Post by Brooke on Feb 26, 2004 16:27:09 GMT -5
Pregnant pups add to strain after kennel raid
Williamson County Animal Control could be in trouble. Hundreds of dogs were seized in a raid, but several were pregnant - which means a puppy boom could wipe out resources.
On January 22nd, officers spent hours seizing 230 animals from a house in Williamson County. And now, almost a month later, the dogs are still recovering from a variety of aliments.
Kennel officer Valerie Clarke said, "They all have some sort of medical issue, whether it's just ear mites or bad skin to even worse things than that."
The animals are doing much better, but the shelter is still overwhelmed. Already in a serious crunch from hundreds of extra animals, employees say things are about to go from bad to worse. At least 30 dogs are pregnant, and most will give birth within a month.
"I don't know what we're going to do," said Clarke.
A room has already turned into a makeshift maternity ward. In fact, a litter of puppies were delivered by c-section on Thursday. Soon there will be puppies everywhere - and space nowhere. And solutions?
Clarke said, "It's a day-by-day process. We'll put some more cages in here and try and figure out the next-best-thing for them."
Care for the dogs hasn't come cheap. County comissioners have already agreed to add $45,000 to the Animal Control budget, and officials say costs will probably go up. As for the dog owner, Jennifer Siliski, the district attorney is preparing to present her case to the grand jury for a possible indictment.
With so many dogs and puppies, Williamson County Animal Control is in desperate need of supplies and money. Monetary donations can be made at any Franklin National Bank. Checks should be made payable to WCAC Rescue Fund. Officials told News 2 that they need towels, newspapers, soft toys, hypo-allergenic shampoo and conditioner, as well as dog food, cat food and medical supplies.
Allison Hatcher for News 2 at 10 pm
2.19.04
Williamson County Animal Control could be in trouble. Hundreds of dogs were seized in a raid, but several were pregnant - which means a puppy boom could wipe out resources.
On January 22nd, officers spent hours seizing 230 animals from a house in Williamson County. And now, almost a month later, the dogs are still recovering from a variety of aliments.
Kennel officer Valerie Clarke said, "They all have some sort of medical issue, whether it's just ear mites or bad skin to even worse things than that."
The animals are doing much better, but the shelter is still overwhelmed. Already in a serious crunch from hundreds of extra animals, employees say things are about to go from bad to worse. At least 30 dogs are pregnant, and most will give birth within a month.
"I don't know what we're going to do," said Clarke.
A room has already turned into a makeshift maternity ward. In fact, a litter of puppies were delivered by c-section on Thursday. Soon there will be puppies everywhere - and space nowhere. And solutions?
Clarke said, "It's a day-by-day process. We'll put some more cages in here and try and figure out the next-best-thing for them."
Care for the dogs hasn't come cheap. County comissioners have already agreed to add $45,000 to the Animal Control budget, and officials say costs will probably go up. As for the dog owner, Jennifer Siliski, the district attorney is preparing to present her case to the grand jury for a possible indictment.
With so many dogs and puppies, Williamson County Animal Control is in desperate need of supplies and money. Monetary donations can be made at any Franklin National Bank. Checks should be made payable to WCAC Rescue Fund. Officials told News 2 that they need towels, newspapers, soft toys, hypo-allergenic shampoo and conditioner, as well as dog food, cat food and medical supplies.
Allison Hatcher for News 2 at 10 pm
2.19.04