BCSP Report – Week 29

July 7-13, 2014 (written by Marilyn Neville)

This is the “wonder dog” who is the subject of today’s article. We “wonder” who he belongs to, how he became a stray, and why no one came forward to claim him. We wonder what may have happened to a citizen or pet if we had not stepped up to take him. He is intact, about a year or older, over 70 pounds, and high energy. Do you know whose dog he is or “was”? Call Marilyn at 573-722-3035.

This is the “wonder dog” who is the subject of today’s article. We “wonder” who he belongs to, how he became a stray, and why no one came forward to claim him. We wonder what may have happened to a citizen or pet if we had not stepped up to take him. He is intact, about a year or older, over 70 pounds, and high energy. Do you know whose dog he is or “was”? Call Marilyn at 573-722-3035.

The only thing he was missing was a colorful cape and a spandex suit with a big hero icon on his chest. He was as fast as lightening. He was brave as a daredevil.

The “wonder” dashed into the store late that evening as handsome as a celebrity, as memorable as a super hero, but he was none of these.

He had no intentions to defend the good people of evil like a wonder dog. Instead, without intending to, he placed panic into the hearts and souls of all who worked at the Town and Country Supermarket in Marble Hill.

I don’t know for sure who first noticed him or how long he was running the isles before he was noticed but panic hit hard when the first on the month an energetic 72 pound German Shepherd / Lab mix entered the store through the front automatic doors.

It was around 9:00 in the evening. He was captured and lead out the back where he was let loose. What else were they to do? There was no pound and no dog catcher. Not even a pen for the city to hold dogs that need rescue of some sort.

They had nothing… So they let him loose.

Being a smart young dog and a playful dude, he followed his nose and memory back to the front door and with little time wasted, he was back running the isles.

This time the evening store manager, Mrs, McCain, took a packaged collar from the shelf and found a rope. She then took and tethered the stranger out-back.

That was when I received the call, sometime after 9:00 that evening.

“Can you come and get this stray [that ran the isles and just about caused us to have a heart attack…],” she said.

Ok, I am imagining what she was really thinking, but I can attest to the shock and worry in her tone. Concerned that this crazy event even happened and worried too for this high energy dog. What to do now? You see, there is really nothing at all funny about this story while it was happening or even now because this situation has caused a great deal of distress for the store, for the stray Project, and for this unwanted dog.

Mrs. McCain is just one of many in Marble Hill, in Bollinger County for that fact, who care about the dogs and cats at large. The lawsuit concerns are a worry however, especially in the streets of a city where they can be hit by a vehicle and cause an accident, get into a dog altercation with a dog tethered or walked on a leash (which is the law), or the stray could possibly bite a child or adult. In the case of this high energy large dog, what if he was to jump on an elderly resident and cause them injury in the store or after the store had set him free on the street? Who then would be “responsible” for any injury the dog could cause?

I made a call to a volunteer and a solution was made for that night. Mrs. McCain just needed to get a volunteer to take the dog to the location and secure him for the night (another possible liability moment).

So the “not so wonder dog” caused a lot of wonder and another reason to approach the City of Marble Hill. They need to give the stray dog and cat issue some serious discussion and find some solutions that are workable for everyone.

I am past saving all the strays. The volunteers for the stray project are few and we are full as well as exhausted. Well, speaking for myself, who is very sick as I write this and have been sick for a full week, I am exhausted. In fact, my husband said my being sick is a “wake-up” call. What if I were to get so sick I needed hospitalization? Who would set-up to help him with the chores for 54 dogs today? Who would respond to the many tele-calls for assistance or to adopt?

It has been over 2-years since I have seen my wheelchair and bed ridden sister and my family in Minnesota. What about my husband and my family needs?

Does anyone reading this article think we need a real animal shelter to take the savable and the pets who may need to be euthanized because no one will step forward to take them when I am at my intake limit?

Do the citizens of Bollinger County think that I can continue at this pace? Let me remind you I am 58 years old and a diabetic, who lost 20 years of my life the day I was diagnosed, or at least, that is what I read soon after being diagnosed January 21, 1980.

The Stray Project paid for board, he received all his shots including Bordetella, and then in the end one of the vets had to drive him to Cape last Friday to the Shelter because I was so sick and weak, I am not sure I’d of had the strength to stay awake on the road. We had $189.75 in him even with all our discounts.

This “wonder dog” was just one of several this year that we had to pay board before we could take them in or take them to the Humane Society in Cape Girardeau when the shelter has the room to take them.

We are attending the Monday night meeting for the City of Marble Hill and we hope to start the dialogue or actually implement some solutions that night. In the end, it should NOT be the city’s responsibility to care for your pets, unwanted or not. If you can’t care for it, don’t get a “pet” in the first place and then spay or neuter for a better behaved pet who does not add to the unwanted-pets stats.

