DOG FOUND IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE DITCH UNDERSCORES THE DANGERS OF OUR SUMMER SUN

Good Samaritans helped Humane Society animal cruelty investigators rescue a Boxer-mix dog with severe sunburn injuries.

Pima County is one of the few communities in the United States to have laws against animals being tied out and the rescue of a badly injured Boxer-mix dog last week by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) underscores why the law exists.

“Most people in the community probably understand the dangers of leaving an animal in a hot car, but the threat that direct sun exposure has on a dog may not be as obvious,” said Mike Duffey, HSSA’s animal cruelty investigator.

Duffey helped coordinate the boxer’s rescue and transportation to medical care after receiving a call about the dog from construction workers who found the animal cowering in a ditch on their job site. The dog had huge open burns all over his back from the top of his head to the base of his tail. HSSA veterinarians determined that the injuries were most likely due to extreme and prolonged exposure to the sun. A piece of cotton rope, apparently used as a tie-out for the dog, still hung around his neck.

“It is our assumption that the dog was tied to something and had no shelter from the sun,” Duffey said. “As he began to burn, he probably chewed through the rope to free himself. He then climbed into the ditch at the construction site because he was protected from the sun and the freshly turned dirt helped cool him down.”

Every summer, HSSA and the Animal Cruelty Taskforce (ACT) issue public warning and provide awareness information related to safety for animals; but every year officers still make numerous arrests for violations of these laws. Tie-outs are completely prohibited in Tucson and unincorporated Pima County; and are restricted in other communities such as Marana and Oro Valley. Tying an animal out can be charged as a First Class Misdemeanor; but if the animal suffers any serious bodily damage or death as a result of the tie-out, the owner could be charged with a felony. Additional information on summer safety for pets can be found by clicking here.

The boxer, whom HSSA staff named “Bobcat,” is recovering at the Society’s clinic and is not available for adoption at this time. His doctors believe he will be permanently scarred as a result of the burns. No owner has come forward to claim him.

“Bobcat’s” medical and rehabilitative care will be a costly and time-consuming process. Donations to the Second Chance Fund, a medical fund that provides emergency care for animals including abuse victims, are always desperately needed. Donations can be made by calling (520) 321-3704, Ext. 174, 116 or 117; by donating online at www.hssaz.org ; or by sending donations to the Humane Society at 3450 N. Kelvin Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85716. All donations are tax-deductible.

NEW PUBLIC SEMINAR: ANIMAL LAW FOR LAYPEOPLE

Did you know that it is illegal to chain your dog in your backyard in Tucson and Pima County? Or that in the City of Tucson, you are required to remove animal waste from your backyard every 24 hours? The Humane Society of Southern Arizona’s Community Outreach Department is pleased to offer an ANIMAL LAW FOR LAYPEOPLE seminar. This public seminar is geared towards educating the members of the community on the state and local laws regarding animals. It’s all too often that the “lack of knowledge” leads to a violation of law. This 1.5 hour presentation will cover local and state laws in easy-to-understand language; explain how a case is investigated, tried and prosecuted; and provide participants with practical ways they can protect their and other animals from harm. The presentation will also cover the recently passed laws and how to report violations.

This public seminar is perfect for new pet owners, winter visitors, new or current residents who want a better understanding of the laws regarding animals and how to report violations. The seminar will be held on September 26th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Companions for Life Center at 3456 E. Kleindale Rd. The cost is $10 per person, pre-registration is required. Please call (520) 881-7404 or email Jenison Silva to register or for more information. You may also visit the Humane Society’s website at www.hssaz.org.



TRIPLE ARRESTS MADE IN ARIZONA'S LARGEST ANIMAL HOARDING CASE

Last week, a Grand Jury handed out multiple indictments against Bill and Wanda Jones and their son, Robert Jones, in what is Arizona's largest animal hoarding case. The Joneses ran a dog breeding operation known as Tucson Teacups, specializing in Chichuahuas and other small breeds. When authorities visited their home in Avra Valley this Spring, they were shocked to find over 800 dogs living in filthy conditions. The animals were rescued by Pima County Sheriff's Department, Pima Animal Care Center and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, all ACT member agencies.

The Grand Jury indictment contained forty counts of felony animal cruelty against all three suspects. The Grand Jury actually increased some of the charges from misdemeanors to felonies and added a few more for fraud. All three suspects turned themselves into authorities on July 29th and were booked into the Pima County Jail.

