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Nearly thirty dogs and puppies rescued from severe abuse and neglect in Polk County

Updated: Nov 13, 2024

- Missouri, USA -


On November 8, 2024, the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued twenty-eight puppies and dogs from a property in Polk County.


The rescue is the result of multiple visits to the property and repeated efforts by the Animal Cruelty Task Force to work with the property owner to improve the dogs’ care.


The ACT investigator warned the property owner that the animals may be removed if their health and environment didn’t improve. However, despite the warnings, when the ACT investigator returned to the property to check on the welfare of the dogs, most recently thirty days ago, it was apparent that their wellbeing and safety worsened. At that point the Polk County Sheriff removed the dogs under a warrant and placed them in the care of HSMO.


The Voiceless Victims had no access to food or water, and were tethered to heavy chains, which limited their movement and ability to seek shelter.

According to the HSMO, many dogs were found severely underweight and many others were found injured.

Sadly, many dogs were also found deceased.


In a press release, the Humane Society of Missouri said the dogs, who are of various breeds and breed mixes, were taken to “HSMO’s Macklind headquarters in St. Louis to receive health evaluations and emergency veterinary treatment.”


HSMO President Kathy Warnick said: “These dogs lived in horrific conditions, and had we not intervened, many more may not have survived. We are grateful for the cooperation of the Polk County Sheriff and their assistance in helping us rescue these animals from such dangerous neglect before their conditions worsened or they died. Now that they are safe, community support is critical to ensure these dogs receive the care and treatment they deserve and a new chance for a better life with a loving family.”


On December 4, 2024, a disposition hearing will determine whether HSMO will assume legal custody of the dogs. As explained in the press release, “If awarded custody, HSMO will make the dogs available for adoption after they have been given a clean bill of health by the veterinarians and evaluated by the animal behavior team. As the animals recover – medically and behaviorally – they will be made available for adoption on a case-by-case basis.”


Meanwhile, the HSMO is requesting the community’s help with more supplies such as “blankets, towels, sheets, comforters, newspaper and of course toys!! New or used are both very much appreciated!”

For their Amazon Wish List, please click here. Thank you!


I have emailed the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to see whether any arrests were made in connection with this case and at the time of writing, I have not received a response.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Humane Society of Missouri. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.





 
 
 

KIMBERLY ANN SAVINO arrested – Dead dogs found in a freezer many live animals found in filth

- Massachusetts, USA -


Following an animal welfare investigation, the Middleborough Police Department has charged 43-year-old KIMBERLY ANN SAVINO with twenty counts of animal cruelty.


In a press release police said that SAVINO turned herself in at Wareham District Court on November 7, 2024, after Middleborough Police had obtained a warrant for her arrest on October 30, 2024.


On October 18, 2024, Middleborough Animal Control responded to a home on 53 Precinct Street to execute an administrative warrant as part of an investigation prompted by neighbors’ complaints.


According to NBC Boston, prosecutors said that “neighbors had reported concerns about animals at the home, with underweight and muddy horses chewing on boards from hunger.”


Nicole Piacentini, Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney, said: “In the basement they discovered 19 animals, 17 dogs, two cats all in crates. All covered in urine and feces. The animals had no food, no water. It appeared the horses were chewing on the shelter as they had no food or water in the stalls. When neighbors would go over to feed the horses, the horses would rip the hay out of their hands because they were so hungry.”


Some of the animals were found lying on newspapers covered in filth. Officials also discovered six plastic caskets with decaying dogs.


Ms. Piacentini added: “Further into the basement was a freezer in which officers located approximately 15-20 more deceased dogs.”


On the same day, officers with the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department also executed a search warrant in reference to the welfare of the horses on the property.


According to prosecutors, SAVINO didn’t primarily live in the home, but in western Massachusetts, and police said she visited once a week.


Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said that before the MSPCA executed the search warrant, officers tried working with SAVINO to improve the horses' health but that she wouldn't show up and canceled on meetings.


In April 2024, while inspecting the property, MSPCA officers found SAVINO's horses to be “significantly underweight and were being fed with ‘very poor-quality hay’.” DA Cruz explained that officers had pre-existing concerns regarding SAVINO as in 2014, she was convicted for housing thirty-seven dogs in inhumane conditions. She was ordered to pay about $40,000 in fines.


On November 7, 2024, SAVINO was arraigned in Wareham District Court and pleaded not guilty to twenty-six charges of animal cruelty. Judge Edward H. Sharkansky ordered SAVINO be released on her own personal recognizance and was ordered not to have any contact with any animals.

DA Cruz had asked for a $5,000 cash bail, arguing that SAVINO was a risk and referred to the 2014 charges.


CBS News reports that outside court, SAVINO said: “This is America and even though things can look very condemning, I think people need to keep open minds, and wait and see. Things are not always what they appear to be.”


SAVINO is due back in court on December 10, 2024, for her pretrial hearing.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.


Additional Source:




 
 
 

DARYL LEE MUSIC arrested - One dead dog found in a trash bag and five live dogs found emaciated

- Tennessee, USA -


On November 6, 2024, officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to a home in the 4000 block of Reenie Avenue in the Nutbush neighborhood after being alerted by a Memphis Animal Shelter Officer to neglected dogs.


Police made contact with 34-year-old DARYL LEE MUSIC (pictured). Inside his home, officers found two Huskies and two Rottweilers who all appeared to be emaciated.


One black Doberman was found in a caged area in the backyard of the home and according to the police he/she was extremely thin and had severe mange.


Sadly, officers also found a deceased small dog in a black trash bag inside a container.


Police said in a press release that “The dogs' living conditions were filthy, cluttered, and unlivable” and MAS Officers determined that they had to be removed.


MUSIC was placed under arrest and charged with six counts of aggravated animal cruelty.


In 2016, MUSIC was charged with having sexual activity with a dog and is under a court order, issued on June 13, 2023, not to possess, harbor, handle or control any animals inside Shelby County.


At the time of writing, online arrest records show that MUSIC is being held into the Shelby County Jail on a $7,500 bond.


I took the liberty of naming the deceased furvictim Comet, for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.


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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Memphis Police Department. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.


MUSIC’s mugshot shared from the Shelby County Sheriff's Office


Additional source: WREG




 
 
 

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