A woman in Tarpon Springs, Florida was recently caught on video appearing to abuse her dog. Video taken by a witness showed the woman, 26-year-old Michelle Sieber, choking, kicking and hanging her dog by the leash. She laughed as the man tried to defend the sad dog.
A Dog Obeying and Still Continues to Be Beaten
The adorable brown and white baby was simply trying to walk beside her. He appeared to be a well behaved and compliant companion and yet this monster of a woman repeatedly yanked him up by his leash. At one point the dog even gagged and gasped for air after being released from his hanging.
Vincent Minutello tried to stand up for the innocent dog.
“Hey, can you go a little easy on that dog, please?”
Minutello posted the video to his Facebook page and thousands of people shared their disgust for the woman as they called for her arrest. The incident was also reported to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Department. Luckily they were able to catch up with Sieber in the dilapidated van that she lives in. She was found a few days later in Clearwater where she was subsequently arrested. Her two dogs were taken to animal control.
Justice For The Innocent
You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that both dogs checked out okay, including the one seen in the video.Sieber is still being held in the Pinellas County Jail as of the writing of this article. She has been charged with cruelty to animals which is a felony.
The perpetrator’s mother is a commissioner in Tarpon Springs. Rea Sieber is a local business owner and has contributed greatly to her community. The disappointment could be heard in her voice when she recently gave a statement at their Board of Commissioners Meeting on September 24th.
“It is with great regret that I make this statement. My daughter, Michelle, has been shown in a video on the news and on social media mistreating one of her dogs. I’ve had the opportunity to review the video and I understand it’s significance. I’m quite distraught by her behavior but she is my daughter and I will support her getting the help that she needs for her illness. She was raised better than that and is now suffering the consequences of her behavior in the Pinellas County Jail.”
You can watch the video here from WFLA New Channel 8. Watch with caution as you may find it very disturbing.
Michelle Thomas had no idea how much one tiny foster puppy would change her life. What started out as an innocent puppy thrown out of a truck due to her special appearance, would be a pup that brings light to so many lives!
A couple years ago, a good Samaritan witnessed a puppy being thrown from a truck window. The small puppy was immediately brought to animal control, where they soon realized just how special she was.
As a puppy, she just looked a bit “off.” They weren’t quite sure what it was that set her apart from other puppies, but they knew they had to find her a foster home that would look after her as if she were her own.
Michelle Thomas, a foster with the New Life Dog Rescue (NLDR), came rushing to this special pup’s aid when she heard of her arrival. She made the 4 hour drive from Tampa to Miami in order to scoop her up, as she had an overwhelming feeling that she belonged in her home. She would soon bring Delta home, who has been named after the red airline blanket she was wrapped in on her arrival, and find that she was the missing piece in her home.
When Delta was 4 months old, she appeared to have stopped growing. Aside from her stunted growth was her hoarse breathing, and how difficult it seemed for her to consume a whole meal. Thomas then started the lengthy process of getting to the bottom of her mysterious illness.
After extensive testing, Delta was diagnosed with Canine Dwarfism. Aside from this diagnosis, she also discovered that she suffered from brachycephalic syndrome, and would need a specialty surgery to help her breathe easier. With the help of NLDR, they were able to raise the funds for her surgery, and all other follow up care that she would require.
Now, Delta is living the best life a pup could ask for! She spends her days swimming in her favorite pool, going on walks with her mom and socializing with the town, and playing with her favorite stuffed unicorn toy. She even has a giant blow up unicorn in her yard!
No matter her differences, Delta has a fierce love for life. Thomas has made sure to share her story as much as possible; as she believes Delta is an incredible inspiration to so many.
No matter what life throws your way, it never has to defeat you! Delta sure has followed this motto, and continues to bring a smile to everyone’s face that she meets!
The United States Food And Drug Administration has issued a warning to not feed your dogs Performance Dog Raw Pet Food produced on or after July 22nd, 2019. Two samples collected during an inspection of Bravo Packing, Inc., the manufacturer of Performance Dog Raw Pet Food, tested positive for Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. Here’s what you need to know about this.
