Article in International Herald Tribune
Puerto Rico dogs flown to Florida amid abuse concerns
The Associated Press
Published: October 26, 2007
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: They found her curled up in the door frame of a French-style bakery, filthy and frail from living on the streets of Puerto Rico's capital.
Animal rescuers named the tiny dog Francine, after the shop where she was found. On Friday, she and 11 other dogs were flown from San Juan to a shelter in Orlando, Fla., part of a rescue effort fueled by fears of animal abuse in the U.S. Caribbean territory.
Dozens of dogs and cats were seized from housing projects and hurled from a 50-foot-high (15-meter-high) bridge there earlier this month, sparking international outrage. Police are investigating a private animal control company they say is involved, although its owner has denied responsibility.
Central Florida's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered to take as many as 50 dogs after hearing about the killings, and local animal welfare groups this week asked rescuers across the island to round up any dogs healthy enough to be adopted.
The first animals flew out Thursday with Ginny Cornett, who runs a Florida-based rescue organization and often visits Puerto Rico to treat abused animals at Yabucoa Beach, also known as Dead Dog Beach. On board with her were 11 dogs, three of which had been abandoned at Yabucoa. When they arrived in Florida, SPCA officials waited on the tarmac with kennels.
They are expected to soon find the dogs homes.
"You won't believe the amount of phone calls I've been getting in the last 24 hours after people found out we were receiving dogs from Puerto Rico," said Jake White, SPCA's senior vice president.
Some are Puerto Ricans who live in Florida, while others simply heard puppies might be available, he said. The shelter accepts up to 13,000 animals a year, and hasn't had to euthanize any in the last decade for lack of space, he said.
The last group of dogs will be flown out Saturday, opening up space in several Puerto Rican homes for more stray dogs, said Edilia Vazquez, director of local dog rescue group Save a Sato.
Vazquez was the foster mother for Francine, the 8-month-old dog that she said loves giving sloppy kisses. Vazquez said it is hard to see the animals go, but she is comforted to know new families will care for them.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/26/news/CB-GEN-Puerto-Rico-Pet-Massacre.php
The Associated Press
Published: October 26, 2007
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: They found her curled up in the door frame of a French-style bakery, filthy and frail from living on the streets of Puerto Rico's capital.
Animal rescuers named the tiny dog Francine, after the shop where she was found. On Friday, she and 11 other dogs were flown from San Juan to a shelter in Orlando, Fla., part of a rescue effort fueled by fears of animal abuse in the U.S. Caribbean territory.
Dozens of dogs and cats were seized from housing projects and hurled from a 50-foot-high (15-meter-high) bridge there earlier this month, sparking international outrage. Police are investigating a private animal control company they say is involved, although its owner has denied responsibility.
Central Florida's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered to take as many as 50 dogs after hearing about the killings, and local animal welfare groups this week asked rescuers across the island to round up any dogs healthy enough to be adopted.
The first animals flew out Thursday with Ginny Cornett, who runs a Florida-based rescue organization and often visits Puerto Rico to treat abused animals at Yabucoa Beach, also known as Dead Dog Beach. On board with her were 11 dogs, three of which had been abandoned at Yabucoa. When they arrived in Florida, SPCA officials waited on the tarmac with kennels.
They are expected to soon find the dogs homes.
"You won't believe the amount of phone calls I've been getting in the last 24 hours after people found out we were receiving dogs from Puerto Rico," said Jake White, SPCA's senior vice president.
Some are Puerto Ricans who live in Florida, while others simply heard puppies might be available, he said. The shelter accepts up to 13,000 animals a year, and hasn't had to euthanize any in the last decade for lack of space, he said.
The last group of dogs will be flown out Saturday, opening up space in several Puerto Rican homes for more stray dogs, said Edilia Vazquez, director of local dog rescue group Save a Sato.
Vazquez was the foster mother for Francine, the 8-month-old dog that she said loves giving sloppy kisses. Vazquez said it is hard to see the animals go, but she is comforted to know new families will care for them.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/10/26/news/CB-GEN-Puerto-Rico-Pet-Massacre.php
posted by Ginny at 7:29 AM
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