Showing posts with label dog abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog abuse. Show all posts

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Music 4 Mutts - Music for Mutts Fort Worth


Music festival for the Tarrant County dogs & cats. All proceeds will benefit 3 local animal rescue groups and Ft. Worth's only public low cost spay/neuter clinic. 2301 Scott Ave., Ft. Worth, TX 76103. Basically at I30 & Beach Street just east of downtown Ft. Worth. Band lineup is as follows (as of today - check website): The Vatican Press (11am), James Manning of Manning-Dickson, Brian Burke, The Second Hand String Band, The Foggy Possee (3:30), Nick Verzosa, Dirt Road Gypsies (6:30p), Jam Sandwich will finish the show. Bring lawn chairs/blankets and the dog(s). Sponsors include: IMC Facility Maintenance Services, Fort Worth Weekly, KTCU FM 88.7, Times Ten Cellars Fort Worth, Rahr & Sons Brewery, East Lancaster Vet Clinic, Painless Performance, Riverside Kennel, KL Vascular Corporation, Hands of Peace Massage, A1 Food Mart, Aztec Environmental and more.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

This is one way we should be solving the growing problem of dog overpopulation and rising taxpayer expense of Animal Control Services


"The program partners with schools, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, community based organizations......" not to mention the benefit to our youth, communities and society.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Ft. Worth City Politics affecting Animal Welfare


Most animal control calls/concerns/problems/issues come from the same zip codes with greatest release of x-cons, heaviest crime, poorest residents, and the most populated areas of black & brown residents. Those are statistical facts. So, when Animal Control enforces the animal laws in the those areas and the City Council Reps., who represent those areas, holler racism or 'you're picking on my people,' or 'you're picking on the poor,' or any of that nonsense, it is the job of a leader to stay the course and address the facts. Funny how those City Council Reps don't have a problem looking at the factual stats when there's a chance of them getting taxpayer money such as with home foreclosures and such, but boy, let it be something that is sucking money from our pockets and they want to turn a deaf ear and blind eye. HA! Time for some real change in Ft. Worth!! I hope it comes soon.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

City of Fort Worth is attempting to help millions of neglected, abused animals.


If you are a fiscal conservative like me and care greatly about the massive amount of dollars that the government takes out of our pockets, you hate it when taxpayers are held accountable for others' irresponsible choices and actions, such as animal neglect, abuse & cruelty to name one, of the issues that I'm referring to. Sign up to be a volunteer for Ft. Worth's Animal Control and let's change the way this city does business, help the animals & taxpayers in the process.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Texas Humane Legislation Network fundraiser - Monday, Aug. 31st, Grapevine, Texas


Do you care about the neglected animals, cruelly confined animals, starving animals, stray animals in your neighborhood, community, city and/or state? Please attend our party or call and just donate over the phone, Monday, August 31st, 5p-7p, D'Vine Wine, 409 Main St., Grapevine, Texas. http://www.thln.org/. Guest speakers: Senator Wendy Davis, Cile Holloway, President of THLN, Rick Bousquet, Executive Director of THLN.

Friday, August 21, 2009

The Humane Society of the United States & Texas Puppy Mills


I am so thankful for HSUS. The Puppy Mill raids have been a life saving experience for so many thousands of dogs, especially the Puppy Mill Mothers -- the dogs who's life is enslaved to having litter after litter. We need animal cruelty laws enforced and State cruelty law loopholes closed. Also, know who your Veterinarian is and if he is a member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. TVMA came out so strongly AGAINST the Puppy Mill Bill that was put forth the Texas Legislature last session of 2009, it was lost. Why? Money. This is wrong. We are better than this as a citizenry of the State of Texas. We are further along than this in the State of Texas. We can do better.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

"In the Fiscal Years 2006-2007, the City of Dallas had no choice but to euthanize 26,979 unwanted pets. It would take 550 DART buses to transport...


the same number of people, or 63 Boeing 747 jets."
Homeward Bound Animal Rescue - Dallas, Fort Worth, TX
I just don't believe that your average American realizes the enormity of the out of control unwanted dogs/cats in this country, or in our municipalities. I am grateful for politicians who stand up and speak up for the dogs/cats.

