Charleston WV woman charged with animal cruelty and possible dogfighting.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A Charleston woman is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 13 pit bulls suspected of being raised as fighters at her home. Danielle Digiorgi is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 19 in Charleston Municipal Court on charges of animal cruelty and tethering violations. The latter charge stems from heavy chains used to restrain some of the dogs. Humane Officer Clarence Carte said Wednesday that he found what looked to be a makeshift arena and exercise equipment similar to kinds used in illegal dog fighting operations at Digiorgi’s home last month. He went to the home based on an anonymous tip.

Source: Herald Dispatch 8/29/07.Woman’s lawyer says dog fighting allegations false
The Associated Press



CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The lawyer for a woman facing animal cruelty charges after 13 pit bulls were seized from her property denies allegations that the dogs may have been trained for fighting. Mike DelGiudice, who represents Danielle Digiorgi of Charleston, said the case has been sensationalized because of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s case. Vick pleaded guilty Monday to a federal dogfighting charge in Richmond, Va. “There is no dog fighting going on, no training for dog fighting going on,” DelGiudice said. “All the dogs were well cared for. These are not vicious dogs. They are good dogs. Nobody mistreated them or abused them.” Humane Officer Clarence Carte said Wednesday that he found what looked to be a makeshift arena and exercise equipment similar to kinds used in illegal dog fighting operations at Digiorgi’s home last month. He went to the home based on an anonymous tip. Carte said the animals had no scratches or marks that would show they had been sparring. “She had a dog, her fiance had a dog and some friend of hers needed her to take care of her dogs for a while,” DelGiudice said. “There were some tables put together to contain the puppies. That’s it. There is nothing to this. It has been trumped up.” Digiorgi is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 19 in Charleston Municipal Court on charges of animal cruelty and tethering violations. The latter charge stems from heavy chains used to restrain some of the dogs.

Source: Herald Dispatch 9/3/07

How to stop your dog from chewing.

Stopping your dog from chewing everything in sight.

It is only natural for dogs to want to chew. It is a natural instinct, but they need to be trained what they can and can't chew without causing problems. While they might feel the need to sharpen their teeth you certainly don't want them to be doing that on your furniture. It is a lot cheaper to invest some money in suitable toys that thedog can chew or get their teeth cleaned professionally than to replace expensive household items. The simplest method of training a dog not to chew everything in sight is to confine it to a small area where only those things that it should be allowed to chew are present. The dog will then become accustomed to the smell of those things that it is allowed to chew and then when it is allowed out into the household where other items are present you can teach it not to chew items such as furniture, shoes, clothing, etc. It is also possible to teach an old dog not to chew items by using the same techniques although it is harder if it has been doing this for many years of its life. It is always preferable to teach your dog the lessons they need to know as soon as possible as training gets harder with the age of the dog. If the dog is going to be left inside for extended periods while
you're not around it is wise to remove any items that you don't want it to chew until it is fully trained. Until that time, the dog should be content with suitable chewing toys.

The "Come" Command.

The Command to Come when Called.

One of the most basic and important commands that you will need to teach your dog is to come when called. No matter what else happens, if you have taught your dog this command you will always be able to maintain control whether at home or in public. Should your dog ever get off it's leash or escape from your property you will know that when you call it that it will come back and this certainly makes life a lot easier for the dog owner. For working dogs, this is a vital skill as a handler needs to know that at any time they can get the dog back beside them and ready for their next command. When you are comfortable that your dog knows the commands of 'stay' and 'come' you no longer have to be as concerned that it needs to be kept on a leash at all times. This allows both the owner and the dog to have a lot more freedom. Generally, this command of 'come' is incorporated when teaching the dog to stay, as these two lessons work hand-in-hand with one another. The dog is first taught to stay and then the owner will teach the dog to come, while still on an extended leash. After gaining success in getting the dog to come, while still on a leash, the owner can then teach it to do so without the leash. Obviously for an untrained animal this would be better taught in an enclosed area until the dog has learned to respond to that command.

The Michael Vick Dog Fighting Case.

Today, 8/17/07, the last of the co-defendants in the Michael Vick dog fighting case, plead guilty and agreed to testify against Vick. They say that Vick participated in the execution of at least 8 dogs that did not do well in pre-fight testing. The outrageous thing is Vick's attorney's and the Prosecution are trying to "hammer" out a plea deal for Vick. This is ludicrous! The NFL commissioner suspended Pac Man Jones when he tested dirty for an illegal substance for 1 yr. The only thing that has been done to Vick is the Falcon's owner, Mr. Blank told him not to report to training camp. The NFL commissioner has yet to make a decision about Vick's future. That is ludicrous, too. More as it develops.

8/20/07 - Vick took a plea agreement. He will not go to trial and will probably not serve the maximum 5 yr. sentence. But, he will do jail time.

