Be very careful about doing food drops and providing bedding material because you may be preventing the county from making the case they need to get the warrant to seize them.
Local TV ran an update this evening:
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2010/jan/07/dogs-running-wild–09818/video-news/
The dogs (estimated at around 50) are playing, lounging in the sun. Shows a lean-to of sorts and I'm willing to bet there is a den dug in there behind boxes. Animal control was out there again today and is doing it "by the books" so it sticks when they make their case.
It is warmer today but expected to have freezing rain this weekend. Basenjis usually find a way to be dry, I imagine this long established pack has some shelter somewhere on that 5 acres (at least I surely hope so).
Thanks for the update Anne..
I hope the animal control will do the right thing and seize these dogs and get them vetted. They all seem pretty wellfed so starvation isn't as big of a worry, but shelter and worms and such would be. Even if he feeds the dogs, aren't there laws and such that prevents one man to have taht many dogs on one property?
Here in Houston, depending on where you live it can be from 1 dog allowed to three..never in the 45+ range. I realize all states have different laws, but I am curious as to what goes in Florida..
There are probably laws limiting the number of animals but if they use those laws only then he will be allowed to keep up to that number and they will likely have this situation again in a few years. They said he was already cited 2 years ago when he had only 7 dogs on the property. Animal control wants to build a case so none of the dogs have to go back to living in those conditions.
Yes , you are right, this man needs to loose all his animal owning priviledges..
I was just wondering how it got to where it is..crazy, he even says himself that he has tried to catch them and have them spayed/neutered, but he has been unable to…
never mind
He has 2 properties, a home in St. Pete, where the confiscated dogs were living with him, that is where he was cited 2 years ago.
These dogs are on a very rural piece of property in another county. The law says dogs need to be licensed but I don't think there is a limit on the number of dogs way out in the country. I guess we have to be patient.
I am a minimal BRAT member, I do transport, etc., but they are standing by to help this situation, so if anyone wants to contribute money or think about fostering, this is a good time to build the bank balance and participate! I know this is way over the heads of our little dog park group, so I am glad BRAT is standing by to help.
Just saw the evening news, the dozens of wild basenjis have been caught, including a large litter (or 2) of 2-3 week old pups that were found in a burrow. The dogs were not afraid of people, at least till they started penning some up, then they all started howling and screaming. Tonight's freezing rain predictions evidently spurred the authorities to action. While the dogs are probably frightened and miserable in a shelter, they are warm and safe and fed.
They said it was quite a challenge for the animal control people; heck, catching 2 or 3 that are pets can be a challenge!
That's all I know for now.
Sorry, here is the link to that video:
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2010/jan/08/wild-dogs-have-warm-shelter–77030/video-news/
Hopefully the Humane Society has listened to people familiar with Basenji behavior. I did get a chuckle out of the grand howl they set up. Very typical Basenji. They may not be in as bad social condition as originally thought. I heard the phrase "Not afraid of humans" in the report. It may be possible to rehome them. Hopefully BRAT keeps us posted.
Thanks for the update Anne.
Is there any way to let the authorities know what they are dealing with..not only are these dogs somewhat wild they are also basenjis meaning aloof by nature..they are not necessarily wild and unmanageable, at least they don't come across as that as the police car was driving through the property or as the cop was walking it, they were somewhat running along, not running away or in defense mode..I don't know if that would help in rescue efforts or in capturing them.
Again, thanks for the update..and yes I loved the howling..to cool..pretty scary sounding to someone not familiar with the breed though..I bet.
They are at county Animal Control, but in the past they have worked with rescue. Things will be tied up in legal proceedings for awhile. The owner could conceivably provide shelter, pay for their vetting and sterilization and get them back. No one knows at this time. I feel bad for them, frightened and separated from all they have known. Now we just wait and see.
Report from BRAT:
Thank you for your concern about the Florida basenjis in the news, including the 12 confiscated from an individual's St. Petersburg property in Pinellas County by the SPCA and the 33 confiscated from his Wimauma property in HillsboroughCounty by Animal Control. BRAT is aware of their situation and has made contact with these organizations through our Florida District Coordinator, Pam Hamilton. All dogs, though in physical custody of these two organizations, are not currently in legal custody of either group. They will have to wait until ownership is determined in custody hearings prior to determining what their future fate will be. They are "evidence" until that time and, as such, cannot be seen by the general public. They can only be handled by veterinarians and authorized staff. If and when the SPCA and Hillsborough Animal Control have legal custody of this group of dogs, BRAT will be available to help. To avoid confusion with the SPCA and Animal Control, we would like to only have one person contact these organizations. We have appointed Pam Hamilton as the official Basenji Rescue and Transport contact. As always, we will continue to cooperate with both the SPCA Hillsborough Animal control, providing assistance whenever they can accept it. Thanks for your concern and offers of assistance. We will let people know when and if help is needed from the Basenji community. I have added to the end of this message a series of links to newspaper article and news videos about this group of Basenjis. Sincerely, Debbi JohnsonBRAT Treasurer & DirectorGermantown, TNdebbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net Here are the links from the first day, second day, then the confiscationday.
