faces need help and a place to call home instead of a home inside a cage.

Animals suffer upset

Having survived the floods many will face the challenge of trade with their traumatised pets, according to experts from the Australian Veterinary Association. Veterinarians are expecting to deal with large numbers of traumatised pets over the coming weeks and months.

“The human disaster has been huge, but many survivors of the floods who are relying on their pets for emotional support may not realise that the animals have also been emotionally scarred by events,” said pets animal behavior specialist, Dr Kersti Seksel. “Dogs and cats that survive disasters can suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder in the same way as humans. “Pets that temporarily lost their owners and/or homes during the flooding may be suffering from division anxiety-related problems.”