Cases of cruelty to animals: chickens

By Michelle Lafleche
Webster Animal Control Officer

The last couple weeks have been very busy for Jose and me.  In addition to our usual animal control calls, we have picked up a pretty, black, fluffy female dog who appears to be part Lab.  This dog was wearing a pink collar that is decorated repeatedly with the word “princess”.  The dog was reportedly found in the Mine Brook Road area.  No one has claimed this pretty young lady.

We have also picked up a pretty little black and white spotted rabbit by the Bigelow Road area.  There apparently was a Craigslist posting regarding a rabbit that was let go in Webster after the person who had the rabbit discovered it had fleas.   Apparently, letting a domestic rabbit loose to fend for itself was a much better solution than treating the rabbit for fleas or seeking professional help.  I will never understand the thought process of these people who think abandoning an animal is a justifiable excuse.

This rabbit was lucky that it survived.  The rabbit was in an area that has a family of foxes.  The existence of the foxes was previously reported to me by a resident in that area who also had possession of the rabbit after it was captured at the Webster Electric Warehouse down the road.  If anyone out there has any information on whether or not this rabbit was abandoned, please contact us at 508-340-5189.  Any information will be kept confidential.

After receiving a report requesting a wellness check on some chickens, animal cruelty charges resulted and charges were filed in Dudley District Court.  Probable cause was established and an arraignment has been scheduled in October.   The chickens were living in a metal shed with no ventilation, no windows.   The enclosure the chickens were being kept in was narrow and filthy.  The water containers were covered in feces and the water inside was thick with dirt, feces, and God knows what else.   There was no evidence of food.  The floor was covered in a thick layer of feces and filth.  The chickens were dirty, raw, and bleeding and in poor condition.  The stench inside the shed was enough to gag a maggot.  No animals should be allowed to suffer in such conditions.

Fortunately, our police force is very supportive of animal control and Sgt. Thomas Ralph filed the charges against the owner for animal cruelty, amongst other charges.

We never expected to have to use our old shelter again after moving to our new one, however, we do not have any proper place to keep chickens at the new location and my little farm has no vacancy.   Plus, these chickens may be harboring disease or parasites that could harm my flocks of chickens at home.  So, the chickens were removed from the living hell they were existing in and brought to our old shelter.  Jose had built an outdoor cat enclosure at the old shelter and it is now a chicken coop.  Unfortunately, one of the chickens died in transport to the old shelter and another one died on Monday, September 10^th.   There is still another chicken that may not survive; however, the rest of the flock appears to be doing well.  Originally, there were eleven chickens in all.
By the end of the week, we encountered another abuse case involving dogs.  Once again, charges were filed in Dudley District Court on our behalf by Officer Suss.  We are currently waiting to see if probable cause will be established in regards to this case as well.

Unfortunately, it appears that animal abuse is alive and well in Webster.

Jose and I know we cannot save the world; however, we can and will continue to be the voice for these animals.  We will seek justice on their behalf.  Whether the animal is a chicken or dog, no animal deserves to be abused, neglected, or abandoned.

Jose and I would like to thank PT Pet Supply for taking donations for our shelter and to those who donated.  We used some of the fund to purchase good quality chicken feed for these poor birds and a water dispenser.  We would also like to thank Sgt. Ralph and especially Officer Suss for being so supportive of animal control and being there for us and the animals.

Obviously, our old shelter will not be available forever to hold any overflow of animals.  At this point in time, we have five dogs at the old shelter and a flock of chickens.  Our new shelter has ten dogs and 27 cats/kittens.   We are seeking someone who can donate a chain link fence kennel at least six feet high that we can use as a coop to house chickens, pheasants, geese, rabbits, or whatever else we come across in the future.   I used to be able to take these types of animals back to my little farm, however, space and financial reasons prevent me from doing so at this point in time.  The kennel can also be used to house any overflow of dogs as well.  We are also seeking someone to donate or sell at a discounted price, chain link fencing and/or the labor to install it for a new dog park.

Please note that we are in need of blankets, a working shop vac, dog and cat toys as well as the usual dog and cat food and kitty litter.  Thank you to everyone in the community who supports our shelter.  You are the reason we are able to be no-kill and provide our animals with the best of care.  We are forever grateful for your generosity.

Thank you to everyone who offered us a washing machine after ours decided to wash its last load recently.  Greg Gentile was the first responder so we will be taking him up on his offer.

Till next time, respect and appreciate each other as well as all the wonderful animals we are blessed with and please – help us to be the animals voice, report animal cruelty!