The case of the stolen 4 month-old English bulldog puppy stands out.

The family makes an appeal for the return of Romeo. And they’re even offering a reward. Brandie Nelson, “They came in through the back of the house kicked the back door in.”

Jon Nelson, “It was surprising because you know we’ve lived out here for a while. I’ve actually lived in this area and I’ve never had any problems like that.”

A brand new door and protection from ADT were the first things the Nelson family’s counting on to make sure they don’t become victims again.

Last Thursday burglars broke in and left little behind.

Jon Nelson, “I walked in. The first thing I noticed was the couch turned over and, you know, I looked over and the TV was gone. I went through the rest of the house and things were just turned over, you know, kind of destroyed and everything like that.”

They tell me the crooks swiped several plasma tvs, jewelry, money and numerous game systems along with the video games.

Brandie, “Very upset, very violated just really shocked.”

Police say it’s more than $10,000 dollars in losses.

But what this family misses the most is not *what* but *who* they say got stolen.

Brandie, “His name is Romeo. He’s an English Bulldog. He’s four months old. He was a Christmas present. He’s definitely happy, playful. Probably a little bit bigger than the picture. He’s grown quite a bit. He’s just a very happy friendly dog.”

They say they left Romeo in this cage with Ginger.

When they surveyed the mess the burglars made the puppy was no where to be found.

Jon, “I didn’t actually realize he was gone till probably around 10 minutes later.”

It’s a blow especially to the children.

Brandie, “The kids miss him. I can’t say how long they cried when all of this happened so that’s one thing we’re hoping that we can at least retrieve.”

Jon, “The other stuff you know it’s replaceable the dog is kind of not replaceable.”

The family is offering a small reward for any information that leads to the return of Romeo.

Call 423-400-9163 or 423-400-5143 if you can help the family.

Police tell us the puppy is worth $1500.

Technorati Tags: burglar, hixson family, lost english bulldog puppy, news

Spike, a defenseless puppy, remains under medical care two weeks after being beaten with a shovel and thrown against the ground by his owner.

East Elmhurst neighbor and eyewitness Alvin Lau captured the abuse on his cell phone’s video camera on Wednesday, February 24, as owner and alleged suspect, Maria Aguilar, 36, inflicted injuries on the 11-month-old English bulldog.

Lau called the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which transferred Spike to its Manhattan hospital.

“If this witness had not reported this cruelty to the ASPCA, Spike may well have continued to suffer abuse at the hands of his owner,” said ASPCA assistant director Joseph Pentangelo. “It is a crime that someone would do this to a defenseless pet.”

ASPCA special agent Deborah Ryan arrested Aguilar, 36, on Friday, March 5, at the 115th Precinct, after Aguilar turned herself in and the ASPCA’s “investigation yielded sufficient probable cause to support that arrest.”

According to Ryan, Aguilar admitted that she threw Spike and hit him with a shovel. She has been charged with felony interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, and two misdemeanors: criminal possession of a weapon and “Over-driving, torture and injury of an animal or under-feeding.”

In 2008, the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) unit, which upholds and enforces NY State animal cruelty laws, investigated 5,227 reported cases of animal cruelty, made 78 arrests, and rescued more than 400 animals.

According to Stacy Wolf, vice president and chief legal counsel of the HLE, though the number of investigations and arrest decreased, at least one third of the 2009 arrests have been for felonies.

“In recent years, cases have shown recognized links between violence to animals and violence in families,” said Wolf, who oversees 22 licensed Peace Officers with power of arrest. “People who go through the trouble to torture and create suffering may be doing it to human victims, too.”

Rhonda Windham, an anti-cruelty veterinarian at ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital on 92nd Street in Manhattan, said Spike’s veterinary medical records indicated he had been seen at least nine times by a clinic in Woodside between June 2009 and February 2010 for surgical and ophthalmologist consultations.

Part of Spike’s laundry list of physical abuse includes: a neck fracture; blindness in his right eye and injury to limbs that have cause lifelong lameness and some degree of pain in his joints, according to Windham, who added that Spike has sustained multiple injuries consistent with blunt force trauma.