Update on Vick:
Goodell suspended the Atlanta Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay Friday, just hours after Vick filed a plea agreement that portrayed him as less involved than three co-defendants and guilty mainly of poor judgment for associating with them. In a letter to Vick, Goodell admonished him for "reprehensible" acts and for associating with people engaged in gambling in violation of NFL rules. He also rebuked him for seemingly trying to paint himself as something other than the ringleader. "You are now justifiably facing consequences for the decisions you made and the conduct in which you engaged. Your career, freedom and public standing are now in the most serious jeopardy," Goodell wrote. "I hope that you will be able to learn from this difficult experience and emerge from it better prepared to act responsibly and to make the kinds of choices that are expected of a conscientious and law abiding citizen." Vick acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He admitted that dogs not worthy of the pit were killed "as a result of the collective efforts" of himself and two co-defendants The commissioner said Vick's admitted conduct was "not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible." Even if he didn't personally place bets, Goodell said, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player." Goodell freed the Falcons to "assert any claims or remedies" to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004. The commissioner didn't speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell might meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings. "You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's personal conduct policy," Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay. Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell's decision. "We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life," Blank said. Nike, meanwhile, terminated its contract with Vick. Earlier Friday, a "summary of facts" signed by Vick and his lawyers was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. "While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed. "Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement said. Vick and his lawyers said his involvement was limited when it came to the enterprise known as the Bad Newz Kennels. "Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role," Vick's defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. "Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident." In court papers, Vick said he provided most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants - Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. When the dogs won, the statement said, gambling proceeds were generally shared by Taylor, Peace and Phillips. "Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels," the court document said. According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions in April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging. "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said. In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines. Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday's hearing. Martin said Vick will "speak to the public and explain his actions." Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday. The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent. The three co-defendants later pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Vick. Taylor was the first to change his plea, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring's gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights. The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL's most popular players. Animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick - even protesting at NFL headquarters in New York - and sponsors dropped him. "It is fitting that the NFL has suspended him," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "He's now a role model for something terrible, and it's not appropriate that he suit up in an NFL uniform."

source: AP National News

Is your dog an escape artist?

Dogs that generally try to escape from their property are usually
those that have not been trained or are bored. Boredom is most often the case, and giving your dog suitable stimulation to ensure that he/she remains contented on the property can prevent this. This can be as simple as leaving toys for your dog to play with, fresh water and a suitable place to sleep, shelter from the weather, and anything else that the dog might need while you aren't in attendance. Obviously a big fence and a locked gate will go a long way to deter your dog from escaping. Consider the alternative of trying to catch your dog once it has escaped, and the damage that can be done, should it run out in front of a cyclist or a car. Prevention is always best. Giving your dog regular exercise will also reduce the likelihood of it wanting to escape. Even the fact that the dog knows it will be getting exercise when you arrive home will eliminate much of the possibility of having it escape during the time when you're away. If your dog gets this exercise before you go out you are less likely to have problems because it is more likely to sleep after having exercised.

Help for the Mason County WV Animal Shelter.

Rescuers from North Carolina, the greater Washington, D.C. area and as far away as Maine. Over the weekend, all 54 cats were transported to a no-kill shelter in Moore County, N.C. People with A Forever Home in northern Virginia drove six hours to rescue 38 animals deemed suitable for travel. Some other dogs were taken to Maine, Roach said. Between 20 and 30 of the remaining animals are being spayed or neutered daily, Roach said. Workers at the shelter continued to try to find homes for many of the remaining animals. Time is of the essence, though. The county commission has hired an animal control team from Parkersburg that will visit the shelter next week to make recommendations for animals that should be euthanized.

excerpts from the Herald Dispatch - 8/7/07

The Mason County Animal Shelter has now been taken over by the county. All but 7 of the close to 400 dogs were placed or picked up by rescue groups from as faraway as Maine. Thanks so much to those groups! The shelter will no longer be a no-kill as of 8/17/07

How to stop your dog from jumping on people.

Jumping on People.

No matter how much we might enjoy our pet jumping up to greet us,
there are many people who dislike having a strange dog coming up
and jumping on them. For many people it can be a frightening experience as not everyone is a dog lover. Besides that, many people just don't want dirty paw marks over their clothing. It can also create major problems if a large dog were to jump up on a child or an elderly person. Dogs will generally jump up on people because they are overly excited and pleased to see them - even if that person is a stranger.
Many people inadvertently encourage this behavior by rewarding the dog with attention after the dog has jumped up on them. The dog then seeks similar reward from other people whether they like it or not. This is detrimental to the proper training of the dog and all members of the family must realize that they're doing more harm than good by encouraging their dog to jump up on people. Consistency is important in all forms of dog training, where members of the dog's family will need to exercise discipline and accept that training will be all the more difficult if the dog is allowed to continue with this behavior. Failure to do so will lead to confusion with the pet not knowing what is right or wrong. An alternative to having your dog jump up on you and other people is to teach it to sit and lift it's paw when greeting you for a handshake or similar tricks where the dog will be rewarded with attention.