Homeward Bound Animal Rescue is a great organization for animals needing rescued, adopted, cared for medically, etc. in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. They are on Facebook, please become a fan and send them twenty bucks.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Fort Worth Police Dispatcher, M180 says that FWPD only answers Certain Dog Related Calls

Oh Really? So who is there to enforce the law between the hours of 5pm - 8am M-F and on weekends? Operator says, "Oh we only answer dog calls if the dog is aggressive or attacking someone.
I bet if I pushed it, we would find this is not the truth and unlawful for a City to say we only enforce the City Ordinances and State Laws at convenient hours of the day and week.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Please help Ernie by donating some spare change.


"Ernie was found by a Homeward Bound, Bedford, TX volunteer just the other day. Boy this poor guy is in horrible shape. He has mange, he's heartworm positive, he needs surgery for bladder stones, he is sunburned, emaciated and dehydrated. The vet says they cant do surgery yet..."
Please donate here https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=75-2552165&source=GS&cmpgn=DNT&vlrStratCode=pvOWLmanj4Ddav2xszkQ6oN441cFLXP3gEJaUOx2hFIc0BLfjwQgwEVxCLePGaVS

Monday, June 22, 2009

Grapevine Cops wouldn't do anything about this case of Animal Cruelty -- said there was no law against it!



Grapevine, Texas Police were called to the scene of 3 dogs chained in back of a pickup truck in 100+ heat with no water, shelter, food and cruelly confined. If a dog can't move because the chains around him are so tangled, that's cruelly confined. If you don't supply proper food, water and shelter for a domesticated animal, that's cruelty and against the law. Why won't our municipalities and County District Attorney's prosecute animal cruelty BEFORE the animals are dead?

The Facts are:

Sunday, 6/21/09 @ Uncle Julios Grapevine. 7:00 p.m. in 104 degree weather -- 3 dogs -- 2 chained in pick up bed. Couldn't move. No food, no water, 6 gasoline cans. Uncle Julios would only provide water. Management did nothing else. We asked management to call the police. They said they would. Grapevine police has since confirmed Uncle Julios never called. Grapevine Police Call Record # 43233

Two officers came out -- J Newman [badge 7500] and B Estill [badge 5216]. They had no idea there was a Texas law. They basically said they could do nothing. " [The only thing they could have done anything about was if the dogs were locked inside the pick-up - which wasn't the case here]." However, one could see that both officers [in their eyes] knew it was wrong what was happening with these dogs. Anyone with a heart would know it was wrong... And why would anyone tether a dog to the bed of a truck in 104 degree weather with six gasoline cans and no water? Nothing was done.

We have two of the dog's names: Bob [Black Lab mix] and White Sox ["Heinz 57"]; third dog was a yellow Lab. All three reside at 4101 Dundee Court in Colleyville, Texas.

THE LAW:

Texas Penal Code states:

(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1) tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(2) without the owner's effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(3) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody;

(4) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody;

(5) transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;

(6) without the owner's effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal;

(7) causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog;

(8) uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; or

(9) seriously overworks an animal.

(c) An offense under Subsection (b)(3), (4), (5), (6), or (9) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a state jail felony if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09. An offense under Subsection (b)(1), (2), (7), or (8) is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Beloved family pet accidentally euthanized at Fort Worth Animal Shelter - a product of poor management & leadership of our Ft. Worth City Council


