3 starving, hypothermic dogs seized from yard - Marshalltown, NS

3 starving, hypothermic dogs seized from yard
Marshalltown, NS (CA)

Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 23, 2000

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Gail Benoit
» Dana Bailey

Gail Benoit and Dana Bailey of Marshalltown, near Digby, have been charged under the provincial Animal Cruelty Act when three dogs were removed from their backyard on Nov 23. The three dogs were hypothermic and emaciated.

Dr Neil Pothier was the veterinarian who accompanied SPCA investigator Bill Hilden to the home to examine the three dogs. The first dog he examined was an adult female pit bull type of dog. She had lost most of her muscle mass, was emaciated and on the verge of starving.

There was not any food and the water in a bucket had frozen solid. The dog's tether was wrapped around a bush or tree so the dog cold not reach the doghouse for shelter.

The dog's temperature was 37.4 degrees. Normal range is 38.5 to 39.5. "Any below that (38.5) is hypothermic." The dog was shivering, had pale mucous membranes which meant blood circulation has been impaired. In the vet's opinion, the adult dog might have lasted another day or two.

The dog had fleas but no worms. Blood work indicated the dog was normal without any major organ diseases. The dog was very hungry. "It was ravenous. It dove into the food."

The adult dog weighed 37.2 pounds, it should have weighted about 50 pounds. In a foster home the dog now weighs about 50 pounds.

The pups were in a small enclosure with a doghouse. The smaller of the two puppies was quiet, had fleas and biting lice. It was also hypothermic, shivering and had a distended abdomen, appeared it might have worms.

The second pup seemed stronger but also had worms. When the two pups were wormed at the animal hospital, their cages began to fill up rapidly with worms, hundreds of which were expelled.

The two women had a bright, colored sign by their home on Highway 101 advertising pups for sale. Benoit and Bailey were told not to sell dogs while this matter is before the court.

References

• The Halifax NS Herald - May 16, 2001

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