Rescue Stories

Animal Control Officer Jackie Pan rescued a 13 year old border collie mix who fell into a well underneath a house.  His owners frantically tried to get him out but were unsuccessful.  

They called Oakland Police Department’s Animal Services and ACO Pan responded. 

Here’s the dog all the way at the bottom of the well filled with water!

The dog was a little wet but safe!

After months of joint investigation by the Oakland Police Department’s Oakland Animal Services (OAS) and the Crime Investigation Division (CID) – Theft Section, La Preda Thomas of Oakland was arraigned on Friday, October 9, on two felony counts of animal abuse charged by the Alameda County District Attorney’s office. Thomas is accused of severely injuring more than 15 cats and kittens in incidents dating back to 2006.

Thomas became known to Oakland Animal Services and several animal rescue groups in 2006 when numerous times she was found with cats or kittens she claimed to have “rescued” that had serious and unusual injuries, ranging from multiple broken limbs to huge puncture wounds to a severely injured eye. Many of these cats also had their claws crudely cut off, sometimes with portions of their toes removed.

In one case, in 2007, OAS seized a group of kittens from Thomas’ residence that had been left in a cage in the hot sun with no water. Upon further examination, it was discovered that two of the kittens each had a front leg that was completely broken in half in almost identical locations. OAS learned from CID that Thomas was on probation for burglary. Terms of her probation included a search of her residence. OAS requested and participated in a search of the home this past July and again in September. In the first search, OAS and the search team rescued three kittens; almost every limb of each of these kittens had a fresh or healing break or fracture.

The second search of her home revealed an injured female cat and her kitten; the mom had a badly broken front leg and shattered hip that probably will need surgery. These cats are all healing and safe, thanks to the Montclair Veterinary Clinic, which donated all of the many radiographs needed to charge the case, and to Island Cat Resources, which assisted in finding the victims loving foster homes.

 Experienced OAS veterinarian Dr. Jyothi Robertson says, “As a veterinarian, this is the first time I have seen so many severely malnourished animals with similar fractures coming from a single person claiming to be a rescuer.”

Despite the number of injured cats rescued from Thomas, she denied hurting any of the animals, claiming only that she specifically looks for injured cats to rescue, trapping or grabbing them in the community. OAS located a resident who had given kittens to Thomas. This person stated that the kittens were healthy, normal, and active before she gave them to Thomas. These same kittens were later found at Thomas’ residence. One was dead; the other’s front legs were both shattered, and he had pneumonia secondary to several broken ribs.

Thomas remains in custody awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Megan Webb, the director of Oakland Animal Services since April, says that one of her main priorities in her new role as director is to prosecute serious cases of animal abuse and neglect in the city. “Animal abuse is a crime and should be treated as such,” she says. “I’ve been so impressed with the support and assistance we have received from the police department on these cases.” This is the third felony animal-abuse case that OAS has helped to charge since Webb became director. The first was a cock fighting case where more than 150 roosters were seized. The third involved an 18-year-old man who is accused of having slashed the throat of his neighbor’s cat on two separate occasions. He remains on a psychiatric hold until he is transferred to Santa Rita jail.

UPDATE:  Jethro has been fostered to adopt! 

This is Jethro.  He is a sily, very fun, and intelligent boy!  He’s been at the Shelter nearly a year waiting for his perfect home.  If you are looking for a very smart dog who learns fast and/or a dog who would be great for agility, please come meet Jethro! 

This three month old, fluffy, very adorable puppy was brought in today.  At first, she looked like a very old dog but then we examined her more closely and found that she still has her baby teeth.  She’s just had a rough little ife and it shows.  Someone had wrapped a rubber band around her ear and her tail is broken.  We removed the rubber band and cleaned the wound and it looks like her ear will be saved.  Now, we just need to get her groomed!

