Help GALT Greyhounds from FWAC Cruelty Case Rescued
Greyhounds from FWAC Cruelty Case Rescued!
Fort Worth Animal Control Cruelty Investigation Officers took 28 dogs into custody Thursday night, July 8, 2010. GALT was contacted as greyhounds were included in the seizure. At GALT’s request, Greyhounds Unlimited (GU) joined in this effort, as GALT and GU are the only adoption groups in the DFW/north Texas area to help stray and shelter greyhounds. Friday morning, representatives from GALT and GU met with Diane Whiteley, the Executive Director of the Texas Greyhound Association, to assess the dogs. Eight were taken by each group. Wednesday, July 14, GALT took one more female and with that now all 28 dogs are with adoption groups. Two videos showing all of the 28 dogs can be seen here:
The condition of GALT's 9 greyhounds is absolutely appalling and shocking. Weights on the females and males range from 35 to 51 pounds. Besides being extremely thin, each dog was covered with more ticks than can be ever imagined. Graphic pictures can be seen here.
The greys in GALT's custody are listed below:
All the greys were evaluated by Dr. Jeff Ellis and Dr. Christy Soileau of VCA Preston Park Animal Hospital. Friday it was determined that Nate, a 3-year-old brindle male, should be taken to the Collin County Animal Emergency Clinic because his packed cell volume was 12. Friday evening he received two units of whole blood. The veterinarian estimated a staff of 4 technicians removed 1500 ticks from his body - and that is after a team of GALT volunteers worked 2 hours bathing and removing ticks.
Remarkably, blood work shows none of GALT's greyhounds to be heartworm positive at this time; however, initial blood work indicates a high probability of severe tick-borne diseases. All are loaded with intestinal parasites of every kind: hookworms of four different varieties, whipworms, capillarid and tape worms. Hair is missing in clumps as well as loss covers the entire torso on many of the greys. Tattoos are in the process of being identified if possible. As soon as Protatek tick panel test results are received, they will be posted.
As GALT approaches its 10th year in existence, this situation is by far the worst experienced to date. Won't you please consider helping these special greyhounds - they deserve a chance at a decent life don't you think?
UPDATE 8/6/2010
The past week has been a difficult one for GALT. Last Thursday, July 29th, both Rachael and Martin succumbed to severe seizure activity, which now has been diagnosed and confirmed through PCR testing as distemper. On Saturday, July 31st, Pudge's condition deteriorated with severe neurological activity, which was also distemper. All three spent many days at the Animal Diagnostic Clinic under the 24-hour care of Dr. Doug Bronstad.
The other 6 dogs in GALT's care that were seized by Fort Worth Animal Control are not currently showing symptoms related to distemper. They are continuing to make slow but steady progress in regards to their health.
The Fort Worth Police Department Animal Cruelty division and Animal Control, with the help and assistance of GALT, are diligently working together on the prosecution of the person who mistreated these dogs. Please be assured that no additional pressure needs to be asserted on the Fort Worth authorities to prosecute this person. The case is being readied for presentation to the District Attorney’s office. Fort Worth's record for prosecuting and obtaining convictions for animal cruelty is outstanding, as they have their own detective assigned to animal cruelty.
GALT is also working with the Texas Greyhound Association (TGA) and the National Greyhound Association (NGA) to determine the source of the tattooed greyhounds. The responsible parties have been identified, and those parties have been contacted. GALT, the TGA, and the NGA are committed to holding these parties accountable for their actions.
GALT thanks everyone for their moral and financial support, and we share your outrage. Rest assured that the law and the authorities are on the greyhound community's side regarding this horrible incident.
UPDATE 6/20/2012
JAMES GUDE PLEADS GUILTY
James Gude was charged with three Class A Misdemeanors in the Tarrant County District Court for his inhumane treatment of the 9 greyhounds taken by GALT in July 2010 from the FWAC 28 seizure including the deaths of Pudge, Rachael and Martin. In addition, on July 13, 2011, Gude relinquished Faith and her 8 puppies to Ft. Worth Animal Control after an inspection of his premises.
The following email was just received from the Tarrant County District Attorney's office:
Today, June 20, 2012, James Gude pled guilty on all three cases. He was sentenced to one day in jail (meaning he has a firmed up conviction) on two of the cases. This means that the next time he does this, it will be a felony. On the other case, he pled to 18 months probation with a $1000 fine. His conditions are that he cannot have any animals at all, he must do 24 hours of community service at the animal shelter, he must consent to home visits and he must report to a probation officer during the whole period of probation. If he is found with any animal during his period of probation, his probation could be revoked and he could be sentenced to jail for up to 1 year.
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