Ten border collie puppies were rescued by Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA Investigators. The owner was charged with 12 counts of animal cruelty.
Ann Fullam-Goeke, 58, was charged with twelve counts of animal cruelty, specifically for failure to provide proper sustenance. When investigators executed a search warrant on August 4, 2011, one puppy was found deceased and one was later euthanized by a veterinarian, who deemed that puppy suffering and beyond rehabilitation.
The initial complaint stated that the puppies were given a near lethal dose of ivermectin, a wormer that is commonly used on horses. While ivermectin can be used on small animals such as dogs, it is a medication which can only be properly prescribed and dosed by a veterinarian. Investigators found the puppies suffering from tremors and blindness caused by the ivermectin overdose. All of the puppies found were emaciated, dehydrated, infested with internal parasites, and covered with fleas. The puppies were immediately rushed to Chatham Small Animal Hospital, where Anina laCour, DVM examined them and subsequently released eight of them to CGHS/SPCA. The remaining two puppies were held at the hospital in critical condition. All ten remaining puppies should make a full recovery, including regaining their sight, and will be put up for adoption once medically released.
“I’d like to commend CGHS/SPCA Investigator Walker and Columbia County Sherrif Deputy Madison for their quick action in this case. Had they not removed the puppies when they did, more would have died in this horrible situation,” said Ron Perez, CGHS/SPCA President/Investigator. For more information on the puppies please contact CGHS/SPCA at (518) 828-6044 or [email protected].
SPECIAL UPDATE:
Thanks to the outpouring of support from the public, we will have a surplus of adoptive homes for all of these pups. CGHS/SPCA will contact everyone who applied to see if we can make another match.
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