Every City Council member should have to ride out with an Animal Control Officer at least once a year. Every City Council member should have to spend 1/2 day working at the Animal Shelter. Every City Council member should have to spend an hour each year taking dogs to the room to be euthanized. Fort Worth City Council did nothing in addressing the out of control stray animal problem until people like me started taking action and bombarding their inboxes with emails and facts about Fort Worth's animal problems. This link below tells a very sad story of what happens when government ignores a problem and sticks their heads in the sand. The system gets overloaded, things are chaotic and out of control as evidenced by this story. This is what happens when City Council Representatives ignore the issues happening in the neighborhoods they represent, this is what happens when Neighborhood Associations ignore the issues happening in the neighborhoods, this is what happens when enough residents don't speak up & out and do their part. The issues get out of control and things like this happen. Heads should roll at Fort Worth Animal Shelter. There is absolutely no excuse for this mistake. Sure, mistakes happen; however, ones like this should not be tolerated. Shame on Fort Worth City Council for complete lack of leadership on animal issues for all the years up before 2008 (when they were forced to do something about all of the egg on their faces regarding this issue).


Sunday, May 24, 2009

Shame on Fort Worth's City Council, including the Mayor for not being 'proactive' on animal welfare issues


The out of control animal issues in Fort Worth's 'uneducated' neighborhoods is astounding. Thanks to our local out of touch government for sticking their heads in the sand for the past 5 - 6 years. Especially, Council District 8 Rep, Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks, Councilman Frank Moss, Councilman Salvador Espino, Former Councilwoman Wendy Davis and the current Councilman Joel Burns who's Districts are high in Animal Control calls and pick ups.

Did your dog come from a Puppy Mill? Texas Vet Association opposes the Puppy Mill Bill! Find out what your Veterinarian supports!


There is a House Bill in committee to somewhat 'regulate' how dogs should be treated, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association came out against the Bill. Why? Are they putting money over the welfare of our beloved pets? I say "seems like it." Better ask your Vet if she/he supports the almighty dollar over the welfare of our 'domesticated' dogs!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

How In-Touch can Ft. Worth's Mayor Pro Tem, Kathleen Hicks be with the enormous stray dog issue if she thinks "spay" is pronounced "SPRAY?"


Hello, it's "Spay & Neuter Clinic" not "Spray & Neuter Clinic!" Both Mayor Pro Tem, Kathleen Hicks (my opponent in the City Council race) and Councilman Frank Moss (both Represent two of the worst Districts in this City for irresponsible dog owners) pronounced "spay" as "spray" at the dedication yesterday for the Chuck Silcox Spay & Neuter Clinic at the City's Animal Control center.
It's rather amusing to me to see my opponent stand up in front of a crowd of Animal lovers and responsible dog owners and talk about how much she and the Ft. Worth Council care about the issue we have in this City with irresponsible dog ownership when it has taken this City Government 5 years to appropriate the approved bond money for this facility. It is because of the out of control Animal problem (mostly in their Districts), some community activists like myself pushing them to do something about it, and Mr. Silcox's voice and genuine concern for the animals on the Council, that helped make this happen. It was not because of any leadership that Kathleen Hicks provided, I am hear to confirm! She has done NOTHING in the way of leadership in the 3+ years that she has sat on the Council about this issue! NOTHING, but follow orders and vote yes when it's popular to do so! I find this appalling which is another reason I am running against her in the upcoming election.
It's definitely time for CHANGE in this District leadership!

For statistics on the matter: www.youtube.com/suzetteforcouncil
(Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins)

Friday, February 20, 2009

My first speech as a Candidate for Ft. Worth's District 8 City Council Seat




Wednesday, Feb. 18th, 2009
Today, I officially filed for a place on the City of Ft. Worth General Election Ballot for the Office of District 8 City Council. Something that several of my lifelong friends have wanted me to do for a long time and when I told them what I was going to do, they said, “I can’t believe it’s taken you THIS long, Suzette!!”

The first thing people ask me when I tell them that I am running for office is…..are you a Republican or a Democrat. My answer is Both -- and none of the above

I don’t really fit in any of the political boxes very tightly.

I will say, that I’m hoping that the

* The Republicans & Libertarians will approve of me for my fiscal conservative-ness

* and my very liberal social-tolerant-beliefs will keep the Democrats from throwing me to the wolves ………

* and The Independents will like me because I won’t be beholden to the Party ideology arguments for the sake of Party loyalty.

