60 Emaciated Dogs Rescued From Alabama Dog-Hog Fighting Operation

During their investigation of a suspected Cottonwood, Ala., operation that raises dogs to fight hogs, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and local police found 60 dogs in such horrible condition that they rescued them today.

Hog-dog fighting is illegal in Alabama (as well as in Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi), according to the HSUS. During these fights — which are often billed as “family entertainment” — the dogs chase trapped hogs. The dogs are ranked by how quickly they bite a hog’s face and bring the screaming animal down.

“To give the dogs an advantage, handlers may outfit them in Kevlar vests, or cut the hogs’ tusks off,” the HSUS notes. “Dogs in training may be set upon helpless farm hogs. The hogs may die after dogs tear off their snouts, ears or jaws.”

The dogs rescued from the Cottonwood operation are mainly Dogos Argentinos, along with two French Bulldogs and one German Shepherd. Ranging in age from 4 months to teens, the emaciated dogs are suffering from malnutrition, skin infections and other health problems.

Animal cruelty and felony drug-related charges are pending. The operation is still under investigation.

“These dogs are lucky that the authorities responded quickly to this situation,” Chris Schindler, manager of animal fighting investigations for the HSUS, said today in a press release. “With the recent cold temperatures and the dogs’ poor condition, they needed immediate attention. We are glad to have been called in to assist in this case, and we will continue to be part of the investigation and prosecution process.”

The dogs were taken to a temporary shelter, where they are being treated by veterinarians. PetSmart Charities is providing supplies and enrichment items for this case.

The HSUS said the dogs will evaluated for potential adoption via its Dogfighting Rescue Coalition, a national network of shelters and rescue groups dedicated to giving the survivors of dog-fighting operations a chance at a new life.

“The cruelty these dogs were shown is painful to see, and we couldn’t stand by and allow them suffer,” Colonel Jim Smith, public safety director for the town of Cottonwood, stated. “We are thankful that the HSUS was able to assist on this case, and especially glad to see these dogs off to better lives.”

To make a $10 donation to the HSUS to help support these rescues, text LOVE to 20222, or go to humanesociety.org/hogdog.

Photos via Facebook

Golden Globes, Schmolden Schlobes: First-Ever World Dog Awards Airs Thursday

Last night the Golden Globes kicked off the start of awards season. Next up? The World Dog Awards, which will air on The CW this Thursday, Jan. 15.

“For the first time, dogs will be celebrated for their work in entertainment, health services and the military, along with everyday dogs who found fame on the internet,” the network stated in a press release last July.

The show, hosted by George Lopez, was taped Saturday afternoon in the appropriately named Barker Hangar at Santa Monica Airport. (This seems to be a pawpular venue for canine-related shows. “FOX’s Cause for Paws,” which aired on Thanksgiving last year, was also taped there.)

“The dogs and their humans walked down a green carpet and paused for photos ops and questions,” writes Juliet Bennett Rylah on LAist.com, which published plenty of those photos.

“Bodhi [the dapper fella in the photo to the right] was described to us as an Instagram-famous Shiba Inu, and we were also introduced to Duke, a 7-year-old dog who was elected mayor of Cormorant, a village in Minnesota. We also met Peanut, the ‘World’s Ugliest Dog.’ Before making fun of Peanut’s appearance, though, remember that this little survivor was set on fire as a puppy and lived to bark about it.”

During the ceremony, winners received edible awards in categories ranging from “Best in Film,” to “Celebrity Dog Selfie,” to a “Most Dog-Like Cat” award for a feline. People were asked to vote for their favorites in each category from Dec. 15 to Jan. 9.

Four honorary awards were also presented:

  • Dog’s Best Friend: Presented by the ASPCA, this award will go to a celebrity who has advanced the welfare of homeless dogs and dog-related causes.
  • K911: Presented by Subaru, this award will go to a dog who’s an everyday superhero for helping to save a child’s life.
  • “The Dog’s Life” Achievement Award: Awarded to an iconic dog character in popular culture who has had a huge cultural impact.
  • Underdog: This honor will be bestowed upon a dog who overcame incredible obstacles or odds.

Among the celebrities scheduled to appear at the WDAs were Ian Somerhalder, Lance Bass, Lisa Vanderpump and Andy Cohen.

“We also saw Paris Hilton’s new dog, which is said to have cost $25,000 and fits in the palm of her hand,” Rylah writes.

Ugh. Hopefully there was an award for “Dog Mom Who Really Should Adopt Instead of Buy.”

The World Dog Awards was produced in conjunction with and for the benefit of the ASPCA and the PEDIGREE Foundation. The show airs Thursday at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CT) on The CW.

Photos: The CW, Twitter

Days Later, Mastiff Who Rescued Baby Needed Rescuing Himself

When Duke, the English Mastiff she and her husband rescued a year ago, woke her in the middle of the night earlier this month, Lucia Catherine Piscoglio, of Swedesboro, N.J., knew something was terribly wrong.

Piscoglio checked the video baby monitor next to her bed. The face of her 9-month-old daughter, Ava Jane, was buried in the bumper pad of her crib.

“As Duke and I ran to her side, I didn’t feel her inhale or exhale,” Piscolglio wrote on the Duke & Vaccination Awareness Facebook group page. “I am not positive if she ever stopped breathing, because I scooped her up so quickly and she began to cry from being startled. Duke gave her a quick lick on the head and we sat in there all together for awhile.”

