Animals Seized in Abuse Investigation (Cazenovia, WI)

[undeterred]

From the ASPCA website:

CAZENOVIA, Wis. – The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), under the authority and request of the Richland County (Wis.) District Attorney and Dane County Humane Society, has dispatched its forensics and animal response teams, as well as its Mobile CSI Unit, to collect evidence in the investigation of an animal sanctuary in Cazenovia, Wis., known as the Thyme and Sage Ranch.

The ASPCA is evaluating animals found at the site, which are being seized by the Richland County Sheriff's Department. The ASPCA is collecting evidence for the prosecution of the criminal case, as well as lending the services of its special forensic cruelty investigation team, comprised of disaster animal rescuers and field service investigators. More than a dozen responders from the ASPCA's Disaster Response team are also on site, along with the ASPCA's "Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit," a critical tool in the collection and processing of evidence at crime scenes.

"Animal cruelty is unacceptable, and we are doing everything we can to lend our support to this critical investigation," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "The ASPCA's Mobile Animal CSI unit is an important component in the effort against animal cruelty, as it offers the ability to work on-site with the necessary tools, allowing evidence to be processed more accurately and efficiently."

Approximately 170 dogs were discovered during the execution of the search warrant, led by the Richland County Sheriff's department early Tuesday, May 19. Other animals on the property include horses, rabbits, chickens, goats, horses, sheep and llamas. Thyme and Sage Ranch holds the contract for Richland County to pick up stray dogs and small animals.

http://www.nbc15.com/news/headlines/45427647.html

This is a very sad situation, especially since this ranch is supposed to be a place for rescues. Lots of good people are helping out, though:

Anyone interested in helping during this critical time, please consider a donation to Dane County Humane Society’s ‘Rescue Relief Fund.’ This can be done by going to the DCHS website www.giveshelter.org . Donations of full sized bath towels (used but in good condition) and bundles of newspapers (with color ads removed) are also needed and can be dropped off at the shelter at 5132 Voges Road, Madison.

[undeterred]

1. This is a large scale rescue.

I talked to someone tonight who is involved in rescuing the animals from this "rescue". She said it was more like 400 dogs that are being evaluated. None have been put down so far, but lots of them need medical care or are severely underweight. They are going to need lots and lots of foster homes in about 3 weeks. What a mess.

More than 300 dogs seized from Richland County shelter

By GENA KITTNER
608-252-6139
[e-mail]
More than 300 dogs — many suffering from open wounds and housed in feces-ridden conditions — were seized Tuesday from a shelter that had been operating as a sanctuary for lost and found animals in Richland County. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at 6 a.m. for Thyme and Sage Ranch in Cazenovia and impounded the dogs and about 20 other animals including horses, rabbits, chickens, goats, horses, sheep and llamas.

"We have found some (dog) carcasses on the property," said Eric Sakach, senior law enforcement specialist for the Humane Society of the United States. http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/451808Animal protection representatives from across the country traveled to Wisconsin on Sunday and Monday to help in the seizure at the rural farm about 65 miles northwest of Madison.

"Many of the dogs, ranging from small to large breeds, were housed in poor conditions and suffering from ailments including severely matted fur, open wounds, and skin infections," the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a statement. "The dogs were housed in a multiple enclosures, many poorly ventilated, as well as outdoor kennels."

Jennifer Petkus, owner and founder of Thyme and Sage Ranch, could not be reached for comment Tuesday. According to its Web site, the facility is the acting pound for Richland County.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/451808