So when people ask me what I am, I say let me tell you a little bit about my value system and what I believe, and you decide where I fall and if you’d like to support me as a candidate for public office.

I was born in the southeast Texas town of Beaumont, TX. I was educated in the public school system, I graduated from Klein High School in Houston, TX in 1980. I moved back to Beaumont, married -- (a great man, BTW) Put myself through college and obtained an Associates degree in Management from Lamar University. Divorced 4 years later, moved to Dallas -- worked in Corporate America for several years (more times than not, frustrated because I thought that I could do the job better than most of my bosses) went back to college part time and finished with a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from UNT.
What gets me here before you today, to be quite honest, is a love of proving that I can make things happen…….when I have a clear vision………. and having a lifetime history of jobs in customer service and I know ………that I have the skills for working with people which is what I think a City Council job is all about.

I have a vision for making District 8 a safer, cleaner, more business friendly & a more resident friendly part of this City….and I feel confident… that I can make a difference.. for the better; in the District.

I believe that w/in the first 6 months I can get the crime rate knocked down to at least second place. Every single year that my opponent has been in office, District 8 has had the most total crime of all the Districts in this City. This is unacceptable! … if I get elected to this office, I promise you, that will CHANGE – - - - District 8 will not remain the most crime infested District in this City of ours!

HOW WILL I DO THIS? It’s quite simple. It’s called holding people accountable. We have laws on the books for a reason. If we aren’t going to enforce those laws then we need to take them off the books. If we are going to leave those laws on the books, then we need to enforce them….every single one of them, even littering.

If the jails are full and can’t take anymore offenders – sounds to me like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time for jail reform.

If we keep getting the same repeat offenders of the same crimes, sounds like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time for jail reform.

If the police officers are frustrated because the people they take downtown are back on the street corners before the officers finish their mounds of paperwork, sounds to me like we need to look at the system and see if there is a more effective way of dealing with the problem. I say it’s time the beat officers have an advocate at City Hall.

Let me ask y’all a question……(this is a test, but it’s an easy one!) If you know the answer say HEYYY!

How many of you know the name of your Neighborhood Police Officer?

My point exactly. Our NPOs need to know WHO THE RESIDENTS ARE! How can you fight neighborhood crime if you don’t know the residents, how can you educate the residents if you don’t know them? How can you keep communication lines open if you don’t communicate? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming the NPOs! What I’m pointing out is that there is a gap in lines of effective communication between the fancy offices at City Hall and street level workers in this City. I’m saying let’s talk about how many salaries we the taxpayers are paying----- for positions above the NPOs…what are the people in those positions doing and who is holding them accountable?

It is my understanding that it’s the City Council’s job to make sure that City Government is serving the people and businesses in the neighborhoods.
From what I’ve seen on the EASTSIDE of town, it appears there may need to be more questions asked about who’s doing what -- how they are doing it -- and is it effective.

A few ideas I have on ReBuilding our communities

– Neighborhood Police Officers riding bicycles and walking the neighborhoods

– getting a vibrant and effective community service program going that teaches self responsibility with the hope of instilling some pride & life ----- back into troubled & lost souls

– Holding leaders of NAs accountable for communicating with the residents and businesses in the neighborhood -- regardless if the residents or business owners aggravate them or not! -- regardless if everyone agrees! – no one will agree 100% of the time… we all know that!…. but if we are to call ourselves leaders, then it is our responsibility to stay open to communication IF…. we are to serve…. the common good of the people.

MY GOALS FOR DISTRICT 8 would be to have

– a District that attracts Economic Development on its own w/out having to be sub-si-dized by the tax payers!

