Tails in the News

Stronger dog fighting penalties on the horizon

Sen. Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) is working to strengthen the penalties associated with dog fighting in the state of Indiana. Currently those found guilty of engaging in dog fighting can be prosecuted with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in prison and a $5,000 fine. Arnold has proposed increasing this penalty to a Class D felony, which would include up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He has also proposed increasing penalties for promoting fights, purchasing animals for the purpose of fighting, and possessing animal fighting gear. For those convicted of animal fighting offenses, Arnold has requested they be prevented from keeping animals for at least 10 years. The legislation is currently in the proposal stage, and Arnold plans to further pursue it next year.

Kokomo proposes penalty increases for dangerous dogs

The Kokomo Humane Society has drafted an ordinance that would hold pet guardians more accountable if their dogs were responsible for dangerous or aggressive behavior. Under the proposed law, people would be given three chances to curb their dog’s behavior. After the first offense, the dog would be required to stay in a confined area, and the person could potentially be fined. After the second offense, the dog would have to be confined to the house, and the fine would increase. The third offense would require mandatory spaying or neutering, and after the fourth offense, the dog would be euthanized by the humane society.

Group works to brighten shelter’s future

Indiana-PAW began working with Rushville Animal Shelter in late July to reduce its 93 percent euthanasia rate by developing a plan to be
implemented immediately, which would involve transporting animals out of the shelter, allowing them to receive medical exams, and placing them in foster homes.

Amy Van Ostrand, executive director of Indiana-PAW, says the group’s foster families are located all over the state of Indiana, so they will continue to provide transportation for animals from the shelter to foster care.

Prior to the project’s development, the Rushville shelter was
extremely overcrowded and did not have the funds to provide basic
veterinary care for its animals. Indiana-PAW had offered use of its foster homes to help alleviate the shelter’s overpopulation, but shelter manager Jaime Glandon said she could not responsibly send animals into foster care without them first receiving proper medical treatment.

Since the collaboration began, Indiana-PAW has been working to find homes for 17 animals. The group has put together adoption packages for each of the animals, and adopters will receive discounted dog training, grooming, pet supplies, boarding, pet sitting, and free bark park access, according to Van Ostrand. Local businesses have also pitched in. “Indiana-PAW is thrilled that local businesses are committed to helping us help the Rushville Animal Shelter, both in terms of placing these animals, as well as raising awareness about the many other wonderful animals at the shelter,” she says.

The group intends on providing long-term solutions to some of the shelters problems. Ash Lewin, an Indiana-PAW board member who is also a veterinary technician with years of shelter experience, has offered ongoing support on topics ranging from sanitation methods to disease control and disease recognition. Glandon has also expressed interest in attending educational conferences. “We’re planning to help underwrite the cost of sending [her] to shelter management courses run by national outfits, like the Humane Society of the United States,” Van Ostrand says. “Indiana-PAW is committed to seeing that she gets there.”

The group is working to highlight the Rushville Animal Shelter’s needs in the breed rescue community and foster relationships between the shelter and the animal welfare community. “We believe the shelter has great potential, and we are grateful for any small role we can play in helping them succeed.”

 

Efforts begin to establish Boone County Humane Society

Despite previous attempts, Boone County has never been able to
establish its own humane society. A growing group of locals are currently working to change this and have already made significant progress.

“Because of financial reasons and because of political reasons, a humane society was never established,” says Guy Davis, who is
spearheading the effort. “This time we felt we’d go to the community and draw from a public meeting.”

A committee has already met twice to develop preliminary plans for the shelter, and soon plans to have a board of directors, 501(c)3 status, and bylaws established. Davis says there is funding available from
previous attempts to develop a shelter, and it could potentially be given to the Boone County Humane Society as it becomes established.

The group is currently looking for property close to the city of
Lebanon, ideally on the edge of town with enough space to provide proper care for the animals. Davis stresses that while dealing with pet overpopulation will be one of the shelter’s main duties, educating the public about the importance of spaying and neutering and caring for abandoned and injured wildlife will also be among its list of tasks.

Currently, members of Boone County utilize the Clinton County
Humane Society and the Humane Society of Indianapolis if they are looking to adopt or relinquish pets. The City of Lebanon only has a pet impound area where lost pets are taken and kept for up to five days. In response to these inadequate conditions, Davis and his associates previously established a foster network for abandoned animals, which is currently a functioning
operation without a home base or title. The establishment of a Boone
County Humane Society will finally provide a place for abandoned pets to be adopted into the community at large.

“We have a vet who wants to work with us, and there are attorneys who are interested in helping,” Davis says. “I think we’re on the right track.”