A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

[Dixie_Flyer]

Went camping this weekend at a campground on the lake, had not been there for a few years. Once there I began to walk around looking at the different sites when I noticed a very old dog. He just lay there until I got too close then he got up on three legs and hobbled away. Just judging I would say he is at least 11 years old. Well back to my story. The next afternoon he wanders into camp and just sits there looking. He looked so sad, so the wife got a bowl of our dog's food and put it down for him and he came over and ate. He then walked over to our dog and the two of them sniffed each other over and then they lay down together for the rest of the afternoon. That night he disappeared.
The next morning he was back and was a little more receptive of me. I looked at his injured leg and found that half of his rear foot was gone. It had healed and was not causing any problem except that he was walking on the stub that was left with no foot pad which causes him to limp. His front teeth were gone except for one canine tooth and it looked decayed. His eyes were tired looking and showing his age. He spent the rest of the day just laying around looking for a handout and by afternoon the campground host came around and saw him. I enquired about the dog and was told he had been there for three years and that most of the campers were tolerant of him and gave him food.
So what to do? Do you pick him up and bring him home or do you let nature take it course. He can't harm anyone, he has no teeth and he isn't a nuisance unless you don't like dogs, and no one seems to mind him being there. He is gentle and likes other animals as seen by his interaction with our dog. He still would not let me touch him but he would eat from my hand. Enough said, what would you do???

On June 28th 2008 Old Fella passed away of complications caused by bone cancer. Fella spent almost three years with his new family and became the icon of rescued old stray dogs. He will be greatly missed but his foot prints have been left in our hearts forever.

Now Charlie, the ten year old rescued Golden Lab has come to be a part of the continuing Old Fella story. (*Note, Charlie took his journey to Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly September 30, 2008)Suzie continues to charm her way into our hearts with her antics as she has grown from a puppy into a young lady. Togther they will carry on the Old Fella legacy. Come join us in their daily lives and be a part of the best feel good thread in RV.NET history. The legacy lives on.


HIghways Article Puppy Love

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

[chrisnpat]

Richard look at my sig. Is that what you are trying to say? Either way its said, I've found it to be very true as the years go by. Hope all is well with you and Sue, and Im praying that poor dog gets the help he needs, either though Gods way or humans.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today the drama will be played out concerning the injured dog and the abusive family. I will let you know what happens.

Yesterday was a long day thinking about the plight of the poor dog left with its injured back in the yard of this person’s home without medical attention. I hope things go swiftly this morning at least for the sake of the dog.

Our fur babies are all doing well this morning as they rest with full tummies. This weekend we will be camping again back at Modoc. This place seems to have an attraction for us as we can’t seem to get enough of it. Maybe it’s the memories of that camping trip Labor Day weekend back in 2005. Sue and I love to walk the trails and look at the places Fella used to hang out, sometimes it’s as if you can feel his presence as you walk and look at the wooded areas. The playground where Fella used to sleep under the slide is now gone along with the children that would be there and give him treats. He so loved the children and would allow them to pat him and hang over him, it was the adults he didn’t trust and would shy away from.

There are going to be some changes in the coming year as Sue and I ponder our future, just how much of a change is still up in the air, but I will let you know how things shape up as times goes on. By January we should know pretty much what the future will hold for us, but then God may change everything as life happens. You know the saying, “Life is what happens when you are making plans for the future?” I guess that is close to what I was trying to say, maybe someone can put it correctly?

Anyway, I have to go for now, talk with you later.

[Dashonthedash]

Richard said that the incident occurred in the County (unincorporated), which means that the Sheriff's office has sole local jurisdiction, unless you go to the state (Richard mentioned the DNR, which is apparently closed). Here in Evergreen, it is the same situation: even though we are a fairly large (20,000) municipality, we are unincorporated and do not have a dedicated police force.

[joang]

The sheriff may not be the right place to call. Does your area have a dedicated police force? In all the cities where I've lived in GA, the police investigate crimes and the sheriffs deal with the criminals. I know in some rural areas the county sheriff does both. If you have a police department, they are the ones to call with complains of illegal activity. They are the ones who should get the call. Whoever is supposed to check on these things, you may want to call back and remind the law enforcement that while you did not witness the violence, you know the animals are injured and failing to provide medical care for an animal is a crime (assuming it is where you live!) and the pet owners should be investigated. Does your town even have regulations covering the situations like this, where an animal needs help but the vets are closed? Do they have a plan of action for when the vets are open? If not, this seems like a perfect catalyst to get some! What do responsible pet owners do if they need emergency vet care on a weekend? Heck, I just came from the emergency vet clinic where my son had to put his new little hamster to sleep. I realize not everyone would take a rodent to the vet, but I think a dog dragging it's back legs is a no-brainer!

[Code2High]

What is to say it cannot be re-reported on the sheriff's main line? By anyone. There's no law that says LE only responds to first hand information.

[Wanderlost]

Sounds like it's time to vote in another sheriff, too.

[Dashonthedash]

The problem is, you have the recorded message to Old Fella, but no proof that the neighbor actually called the sheriff. I would suggest that the neighbor call the report in again, but have someone from the group on the line as well to verify the call. It may already be too late to help that poor injured dog, but someone needs to insure that, if these allegations are true, the owner can not harm another dog.

[Dandy_Dan]

I must say that the recorded message was quite disgusting. I really don't know how someone can do this to an animal that is to be a pet...........

[Dixie_Flyer]

This incident is in the County and most animal abuse calls go unrecorded so there is no record, therefore no blame. I don’t know when the neighbor made the call to the sheriff's office, but I have the recorded phone message that was made when Old Fella received the call and can verify his account of the abuse taking place.

[Dashonthedash]

Contact the media and make sure they know how the local law enforcement refused to act.

[SGTJOE]

Richard, I was so upset about this that I called your PD who referred me to the Sherriffs office who denied any reports of animal abuse. I told them that this has Nation Wide attention. I am a little upset with your Law Enforcement folks. Every one needs to call 706 554-2133 and ask for justice from the Sheriffs office.
The dispatcher I talked to assured me that she came on at 1800 6:00 pm and that there was no calls on animal abuse.

[SGTJOE]

Richard, I feel your pain. That person or persons are lucky that I am not close by. Hopefully someone or something will intervene. To harm one of Gods creatures is a crime. How I wish I was there.

[Dixie_Flyer]

tlfield wrote:
Does Georgia have a state police that might respond?

This would now fall under the DNR. We now have to wait until Monday to reach Tammy Cowart.

The problem is there is no animal control in Burke County, therefore there is no where to shelter the dog, All the Vet's are closed along with all the kennels. The dog needs medical attention, but first you have to have the law go in and take the dog off the property and then surrender it to a rescue group. Without the law, there is nothing that can be done. If I went to this person's house I could be arrested for criminal trespassing.

[tlfield]

Does Georgia have a state police that might respond?

[chele]

Oh man, how awful. How could anyone do such a thing? As for breaking the law, I'd be right behind you, BUT keep in mind the man that did that to the dogs could do that to you.