10 Dead Dogs Found in Fall Creek - Possibly More

[Palehorse]

 

The Herald Bulletin

February 05, 2010 11:06 am

— INGALLS, Ind. --- Law enforcement officials are near Ingalls this morning, along the banks of Fall Creek, where the carcasses of at least 10 dogs have been found.
Joseph Riley of Ingalls discovered the dogs Thursday while searching for rocks for his pond. At least 10 carcasses remain in the middle of Fall Creek, west of a bridge along County Road 750 West, about a mile northwest of the town.
Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson is on the scene, along with several deputies. Madison County Commissioner Paul Wilson, D-South District, was also present this morning.
Removal of the carcasses has not yet begun, but authorities have contacted Anderson Animal Care and Control for Assistance, along with the dive team and HAZMAT units.
Officials at the scene said the number of dead dogs could be in the teens. Heavy snowfall expected later today would presumably hasten the removal of the carcasses.
Riley's wife, Peggy, said her husband at first thought the animals were pit bulls. She said the couple live roughly a mile from the scene, after moving from Anderson about 18 months ago.
"He stopped there looking for stones for our koi pond," Riley said. "He thought with the brush down they would be easier to find."
Peggy Riley speculated that the dogs' heads might have been removed to hide their breeder or kennel of origin. The Rileys have dobermans and beagles.
"It's a said situation, we have dogs," Peggy Riley said. "We're just devastated."
Maleah Stringer, program director of Anderson Care and Control, said some of her officers would assist in the recovery of the dogs' bodies from the creek. She said the carcasses might be transported to Animal Care and Control and stored in the freezer there.
She said markings to track origin and ownership might play a part in the decapitation.
"In the greyhound racing industry, if you have a retired greyhound, both ears are tattooed so you know where it came from," Stringer said. "The birth date behind one ear and, behind the other ear, the kennel. That could be a reason"
According to the Greyhound Racing Association of America, 15 states are still home to such tracks: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin. But Stringer said illegal, underground racing could also be involved.

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/local/local_story_036090827.html

This is the most disturbing thing I've read lately. They've confirmed 10 and say the total could possibly reach the teens. Each one of these dogs beheaded. They are speculating they are Greyhounds. . .

[me]

We used to camp down around Story, In and there was a coon hunters club not far from where we camped at a man made lake and we would find coon dogs which had been killed along the creek when we'd go for walks all the time.  That is just sick. 

[Palehorse]

We used to camp down around Story, In and there was a coon hunters club not far from where we camped at a man made lake and we would find coon dogs which had been killed along the creek when we'd go for walks all the time.  That is just sick.

I believe the closest Greyhound racing facility is in Wisconsin, but I could be wrong. There used to be one in Cincy IIRC, but I don't know if it is still there.

These jackasses have to be caught and made to pay for this. One of the lady's in our neighborhood owns two "retired" Greyhounds, and they are really nice dogs. . . I bet she's upset over this because she really is an ambassador for the breed.

I wonder if they really are Greyhounds. Last I heard they had not started fishing the carcasses out yet. . .

[Palehorse]

I have heard rumors that these "dogs" may actually be coyotes that were killed and skinned, then thrown in the creek. . .

At an average price of 20 bucks a pelt for Eastern Coyote, and more for Western, someone might have just been getting their Christmas money together, or looking for a way to pay their utility bills. . .

http://www.furharvesters.com/results/2010/jan10.pdf

[Y]

I'm sorry to take this off on a 90 degree angle - not too sorry though - but this allowed a segue.

This thread reminds me of a pet (pardon the pun) peeve of mine (and has nothing to do with the posts or posters here). 

I like animals - have two, had many, don't mistreat 'em, and don't understand the killing for sport mindset - but I notice not only how quick and emotional the response is when it comes to animal's welfare, but that when it comes to our children the response is minuscule comparatively. 

You will see several commercials on TV - especially one with graphic images of animal abuse - concerning animal mistreatment, but outside of relatively rare (usually on religious channels) advertisements for the CCF (Christian Children's Fund - funding children outside this country) you don't see commercials looking to help children in need in this country.

I've seen people leap on these type of animal cruelty stories with comments of horror and support - even offers of aiding in a reward - for finding the culprits, and yet rarely does one see a story about needy children in this country much less any discussion about them or how to help.

Why is that?

Are we more concerned with animals than children, or is it that the welfare of children is far more politicized and socially stigmatized?

Your thoughts?

[Y]

See what I meant.

[Henry Hawk]

It may not be politicized, as you say....and I agree, there are some people out there more concerned over Eagles eggs being harmed more than an unborn baby....

[Sandy Eggo]

Seems like a common theme. Case-in-point, a while ago I posted a thread about the homeless child/teen epidemic and there wasn't one bit if concern, outrage, emotion expressed on that thread. One thoughtful comment - that's it. Yet, there's tons of outrage for the puppies. Eagles are about as cuddly as teens...could that be it? 

You shouldn't misunderstand me. I am an animal lover and I'm extremely concerned about the mistreatment of any animal, however my concern extends to any living being that needs protected

[Anne]

See what I meant.

I don't know why this is either, except that you can get into a whole bunch of trouble interfering with a patent and child and not with an animel. Case in point is the arrest or the missioneries in Haiti trying to take children out of the country even though their parents wanted them to. There is so much red tape and sometimes actual danger when you try to step in and help a child, people think more than twice before they do it.

[Henry Hawk]

I don't know why this is either, except that you can get into a whole bunch of trouble interfering with a patent and child and not with an animel. Case in point is the arrest or the missioneries in Haiti trying to take children out of the country even though their parents wanted them to. There is so much red tape and sometimes actual danger when you try to step in and help a child, people think more than twice before they do it.

I think you make a valid point...

[Palehorse]

See what I meant.

Yes.

As others have said, the likelihood of entanglement within the legal system, regardless of whether you are trying to intercede for the benefit of a child or its welfare, makes one reluctant to intercede except within the most extreme situations. And even then. . .

Do I personally think animal rights outweigh the welfare of a child or group of children? No way.

If there was an animal and a child standing in the path of an oncoming train and I could only save one, the child takes precedent over the animal. Take the child out of the situation and I stand there and watch the animal get killed. Not worth the risk of my own life to save that of an animal.

In fact, I'd kill the animal and eat it to survive, but sacrifice myself to feed the child. 

In the case that drove this topic, I've never heard anything other than rumor that the "dogs" were in fact coyotes; killed for their pelts and cull headcount from the area in which they were found. If true, I can live with that.