Despite Grim Situations, Animal Control Supervisor Keeps Working to Help Abused Pets
An AP Member Extra By: Patti Rosenberg
February 12, 2003 JAMES CITY, VIRGINIA -- As supervisor of James City County Animal Control, Shirley Anderson has seen some pretty grim situations. But one incident haunted her so badly that she almost quit her job. She'd gotten a call about a pit bull that jumped a fence but hadn't quite cleared it. The dog's leash was caught, its legs couldn't quite reach the ground, and the animal was hanging there choking.
Anderson got there in time to save the dog. But in the same yard, she discovered another pit bull chained and starving, lying on the ground, barely breathing. "Just a bag of bones, dying," Anderson remembers bleakly. All Anderson could do to help was euthanize it. "That was really, really hard for me," she said. "And what gets me even more, neighbors had seen it, but nobody called me. That dog was completely helpless."
Neighbors told Anderson later that they hadn't called because they thought the animal was already dead. The whole scenario weighed on Anderson for months. She thought seriously about looking for a new job. But in the end, she stayed. "One reason is that I know I can help some animals, the ones I know about," she said. "I think God has kept me in this job."
One morning in early January, for example, Anderson rescued a couple of four-legged creatures. The first, a pregnant brown pit bull, was tied to the porch of an empty house off Merrimac Trail. Anderson approached while cooing, "Hey, girl, hey, girl" and held out a Milk-Bone. The dog seemed happy to see her and gulped down the treat. Someone had called Animal Control to report that no one lived at the house anymore, but the dog had been left behind, and a neighbor was caring for it. It appeared that the dog was being fed regularly, Anderson said, and her leash was long enough that she had some mobility. Under Virginia law, a dog tied up outside must be on a chain or leash at least three times as long as the dog's body, Anderson said. But Anderson was troubled by the fact that the porch was littered with dog feces. The law says that pets and livestock must be kept in a clean environment.
If the dog's owner had been there, Anderson could have instructed him or her about the problem. She would rather help someone become a more responsible owner than add to the large number of homeless pets waiting to be adopted and facing the possibility of being put to sleep. In this case, though, Anderson said she felt she had no choice but to take the dog to the pound, at the county landfill off Jolly Pond Road.Like the other dogs at the pound, the pregnant pit bull got a clean pen with a big bowl of food, a bucket of fresh water, a blanket to lie on and a couple of toys.
Anderson's job involves both protecting animals from people and people from animals. Last year, Anderson's office picked up 323 stray dogs, 51 stray cats, two stray roosters and two goats that were running at large. The office seized 51 dogs and six cats that were considered neglected or mistreated. More than 200 of the animals were returned to their owners. Animal Control euthanized almost 150 animals because they were too unhealthy or too unfriendly to be adopted. About 100 animals were transferred to the Heritage Humane Society for possible adoption.
One animal that Anderson rescued the year before--a Doberman pinscher named Brutus-- is in foster care pending the outcome of his case before the Virginia Court of Appeals. Anderson has been involved in Brutus' life since he was a puppy, starting with giving his owner instructions about proper care after noticing the dog tangled in his chain with no water or shelter.
Over time, though, instead of improving, Brutus' condition deteriorated. After Anderson contacted his owner again, a tall privacy fence was erected around the yard, making it difficult for Anderson to monitor the dog's situation. Neighbors continued to express concern about the dog's well-being. Ultimately, Anderson was forced to wage a hard-fought battle through the court system to gain at least temporary custody of the sickly and emaciated creature. According to a veterinarian who treated him, Brutus was lethargic, depressed and close to death before a judge finally took him from his owner.
Brutus is thriving now in a loving foster home, Anderson said. Meanwhile, his owner is appealing his conviction for animal cruelty and trying to get the dog back. Williamsburg-James City County Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Cathy Clemens prosecuted Brutus' owner, working closely with Anderson to build a successful case. "I think she cares deeply about the animals she provides services to," Clemens said of Anderson.
Anderson doesn't know what motivates people to mistreat pets or why they get them if they don't feel like taking care of them. But she has noticed a common pattern in the kinds of dogs who typically become her "clients" -- breeds that carry a certain macho status. Anderson believes their owners sometimes get them for bragging and intimidation purposes, not out of affection.
Despite their image, those breeds are as sweet as any others, Anderson insists. Given regular meals and human attention back at the pound, they are nearly always grateful and affectionate, she said. In the 12 years she has worked for Animal Control, Anderson said, she has been bitten only once and been frightened of only two dogs.
Anderson said what gives her the most satisfaction in her job is knowing that there are animals whose quality of life she has improved. "To pick up an animal that's been neglected, it's just wonderful to know that it's in a good, loving home now and not struggling to find food on its own."
