Skip to content

Fl. basenji sold soiled in human waste

Basenji Rescue
  • http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/01/me-pups-sold-along-roadside-lived-in-sewage/

    TAMPA - Investigators are concerned about the health of anyone who bought puppies from a roadside stand along U.S. Highway 41 in the Ruskin and Apollo Beach areas after rescuing 26 dogs sold by a vendor who kept them in human waste.:mad:

    Animal services workers on Wednesday shampooed and scrubbed the dogs, which include nine puppies. They are golden retrievers, shih tzu, basenji, a yorkie and a bichon frise, said Animal services spokeswoman Marti Ryan.

    The dogs will be evaluated to determine whether they have contracted any illnesses as a result of their living conditions. Meanwhile, Ryan advised anyone who purchased dogs from the roadside stand to take their animals to a veterinarian if the dog appears ill, and to monitor their own health.

    "We don't really know what we're dealing with now. Hopefully, nothing," she said.

    The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is seeking criminal charges against the vendor. Ryan said she was not sure of the man's identity because he has several aliases.

    The dogs were kept at 3197 Willow Road in Wimauma. Animal services cited the vendor's wife, Gloria Gallegos, with citations for improper tags on the dogs, Ryan said.

    The agency began an investigation weeks ago after receiving a tip from a woman who said the puppy she bought at the roadside stand had been diagnosed with a viral infection, Ryan said.

    At the time of purchase, the vendor gave the woman a health certificate for the dog from a veterinarian, Ryan said. Investigators requested veterinary records for all of the dogs. Ryan didn't know whether the veterinarians who authored the certificates would be investigated.

    "Who knows at what point they saw the dogs," she said.

    Animal Services investigators were not able to make contact with a person at the Wimauma property until Tuesday, Ryan said. There, they saw the dogs' exercise area overrun with human waste from a burst septic tank.

    "There was significant waste, lots and lots of flies," she said.

    Investigators rescued the dogs Wednesday from an unventilated box truck that the owner had abandoned in a cow pasture in an attempt to hide them, Ryan said.

    "I don't know what they enjoy more: the food, the water or the baths," she said of the dogs after their rescue.

  • WOW. That is really sad.

  • I just can't help but think of the families who are so excited to get a new dog, having the dog jump all over the kids, house…
    Yuck.

  • Ew. This story gave me a stomach ache. Those poor puppies :( People really can be so incredibly cruel.

  • Bought from a roadside stand? Are you kidding me? WHY would you ever do that and then be shocked when the papers from a "vet" may be false and your puppy is sick?

  • It never ceases to amaze me at how incredibly cruel and stupid some people are.

  • Unbelievable. What some people do to animals makes me crazy sad & mad.

  • I have no words to express my anger at this moment.

    Perhaps a yodel or baroo…...

    Or that crazy growling noise....

Suggested Topics

  • Basenji Mix

    Basenji Rescue
    5
    1 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    G
    This pup did find a home through BRAT, and she has moved to MT. -Joanne
  • FL & VA-Free Basenjis on Craigslist

    Basenji Rescue
    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    2k Views
    No one has replied
  • FL-Land O'Lakes-PB Male Red & White Basenji-In Shelter

    Basenji Rescue
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    996 Views
    MacPackM
    I sent the url to BRAT just now. I was called yesterday about a transport for a basenji in a Pasco County shelter, but before he could be pulled, someone had adopted him. He was still there waiting for neuter, but theoretically has been adopted. Not sure if this is the same dog but sounds like it.
  • R/W Basenji mix- Tampa Fl- "Sugar"

    Basenji Rescue
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    S
    Its so important to keep chips current. Do let us know if you get her.
  • Basenji in Indianapolis Humane!

    Basenji Rescue
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    8k Views
    snorky998S
    Congratulations cubbies. Hope Archie and your Kate Nefertiti have a long and happy life with you. Please pop into member intro. thread and tell us about your "kids" and how they found you and your forever home. Welcome from Dawn and her "kids", Tyler and Katie.
  • Basenji Female Fatty in FL

    Basenji Rescue
    20
    0 Votes
    20 Posts
    5k Views
    V
    Hard to say whether the breeder will take her back. I'll ask. The owner isn't willing to "give" Tiara to anyone, she wants the adoption fee. Tiara belongs in a home without other dogs or children, lots of one-on-one training, long walks for exercise, high quality/low-fat/low-carb food, and a stress free environment. It is disturbing that a six-year-old Basenji is looking at yet another home. I should stop looking at petfinder.