The following were among cases received recently by the Washington Humane Society (202-723-5730) and the D.C. Animal Control Division (202-576-6664). For more information or assistance, 24 hours a day, call either number. For information on local animal shelters, adoptions and animal services, visit the Washington Humane Society Web site at www.washhumane.org.
Wildlife Rescued From Trash Cans
12th St. NE, 4700 block, Nov. 9. A man told animal control that he found a live "cat" in a garbage can. An animal control officer found an opossum in a trash bag in the can and released it to the wild.
Mount Pleasant St. NW, 3400 block, Nov. 9. An animal control officer removed a raccoon from a woman's trash can and released it to the wild.
Chow Chow Tied in Yard
15th St. NE, 3200 block, Nov. 12. In following up on a case of a dog being tied in a yard, a Washington Humane Society officer found a female chow chow secured to a porch railing with a cable. The dog, which did not have water, was tangled in the cable and could not reach its doghouse. No one was at the residence. The society took the dog into protective custody pending an investigation.
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Pit Bull Attacks co*cker Spaniel
12th St. NE, 5200 block, Nov. 15. A woman called animal control after seeing a stray pit bull attack a female co*cker spaniel. An animal control officer caught the 1-year-old male pit bull, and it was euthanized at the D.C. Animal Shelter when no one claimed it. The spaniel's owner took it to a veterinarian.
Emaciated Puppy Found at Home
Kearney St. NE, 700 block, Nov. 15. Police executing a search warrant at a home inadvertently discovered an emaciated, 3-week-old pit bull in an airline kennel on a cold back porch. They also found dogfighting magazines and dogfighting paraphernalia. A humane society officer took the puppy into protective custody, and a veterinarian determined that it bloated with worms. It was being held in the society's custody pending further investigation.
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Guinea Pigs Found Emaciated
New York Ave. NE, 1200 block, Nov. 18. A man brought three guinea pigs to the D.C. Animal Shelter because he no longer wanted them. One was near death, and the others were emaciated and missing hair. All three ate and drank ravenously. They were transferred to the humane society, and the case was under investigation.
Woman Surrenders Cat to Shelter
15th St. NW, 4500 block, Nov. 9. A woman asked animal control to remove her 1 1/2-year-old male cat after it bit her on the leg. An officer took the cat to the shelter, and it was adopted.
Pit Bull Shot at Residence
Columbia Rd. NW, 700 block, Nov. 12. Police called animal control after responding to a call about a dog shot at a residence. An animal control officer found a 3-year-old female pit bull with a bullet in a rear leg. A notice was left at the residence, and the officer took the dog to a veterinarian. No one contacted the shelter about the dog, which was then euthanized.
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Stray Chicken in Park
Beach Dr. NW, 1800 block, Nov. 12. U.S. Park Police officers called animal control after they caught a stray chicken in Rock Creek Park. An animal control officer picked up the chicken from park service headquarters, and it was transferred to a farm animal rescue group.
Pit Bull Left in Alley
Florida Ave. NW, 1-100 block, Nov. 13. A man called animal control to report a pit bull chained to a shopping cart in an alley behind a condemned building. An officer took the dog to the shelter, where it was euthanized when no one claimed it.
Gull Tangled in Fishing Line
Constitution Ave. NW, 2200 block, Nov. 15. U.S. Park Police officers called animal control about a bird wrapped in fishing line in a reflecting pool. An animal control officer caught a gull, which had a fishing hook embedded in its bill and was entangled. D.C. shelter staff members extracted the hook and untangled the line. The gull was transferred to a wildlife rehabilitator.
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Manicured Dog, Dancing Woman
Atlantic St. SE, 600 block, Nov. 10. D.C. police asked animal control for assistance with a pit bull at a residence where they were arresting a woman allegedly dancing naked atop a car. An officer took the 1-year-old female dog, which was named Brittany, and had pink-painted front nails, into temporary custody. The dog's owner, who said the arrested woman was a relative, reclaimed it.
Animals in Chimneys
Check chimneys for animal dens, and cap the chimney before spring breeding season. Residents should hire a professional to remove nesting material, then install a wire "cap" on top. If animals are found inside, they can be persuaded to leave by placing a loud radio in the fireplace and ammonia-soaked rags in a bucket at the base of the chimney.
A thick rope dropped down the chimney and secured at the top can help animals climb out. Leave these "eviction props" for at least 24 hours and be sure the tenants are gone before capping.
-- Sarah Lane