Adoptions, return to owner or placed in other rescues:

… Black Labrador and German Shepherd mix female pup went to Advance rural family.

… German Shepherd male, subject of today’s Report, taken to Cape Shelter.

Cat calls:

… FREE, ten cats: age 1 year, all spayed or neutered house cats, litter trained. Well cared for, call 573-495-2033

… FREE, three long hair tabby kittens: one dark tabby semi long, a white with tabby, and a black tabby with white, age 6months, spayed. Call 573-495-2033

Dogs with Heartworm, Erlichia, special needs, or that were euthanized:

… None.

Calls requesting assistance for dogs we did not admit:

… I apologize if I failed to respond to calls this week regarding strays or pets to be re-homed. I was sick, also had a new complex phone put in after lightening took out the other one, and I had a new computer this week. Figuring all of this out and being sick has been a nightmare. OH and I had a tooth split and needed dental work. Heck of a week. I am sorry for any missed calls for dropping the ball when you trused me to help.

… FOUND 7/1/14, near Laflin, Co. Rd. 450, Mix Great Pyrenees female, 70 pound range, tan with black mask. She is very good natured and good with small kids, but unknown how she is with dogs.

… FOUND 7/3/14 east of Bloomfield: Mocha medium to short coat Lab, Boxer, Aussie type mix, 42-50 pounds (thin when found), in heat, good natured.

… Half Aussie half Great Pyrenees, age 2, up to date and spayed, fantastic with kids: Will list if owner continues to foster.

… Same home as above has to find a home for another pet too because his neighbor started to let his chickens out free to roam: Part Basenji fe, 22 pounds, age 2, all vetting done. Both dogs are not being chained and he wants better for his dogs.

… LOST 7/4/14 Bell City: Stray Project dog, Blue Tick hound on FB. Fireworks apparently caused her to flee.

… LOST 6/27/14, Glenn Allen area Co Rd 508 and DD area: older male Beagle, grey face, tri-color.

… FOUND 6/22/14 Lake Girardeau area: older, black and red Aussie type mix female, long curly tail, could have Chow, but tongue is not dark, afraid of storms. FB

… Red Heeler female, relinquished because wife is ill. She is age 3, spayed, good natured, and FREE to an approved home. FB

Miscellaneous and contact info:

We had 54 dogs at our home 7/14/14. Check out our FB site for updates and photos of posted strays.

Please be advised that the Bollinger County Stray Project is not the county or City of Marble Hill dog catcher. When you have a stray we try to help and can usually offer solutions.  Patience is required of the caller towards our ability to find and implement a solution. I wish we had a magic wand but we don’t and can’t always help the callers in a manner they may demand of us.  Remember, we are volunteers and help as time and space allows.  

Stray Project monetary donations accepted at the Marble Hill Coop. We purchase de-wormer and other supplies at the Coop and donations are greatly appreciated.

Offer a stray water on day one and food day two or three. Call if missing a dog or if you have a stray. We don’t always have room but we may have a solution to help you and the stray.

Flea and tick season is just around the corner. Mosquitoes will be as dangerous as ever for your pets. Mosquitoes carry heartworm. Did you know one mosquito can lay over 30 eggs in just one bite to your dog or cat?

Dumping dogs is a form of abuse and against the law. Please report animal abuse or neglect.

Please do the following when your pets are expecting or caring for a litter: offer any pregnant dog small-breed-puppy-food the final 1-2 weeks before delivery and while the pups are nursing. Give those mothers all the food they want: bowls full all day and lots of fresh water available all day.   Cats need kitten food.  Free feed the higher calorie food during the nursing stage to help mom make milk and maintain her own body mass.  Babies need to be de-wormed as young as 1-2 weeks, then every 7-10 days until age 10-weeks or older if in a confined environment with re-infestation concerns.

We LOVE Buchheits!  Donate a buck or more at the Jackson store for dog food and supplies when you shop.  Or, you can donate here directly to “Pounds for Paws”.   Also, Second Time Around in Marble Hill is takingdonations for the Stray Project. Monetary donations are accepted at the Bollinger County Veterinary Service, Marble Hill Coop, Buchheits, and the MHTown and Country.

Thank you to the County Residents who have continued to support the Bollinger County Stray Project. 

Check out our available pets at Petfinder.  Call 573-722-3035 about our adoptable pets.

If you suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, call the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Hotline, 314-647-4400 or 800-383-9835 or you can make a confidential report on line at Humane Society of Missouri.

To understand when an animal is being abused or neglected in the state of Missouri read the following link:http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/cruelty/mo_cruel.htm