On Saturday January 29, 2011, an animal advocate was in an area working on rescuing a stray dog from the road when she found the dog whom we now know as Alice. Alice is a bully breed who has been living in a "box" for the past SIX YEARS. There was a wooden box, approx. 5'WX8'LX 4'tall. It was constructed of mostly wooden slats, with maybe an inch gap between some of the boards, and sheets of tin. The top was covered mostly by various sizes of tin and metal sheet, with a small section having field (chicken) wire over it. The door was made of metal/tin and was chained and locked when they first arrived.
What they saw was a very nervous, very apprehensive female Bulldog. She was beautiful, chocolate brown in color, and looked somewhat plump. It was evident that she had had a litter or two...or more...of puppies in her time. The dog did bark and go on the defensive when she first saw them. She had been inside a small plastic box that served as a "dog house" that was attached to one end of the shed. The floor was dirt at one time, but was now covered in a very thick layer of dog feces and a nasty sludge. They saw very runny poop on the ground and on the interior "walls". They could tell that the inside had probably never been cleaned or sanitized. Apparently, all the years of feces had become packed into the dirt by the dog walking on top of it all. The stench was sickening.
They had taken three large dog biscuits with them. When offered to her, the dog stopped her barking and gently took the first from my fingers, then retreated into her "doghouse" portion of her living quarters. When she finished eating the first, she returned to get the second biscuit, not barking when she returned. She eventually came back and got the third treat, took it into her "doghouse" and just laid inside there and looked at them, saving the biscuit for later.
They had returned to the roadside to discuss what could be done. It was then that an elderly African-American man arrived home. They introduced ourselves and explained that we were not there to cause him any problems, but only to check up on the dog in the box. After talking for a while, "Ben" told them that the dog belonged to his son-in-law, who had brought the dog out there to live because "it's a very mean dog". In fact, we were told, that if the dog was running loose while we were there, she most likely would have bitten us. She was, by this man's account, "one of them very mean dogs" (meaning, Bulldog) and that's why he had her in the "kennel" he had built.
They offered to bring the man some dog food and asked if they could get him a chain linked kennel for the dog. While they were all talking, one of the rescuer's mom happened to drive past. The mother just so happen to have some dry dog food with her and offered some to them to give to Ben. They asked if they could feed the dog for him, and he allowed them to do so. When they showed Ben what was inside the bag she had, Ben's words were "I ain't never gave that dog no pellets before". They asked what he fed her and Ben said mostly bread, an occasional honey bun and a few scraps. This dog had never had real dog food in her life. It was then that they asked how long he had had the dog, and Ben told them "about 6 years, since she was a pup". We were flabbergasted! This girl, who Ben also told us he had never even named, had been living this way for nearly 6 years!!! Six years living on basically bread and water, no vaccines, no vet care of any sort.
When they went to pull the food bowl, an inch thick rectangular cake pan, from inside the kennel, they had to pry it loose from the sludge that encased it. The pan was filled with dog feces and dirt from inside the shelter. They cleaned it best they could and filled it with dog food. When this dog saw it, she immediately started eating! But, she didn't finish all the food, apparently never having a full and proper portion of food to eat. They asked if they could also freshen her water, and that's when Ben told us that the rope tied to the 5 gal bucket (see the picture) was there so "when she turned it over, I can get it back up". Apparently, Ben would not ever go into the shelter due to being afraid of the dog, after all, she was "very mean". Ben did open the door for them to get the bucket out, and they cautiously reached inside to get the bucket, not knowing if they were about to get bitten or attacked by this "very mean" dog. They got the bucket out without incident and went to clean the inch thick layer of dirt from the bottom of it and the layer of algae from off the inside walls of it. When they returned with fresh, clean water, the other rescuer was gently rubbing the dog's ears through the slats! This "very mean" dog was leaning on the inside walls, allowing a eprson to love on her!!! They was even allowed, by the dog, to rub and pet her. This dog was so open to human contact, something she apparently had experienced very little of over the years. They never saw any aggression from this beautiful dog. More pictures are attached to this link, courtesy of Southen Comfort Rescue
http://s1099.photobucket.com/albums/g391/AnimalAdvocate_Nina/Alice/
****UPDATE PER RESCUE***
During a follow up visit it was determined that the owner of the "dog in the box" is actually Ben's daughter, who provided purchase papers for whom we now know as Alice. The owner saw no problem with how Alice was being cared for and has even claimed that the kennels had been routinely cleaned. Obviously, the photos show different. With an officer present, who was also appalled at the conditions, Southern Comfort Rescue expressed that these were horrible circumstances for a living breathing creature to endure. They also offered veterinary care assitance and housing assitance for Alice. These were declined by the "outraged" owner. Upon further follow up, it has been determined that Alice is now in a chain link kennel with a dog house, although no bedding, nor fresh food or water were present. She has also seen a vet who dewormed and administered a rabies vaccine, but no phsyical exam was proven to be performed nor any routine tests for illnesses that run rampant in the area. The food dish was there, overturned.
Southern Comfort is fighting for Alice's relinquishment because of the suffering she has endured over the six years before they intervened. Also the chances of the care declining again are high if there isn't regular follow up. The court appearance was not favorable. No one seemed to feel that this dog was being treated cruelly, including the animal control officer saying he just throws his dogs food on the dirt too. If something isn't done, Alice will merely stay in this state for the remainder of her life. We need to campaign to get her released to the rescue at a minimum. Alice and Southern Comfort need our help and support now more than ever! Sign this petition, write letters, send faxes, whatever you have to do! Please continue your support. It is so much appreciated.
Mr. Doug Eaves, County Manager County
P.O. Box 112
Lyons, Georgia 30436-0112
(912) 526-3311
Magistrate Court of Toombs County
Chief Magistrate John "Chip" Matheson
Street Address:
147 Jerry Avenue
Lyons, GA, 30436
Work Phone: 912 -526- 8984
Fax: 912-526-8985
SHeriff Alvie Lee Kight, Jr.
912-526-6778
Right now there is NO COURT DATE set, due to the there not being enough cruelty evidence at this time. But keep up the pressure! It's working!
Article about Alice:
http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/help-needed-for-dog-the-box-georgia?CID=examiner_alerts_article
Alice's battle is being fought by Southern Comfort Rescue in Georgia. They are a certified non profit in the state and are doing everything they can to get her turned over to them. Alice deserves better! Please show your support.
Southern Comfort Animal Rescue, Inc
A State of Ga licensed, 501(c)3 non-profit org.
www.socorescue.com
Release of Alice the "Dog in the Box" to Southern Comfort Rescue
Please help us sign the petition by Clicking on the below link.
from: http://www.change.org/petitions/save-alice-aka-the-dog
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