The cruelty to Spike has shaken another East Elmhurst resident, Maria Orzo, who volunteers with the organization, Neighborhood Cats, that controls the cat population through the trap-neuter-return method. Orzo said she can’t get Spike’s suffering off her mind.

“She hit him and the little animal just cried. Just thinking about what happened to that poor dog is hair-raising,” said the animal-lover, who has seen the video of the abuse on the Internet. “I have two puppies that look like him and when I look at the photos, I just start to cry.”

Let’s hope this case of dog abuse send out a message to all pet owners to be loving and understanding owners in as much as we would expect our pets to love us back.

Technorati Tags: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dog abuse, east elmhurst, English Bulldog Puppy, maria aguilar, news, woman arrested

Almost four months later, that hope, and their prayers, was rewarded.

“It was a long shot, but we found her,” said a much-relieved Heim on Monday night. “Bethany and I always had the feeling that she was safe. We were getting constant tips and leads. People really cared about Maggie and us. It was incredible. We finally located her last week and brought her home on Friday night.”

She had not been abused by the dog-napper.

An individual who lives in Williamsport, but had spent time in Northumberland snatched Maggie.

Heim was tipped off last week by a “concerned citizen” in Northumberland who responded to a $500 reward offered by Heim and Whyne for information leading to the recovery of their dog.

“This man thought he knew who might have taken the Maggie,” Heim said. “Turns out, he was right.”

Heim declined to identify the informant.

“I want to respect his wishes to be anonymous, but the truth is that without the reward, I don’t think we would have found Maggie,” he said.

Heim called the Williamsport police after receiving the tip.

“We were lucky,” he said. “A Northumberland borough policeman, who now worked in Williamsport, was familiar with the case. The department was extremely cooperative and helpful.”

Heim drove up to Williamsport on Friday evening and met police at the home where Maggie had been taken.

Whyne, a nursing assistant at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, drove directly from work to Williamsport.

“I was very nervous,” she said. “Our hopes had been dashed so often. I thought, ‘Is this for real?’ I had many nights where I just cried. I mean, Maggie is my child.”

As she approached the house in Williamsport, a police officer motioned for her to come to the porch and identify the dog.

It was Maggie.

“The minute she saw me, I fell to my knees, and she started jumping at me and kissing me,” Whyne said. “We immediately identified her to police and then took her home.”

Whyne and Heim decided not to press charges against the individual.

“It might have been different if Maggie had been mistreated, but she wasn’t,” Heim said. “She was well-fed and groomed. Besides, our whole purpose in offering the reward was to get Maggie back. I wasn’t out to prosecute or pursue this as a criminal matter.”

They had been living in a Northumberland duplex for about a month before the dog went missing.

“It happened in an instant,” Whyne recalled. “It was a beautiful fall afternoon, and Maggie was in our fenced-in backyard sunning herself. I was in the house. Adam suddenly came in the house looking for Maggie. ‘Is she here?” he asked.

She was gone.

“We searched the neighborhood,” Whyne said. “Kids, parents, everyone looked for her. By the end of the day, we had the feeling that someone had just reached in and taken her. She’s such a friendly dog. She would have just jumped into a car.”

Whyne was dogged in her quest to get her pet back. She never gave up hope.

She placed lost-and-found advertisements every day in The Daily Item. They also hung posters and distributed fliers.

“People reacted with disbelief and anger that someone would take a pet,” Heim said.

And although Whyne had tons of calls and suggested leads, nothing panned out.

In the interim, they adopted another dog, Jack, a Schnauzer. They already had a poodle mix named Stewie.

“With Maggie gone, we wanted to give Stewie company,” she said.

Now, all three dogs run and play all over the house together.

“Maggie has to get used to the house again and to Jack, but they’re starting to get along,” Whyne said, laughing.

The day after bringing Maggie home, they began taking down the fliers they had posted all over town.

“We’re getting cheers when people recognize Maggie,” Whyne added. “People are so happy that she is back home and safe.”