PET FOOD RECALL — FDA: All "Performance Dog" raw pet food produced after July 22 should be thrown away because it "represents a serious threat to human and animal health": https://cnn.it/2oAZO0f
The specific product the FDA is cautioning about is Performance Dog Raw Pet Food, lot code 072219, sold frozen in two-pound pouches. However, they are recommending you throw out any Performance Dog product purchased on or after July 22nd, 2019. These food products don’t have lot codes printed on retail packaging, so it’s best to be safe.
According to the FDA, this is the second time that Bravo Packing, Inc. product has tested positive for pathogen contamination. In September 2018, the same manufacturer recalled all Performance Dog Raw Pet Food due to Salmonella contamination. In 2016, an FDA inspection found Performance Dog food that tested positive for the drugs pentobarbital and phenytoin.
What Are The FDA’s Concerns?
These products are sold frozen, so the FDA is concerned people still have them stored in their freezers. Freezing or refrigeration does not kill these bacteria.
Obviously there is a concern for your dog’s health, but salmonella can also be passed on from canine to human, so this is a larger public health issue as well. Dogs can get sick from the pathogens, and they may also be carriers of the bacteria without appearing to be ill. Any person who comes into contact with surfaces contaminated by the food is at risk.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires that all animal food, just like human food, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. Dog food is more likely than human food to contain these bacteria since it’s not cooked which often kills harmful pathogens.
How To Spot Salmonella Contamination
Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in humans and animals, especially those who are very young, very old, or have weak immune systems. According to the CDC, symptoms of Salmonella in humans include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Most people will get better without treatment, but in some cases theinfection can spread from the intestines to the blood stream and further unless the person is promptly treated with antibiotics.
Dogs don’t always display symptoms of Salmonella, but signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite and/or decreased activity level. If your dog displays these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away. Again, it’s important to note that infected dogs can shed the bacteria in their feces and saliva without showing signs of being sick.
How To Spot Listeria Contamination
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause illness and death in people and animals. The CDC says that listeriosis in humans can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and usually fever and muscle aches.
It’s especially serious for pregnant women, as infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the baby.
While uncommon in animals, Listeria infections are still possible. Symptoms in dogs may include mild to severe diarrhea; anorexia; fever; nervous, muscular and respiratory signs; abortion; depression; shock; and death. And remember: dogs do not need to display any symptoms in order to pass “L. mono” on to people.
What Should You Do If You Have The Affected Food?
If you do have the affected product at home, the first thing to do is stop feeding it to your dogs right away. Dispose of the food in a secure container that cannot be accessed by other animals, including wildlife.
You should also clean the refrigerators or freezers where the food was stored. Disinfect all bowls, utensils, food prep surfaces, bedding, toys, floors, and any other surfaces that the food or your dog may have come into contact with. This includes any place where your dog goes to the bathroom, as the bacteria can remain in feces. If not cleaned up, people or other animals can be exposed.
Lastly: make sure you thoroughly wash your hands after handling the affected food or cleaning up contaminated spaces.
The FDA encourages that if you have complaints about dog food products you report them electronically through theSafety Reporting Portal. This information will help the FDA further protect human and animal health.
This summer, the Humane Society of Charlotte, NC took in a very special pooch. Sweet Potato is a fun-loving gal with an infectious smile. She is also paralyzed in her rear legs due to a spinal injury.
As with most disabled shelter pets, the staff at HSC knew finding the perfect adopter for Sweet Potato would be a challenge. But earlier this month, their efforts paid off when Miss Sweet P was whisked off to her forever home!
From the moment she arrived at the shelter, Sweet Potato was spoiled rotten. She received so many visits from volunteers and staff, they decided to start a #SelfiesWithSweetPotato campaign.
She also underwent acupuncture therapy and other treatments to help make her as strong as possible before adoption.