– – a District that holds our police force accountable for enforcing the Class C Misdemeanor Crimes (what some call petty crimes)

– – a District that holds the DAs office and the FWPD accountable for prosecuting offenders to the fullest extent of the law

– – a District that provides bike lanes up & down the main corridors of District 8 so that we can inexpensively get people moving in & out of our side of town and maybe sell them a sandwich, salad or cold beverage in a safe environment like they do in other parts of our City.

– A District that has a Representative at City Hall that will actually know what’s going on and care what’s going on in the neighborhoods & in our Municipal Courts

– A District that has a Representative that will bring common sense to the money table and not ask for something just because everyone else is asking for it even when it’s not prudent from a business standpoint. It’s the right thing to do for the taxpayers -- - - (the owners of this City)!

– A District that has a humble, working girl, ready & willing to get her hands dirty and not be concerned about ruffling feathers in order to bring about NEEDED CHANGE!

– A District that values the historic charm of this City and protects historic homes in historic neighborhoods. I see no reason why we can’t work together and help neighborhoods rid themselves of crime & code violations and bring back some responsible homeowners to those neighborhoods.

If you will continue to support me through this campaign -- tell your friends, acquaintances, colleagues, business associates & certainly anyone you know on the Eastside that there is a girl running for the City Council seat in District 8 that

- means what she says and says what she means

- isn’t afraid of speaking up for the people & small businesses
- isn’t afraid to tackling the sensitive issues we have in District 8,

- A girl running for City Council who you won’t have to worry about doing shady housing deals that leaves the people in need with nothing -- the bandits with the money -- and the taxpayers picking up the pieces for bad business deals -- AND decisions made by ethically challenged politicians and their friends.

- A girl who won’t feel the need to sit on multiple Board of Directors and at the same time say that the District is so big I don’t have time to tend to the needs of the people!

- A girl who will be an advocate for personal responsibility, accountability and transparency, not only in the office of City Council District 8 but in all aspects of City Government and especially businesses that are getting money from the City of Ft. Worth on behalf of the taxpayers!

If you will help me spread this word, I can unseat the entrenched incumbent & we can restore this District to working for the people instead of working against the people and business communities of District 8 – we can help all of the taxpayers in Ft. Worth because there will be someone on their side for a change! Someone who will try her best to pick up where The Honorable Mr.Chuck Silcox left off.

- I can promise you that I will be someone following the money and making sure that everyone is held accountable. It’s the right thing to do for this District -- it’s the right thing to do for the tax payers of this City – it’s the thing I have to do personally… in order to look myself in the mirror each morning.

Last, but certainly not least! The dogs! This District is one of the WORST for having neglected stray dogs running around! Just last year (2008) there were 1,793 stray dogs picked up in District 8! That is roughly 150 dogs per month! Any you don’t want to know how many are euth-anized each day in this City! It is way past time for this city to consistently enforce the laws concerning humane treatment of the dogs!

and it is way past time for this City to address the problem of irresponsible dog ownership! It’s the right thing to do for the dogs, it’s the right thing to do for the taxpayers and it’s the right thing to do for our communities.
(Political Advertisement authorized by Suzette Watkins)
Donations are needed and accepted at http://www.suzetteforcouncil.com/donate.html

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Ft. Worth's Dogs - two of the thousands of neglected







The picture with the four clumps of hair is actually a picture of the casts of mats that we cut off of the dog's legs! A concerned neighbor called another neighbor about two abandoned dogs. The two dogs could not walk, terribly obese, mats like you have never seen in your life. Their nails were like spaghetti and inches long. It was the saddest case of dog abuse/neglect that I have seen. There are ones that are worse! What to do about irresponsible dog owners? I say, hold them accountable for their responsibility!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Animal Control hasn't been an Issue for my Opponent...(until now).


Another two intact (un-neutered) stray dogs running around in Council District 8 which I was able to save from various things such as starvation, car tire, abuse, neglect, creating more intact stray dogs which creates more intact stray dogs and on and on. These two dogs were taken, as usual, to the Humane Society of North Texas. Funny this issue never has been a concern of my opponent's even though this Council District 8 is one of the top three Districts for Animal Control calls and problems and has been every year that my opponent has sat in the Council seat for District 8. The people of District 8 won't have to give me a heads up about issues such as this because I will be paying attention to the details of such and will be reporting to you, the people, about the progress being made every month in District 8 IF you will elect me to office and/or help me get elected to the office.

