Breed tells us how dogs look, not how they behave
News and headlines for the week ending February 7, 2025
In the news: Dog abuser sentenced to 475 years in prison. Gone, but not forgotten. Another week, another pet food recall. Exposure to common household chemicals increases the risk of cancer in dogs. Do you have what it takes to save lives? Communities are looking for someone to run their animal shelter. The No Kill Companion 2025 is a number 1 new release. Local pounds are letting animals suffer from parasitic infections. Scotland rejects a nativist fever dream to ban cats. Breed tells us how dogs look, not how they behave.
These are some of the stories making headlines in animal protection:
Dog abuser sentenced to 475 years in prison
An animal abuser “has been handed a 475-year prison sentence after more than 100 malnourished pit bulls were found tied to trees in his backyard as part of a dogfighting ring.” According to the prosecutor, “Everywhere you looked, you couldn’t take a step in any one direction without there being another pit bull staked out on a chain.”
Thanks to a tip from an Amazon driver, authorities in Paulding County, GA, discovered the 107 malnourished dogs. The dogs were chained to trees and metal stakes, lacked food and water, and exhibited signs of dog fighting, such as scars and forcibly removed teeth. Investigators also uncovered equipment associated with dog fighting, including a treadmill, a breeding stand, and a “break stick” used to force open dogs’ jaws during fights.
The defendant was convicted on 93 counts of dog fighting and 10 counts of animal cruelty. The rescued dogs were taken in by the United States Department of Agriculture and placed with a rescue organization.
Gone, but not forgotten
This week saw the solemn anniversary of the killing of little Gabriel. Gabriel arrived last year at the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority (SEAACA) in Downey (Los Angeles County), CA. He had a broken jaw. SEAACA is a regressive pound with a history of fighting animal protection legislation and violating the constitutional rights of rescuers and volunteers.
Not surprisingly, SEAACA chose not to fix the puppy’s jaw. They also decided not to reach out to rescue groups to see if they would provide the medical care that SEAACA would not. Rather than provide medical care or contact rescuers for assistance, SEAACA’s staff found it easier to kill him. And that is what they did.
And while SEAACA leadership and staff bear the brunt of the blame, they are not the only ones responsible for Gabriel’s death. Best Friends Animal Society is also culpable. So is the California Animal Welfare Association, a lobbying group whose members include Austin Pets Alive, Petco Love, the National Animal Control Association (NACA), and most kill pounds in the state.
These organizations opposed and defeated AB 595, legislation that would have required California pounds like SEAACA to notify rescuers before killing an animal. And given that such notifications are possible through shelter software already used by these facilities or available for free, complying would have required nothing more than a stroke on a keyboard — one click to let rescuers know that a life needs saving.
Had it passed, Gabriel would be alive today.
Another week, another pet food recall
