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- Posted August 2, 2012 by
- 12dogsinabox Follow
Location
Max Meadows, Virginia
Max Meadows, Virginia
12 Dogs Suffering In A Dungeon In Wythe Virginia
Wythe, VA - Twelve to sixteen dogs have been held for 2 years in a makeshift dungeon outside of property on Walton Furnace Rd. that Mr. Mike Thomas's is illegally inhabiting (he is squatting) The dogs are being eaten alive with fleas and are living in their own urine and feces with little to no sunlight. Some of the dogs have already died of flea anemia.
Mr. Thomas has refused to surrender the dogs, the ACO and Sheriff's Office have refused to remove the dogs or even cite Mr. Thomas under VA Law.
Wythe Humane who is not an enforcement agency, was allowed to de-flea the dogs, clean the kennel, and treat their living area in 2010. But were not allowed to remove the dogs.
After international pressure Animal Control Officer Blanchett inspected the property on July 23, 2012 stating in his final report, "The dogs were very clean and healthy"; however, an independent veterinarian, after seeing recent photos, stated that the dogs did need medical care. Source - http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/jul/26/veterinarian-has-health-concerns-wythe-co-dog-cont-ar-2087329/
Virginia Statute § 3.2-6503 states that each owner shall seek "Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission."
For two years local citizens and animal advocates have tried to convince Animal Control and County Administrator Dalton to enforce the law, remove the dogs, and charge Mr. Thomas with cruelty and neglect to no avail.
The Humane Society of the United States has tried to intervene. The Virginia Attorney General has offered assistance to Commonwealth's Attorney Mabe. The Virginia Animal Control Association has also offered assistance. All has been ignored by Wythe, VA officials.
These dogs continue to suffer in this heat, in their dungeon. For more information and to find out what you can do to help, please visit http://www.facebook.com/FreeTheDogsInABox.
Mr. Thomas has refused to surrender the dogs, the ACO and Sheriff's Office have refused to remove the dogs or even cite Mr. Thomas under VA Law.
Wythe Humane who is not an enforcement agency, was allowed to de-flea the dogs, clean the kennel, and treat their living area in 2010. But were not allowed to remove the dogs.
After international pressure Animal Control Officer Blanchett inspected the property on July 23, 2012 stating in his final report, "The dogs were very clean and healthy"; however, an independent veterinarian, after seeing recent photos, stated that the dogs did need medical care. Source - http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/jul/26/veterinarian-has-health-concerns-wythe-co-dog-cont-ar-2087329/
Virginia Statute § 3.2-6503 states that each owner shall seek "Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or disease transmission."
For two years local citizens and animal advocates have tried to convince Animal Control and County Administrator Dalton to enforce the law, remove the dogs, and charge Mr. Thomas with cruelty and neglect to no avail.
The Humane Society of the United States has tried to intervene. The Virginia Attorney General has offered assistance to Commonwealth's Attorney Mabe. The Virginia Animal Control Association has also offered assistance. All has been ignored by Wythe, VA officials.
These dogs continue to suffer in this heat, in their dungeon. For more information and to find out what you can do to help, please visit http://www.facebook.com/FreeTheDogsInABox.
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