RutlandHerald.com - We Are Vermont

Animal cruelty sweep nets 110



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By Brent Curtis Herald Staff - Published: December 6, 2008

More than 110 animals of all kinds were removed from farms in Hubbardton and Brandon on Friday in what the Rutland County Sheriff's Department said is the largest animal cruelty investigation in Rutland County in years.

Sheriff Stephen Benard said his deputies along with about 50 volunteers from the Rutland County Humane Society and Spring Hill Horse Rescue spent the day Friday removing everything from dogs and cats to horses, goats and sheep from farms on Monument Hill Road in Hubbardton and Kimball Road in Brandon.

Benard said he couldn't release the names of the animals' owners since no arrests had been made yet in the case. However, the sheriff did say that the owners, who own both farms, would probably face charges once the investigation was complete.

The Sheriff's Department began investigating the two farms three weeks ago after a state Fish & Wildlife official found a dead goat on one of the properties.

Benard said the animals were voluntarily surrendered to police for evaluations by local veterinarians after police spoke with a lawyer representing the farms' owners.

While the evaluations are still taking place, Benard estimated that as many as 40 percent of the animals exhibited signs of neglect and malnourishment.

"There are a lot in dire need of care," he said. "A lot of them need dental care. We found one basset hound with teeth ready to fall out."

The different species removed from the farms includes cats, dogs, rabbits, fowl, ferrets, doves, a miniature horse, horses, Shetland ponies and goats.

The extreme quantity of animals and the medical care that many require has taken its toll on the Humane Society and Horse Rescue, both of which need the public's health, Benard said.

"This case has stressed animal services in Rutland County beyond the max," he said. "The Humane Society and Spring Hill could use everything from food and hay to monetary donations to get through this."

Contact Brent Curtis at brent.curtis@rutlandherald.com.








READER COMMENTS


Thank you to the people who are helping the animals. A beacon of light in a sometimes dark cruel world. Animals seem to be the first to suffer.
THanks to the helpers.
-- Posted by mary narkiewicz on Mon, Dec 8, 2008, 2:26 pm EST

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Good maybe this will serve has a warning to the other people who don't take care of thier animals be it pets or farm animals. Way to often people get animals without thinking about the future How will I care for this these animals when they are grown? Will I be able to afford food do I have good shelter when it grows up can I aford the vet bills?
Think about it hard I own land and have farming rights but I want to make sure I can afford the time and expenses in taking care of these animals they are cute little babies for only a short time then they need room to graze good shelter updated shots and care (time spent) brushing bathing taking to vet talking to in a nurtioring way we all need touch love even animals. It is a big commitment but very much worth it if you can take care of them properly. Animals respond like people ignore them they get sick depresed and people who take out anger on thier animals should be put in jail with lots of counciling and not be allowed to own animals anymore.
-- Posted by Fran Man on Sun, Dec 7, 2008, 9:15 pm EST

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Thank you to all the people that were involved in the rescue of these poor animals. I hope that the majjority of them are nursed back to health so as to be adopted by responsible people. They all deserve a second chance.
-- Posted by Jane Doe on Sun, Dec 7, 2008, 2:11 pm EST

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I am glad to know that the animals are getting help, however I have to remember that hoarding is a sickness and it can also be helped, if someone is willing to look at both sides.The only way to make sure it doesn't keep happening, is to help both the animals and the owner.
-- Posted by Virginia Smith on Sun, Dec 7, 2008, 7:19 am EST

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I doubt that anything will happen to these sick sick people. they will get a slap on the hand and told not to own anymore animals. after all there was a case in Wallingford last year about this time where a lady had animals, many of them, that were starving and not being taken care of. she lost one animal to death. and there was **** and urine all over her house and the kids were walking in it. There were dogs locked upstairs scratching to come out with nothing in that room. she got a slap on the hand and was told not to own anymore animals. so I don't expect anything to happen to these people. They should be treated the same way they treated the animals after all we were brought up do unto others as you would want done to you.
-- Posted by Michelle Burnett on Sat, Dec 6, 2008, 8:06 pm EST

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Thank You for saving those poor helpless animals. I am a huge animal lover and I donate to helping animals at shelters when I can. I am glad there is a law against animal credulity. I hope these people are prosecuted to the fullest if they are the ones to blame. Thanks again for helping our furry friends.
-- Posted by Brenda Coffin on Sat, Dec 6, 2008, 7:01 pm EST

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I want to thank the people who reported this issue. I also want to thank the quick response of the agencies involved. Animal cruelty and puupy farms are a big problem in this little state, and we need to pay attention to this epidemic. Charge the offenders to the fullest extent of the law. We punish drug dealers and users, put them on the front page and on the first five minutes of the news. Why not these criminals who torture precious lives? These people are evil and deserve to rot in prison, a steel cage the size they put the animals in, and yes, leave the feces.
-- Posted by Alicia Sherman on Sat, Dec 6, 2008, 11:48 am EST

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This is a very sad situation indeed. Although the animals have been rescued the problems are not over. Spring Hill Horse Rescue as well as the Humane Society will be in desperate need of donations big or small. If enough people get involved/donate we can make a difference!!! Spring Hill Horse Rescue is located on the Middle Rd in Clarendon.
Thanks....
-- Posted by Rutlander None on Sat, Dec 6, 2008, 10:02 am EST

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I just want to say Thank You for the quick action that has taken place in this incident. I am happy to see that these animals will get a chance to have a second attempt at a happy life.. Thank You to all of you HEROES involved in this case, especially to the first warden for the quick action he/she took to get the ball started. I am sure if these animals could talk the would be saying the same thing
-- Posted by Michelle Burnett on Sat, Dec 6, 2008, 5:54 am EST

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