“We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we received,” she said. “People, even strangers, kept telling us, you’d find her. Everything will be OK. To all those people, I want to say this is a story with a very happy ending.”

Technorati Tags: adam heim, bethany whyne, lost english bulldog, maggie, news, northumberland

Three men are facing burglary charges after one of them told police they broke into a northeast-side pet store and swiped three pricey puppies last month including an English bulldog.

Shane Bradtmiller, 31, of the 1400 block of Kitch Street, told police he, Kory Lee Church and Timothy Harris broke into Petland at 10538 Maysville Road on Dec. 30, a probable cause affidavit filed Wednesday said.

Expensive pet supplies as well as an Italian greyhound, a chiweenie and an English bulldog were taken.

Officers arrested Church, 20, of the 15700 block of Canyon Ridge Road, and Harris, 23, of the 1900 block of Vermont Avenue, this month after an informant told police the two were trying to sell stolen pet supplies.

Police went to Harris’ home and found two of the puppies. The third was later recovered at a Decatur home.

Church and Harris initially faced charges of receiving stolen property. They were each charged this week – Harris with one count of burglary and Church with two counts of burglary.

Church was being held in lieu of $21,500 bail. Harris is also charged with driving with a suspended license. He was being held without bail.

Bradtmiller was arrested Jan. 12. He is charged with two counts of burglary and one count of receiving stolen property. He was being held without bail.

Technorati Tags: bail, english bulldog new, kory lee church, petland pet store, robbery theft crime, shane bradtmiller, timothy harris

The Road Home episode shows how Little Girl, a Catahoula leopard dog mix, is given a second chance and learns to overcome her fears with help from John Garcia, in hopes that she will be adopted. Shy dogs are often among the first to be euthanized in shelters because they are difficult to adopt, but not at DogTown, a no-kill facility. Later we will follow a morbidly obese Chihuahua, Tuli, with a tiny head and a pineapple-size body, who must lose weight to become healthy enough for adoption. Finally, we meet Shockey, a terrier mix who is full of energy and excitement that makes her hard to control. See how DogTown manager Michelle Besmehn works to help Shockey listen to commands and overcome her stubbornness.

“Obese Chihuahua” – Due to serious health concerns, an overweight Chihuahua has to shed some pounds.

“Little Girl’s Big Fears” – An extremely shy dog overcomes her fears at Dogtown.

Technorati Tags: chihuahua, dogs, dogtown, january 29 2010, national geographic channel, the road home

Here is a preview on how John Garcia find a Sanctuary for Shaggy:

Shaggy, a mixed-breed feral dog, survived living in the wild near the Grand Canyon and may never have socialized with humans. After six years of extreme weather and hardship, Sherry Woodard helps Shaggy learn how to begin to trust and interact with humans. Next, Dr. Mike and his wife turn to John Garcia for help with their dog Penny, a mischievous beagle mix whose uncontrollable behavior must be corrected before she causes more damage to their happy home. Finally, Reggie’s family can no longer afford the veterinary care for this elkhound mix and surrender him to DogTown, where he is treated for a mysterious disease that is slowly destroying his nose and ears.

Kanab, UT, USA: Penny on the sofa with Dr. Mike Dix and Elissa Jones. (Photo credit: © NGT)

“Shaggy the Survivor” – After surviving 6 years alone in the Grand Canyon, this wild and dreadlocked pup is heading to DogTown.

“Puppy Puzzles”- Penny’s a little too clever for Mike and Elissa’s own good. So John’s got some tools to keep this rambunctious pup occupied.

Technorati Tags: dogtown sanctuary episode, english bulldogs, john garcia, national geographic channel

For the meantime, read on to know what the new episode is all about.

(Photo credit: © NGT)
Kanab, UT, USA: Dr. Patti Iampietro takes a look at Lake, a blind retriever-mix, who lost her sight due to complications with diabetes.