Early into her stay at the shelter, Sweet Potato was measured for a wheelchair by the Gunnar’s Wheels Foundation. Jason Parker founded the organization in 2014 after his own dog became paralyzed. He has since helped hundreds of shelter dogs and pets in need – including cats and goats!
In mid-August, the pink custom-made chair arrived, and Sweet Potato was ready to GO!
“We owe a huge thank you to Gunnar’s Wheels! Sweet Potato got her wheels and they’re pink! Our sweet girl tried on her chair this morning and took off right away! A little more practice and she’ll be cruising like a pro,” CHS wrote on Facebook.
Now, just one month later, Sweet Potato has found her perfect forever home. We do not know her new dad’s name, but you can tell from the adoption photo that he is ready, willing, and able to give Sweet P all the love and special care she could ever need!
Congratulations sweet girl! Have a wonderful life!
An 8 month old Pit Bull puppy named Zeus earned his wings this week after protecting his boy and girl from a deadly coral snake. Zeus shows us, once again, that dogs cannot be judged by their breed and that pit bulls are heroic, protective, and loyal to their people, even at the expense of their own lives.
The Richardson family got Zeus as tiny pup, bringing him into their home this January. They all became very attached to him and their time together was always happy and fun. The Richardson children were outside of their Sumter County home cleaning Zeus’s water dish when suddenly Zeus leapt into action.
Unbeknownst to the children, a coral snake was right there near the young boy’s foot, but the venomous snake did not escape the attention of Zeus. He began attacking the snake, delivering bite after bite attempting to clear the children from harm. The children got away unharmed but Zeus was not as fortunate. He was bitten four times during the attack.
Gary Richardson reported to Fox35, “I knew when he first came in that something was wrong and (it) was very traumatic because I knew he was dying.” The family rushed Zeus to the nearest veterinary clinic in Ocala where he received anti-venom. Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Zeus succumbed to his injuries the following day.
“He’s been a member of the family,” Gina Richardson said. “It just killed us. We just knew the antivenom was going to work.”
The Richardson family is devastated by the loss of their family member, but feel hugely grateful to him. Had he not sensed the snake and jumped into action, the family could have lost their son, daughter, or both. Richardson said,
“Pitbulls are the most loyal dog I know of, and I’ve had a lot of different animals in my life,” Gary Richardson said.
Time and again we hear two types of stories on opposite ends of the spectrum about Pit Bulls. We either hear of them attacking people or other dogs, unprovoked and violently. Or we hear about them saving lives, serving the police force, and having their power and strength be put to the most amazing use. No breed is born aggressive. This is learned behavior. Hopefully some day soon, everyone will agree that Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs who, just like every other living being on Earth, will be kind, sweet, loving creatures when they receive kind, sweet, loving care.
America was rocked by an act of terror on 9/11 that forever changed life in the U.S. 2,974 people died that day and many more continued to perish from complications over the coming years. Heroes came in all shapes and sizes that day and in the months to follow. 343 firefighters and 23 police officers lost their lives and nearly 300 dogs came from all over the country to assist in search and rescue operations.
A Four-Legged Hero
One dog was in the North Tower and lead 31 people to safety- a Yellow Lab named Roselle. She was a guide dog who diligently came to work with her dad every day. Michael Hingson, Roselle’s dad, was a sales manager for a Fortune 500 company called Quantum the day the terror attacks shook America. Hingson and Roselle first met just two years prior in 1999.
Roselle had been patiently laying under his desk when the unthinkable happened. Hingson and his colleagues didn’t know what had happened at the time, but they quickly realized the situation was dire.
“I heard a tremendous boom, and the building started to shudder violently, before slowly tipping, leaning over 20 feet… Those inside became convinced they were on the verge of death. Tearfully, colleagues said goodbye to each other. I was sure I was going to die,” Hingson told the Sunday Express.
American Airlines Flight 11 had just struck the World Trade Center. Debris quickly began raining down around the office. Remarkably, both Hingson and Roselle were able to remain calm and let their training take over, according to LADBible.
