STILL Safe & Sound – the “Evidence” Dogs @ CARL

These dogs were rescued by CARL, STILL available to adopt, still safe & sound at our sanctuary!

What are the “Evidence Dogs?” The story is all too familiar. We see it on the news, read it in the paper or via social media. A backyard breeder or dog fighting ring gets busted and the poor animals are rushed to a local shelter for immediate care. Because the owners are often charged (but not always) for animal cruelty, neglect, etc., these poor souls become evidence in what can take months or even years as they wait for the judicial system to prosecute their owner. At that point, if the animals are lucky, a judge can release them from evidence and make them available to rescue groups and the public. It is amazing how quickly a community can react and come together in light of such a tragic situation. However, what happens to those animals once all the hype has died down? The media has moved on to the next big animal neglect/abuse case? We’d like to think that they all found their happily ever after with a new adoptive family. Unfortunately, that is not always the reality, and it’s a story that CARL knows too well!

In April of 2011, CARL similarly responded to an animal cruelty investigation of nearly two-dozen Pit Bull/Catahoula Hound mixes, Poodles and a Labrador mix! Many of the dogs were tethered in the backyard of the residence. There was evidence that at least three had been in a fight. One of the pit bull mixes that had been fighting was critically injured. According to one of the officers who was quoted in the Ventura County Star, “There were only 3 dogs that were able to be safely handled; you could tell that they were not loved family pets.”

These poor dogs were held as “evidence” at the Ventura County Animal Shelter for the case of animal cruelty. The shelter staff deemed many of them to be “unadoptable” because of aggression towards people and other dogs. They planned to euthanize all of the adult dogs if they were not picked up by a rescue. CARL couldn’t stand the thought that these innocent lives wouldn’t get a second chance, so with some help of donors, and a lot of compassion, CARL stepped in and saved the lives of 11 of the adult “Evidence dogs” and the remaining four puppies. Another rescue group stepped in and took the poodles and lab mix.

It costs CARL $300 per month to board one dog at our facility. To date we have adopted out one of the adult evidence dogs named Riley, the four puppies, and placed one dog (Chester) in foster care. However 9 of these amazing dogs STILL remain at our sanctuary in Santa Paula!! Are they as aggressive now as they were once made out to be? (See video below which was made two days after their release from the county shelter).

Years later after their amazing rescue and survival story, CARL’s Evidence dogs still need a second chance at finding a REAL home. Are you this person? Do you know someone that can help? If not adopting or fostering, how about sponsoring one of these pups? You can also make a financial donation to help CARL with the ongoing expenses and veterinary bills for the remaining ten dogs in our care.

These dogs would do best as the only dog in the home, but could potentially overcome any dog aggression issues with some formal training. Our staff and volunteers take them for long walks and play with them in our exercise yards. They adore people and they treasure the attention and love they get from our staff and volunteers.

Watch the ‘Evidence’ for yourself. These dogs want to be loved, loving and carefree. Let’s help them.

(Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/apr/22/24-dogs-seized-in-el-rio-animal-cruelty/#ixzz2vlvYzOOJ )
– vcstar.com

Article compiled by Lynne Bohney & Tara Eisenhauer