From the Office of the Sheriff Sheriff Dennis L. Dotson

For Immediate Release

NEWS RELEASE

Date: Jul 31, 2012

Summary:

Last fall, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office led an investigation that uncovered a case of severe animal neglect in South County. Animal Services Deputies searched the property where seventeen horses, three goats, eight chickens, thirteen cats, three dogs, and one exotic bird were seized as evidence and were provided immediate treatment.

Since October of 2011, the companion animals have been cared for at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter while livestock were fostered by members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Posse. Most of the animals were turned over to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter through forfeiture hearings that concluded in April. While two dogs needed to be euthanized due to their severely deteriorated health conditions, one cat is still awaiting resolution at the shelter, and all other animals have been adopted into loving homes or transferred to rescue organizations. Costs of care for the animals, including emergency veterinary treatment along with daily care, has reached over $25,000.

While helping animals in need is an essential function for Animal Services and the animal shelter, seizing and caring for animals who are awaiting trial is very costly. Fortunately, a number of national organizations assisted in this case in a variety of ways. Most generously, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) stepped forward with a $10,000 grant that will help off-set the costs of medical care desperately needed for these animals.

“We were ecstatic the ASPCA awarded the Animal Shelter and Animal Services $10,000 to assist us with this case. Thankfully, we are not called on to seize and care for large numbers of animals very often, but when we are, the cases can be a huge financial burden for our operations,” stated Laura Ireland, Animal Shelter Manager. “Of course, upon seeing the suffering of these animals, we want to be able to everything possible to treat, rehabilitate, and re-home these victims of abuse and neglect. As a small, rural, municipal shelter, we are able to so much more with assistance from national organizations such as the ASPCA.”

The Lincoln County Animal Shelter cares for more than 1,000 animals every year. They are a safe haven for our community’s lost, abandoned, abused and neglected animals. The progressive programs and animal care are possible due to many dedicated volunteers and generous donors. For more information, please visit www.LincolnCountySheriff.net/shelter.

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first animal welfare organization in North America and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animals. More than two million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. For more information, please visit www.ASPCA.org, and be sure to follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.