Wisconsin Rescue Sanctuary Owner Charged

On Thursday, May 21, Jennifer Petkus, founder of the Thyme and Sage Ranch—a sanctuary once entrusted to care for homeless animals in Richland County, WI—was charged with 11 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty and five forfeitures after nearly 400 animals were seized from her property. The charges include improper shelter and the mistreatment of animals by intent or negligence.

“The ASPCA Forensics Investigation Team is now beginning to evaluate the evidence they collected from the scene,” says Jeff Eyre, the ASPCA Director of Field Operations and lead investigator on the case. “This includes documentation of the injuries to the animals seized, causes of death and a review of sales, adoption and medical records. All evidence will then be turned over to Richland County authorities to aid in the prosecution of Petkus.”

Animal welfare organizations, in conjunction with the Dane County Humane Society, are currently housing many of the animals seized from the ranch. They include 315 dogs, 21 rabbits, 14 birds, two chinchillas, one cat, one ferret and one rooster. 23 horses also seized from the property are being housed at a Wisconsin horse rescue. Many of the animals are suffering from skin, eye and ear conditions, malnutrition and various internal infections.

Despite numerous attempts to have Petkus sign the seized animals over to authorities, so far she refuses to relinquish ownership. By law, the Dane County Humane Society cannot place any animals up for adoption until Petkus surrenders them or a judge mandates their release.

Petkus is currently free on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court today, May 29, at 1:00 P.M. ASPCA Article

When A Rescue Shelter Goes Bad - Wisconsin Animal Seizure

This is a very disturbing story from the ASPCA about a Wisconsin animal sanctuary that was treating there animals in a very inhumane way. "On Tuesday, May 19, the ASPCA dispatched its forensics and animal response teams, as well as its Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, to collect evidence in the investigation of the Thyme and Sage Ranch, an animal sanctuary in Cazenovia, WI.

Under the authority and request of the Richland County District Attorney and Dane County Humane Society, the ASPCA is currently evaluating more than 300 animals found at the site and gathering evidence for the prosecution of the criminal case. More than a dozen responders from the ASPCA Disaster Response Team are on the scene, along with the ASPCA Mobile CSI Unit, a specially-designed vehicle outfitted with medical equipment for animal patients." full story and pictures here >>>

Swine Flu Little Risk to Cats and Dogs

Press Release April 29, 2009

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that the recent human "Swine Flu" outbreak, thought to have originated in Mexico, appears to present a low risk of infecting cats and dogs.

To date, only humans have been affected by the new A/H1N1 virus, and it is unknown whether the virus will impact other animals. Although the virus is being termed "swine flu," researchers have not confirmed that this new strain evolved in pigs and are working to determine more about its origins.

"At this time there is no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus," says Dr. Louise Murray, the Director of Medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. "However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animal's health more closely during this outbreak. Steps to limit possible transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa are recommended." ... Read The Rest Here