Sophie, a pit bull that Oakland Animal Services rescued over a year ago and that BAD RAP took into their program, came back to the Shelter today for a visit!  It was so incredible to see her.  When she originally came to OAS, she was missing a lot of her fur, had hanging nipples from having had so many puppies, one of her eyes was atrophied, most of her left ear was gone, and she was covered in scars.  Despite her obvious life of suffering, Sophie was still a happy girl and shared her affection with everyone at the Shelter.  BAD RAP met her and fell in love with her too. She’s now been adopted and spends her days with her new adopted mother at work!  What a wonderful life.  She looks fantastic and is so happy and content!  Thank you BAD RAP and her new people!
 

Yesterday, several staff members and volunteers went to dinner after working at the Shelter all day.  We found a parking spot in Downtown Oakland and began walking to the restaurant when we saw a seagull standing in the gutter.  He looked stressed and unhealthy. When we approached, it became clear that he had something wrapped around his neck.  He began to try to get away but we pursued him and were able to catch him since he was very weak.  He had fishing line tied around his neck and down his throat.  We worked as a team to release him from the confines of the line.  When it was finally all cut off and pulled off of him, he seemed to be relieved.  We asked the restaurant for a bowl of water and some rice and brought it to him.  He began gulping water and the rice.  He stayed by the restaurant for the next hour or more while we had dinner and then flew off.

An Animal Control Officer responded to a call outside the Oracle Arena of a “dead dog”.  He arrived during an A’s game and there were crowds of people everywhere.  A staff person pointed him to the “dead dog”.  When he got closer, he realized that the dog was actually alive…but she was paralyzed with fear.  He went up to her and petted her head.  She immediately started wagging her tail when she realized that it was a friendly stranger who was there to help her.  She tried climbing into his lap and he saw that her left eye was red and swollen and she appeared to have no eye on the right.  Her tongue also moved out of her mouth only on one side and her tail was crooked. 

He picked her up and took her to the vet.  The vet said she appeared to be blind and that her ailments could be due to a birth defect or to some kind of trauma.  There was nothing to be done to “fix” her.  The Officer brought her back to the Shelter and placed her under a desk in our administration office since she was still frightened and needed a quiet place to rest.  She immediately snuggled into her bed and fell asleep.  She was exhausted – what an overwhelming day she had! 

Oracle has now gained her strength back and has made many friends at the Shelter.  She happily greets everyone who passes her by in the admin area.  She loves to sit in laps and adores belly rubs. 

She now needs someone to adopt her.  She barely notices that she is blind and depends on her other senses to get around.  She also eats just fine with her crooked tongue.  She also really loves other dogs and loves to play!  If you are interested in meeting Oracle, please come to the Shelter and ask about her.

An Animal Control Officer responded to a call outside the Oracle Arena of a “dead dog”.  He arrived during an A’s game and there were crowds of people everywhere.  A staff person pointed him to the “dead dog”.  When he got closer, he realized that the dog was actually alive…but she was paralyzed with fear.  He went up to her and petted her head.  She immediately started wagging her tail when she realized that it was a friendly stranger who was there to help her.  She tried climbing into his lap and he saw that her left eye was red and swollen and she appeared to have no eye on the right.  Her tongue also moved out of her mouth only on one side and her tail was crooked. 

He picked her up and took her to the vet.  The vet said she appeared to be blind and that her ailments could be due to a birth defect or to some kind of trauma.  There was nothing to be done to “fix” her.  The Officer brought her back to the Shelter and placed her under a desk in our administration office since she was still frightened and needed a quiet place to rest.  She immediately snuggled into her bed and fell asleep.  She was exhausted – what an overwhelming day she had! 

Oracle has now gained her strength back and has made many friends at the Shelter.  She happily greets everyone who passes her by in the admin area.  She loves to sit in laps and adores belly rubs. 

She now needs someone to adopt her.  She barely notices that she is blind and depends on her other senses to get around.  She also eats just fine with her crooked tongue.  She also really loves other dogs and loves to play!  If you are interested in meeting Oracle, please come to the Shelter and ask about her.

Nala has been patiently waiting at the Oakland Animal Shelter for a new home since August!  Her lucky day came this Sunday when her new adopter met and fell in love with her!  Thank you to all of the staff and volunteers who spent so much time with her during her stay at the Shelter.