“I had always paid attention to fire drills and I knew to avoid the elevators, take the stairs and not to panic. While everything was happening, the explosion, the burning debris, the people in the conference room screaming, Roselle sat next to me as calm as ever. She didn’t sense any danger in the smoke and flames, everything happening around us. If she had sensed danger, she would have acted differently, but she didn’t. Roselle and I were a team and I trusted her,” Hingson explained.
Escaping the Unimaginable
People started making their way down the stairs when they began to be overcome by fumes. Hingson had done quite a bit of traveling and quickly recognized the smell of jet fuel. He started to piece together what may have happened and suspected a plane had struck the building.
The smell, which he reported was similar to kerosene, became so strong that their eyes began to burn. The temperatures of the burning jet fuel skyrocketed to nearly 3,000 degrees on the floors just above them. Steel beams began to melt within the already compromised structure.
Hingson wondered what would happen if the lights in the stairway went out. Surely it would cause panic.
“The thought hit me that I could be a guide. So I called out to everyone not to worry, that Roselle and I would lead the way. Some people laughed, but the mood was definitely lightened.”
The Worst Wasn’t Over
They reached the lobby of the building after an hour traversing crowded stairwells, sweltering temperatures, and navigating past the gravely wounded. They were quickly met by a police officer yelling for them to evacuate because the building was collapsing. Hingson picked up his beloved Roselle and literally ran for his life.
“I heard the sound of glass breaking, of metal twisting, and terrified screams. I will never forget the sound as long as I live.”
He recalls that it took just ten seconds for the iconic skyscraper to be reduced to rubble.
“Then we were engulfed by a monstrous cloud of sand and gravel. It filled my throat and lungs and I was drowning, trying to breathe. But we kept running, and Roselle kept guiding me perfectly. She didn’t stop once. Roselle and I are a team, and I was not about to let her go.”
A Lasting Legacy
Roselle retired from guiding in 2007. She lived a long and fulfilling life before passing away from a stomach ulcer and kidney damage in 2011.Roselle’s heroism didn’t end on 9/11 or in 2011 when she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Thunder Dog was a book written in her honor. Roselle’s Dream Foundation was started to bring awareness about vision loss. It also provides scholarships to help blind students. Roselle was also posthumously named American Hero Dog of the Year in 2011.
Hingson left his fast-paced sales job and began working for Guide Dogs for the Blind– the organization that matched him with his lifesaver, Roselle.
It’s true- heroes really do come in all shapes and sizes.
Military working dogs spend most of their lives fighting for our nation and our people. Once their military time has been served, there is nothing they crave more than a quiet and loving home. 90% of MWD’s end up with their handlers, but what about the other 10%?
Each year, the young working dogs at the Lackland Airforce Base that don’t quite make the cut for deployment find their forever homes. While this is incredible news, it does make it more difficult to find families for the older and retired military working dogs.
Their old age gets them overlooked, but they often have even more to offer than the average pup. MWD’s spend years working next to their handlers, protecting those they love, and participating in tasks that help to keep our nation safe. These loyal canines know exactly what it means to stand by those they love, and will gladly continue to do so for their future family.
In their years spent working in stressful environments, you can only imagine just how much they crave a quiet and stable home. By giving them a family to live out their retired years with, you can surely change their world.
There is often stigma surrounding working dogs, and their ability to fit in to family life. Workers at the Lackland Airforce Base ensure that each adoptable dog is perfectly suitable for a forever home. Each dog goes through multiple behavioral tests that make sure they are safe with children over the age of 5, safe with other dogs, and safe in a home environment. Their military past has no negative affect on how well they will fit into a family.
“Every MWD, when they’re retiring, they do a behavioral test and an adoption test to make sure they’re not going to be food aggressive or bite a small child or chase the mailman down the street.” – Officer at Lackland Airforce Base
If you are interested in adopting a retired military dog, there are a few requirements that you will need to meet:
A family has to apply and be interviewed by the military to ensure it will provide for the dog and to answer questions about other pets in the home.