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2010/jan/06/dogs-running-wild-fend-frigid-temperatur-42299/video-news/ http://www2.tbo.com/photoalbum/2010/jan/06/two-county-animal-investigation/5/
http://www2.tbo.com/video/2010/jan/07/dogs-running-wild–09818/video-news/ http://www2.tbo.com/video/2010/jan/0…30/video-news/
Ms. Newton, your post makes perfect sense. There is no need to confuse things by having everyone contact them separately. I, for one, will watch news releases and wait for BRAT to indicate the next move regarding rescue and rehoming.
I do know that BRAT will do what they can, when/if the dogs are released. It could take a long time…sigh.
Update from Debbi from BRAT….........
This situation did not occur overnight. The SPCA has been working on this
for years. The dogs' owner generally has not been breeding to sell the dogs.
If the dogs were being sold, authorities might have been able to do
something about the situation earlier, since selling legally requires health
certificates and vetting.
Some of the dogs may not appear to be pure basenjis, but their appearance
may be a result of the introduction to his pack of some of the African
bloodlines inported in the late 80's and subsequent.
If you would like to know more about the African Stock Project and see
pictures of basenjis within the project that show variations similar to the
confiscated group, please browse through this site:
http://www.basenji.org/african/project.htm
In the past, we have rescued a number of basenjis from this individual,
either directly or through the SPCA. BRAT fosters that have come from this
individual very often have had characteristics of the more recent African
bloodlines that are discussed and pictured on that site. The confiscated
dogs may have similar color variations, looser tails, bigger ears, thicker
coats, larger sizes and thicker bones to go proportionally with their larger
size.
The mature dogs will obviously need very careful handling to become
socialized with humans. Even some of the fairly young puppies from this
individual have demonstrated behavioral issues and fear when not carefully
introduced to their new environments. Though most of the fosters from this
individual were placed into the SPCA or rescue at a fairly early age, at
least one mature foster from this individual was rehabilitated into a
normal, doggy-park frequenting basenji that enjoys hiking, camping,
beaching, and visiting extended family and friends.
Even though their future may be much different from what they have always
known, with the right help, it can still be a bright and pleasant future.
Debbi Johnson
BRAT Treasurer & Director
Germantown, TN
debbijbasenjirescue@comcast.net
Thanks for the updates Liz and Sharron..sounds like things are moving along in the right direction even if slow..keep us posted..
Here is a note from someone who took on of the adult b's from this fellow. If your wanting to help these dogs, and can make room in your homes, you might find out what a wonder it is to help b's like this…
My Sana is one of the mature dogs taken from this man about 5 years ago. She is a capped tri with Fula chracteristics, a nicely curled tail, fairly large ears and a lovely coat. After her initial fostering, where she experienced the first gentle human contact (possibly her first actual human contact) she came to us. We have had the luxury of allowing her to develop at her own rate and she has come a million miles from the terrified wild creature that was first rescued. She will never be "normal", but she is healthy, happy and continues to grow and change before our eyes. She has been a blessing and a delight, and it has been an honor to have the privilege to watch her bloom.
That said, I think that Sana is an unusually courageous and intelligent dog, and we were fortunate enough to have the time and space to let her develop. I doubt if very many of these dogs will find the same fortuitous circumstances, but I know that they at least now have a chance. I cannot express how thankful I am to everyone involved in their rescue and to all those who have been working for years now to try and end this obscene sitation, and all of the other such situations that never end. At least, for now, these poor dogs are cared for and just might have the chance at a good life that Sana received. I'll be watching to see how I can help in the future.
Laura Whitney
Arlington, MA
If anyone on this list wants to be considered for one of these dogs/puppies when they are released to rescue if they are the way to get in line is to go to www.basenjirescue.org and fill out an on line application to foster/adopt a basenji.
The process does take time, but its worth doing before these dogs are released to the public.
@AJs:
I think the conditions are deplorable. The dogs, while seemingly well-fed, appear to be allowed to breed however they want to. That is bad enough.
However, keep in mind this is Florida. I just checked the weather in the area and the coldest it is supposed to get is 31F. Our dogs are very hardy because they basically live wild in Africa and are often not provided shelter and have to scrounge for food. They probably already have thick undercoats.
I believe the dogs will be rescued after public pressure is placed on local animal control. There are legal procedures that have to be followed. Regardless of how we would like to see these animals removed immediately, the law must be followed and evidence has to be gathered. Have faith…in both the dogs and in the system. It works slowly in Florida for animals, but it does work.
Contrary to some belief, African Basenjis are not wild. They live with people and are owned and used by people. If anything they are more domestic than Western basenjis - they (at least in West Africa) dont run away and they are good watchdogs. They dont fight amongst one another as much. They live where the people live - except they generally arent allowed in houses. However people in Benin dont spend a lot of time in the house either. They are cared for. In Benin they were shameless beggars for affection. Thanks for the opportunity to continue my mission to dispel this misapprehension. Reading of people who have been in other countries also do not support the "wild basenji". There were said to be some street dogs in a city in Cameroun however there were NO street dogs in Benin - the dog was either at home or with the owner.