Ava Jane and Duke, who’s 20 months old, have a special bond that was formed even before the baby was born.

“Throughout pregnancy he stayed by my side,” Piscolglio wrote. “Once Ava Jane was born, he immediately became her best friend. They never leave each other’s side. He sleeps outside her door. He is there for every diaper change, every bath and whatever else we decide to do.”

Just a few days after performing his heroic deed, Duke himself needed rescuing when he suffered a severe allergic reaction to a Lyme disease vaccination.

“He was swollen all over, not eating, not drinking, not going to the bathroom or even moving,” Piscoglio wrote.

Duke was placed in critical care at a local animal hospital, where veterinarians determined he had vasculitis, which destroys blood vessels, as well as hemorrhaging in his eye.

As soon as Piscoglio posted Duke’s story on the Facebook group page Mastiffs Rule Drool is Cruel, she received offers from around the world to help with his vet bills, according to NBC10.

Nearly $1,500 for his care has been raised as of today via the crowdfunding page Dukes Vet Bills.

The Facebook group Duke & Vaccination Awareness, which Piscoglio created after her dog’s ordeal, currently has about 345 members.

Duke was released from the hospital, but he still has swelling and difficulty walking. “He is being treated with a steroid pill, antibiotic, Benadryl twice a day and Pepcid,” Piscoglio wrote. “He has also been placed on a strict diet.”

Piscoglio noted that she is not against vaccines, but urged pet parents to educate themselves. “Ask questions, because we almost lost Duke to something preventable,” she wrote.

“This is a story that can show many that the world is not so bad and that there is kindness everywhere,” Piscoglio told NBC10. “Duke is Ava Jane’s guardian Angel. Now Duke has many guardian Angels.”

Photos via Facebook

Adoption Requests and Donations Pour in for Dog Left with Suitcase at Train Station

FEB. 4, 2015 UPDATE: Kai has been adopted.

One of the most heartbreaking dog photos of 2015 so far is of the Shar Pei mix abandoned at a Scotland train station, with a suitcase full of his belongings by his side.

“The dog is microchipped and we were able to find out his name is Kai,” said inspector Stewart Taylor of the Scottish SPCA on its website.

The owner said he had sold Kai on an online site in 2013, and could not provide information about the person who bought him. “This case highlights the potential consequences of selling an animal online, as it often leads to the impulse buying of pets that people know very little about,” Taylor said.

Kai was found Jan. 2 with his leash tied to a railing outside the Ayr train station in South Ayrshire. The suitcase next to him contained a pillow, toy, food bowl and food.

“Regardless of the fact Kai was left with his belongings, this was still a cruel incident and we are keen to identify the person responsible,” Taylor said. Under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, anyone found guilty of abandoning an animal can be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or for life.

Less than a day after Kai’s photo was posted on the Scottish SPCA’s Facebook page and subsequently went viral, nearly $4,000 in donations were raised on a crowdfunding page.

“The donation page was originally started so people could help pay for the operation Kai needs on his eyes,” senior animal care assistant Alan Grant told the Daily Record. “Any additional funds will be used to help care for the many sick, injured and abandoned animals at our rescue centers across the country.”

The shelter has received more than 100 requests to adopt Kai, from people around the world.

“Kai is around 2 to 3 years old and is a lovely dog with a nice nature,” Taylor said. “We will look after him until we can find him a permanent and loving home.”

Anyone with information about Kai’s owner is asked to call the Animal Helpline at 03000 999 999.

Photo via Scottish SPCA

More Than 500K Pet Parents Respond to Sick Teen’s Dog Photo Request

While 16-year-old Anthony Lyons undergoes chemotherapy in the Phoenix Children’s Hospital, he has just one request: for pet parents to post pictures of their pups on the Photo Doggies for Anthony Facebook event page.

More than 500,000 people from around the world have been glad to oblige. (Unfortunately, those photos have been removed because “one person decided to bring his negativity upon a great thing,” Lyons wrote on the Facebook page this morning. He is still asking for more photos.)

Lyons, who has three dogs at home, is being treated for lymphoblastic leukemia and must check into the hospital once each month.

Until now, the only thing that cheered him up was visits from the hospital’s therapy dogs.

“It really helps, the pet therapy,” Lyons told MyFoxPhoenix.com. “I can be in here having a really bad day, and then one of the dogs will show up and it will be the highlight of the day.”

But the therapy dogs only visit one day a week, so Roberta Lucero-Koron, a friend of Lyons’ mom, set up the Facebook page last week. It was an immediate success.

“This has gotten so viral. One thing I have to say is, make yourself smile too by looking at these beautiful animals that God gave us,” Lucero-Koron told USA TODAY. “I can’t stop crying from tears of happiness.”

Lyons is expected to recover, although the cancer treatments will go on for three more years.

“I hope I can continue to see all the pictures of your dogs,” he wrote on Facebook this morning. “No matter what, they make me happy and I try and look at every single one of them!”

You can post a picture of your pooch for Anthony on Facebook. He is also featuring some of the dog photos on Instagram (like Ruby, right, the “happiest lookin’ dog I’ve seen all day”).

Photos via Instagram

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