A family usually cannot have young children. Unfortunately, most of the dogs aren’t good fits for families with kids under age 5.
A family must be willing to travel to San Antonio to get the dog.
Do you think you are ready to open your heart to one of our nation’s heroes? You can contact the officers at mwd.adoptions@us.af.mil or call 210-671-6766.
We know by now that many police officers have a massive heart for the world’s four-legged creatures. Big, muscular men became totally overjoyed with emotion time and time again and stone-faced women can’t help but boop a puppy nose. It comes as no surprise then that a police officer recently risked his life to save a pup on the interstate.
Risking His Life To Save Another
Officer Joseph Puglia was working a shift with the Pinellas Park Police Department when he witnessed a small dog get struck by a car. Pinellas Park is located just outside of Tampa. The Tampa Bay area is known for its high volume of traffic and expansive interstate systems.
The tiny dog ran into traffic on Interstate 275 where he was hit by a car right before Officer Puglia’s eyes. He told Fox 35 that his heart sank until he noticed the small dog was miraculously still breathing. The kind-hearted officer was sworn to protect and serve and that’s exactly what he did.
Quick Thinking Saved This Dog’s Life
Dashcam footage shows Officer Puglia springing into action just seconds after the accident. He quickly maneuvered his patrol car to block traffic. Then he scooped the tiny fur baby into his arms and wrapped him in a blanket. The pair rushed about six miles to Pinellas Animal Hospital who were awaiting their arrival. Officer Puglia thought fast and radioed in to dispatch to alert the animal hospital, giving the dog the best chance of survival.
“This incident is just another example of the dedication and compassion our officers have for our four legged friends. Great job to Ofc. Puglia.”
The dog was fittingly nicknamed Lucky. He suffered only minor cuts and bruises and thankfully will make a full recovery. Lucky didn’t have a microchip or tag so he was taken to the local animal shelter where he will be held. The lucky little guy already has a family that is ready to welcome him into their home if he isn’t claimed.
A Second Save Just Days Apart
The Pinellas Park Police Department made another great save this week! A lost dog had been found trapped in a canal. Officer Fox didn’t think twice before climbing a fence and trudging through the muddy hillside. He was successful in leading the dog to safety. The only tragedy here were his mushy boots!
We are so thankful for these officers and all of their sacrifices!
Barbara Dadswell found herself in a desperate situation when she became stranded on a hike with her canine best friend. After her two day long fight for survival, it was her dog’s cry for help that finally got them saved.
Dadswell and her dog loved to spend their days exploring the local trails around Ashland Lake, and taking in the beauty of the forest. On September 14th , they packed their bags for yet another stunning adventure, and set out for a day spent in the mountains.
A few hours into the hike, things took a tragic turn. Dadswell slipped on a log on their trail, broke her leg, and fell into a ravine. She knew immediately that she was in a desperate situation.
She began looking around for tools she could use to stabilize her broken leg enough to help her hike to safety. With only 4 water bottles and a few snacks in her bag, she had to get creative.
Because her loyal pup never left her side, she had access to her dog’s safety backpack. She was able to create a splint for her leg by using the backpack, some shoe strings, and a few stable sticks she could find around her. With her splint in place, she spent the next day and a half inching her way to the main trail.
The sun set on her first day of attempting to crawl to safety, and she began to feel hopeless. Her and her beloved pup spent the night huddled together, hoping the next day would bring them more luck.
As the two began their second day of desperation, they soon heard someone in the distance.
Dadswell’s dog began to cry out, hoping to gain the attention of whoever it was crossing their path. Luckily for the stranded duo, it was another fellow hiker.
Matthew Medina heard the dog crying for help, and ran to their aid. After bringing them immediate supplies such as food and water, he contacted the local ranger station for help. An emergency response team came to Dadswell’s aid, and whisked her away to a hospital for further care.
Dadswell is still unsure of where she would be without her very best canine friend. What an incredible pup to remain by her side through this terrifying endeavor, and to continue to seek help when all efforts appeared useless.
