Ray is a sweet but extremely timid extra-large standard poodle.  I was a bit concerned about rehabilitating the fear out of him, but after meeting this sweet and kind-hearted animal, I knew it was worth a try.  I fell in love with him, BEFORE I knew about the awful, awful treatment and conditions that this dog appears to have been put through.  Here are the facts:

The medical and physical condition of Ray:

• Diagnosed with Hookworm and Kennel Cough – Neutering had to be delayed for 6 weeks
• He was extremely underweight.  He is a very large dog (could possibly have some Labrador in him).  He was 74 pounds, however, his hip bones protruded immensely; he had no muscle tone, and was weak after small amounts of walking.  He could not lift himself into my SUV.  He was skin and bones.
• He had been groomed, but the hair on his ears, tail, and top of head remained.  I later had to scissor cut him to remove this hair as the stench was horrible.  He was clearly filthy.
• His ears were filled with wax and smelled of infection.  I later took him to a groomer, who worked for 20 minutes attempting to clear his ears.  They told me I would need to have his ears flushed when I took him back to the hospital.  I attempted to surface clean his ears daily, but they continued to smell.
• His teeth are completely worn down and show signs of premature decay.  It has been opined that the cause is malnourishment.  His teeth have grooves and are ground down, it has been opined the cause to be from chewing to try and get out of his kennel.  He has a broken eye tooth as well.  Ray is guessed to be 3 years old – hardly old enough for rotting teeth.
• On 4/20/07, I took Ray in to be neutered, I also had the SPCA vet flush his ears, do blood work, and I brought a stool sample for checking for hookworm.  I also requested a heartworm test as well.  Ray tested negative for heartworm and hookworm.  His blood work came back clear.  There are notes on his medical chart in regards to the condition of his teeth and ears.  Ray now weighs 86 pounds, and is considered to be at a healthy weight (in comparison with his underweight condition on 2/26/07), he gained 12 pounds while with me.

The behavioral and mental condition of Ray:

• He is extremely skittish. He has a severe fear of any banging or loud popping noises (i.e., car backfires, items dropping, doors shutting, etc.). He tries to dart away in a panic when he hears these types of noises.
• He has an extremely severe fear of ALL MEN.  Even after being socialized (I take him to my daughter’s softball games, to the park, for walks in the community, to Starbucks, etc.) He will not warm up and socialize with a man.  He is NOT aggressive.  He is in a total state of fear and panic in the presence of any man.  Even after spending days with a particular man, he will not trust and will pace and hide.  He has an easier time trusting women.
• He will run and hide when I pick up a shovel to remove feces from the yard.  Anything resembling a stick, shovel, pole, etc., he is afraid of.  He will run and hide, cower, pace, and try to protect himself under tables, chairs, etc.  Not mild fear – SEVERE.  I have to be careful of doors, as he will dart and run away in a panic if in fear.  When he is in a calm state of mind, he is very happy right by my side.

 

I have no other dogs.  I adopted him with the medical conditions listed above; he could not have acquired them with me. 

 

It is just my daughter and I here at my residence.  There are no men here.  He came to me already pre-programmed for fear and anxiety. 

 

I am not an expert, but there is no doubt in my mind that this dog was neglected, almost starved to death, and was most certainly physically abused by a male.  The SPCA rescued Ray just in time. 

 

This is just my story.  I have been told I’m the only one in the “general public” who has adopted one of the dogs rescued from “High Standards Ranch”.  I am available for interview if need be.  I will be happy to testify to the condition of this animal when adopted.  Ray, my dog, is also available for interview.  If observed, anyone will be able to see the fear that has been instilled into this loving animal.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kristine Danner

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C.C. Cathy Isom ABC

C.C. Marc Benjamin Fresno Bee

C.C. District Attorney for Fresno County, Elizabeth A. Egan

C.C. Phil Larson - District 1

C.C. Judy Case  District 4

C.C. Bob Waterston    District 5

C.C. Susan Anderson    District 2

C.C. Henry Perea

C.C. Tom Sharp, VP of Compliance American Kennel Club (AKC)

C.C. Jack (John) White Executive Field Staff Representative American Kennel Club (AKC)

C.C. Stephanie Bell, PETA Cruelty Caseworker