Rescued Animals Thrive After Bust
By Donna Summerall - Daily Times Leader
In late June, five horses, 23 pit bulls and four other dogs were rescued in one of the largest animal hoarding cases in Clay County. Officials asked Shaw Pit Bull Rescue in Columbus to be read to take in four puppies. The agency made room for the new arrivals, however that number soon ballooned into 18 dogs. Two were pregnant and gave birth to 13 puppies total. The rescue took them all in and the dogs are receiving the care they need to regain their health.
"We were awarded a $1,500 grant by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals," said Kenneth Shaw, owner of the rescue. "We're using the money to buy more kennels to give these dogs some space. They are all thriving. They were full of fleas in ticks, their coats were filthy. Now with a lot of love, healthy food and medical treatment, these dogs can be adopted. But only to loving homes, we are very careful about who adopts our rescues. We don't want them to ever be mistreated again."
Any animal leaving the Pit Bull Rescue has been spayed or neutered and has an implanted microchip. This prevents dogs from being adopted and then shipped elsewhere to be used in dog fighting rings, Shaw said.
The rescued horses have not fared as well, according to reports from the Golden Triangle Horse Rescue, Sweetie and Cocoa, two of the horses seized in the bust, did not make it. However, Dallas, the bay Clay County mare, is doing much better. Dallas' coat is already starting to show signs of improvement, and her balanced diet is working well for her. According to the Golden Triangle Horse Rescue, Thunder, the horse that was blind in one eye, is also doing well; and Lena, the black Clay County mare, is improving daily.