The vast majority of the animals rescued from the Jones' property were saved and adopted into new homes by the Humane Society. Hundreds of volunteers, including local veterinarians, rallied to address the flood of animals and provide them with proper care. Additional information on the hoarding rescue, known as Operation Chihuahua, can be found on the Humane Society's website at www.hssaz.org.



BILL TARGETING PUPPY MILLS SIGNED INTO LAW

(State Capitol, Phoenix) – House Speaker Jim Weiers’ bill to combat puppy mills and unscrupulous people who sell animals on the side of the road became law today.

HB2485 received broad, bipartisan support in both the House and Senate and was signed into law Monday. The measure takes effect Sept. 26.

The bill bans the roadside sale of animals, including dogs, cats and rabbits. The common site of the people standing on a sidewalk or in a parking lot selling animals will be against the law. The move will help cut down on puppy mills by depriving them of a place to sell the animals. Sale of animals from private property with the permission of the owner will still be allowed. The bill only impacts Maricopa and Pima counties.

“The state will now provide important consumer protections for people looking to buy animals,” Weiers, R-Phoenix, said. “We are also taking away a significant incentive to mistreat animals being raised for quick sale.”

The bill came about out of a concern from a constituent. Weiers said he will continue to support legislation that provides consumer protections and ensures animal welfare.

For further information contact:
Barrett Marson, Director of Communications
Arizona House of Representatives
Office: (602) 926-3233, e-mail: bmarson@azleg.gov



ENFORCEMENT WILL BE VIGILANT TO HELP ANIMALS CAUGHT IN THE SUMMER HEAT!
The Animal Cruelty Taskforce of Southern Arizona [ACT] and its member agencies will be working hard in the coming weeks to raise awareness about the dangers of our summer heat on domesticated animals such as cats and dogs.

ACT has historically concentrated its efforts on the two greatest problems facing animals during hot weather: animals confined to unattended cars and animals left on tie-outs. This year, the taskforce will also be addressing the illegal vending of animals on street corners, in parking lots or on road sides. State, county and city ordinances all prohibit the confinement of animals in vehicles when conditions exist that may threaten the animal’s life or well-being. Such conditions may include extremely hot temperatures like we are already experiencing in southern Arizona. Both natives and visitors will regularly make the mistake of leaving their animals to suffer under these dangerous conditions in public parking lots, at malls, movie theaters, supermarkets, etc.

Arizona Revised Statute 13-2910-A7 allows police and animal control officers to use reasonable means to remove the animal from the vehicle, including breaking out windows. Officers can take these steps and provide emergency medical care to the animal without the owner’s knowledge or consent. If the animal suffers any serious bodily damage or death, the owner could be arrested and charged with felony-level animal cruelty.

Tie-outs are illegal in Pima County, the City of Tucson and most surrounding communities. Animals on tie-outs are under extreme risk during the summer heat. Often, dogs confined to ropes, tethers and chains have restricted access to shade, shelter, water and food. Some owners may increase the stress on the animal by applying heavy chains unsuitable for pets, or attaching a tether to a heavy object like cinder blocks, tires or weights. If left in the heat, animals living under these conditions are at extreme risk for illness or death. All animals are required to have access to appropriate shelter which will protect them from the elements, good ventilation and drinkable water under city, county and state laws.

No animal (defined as a mammal, reptile, amphibian or bird) can be sold, given away or otherwise transferred in public areas such as on public street, roadway, right-of-way, sidewalk, park or swap meet in Pima County. In the city of Tucson, the law prohibits the sale or transfer of ownership of animals on or from any public street, roadway, right of way, sidewalk and park except as provided by the Tucson Code. Police, animal control and humane organizations see a marked increase in complaints about illegal animal vending during the hot summer months, when the animals may be confined to vehicles, boxes or cages; set on hot surfaces such as pavement or concrete; denied water; or exposed to direct sunlight for hours at a time. The summer months also mark the peak of puppy and kitten season, and many unwanted litters are disposed of in this manner. Additional information on all these laws can be found by clicking here.

Police and animal control officers will be vigilant this summer to provide education and enforcement on these issues. ACT is asking for assistance by encouraging the public to contact 911 for animal-related emergencies such as confinement to hot cars. Welfare complaints can also be phone into the Pima Animal Care Center at (520) 243-5900. Additional information on enforcement issues can be found online at www.pimaanimalcare.org. The Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers additional useful services, including free information on summer and home safety for pets; and low-cost spay / neuter services to help solve the overpopulation problem. HSSA can be contacted at (520) 327-6088 or online at www.hssaz.org.

For additional information on keeping animals safe during the summer months, click here.