Posted on 04/12/2006 3:24:37 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
1:44 p.m. April 12, 2006
Animal control officers confiscated 28 tiny puppies that were stuffed under and taped into the front seat of a van that was trying to cross into the United States from Mexico, authorities announced Wednesday.
The dogs ranged in age from three to five weeks old and included boxers, Chihuahuas, cocker spaniels and poodle mixes, said Dawn Danielson, director of the county's Department of Animal Services.
They were jammed under the front seat of the van and a Customs agent saw a paw sticking out, Danielson said.
Some of the puppies are sick and all require some type of medical care, said Danielson. The dogs are so young they are just past the stage where they would have to be fed by bottle.
It is still too premature to tell if they all will survive, she said. Some of the smaller ones are questionable.
The driver of the van was cited for 28 counts of animal cruelty. He told officers he was on his way to a Los Angeles area swap meet to sell them.
Most of the pups are at the county shelter in Linda Vista, although some of them were taken to an emergency veterinary clinic. The dogs will be put into foster care until they are at least 8 weeks old and then they will be put up for adoption.
Danielson said dogs will continue to be smuggled across the border as long as there is a demand. She warned consumers not to buy dogs at swap meets and on street corners because they likely could end up with a sick animal that could die.
Go to a shelter instead, she said.
A "Ping" is to alert someone else there is an article they may be interested in. HairOfTheDog maintains a list of those who are dog owners or just enjoy dogs. When I put her name in the "To:" box at the top of my post she was "pinged" to this response/thread. She (or soemone else on the list) may be able to answer your other question.
Ping to the Doggie List means that someone is keeping a list of FReepers who love dogs and like to read stories about them. Hair of the Dog keeps the list, I think. Just drop him a FReep Mail and have your name added and he will ping you every time a dog story comes to his attention. At the top you your screen it will say in Red "Comments", or something like that -- click on the red writing and it will take you to all your "pings".
I don't know anything about your pet store, but I'd report them to the police, or to the Humane Society if you have proof that they sold you a sick dog.
One of the finest creatures (2-legged or 4) the Good Lord ever put on this earth was a total mutt from a shelter. She was smart, healthy, eager to please and full of love for her family.
Coming home every day made me understand how Bill Clinton must have felt walking into a room full of the MSM because she always showed far more affection, loyalty and understanding than I ever deserved. ;~))
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