Meet one of DogTown’s toughest challenges, Clemance, a shepherd mix rescued from the 2006 Lebanon-Israel war. DogTown manager John Garcia helps the traumatized canine overcome her aggression toward people and other dogs when she is on a leash. John teaches Clemance through a strong relationship that meeting dogs while on a leash is no reason to lash out. Then meet Lake, a blind Lab mix forced to live in isolation because of her severe aggression toward other dogs. Dr. Patti Iampietro is part of the medical team that performs a complex procedure that may help Lake regain her sight and potentially curb her aggressive tendencies. Finally, two neglected Chihuahua mixes, Monte and Piñata, rescued from filthy and unsafe conditions, are skittish and terribly shy. Trainer Pat Whitacre creates a unique training program that teaches the dogs how to trust humans with the hope that it will lead to a permanent home for them.

Watch a video on “Canine Cataract Surgery”  below.

Cataracts have blinded the diabetic dog. Dr. Patti hopes surgery will help restore at least some of his sight.

Watch a video on “Chihuahuas Surplus” below.

A glut of unwanted Chihuahuas in L.A. results in euthanization and neglect – but this pair of pups get a second chance.

Technorati Tags: dogtown, january 10, National geographic, television programs

DOG WHISPERER: CESAR IN OZ

Friday, January 8 at 9PM ET/PT

Brisbane, Australia: Paris, a Shar Pei, gives Cesar Milan a kiss. She’s a cuddly and bubble dog belonging to the Cowleys. (Photo credit: © MPH – Emery/Sumner Joint Venture)

Dog Whisperer: Cesar in Oz continues with Cesar in Australia. Cesar begins working with Sydney, a 9-year-old Weimaraner who was attacked by a man on a postie motorbike, the vehicles used by Australian mail carriers. The incident turned Sydney aggressive against posties or anyone riding one of the motorized red postie delivery bikes. Cesar pulls out all the stops to stamp out Sydney’s postie phobia. Next Cesar faces one of his toughest challenges in Oz as he meets Vincent, a 4-year-old shar-pei who has a thirst for blood, attacking other dogs and his owner. Cesar’s Australian adventure is not over yet — he meets Australian red cattle dog Astro, who barks incessantly at the oddest activities, including making the bed, riding a bike or carrying an object out of the house. In this special destination episode, Cesar gets a taste of Australian wildlife … in canine form.

“Astro’s Epic Bark” – Alison’s dog, Astro, has been barking almost non-stop for 7 years. Will Cesar bring a little silence back into their lives?

This pup has a bite history with mail men on red motorbikes. Can Cesar change this dog’s relationship with the posties?

DOGTOWN: BRIGHT FUTURES

Friday, January 8 at 10PM ET/PT

Kanab, UT, USA: Sherry Woodard and Kristi Littrell spend quality time with Billy, a dog who needs management for aggressive behavior. (Photo credit: © NGT)

When animal control seized pit bulls from Michael Vick’s property, 22 of the most severe cases were sent to DogTown for rehabilitation. While many of the Vick dogs have made steady progress, one in particular has been a challenge for DogTown manager John Garcia. When Handsome Dan arrived, he suffered from a crippling fear of people and had been known to face his kennel wall for hours on end. Under the expert care of Garcia, we’ll see how Handsome Dan has transformed from an emotionally traumatized pit bull into one who is ready for adoption. Then, Dr. Patti Iampietro races to find a cure for Charlene, an elderly spaniel mix with a mysterious life-threatening illness. And finally, meet Billy, a behaviorally challenged rottweiler mix who has a habit of lashing out when strangers try to touch him. Watch as behavioral consultant Sherry Woodard doesn’t give up on helping Billy.

“Billy’s Bad Behavior” – When Billy starts showing signs of aggression, his trainer tries to find an explanation. Could there be a physical problem?

“Vick Dog Rehab” – After spending most of this life in a cage, this former fight dog gets his first taste of wide open spaces.

Technorati Tags: cesar milan, dog whisperer, dogtown, january 2010, National geographic, new episodes, television program

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) – A late night robbery a day before Christmas Eve left the Petland Store at 10538 Maysville Road with three less puppies.

The suspect or suspects snatched three purebred dogs, along with about $20,000 dollars in merchandise.

