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- Massachusetts, USA -

 

⚠️WARNING⚠️The article contains pictures some of you may find distressing⚠️


~ Update: February 26, 204

 

The New England Wildlife Center announced that the raccoon sadly passed away.

 

Part of a Facebook post published by the agency read: “Friends we have some very sad news to share. Despite our efforts and round the clock care we lost our patient today. We were so hopeful we could get her through this tragic event but the damage to her body from the burns ended up being too severe. Yesterday she underwent her third surgery to address her burns and even more tissue had become necrotic since the last procedure. We removed the damaged tissue and applied honey to help with the healing process. Her vitals were stable throughout the process. This morning we found her more lethargic than usual and shortly after her morning meds she arrested. Though CPR was attempted and emergency medications administered, we simply weren’t able to get her back.  We are all very sad today, but don’t regret giving her a chance.  We know she was fighting until the end.”

 

I don’t recall reading the Voiceless Victim’s name in any of the posts or articles I have come across, so I took the liberty of naming her Angel. Should her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

 

Update on Voice For Us Facebook page


~ Original story:


The Quincy Police Department arrested 63-years-old ANDREW CHIEU (pictured) after he cruelly trapped a raccoon and attempted to set him on fire.

 

On Saturday, December 30, 2023, officers responded to a residence on Royal Street after receiving a call about a resident attempting to light a raccoon on fire in their backyard.

 

Upon arrival, officers found two neighbors arguing and a helpless live raccoon trapped in a cage with severe body injuries. Investigators obtained a video of the incident which showed CHIEU building a fire in a tin can. The footage goes on to show that as the fire intensifies, CHIEU put the trapped raccoon on top of the can.

 

Officers took the Voiceless Victim to New England Wildlife Center and the organization wrote in a Facebook post: “…Miraculously this raccoon survived the incident, but remains in critical condition. He suffered severe burns to his stomach, back, and paws. Raccoons have more nerves running to their hands than almost any other animal on earth, so we know this has to be extremely painful.  Almost all of its fur is either completely missing or burnt from the fire. Burns this severe are extremely painful and pose a severe health risk for the animal. Besides the obvious skin damage, burns this widespread can lead to severe infection, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and blood pressure issues. Right now we are working hard to stabilize this patient by providing multiple pain meds, antibiotics, fluids and nutritional support. This raccoon has a long road to recovery ahead, but he is a fighter and we will do everything we can to get him through.”

 

CHIEU was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. On Tuesday, January 2, 2024, he was arraigned at Quincy District Court.

 

As New England Wildlife Center explained in their Facebook post, “Raccoons play an important role in urban and suburban ecosystems across MA. They eat rodents and insects and can act as a backyard cleanup crew for decaying [carrion] and vegetative matter.” The post goes on to say: “There are plenty of reasons to love these curious creatures and if you practice a few key safety tips it is easy to co-exist with them. This time of year in particular is a great time to do some raccoon proofing. Capping chimneys, making sure the underside of decks and sheds are secured, and using lids on outdoor trash cans will go a long way towards limiting negative interactions during the coming baby season.”

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

 


Additional Source:





 
 
 

- Indiana, USA -


On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the Noble County Sheriff’s Department arrested 54-years-old DARLEEN DENISE CERVANTES (pictured).


According to court documents, on the morning of September 1, 2023, Lawrence Kirsch called the sheriff’s department to report two deceased puppies on his property at 1383 E. Baseline Road in Albion. Mr. Kirsch explained that the puppies were CERVANTES’, his tenant.


When deputies responded to the scene, Mr. Kirsch explained that in February of this year, he let CERVANTES set up her camper on his property to supplement his income and let her bring twelve (12) dogs.


Mr. Kirsch went on to say that between June and July there were more dogs on the property and that CERVANTES was not properly caring for them. Moreover, Mr. Kirsch told deputies that CERVANTES had been away from the property for about two weeks while she was staying with a friend in Huntertown.

Mr. Kirsch’s daughter was also present and she expressed her concern for the dogs because she said they were “real skinny”.


Conservation officers were called in and an investigation into these reports was launched.


In cages and kennels located in various stalls, investigators found more than twenty-five dogs, a raccoon, and two emaciated foxes. There were also empty bags of dog food and buckets of dirty water.


According to WFFT, investigators found two dogs, a Pointer and a Bernese Mountain, in a kennel with no food or water.

In a closed shed, they found many animal cages, large amounts of dirt, and feces.

Additionally, investigators found two female Bulldogs, a male yellow Labrador, two female Belgian Malinois, four female and one male Anatolian Shepherd/Pyrenees mixed puppies approximately nine months old, an adult female Rottweiler and five puppies approximately three or four weeks old, and three male Belgian Malinois.

Authorities said none of the dogs had any food or water.


One of the kennels contained four Belgian Malinois puppies, approximately four months old. Sadly, two of them were found lifeless. The puppies’ fur was matted with blood, feces, and dirty water.


In a room with very little light, officials found a male Pitbull mix in a very small kennel, a male Border Collie mix in a dog pen zip-tied shut, and a female Australian Shepherd locked in a kennel.

Authorities reported that none of these dogs had enough room to move around or stand and that they were forced to lay on their own feces.


Officials then called in a few organizations for assistance with removing the Voiceless Victims.

Northern Indiana Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation took custody of the raccoon and foxes.


Michelle Bobay, President of the Shadarobah Horse Rescue, told 21Alive the organization took in eleven dogs. Among them are the two surviving Belgian Malinois puppies who were examined by a vet and it was determined they had Parvo. That is suspected to have killed the other two puppies.


21Alive reports that Tracie Mullins, Executive Director at the Humane Society of Noble County, took in fifteen dogs “in hopes of nursing them back to health.”


According to WFFT, authorities called CERVANTES to inform her that they removed the animals. When they asked CERVANTES for proof that the animals were hers, she denied all of them were hers and said that her animals were the ones in the shed because it had a working air conditioner.


CERVANTES told deputies she would go to the station to give a statement on September 7, 2023, but on that day, she called to advise deputies that she had gotten a lawyer and would not provide a statement.


CERVANTES is charged with twenty-six (26) misdemeanor counts of cruelty to an animal. At time of writing, she is being held at the Noble County Jail.

Court records show that CERVANTES’ next court hearing is slated for November 6, 2023, at 10:15 a.m. before Judge Steven C. Hagen.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.


Story on Voice For Us Facebook page


CERVANTES’ mugshots provided to Voice For Us by the Noble County Jail.


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