Next Opportunity to help me is:

Fundraiser Celebration
with special guest & rising star Lauren Whitener, Jazz/Blues singer (www.laurenwhitenermusic.com)
Wednesday, Feb. 18th 5:30 - 7:30
Rahr & Sons Brewery Company
$20 per person ($35 per couple)

includes free sampling of Rahr's award winning beers, hamburgers & some insight into my vision for a safer, cleaner and more business friendly Council District 8.

701 Galveston Ave
Fort Worth, TX 76104
(Near Southside)

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Your Property is Infringing upon my Rights


In Ft. Worth's City Council District 8, "A pit bull terrier mauled the 61-year-old man in a vacant field as he strolled home from a neighborhood convenience store."


When we can't walk the streets of our neighborhoods, when children can't ride their bikes around the neighborhood, when we can't walk our dogs around the neighborhood because of the actions of an irresponsible dog owner, something must be done (and should have been done a long time ago when Animal Control statistics revealed the problem). So don't tell me, Local & State government officials, that you "care" and/or "concerned" and are "pro-active" about Quality of Life issues in East Ft. Worth. I ain't buyin it!

Attend my campaign fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 18th 5:30pm Rahr Brewery - 701 Galveston Ave, Ft. Worth, TX 76104 and hear my solutions for such issues in District 8.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

East Ft. Worth's stray/loose dog problem is Out of Control











I know you are probably getting tired of hearing about the stray dogs in City Council District 8 in East Ft. Worth. Just think if you had to actually witness it instead of just reading about it? Today as I was traveling down I30, I saw two dogs running around near the Interstate. I stopped and walked toward them to see if they would come to me. Of course not, they ran away from the highway into a nearby neighborhood. I drove around and found them (white dog in picture). The red one came up to me and ate some food, but I couldn't get my hands on him. He had ticks all over him and a huge infected area on top of his head. As I was driving away, I saw 3 other stray dogs (above). I placed several calls to Ft. Worth's Animal Control which is overwhelmed with dogs and calls. (817-392-3737 - leave message, they check them!) All dogs were UN-neutered, UN-spayed (intact). Thank goodness for Humane Society of North Texas. They take all dogs. I was able to catch 3 of the 5 dogs that I saw and take them over to the Humane Society. That is 3 dogs unable to impregnate or kill another one. That is 3 less dogs for you to run over with your car. That is 3 less dogs to cause a car wreck, etc. They take in and adopt out an enormous amount of dogs and they have an adoption center.
Due to the fact that the City of Ft. Worth does not aggressively enforce the current dog ordinances and due to the fact that the Texas State legislators have not aggressively addressed the problem with irresponsible dog ownership, we have a problem here that is costing all of us millions of tax dollars to pay staff to answer the phones at Animal Control, drive around & pick up the dogs, shelter the dogs, euthanize the dogs, dispose of the dogs, pick up dead dogs on roadways, take dead dogs to city landfill, etc. Not to mention the thousands of dogs, mostly Pitt Bull dogs in East Ft. Worth that our FW police officers shoot and kill. I could go on and on and on about the ramifications and the price we, the taxpayers, pay for irresponsible dog ownership. It gets into a "property rights" argument so I say we need to consider moving dogs out of the category of "property" in the big picture of the issue.
Please write your elected officials and tell them h0w you feel about the problem of stray dogs running our streets, neglected, not neutered or spayed, etc. I would appreciate your comments below with your thoughts on how to solve this out of control, costly problem. I would like to see ALL the current City Ordinances enforced and some changed.

I feel the same way about dogs that I do children, if you choose to own one then it is your responsibility to love and care for them, not the taxpayer's. I think the parents of such should be held accountable.