Aug12
Justice for Buxton
Posted at 01:57 PM | Permalink
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Comments (16)
Late last year, one of PETA's fieldworkers answered a request for a PETA dog house, and she spotted Buxton—then just 8 weeks old—hobbling down the road by himself. When she went to pick him up, he screamed in pain and wet himself. It turns out that his harness had become embedded and had caused deep gashes under his arms and across his chest—the wounds reeked of infection and were oozing pus.
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Knocking on neighborhood doors didn't turn up anyone who knew the pup, so PETA's fieldworker, Misty, rushed him to an emergency veterinary hospital where the harness was cut away and his wounds were treated. The vet estimated that the harness had been cutting into Buxton's body for at least two weeks.
Following a lead, our field staff eventually did find Buxton's "owners"—a mother and son—and they told us to keep him. We filed charges against them, of course, and in April, Catina Beasley and Calvin Holland were found guilty of cruelty to animals. They have both been permanently barred from owning animals, and Holland was ordered to pay a $100 fine and nearly $400 in restitution for Buxton's medical care.
As for Buxton? Here he is with his new family:
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Of course, not all dogs are as lucky. Our case workers are deluged with calls. Animals are poisoned, beaten, starved, and neglected—some have even have their mouths duct-taped shut for "barking too much." Cats and dogs are put into microwaves, dismembered, sexually assaulted, hanged, set on fire, bludgeoned, buried alive, and otherwise tortured and killed. Please do something to help, and be an advocate for them all. Being heartbroken doesn't cut it. If you suspect that an animal is being neglected or you witness cruelty to animals, don't hesitate: Report it to your local law-enforcement agency immediately and follow up until it's resolved.
Posted by Amy Elizabeth
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Comments
What a good-looking guy! Glad he is with a caring new family!
:)
Posted by: Matt Petrasek | August 12, 2009 03:05 PM
My dog Buck gains weight easily, just like I do. With that in mind, I am constantly checking to make sure his collar is not too loose or too tight. There is no excuse for what happened to poor little Buxton, and I am glad he has responsible new parents. My only concerns are: did Buxtons former guardians pay the fine, and who is checking to make sure there are no animals in the home?
Posted by: Rev. Meg Schramm | August 12, 2009 03:51 PM
I would like to echo Amy's call for action. DON'T THINK SOMEONE ELSE WILL HELP! I found a stray dog wandering around downtown Oakland--no place for a friendly, unprotected dog due to so many dogfighters around-- and convinced my workplace to let her stay in the fenced backyard until I found her a home. All of my other work mates were surprised that I had done so, and some had even seen her wandering around and not done anything! These are what I had considered compassionate, liberal people. They just didn't bother. If you see an animal, help it! Don't assume others will.
Posted by: Kristie | August 12, 2009 04:18 PM
aww that poor dog at least he's with a PROPER family now who CAN look after him. shame on that mother and son, how anyone can leave any animal let alone a baby like that is just beyond me. again well done peta. I have in the past witnessed animal cruelty and i barged in and just took the cat, in my mood at that time they didnt dare argue and let me take the cat which i still had up to a year ago, she died unfortunatly of old age but at least she lived her last few years loved.I knew she wouldnt have survived if i'd av rung the rspca because of evidence and warnings before they could take the cat away i just couldnt sit back and wait i had to take her away myself and im glad i did. but i do agree with peta if you witness ANY animal cruelty report it asap. sometimes confronting these evil people can be dangerous so tell your local police or animal rescue. these people are just cruel beyond belief and have no morals or hearts and will prob go on to harm another person, sickos.
Posted by: emma | August 12, 2009 04:45 PM
Rescues are the best! I love my cats! Great for Buxton; he looks so happy!
Posted by: MeL | August 12, 2009 05:24 PM
A happy ending to an animal abuse story. That second picture is just beautiful!
Posted by: Aneliese | August 12, 2009 05:52 PM
I just dont know how anyone who has a heart could do such monstrous, cold-blooded and barbarically violent acts against animals. How could anyone put a live animal in the oven/microwave with no remorse? I cry everytime I even entertain the notion...and there are so many worse things, sexual assault, dismemberment, being set on fire. A part of me just dies inside and my heart sinks to the ground as I recount these reprehensible heinous acts. And if there were anymore powerful words than, "being heartbroken just doesn't cut it", then I would like to hear them. My pain and empathy for helpless, tortured and abused animals hastens my determination to put an end to needless and futile suffering of innocent precious animals. Thank you PETA for letting my voice be heard. I'm screaming at the top of my lungs that WE WILL STAND TOGETHER, AS ONE, TO STOP ABUSE AND TORTURE THAT IS INFLICTED UPON ANIMALS ALL AROUND THE WORLD!!!!!!! Love, Libby
Posted by: Libby | August 12, 2009 06:10 PM
I agree--if something is wrong with an animal and you know about it, you have a moral responsibility to take care of the animal.
Posted by: Kelley | August 12, 2009 07:36 PM
There is so much animal suffering on this planet and virtually every aspect of it is due to mankind's malevolence, greed and negligence. I'm happy for this respective dog.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | August 12, 2009 08:29 PM
God Bless You Buxton and God Bless your new family. I wish you many years of health and happiness. Shame on the Mother and Son and they got off WAY TOO EASY!! We need to push for much tougher laws and sentences. Animals are a gift from God, a blessing to all of us.
Posted by: Lisa Dennis | August 12, 2009 09:58 PM
Being heartbroken doesn't cut it. AGREED!
put compassion into daily action
animal cruelty IS everywhere and
we all need to do anything we can and than some.
Posted by: simara | August 12, 2009 11:54 PM
They should have been thrown in Jail or charged more than 500.00!!!! When is our society going to take animal abuse a little more serious????????
Posted by: carla | August 13, 2009 09:03 AM
It looks like he is wearing that same harness in the "after picture" under his life-jacket. Could that be possible?
Posted by: Kathleen | August 13, 2009 10:54 AM
Look at his safety vest! Teehee!
Posted by: CN | August 13, 2009 01:03 PM
How anyone could treat their baby like that is just disgusting. We need much stronger laws for animal abuse. I am glad Buxton has a new home and looks like he is well loved. Thank God!! He deserves it.
Posted by: casey | August 13, 2009 07:26 PM
I hope these bastards burn in hell for what they do. These scumbags don't deserve to walk this earth!
Posted by: Dani | August 16, 2009 09:04 PM