Thursday, January 24, 2013
The former owner of the puppy found with a rubber band around its muzzle in December 2011 has been convicted of animal cruelty, according to WTSP 10 News.
The former owner of the puppy who was found with a rubber band around its muzzle in December 2011 has been convicted of animal cruelty, according to WTSP 10 News. The dog's former owner, Tieesha Cogdell, was sentenced Wednesday to 180 days in jail, then one year probation, and she is "not allowed to own any dogs again," according to a post on the SPCA Tampa Bay Facebook page. Cogdell was also ordered to repay the SPCA for Sox's veterinary care. The exact amount of restitution will be determined at a May 1st hearing, according to WTSP.com. The yorkie-poodle mix, Sox, now lives with his new family in Largo. Sox was adopted last February, almost two months after he was found by the SPCA. Sox's tale has a happy ending, but an SPCA Tampa Bay …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Pinellas County Sheriff's Deputies say they discovered the animals while responding to a 911 call about a missing child.
Nearly 300 animals were discovered at an Oldsmar home when deputies responded to a 911 call about a missing child early Sunday morning, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. A spokesperson says deputies responded to a call about a missing 16-month-old from a home at 206 Lee St. Jeffrey O'Neil, 26, and Jennifer Kovacs allegedly told deputies the child crawled out of a crib, opened the front door and had been missing for at least an hour. Deputies say when they arrived at the home, the couple appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. While at the home, a note was discovered from a relative who said they'd picked up the child and had taken her to their home because the child was crying and the relative could not wake O'Neil…
Friday, December 7, 2012
Recent reports about kittens in a freezer and a dog who took an ax to the face have the Tampa Bay area buzzing about animal cruelty laws. What's your take?
Two high profile incidents of animal abuse have sparked a strong reaction from Patch readers and community members about what should happen to those found guilty of animal cruelty. In St. Petersburg, a man was accused of wrapping four kittens in sandwich bags and sticking them in his freezer. Three of the kittens are recovering in Largo, while the fourth didn't survive. And in Bradenton, a dog was found last month walking through a neighborhood after taking an ax or machete to the head and face. Local animal services officials called it the worst case of animal cruelty they had seen out of "hundreds of cases a year." The pit bull mix, named Axel, is doing well, and several rewards have been offered to help find his attacker, including $10,…
Friday, August 10, 2012
SPCA Tampa Bay is offering a $500 reward after 5-month-old Beau had his leg, ribs and jaw broken in St. Petersburg.
SPCA Tampa Bay is trying to find out who is responsible for a vicious case of animal abuse of a 5-month-old puppy in St. Petersburg. The last attack on Beau, a boxer mix, left him with broken ribs and a broken jaw, officials said. His leg had been broken twice, the second time so badly that it had to be amputated. "Our hearts break at the abuse this young animal has suffered in only 5 months of life," wrote Nora Hawkins, guest services and promotions director of the Largo-based organization, in an email to Patch. "Beau’s injuries were extensive and show a pattern of abuse. Miraculously Beau is alive and healing." SPCA Tampa Bay took in the injured puppy in June, responding to a plea from a woman who had rescued Beau and got him life-saving…
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A puppy seller at Wagon Wheel Flea Market takes issue with the protests from some local residents who are opposed to his business. What do you think?
(Editor's note: The State Attorney's Office opted not to prosecute Mitch Pelletier in the case referenced in this article following an investigation in October 2012.) What's your take? Post a comment below or vote in our poll. The practice of selling animals in local open air markets has created an outcry on Facebook and led to a petition on change.org, but a local pet dealer has a different perspective on flea market puppy sales. Some local residents are against sales of animals at Wagon Wheel Flea Market in Pinellas Park on weekends. Tammy Sommers started the No Sales of Animals at Wagon Wheel Facebook page after seeing photos and going to the market, where she said she observed plastic wrapping on cages and empty water bowls. "Imagine …
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Authorities are investigating the death of a pit bull found about one-mile off shore.
Late last week the SPCA Tampa Bay received a call from a local fishing guide with a gruesome discovery. A deceased dog was found in the gulf off of Treasure Island weighted down by a concrete block. The dog was visible because the block had drifted into a shallow area, according to the SPCA Web site. SPCA Human Officer Rick Levi was able to retrieve the body, start a case file and order a necropsy. The black dog was approximately two to three years-old. The dog was neutered and weighed about 76 pounds. The dog did not have a microchip or collar, according to a Channel 8 news report. The Pinellas County Sheriffs Office, the Treasure Island Police and the SPCA all assisted in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing. If you have more …
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Busy week? Allow us to catch you up on some of the highlights.
1. Feral Cats Pose Dilemma for Local Animal Agencies. Animal caregivers have different perspectives on how to care for the county's feral cat population. Take the poll and let us know how you think the feral cat population should be controlled. 2. Who Has the Best Wings in Largo? There's a bunch of wing joints in the greater Largo area, but whose wings are king? We asked and you let us know. Thank you for voting. Congratulations to WingHouse! • Watch for this week's Best of Largo poll, which starts on Monday. 3. Largo and Pinellas Park Approve Recreation Services Agreement. As of March 5, Largo and Pinellas Park residents can pay resident rates for recreation services offered by both cities. 4. 'Dying' Dog's Former Owner Pleaded Not Guilt…
Amanda Price
6:44 pm on Friday, January 25, 2013
Great for Sox who finally found a real home! But, don't you think the sentence is a bit light? There's this thing I've read on equibbly about making penalties harsher for animal abuse and crimes involving animal cruelty - at least it will scare these nasty folks before they ever think of mistreating their pets. more ›