Employees found out about the robbery early Thursday.

“At 7 o’clock my kennel manager and staff came in to feed the puppies and clear the kennels and everything,” recalled store owner Kit Farrar. “That’s when my kennel manager noticed something was wrong.”

Farrar rushed in to find the puppies missing, along with empty shelves and racks. The thieves took an English bulldog, Italian Greyhound, and Chiweenie, a Dachshund and Chihuahua mix.

Each of the pups was between nine to ten weeks old and anything but cheap.

“The bulldog is almost four thousand dollars, that’s our most expensive breed,” Farrar told NewsChannel 15. “We just want the puppies back safe. They’re very young and need to be returned immediately so they can continue their veterinary care.”

Farrar says the robbers pried their way in through the back dooor, and then kicked in his office door to steal the safe.

And they didn’t stop there.

“A whole bunch of our Eukanuba food, all our electronic collars, designer shampoos, retractable leashes, a bunch of filters from our fish department. It seemed like they were collecting the right things to take,” said Farrar.

Because of the volume and sizes of the items stolen, Farrar supsects more than one robber was involved. He says police were able to find a few fingerprints to analyze.

The store had no alarm, or cameras. There is some surveillance video from the nearby Wal-Mart that could help though. The possibility of the robbery being an inside job has just about been ruled out.

In the meantime, Farrar’s installed a deadbolt, and an alarm system is next. Police are also watching the building.

Petland’s partnered with a group called HelpMeFindMYPET to get the word out about the heist and they’re hoping for a safe return.

HelpmefindMYPET is an organization that helps recover lost ot stolen animals. It reports that the stolen puppies were all microchipped and enrolled in its registry. The group has sent out an alert for all three puppies and is working closely with Fort Wayne police to locate them.

If you have information on the stolen dogs, call HelpmefindMYPET’s 24 hour toll free hotline at 866-699-FIND (3463) or visit the website.

Technorati Tags: english bulldog, fort wayne, news, pet store robbed, robbery

Kimberly Wray said she had just let her 3-month-old English bulldog named Clay outside her residence to go to bathroom Saturday.

Minutes later he was gone.

“I started to panic,” she said. “He doesn’t run off, because he’s scared of cars.”

Not only was her dog missing, but two kittens named Obi and Jax had vanished as well. All that was left were the animals’ collars.

After posted a missing pet notice on the Internet, someone contacted her Wednesday saying they had picked up her dog off the side of U.S. Highway 31. The dog appeared headed toward Pulaski.

Wray said she’s glad to have Clay back, but she’s still worried about her two cats.

“It really has put a damper on our Christmas,” she said. “We are relieved to finally have Clay back, but we are still very concerned about the kittens.”

Maury County Sheriff’s Detective Terry Chandler said authorities have charged 47-year-old Laurie Montgomery with theft of more than $1,000 for allegedly stealing the pets.

According to an arrest warrant, Montgomery was seen carrying an English bulldog to the Maury County Animal Shelter, though officials refused to take in the canine.

Montgomery’s home at 3893 Bigbyville Road is about 1 1/2 miles away from Wray’s residence.

Wray has been reunited with her English bulldog while Montgomery is charged with allegedly stealing the pet.

Montgomery was released from custody after posting $2,500 bond.

Several attempts to contact Montgomery were unsuccessful.

Chandler said Montgomery runs a rabbit rescue farm in Columbia. The nonprofit organization “rescues injured and abandoned domestic rabbits, while educating the public on rabbit care and behavior,” according to the Bunny Rescue’s Web site.

Before the dog was found, the detective speculated Montgomery tried giving the dog to a friend.

Chandler said if an animal is seen running loose, the best thing to do is call animal control.

“People will go around thinking they’re doing the right thing, but it turns out they’re just picking up somebody’s pet,” he said.

As for Wray, she said she will keep a close eye on her animals.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Maury County Sheriff’s Department at (931) 388-5151.

Technorati Tags: english bulldog, kimberly wray, maury county, news, pet thief cases