Of course, no one wants to leave their dog alone in a car, especially on an extremely hot or cold day. However, with Tesla’s Dog Mode in the Model S, you no longer have to worry about your furry friends being in danger while they wait. It even displays a screen to notify others that the car temperature is controlled.
Unfortunately, Ross Hunt still ended up getting in trouble for keeping his dog in the car on a hot day. He had Dog Mode on, but he was still charged for animal cruelty.
Hunt left his Poodle, Loki, in the car while he attended a lunch meeting at Roly’s Bistro in Ballsbridge, Ireland. He made sure that Dog Mode was on before leaving his furry friend alone. However, a person that walked past saw Loki in the car and immediately called the police.
When Hunt spoke to a representative from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, he explained the dog feature to them. He had been able to monitor the temperature of the vehicle simply from an app on his phone. The car was set at 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, Loki was completely fine in the air-conditioned car.
On top of that, Hunt’s car had displayed this information on the dashboard screen for those outside to see. The screen reads the temperature in the car and it states that the dog’s family will be returning soon.
However, even after explaining this, Hunt was still charged with violation of the county’s Animal, Health, and Welfare Act. Hunt knew he had not harmed Loki in any way, so he pleaded not guilty.
Hunt actually cares for animals on a daily basis. He runs an AI company that monitors the well-being of farm cows in North America. He used this information to further prove his ability to care for animals. Luckily, after further consideration, the judge dismissed the charges against Hunt.
“It was quite clear that he was a very loving, responsible, and caring dog owner,” said Judge John Brennan.
Tesla’s Dog Mode is a newer feature that came out in February 2019. Technically, it is an extension of the Overheat Cabin Protection feature. This previous feature would run the A/C or heater if the inside of the car ever got too hot or too cold. However, the Dog Mode is a much safer and consistent feature.
Hopefully, this type of feature will become more common for cars in the future. Plus, if more people are aware of it, less pet parents will have to go through the situation that Hunt was faced with. This feature can help all dogs to stay safe while their humans run errands, so it is definitely a valuable mechanic to have.
These days it’s hard to get by without having an Instagram account. But, if you’re like me you follow more animals than human beings. Let me tell you, this is the way to go.
One particularly outstanding account details the adventures of a Golden Retriever in Amsterdam named Barley. Barley lives with his two humans Zita Butler and Marc Wisselo, and his best friend Fluffy. Fluffy is a stuffed Golden Retriever the couple found at IKEA, they explained to Instant Dogs.
“A week before Barley came home, we were in IKEA and noticed all the stuffed golden retrievers on the shelves. We thought it would be fun for Barley to have a little friend … He’s totally besotted with his mini-me.”
When Zita and Marc first bought the plush dog for their puppy, Fluffy was bigger than Barley. Barley is now almost 2-years-old and has far outgrown his little stuffed pal in size.
Zita told PopSugar how adorable it is to witness their friendship.
“Every single time the human comes home, Barley picks up Fluffy and brings him over as a welcome-home present. Whenever he hears a loud noise or if the vacuum cleaner appears, he picks up Fluffy for comfort.”
Recently Barley had a pretty big bummer of a milestone: he got neutered. That left him with a cone of shame around his neck so he wouldn’t bite at the stitches.
Zita and Marc felt for their little guy, so they came up with a cute way to help him get through it. They found a little lampshade to put on Fluffy: his own tiny cone of shame.
“He looked so sad and we felt so bad for him that we got a cone of shame for Fluffy, too. It definitely improved his mood.”
Living with a large cone around your neck isn’t easy, but it’s a lot easier when your best pal is going through the same ordeal.
It’s clear from that big smile on Barley’s face that he loves his stuffed pal so much.
“We even need to bring Fluffy with us when we visit our friends’ houses, in the car, on holidays.”
So far, Barley has gone to the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Germany with Fluffy. His latest adventure? Being the cutest little ringbearer in the world at his people’s wedding!
