Severely neglected puppy nursed back to health; charges sought
Biff was a severely neglected puppy when cruelty investigators seized him in July.
Humane Society of Huron Valley photo
Biff was a cute little puppy when he came to the Humane Society of Huron Valley in May. Employees were happy when an Ann Arbor man adopted him and took him home a few weeks later.
Biff, after his rehabilitation.
It was obvious Biff had been left unattended in a crate and that the neglect had gone on for some time.
“I think the alarming thing is the duration it went on for and the severity of the mange,” said Matt Schaecher, Humane Society cruelty investigator.
But fortunately, this story has a happy ending: After several weeks in foster care, Biff is once again the picture of health, and he has a new home.
Meanwhile, the Humane Society is seeking charges against his former owner.
"We all beat ourselves up after seeing the condition of this poor dog," Schaecher said. "We do our very best to find loving homes for animals without creating unnecessary delay and red tape that discourage people from adopting.
"We did review our practices to see if there was any red flags that we missed and didn’t find any.
"Unfortunately, without a crystal ball, we cannot completely prevent this from happening," he said. "This is one of those regrettable times where what we were told by the adopter did not match reality."
Cindy Heflin is associate news director at AnnArbor.com. Contact her at 734-623-2572 or cindyheflin@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Classof2014
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 6:31 p.m.
The guy deserves to be tried. Hopefully he will be found guilty to what he did to that poor, defenseless, animal. I know I hate those neglected, abused animal commercials that come on TV a lot where the woman is asking for money to help them..I think it was for the humane society..I can't remember. I cry everytime I see that commercial!
Fran Wakefield
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 1:29 p.m.
I always wonder why people buy or adopt a pet if they are just going to keep it outside or in a crate, ignore it. What's the point? A pet is a member of your family. And how could anyone let their pet suffer? Thank goodness Biff has a new home!
grimmk
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 7:39 a.m.
My three cats are my children. I treat them and spoil them as such. I love them to death and will do anything for them to keep them happy and healthy. Anyone who doesn't care about animals should NOT be trusted! I find that I never like anyone who says, "I hate cats/dogs." How can you hate something so cute and loveable? I'm so glad this little guy got a second chance!
jcj
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
Let an illegal alien rob someone or worse and the liberal left are all for amnesty! Let a legal citizen mistreat (albeit one of questionable character) mistreat an animal and those same liberals want to hang him BEFORE he is charged! Now that is hypocrisy!
jcj
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
The politics of this is that people want to take away someones rights before he is even charged! Go back to the video game dude!
dairy6
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 4:55 a.m.
give the politics a rest already dude.
jns131
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 6:28 p.m.
What is really sad is not knowing what people are thinking when they adopt an animal. I don't think they really think it through what it really entails to keep a dog. I would love to know why this person adopted this dog in the first place. Ornamental perhaps? I think animal investigators just seized another starving dog in Detroit. Give it up if you can't afford it. But don't starve it. Which reminds me, time for a vet visit.
WalkingJoe
Sun, Sep 30, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.
jns131, what you said rings true with us. Our third dog Sugar, adopted from HVHS (all three are from the Humane Society by the way) was given up by a family with four children all under 10 years old. They said the reason they gave her up was she jumped the fence all the time. We think Sugar was trying to get some peace. I think the only thing these people did right was naming her Sugar as she is a sweetheart. When she first came home with us she ran and hid whenever we walked by like she had always been at least yelled at to get out of the way. The first time I got the fly swatter out she hid, which made us thing she got punished with it. It's been two years and now Sugar cuddles with us all the time like the other dogs, instead of running away when we come near she sits in front of us to get our attention which we oblige because as I said she is a sweetheart
Goofus
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 4:26 p.m.
picture of the cruel owner please. he should be outed.
lorayn
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 3:56 p.m.
glad there's a happy ending for this. it's really a pity that this person was able to adopt the puppy when he should not have.
J. A. Pieper
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
Pets are family, that is the bottom line in my family. Yes, my brood is spoiled, but in a healthy way! Any punishment is a simple "who did this?" Yes, they are a lot of work sometimes, but everyone who is a true pet person knows the effort is worth it. I am thrilled for this dog and his new home, every animal deserves this. I am attending a surprise birthday party today for a friend's daughter, the family asked for no personal gifts, just donations to the HSHV! What a great idea, and I was just as excited about buying these gifts as any others I buy!
huh7891
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
We treat our cats like royalty. I don't see how any human could neglect or abuse an animal and still sleep at night...maybe that's the problem they aren't human. Hope this little guy enjoys his new home..I'm sure he would tell you if he could, thank you the second chance.
Deb Garner
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
I'm proud to say that my daughter and her boyfriend adopted this little guy, now renamed Watson. They knew they wanted a pup, and she did what she was raised doing, and went to the Humane Society. She says it was love at first sight for her, so they took him on a walk and then played with him in a room for a long time. He engaged with them easily, and snuggled and smooched to their hearts' content. Then they did the cat test, since they have a cat they inherited from his parents when they moved. The pup passed with flying colors, backing off the first time the cat put in the room with them told the bouncing boy to back off. He's been in his new home now for 5 days, and while their cat is passing around a recall petition, the transition is going well. He cries at night in his crate, so i wonder how long it will be before - like our three dogs - he'll be happily snuggled in their bed, snoring contentedly. Undoubtably this transformation is due in large part to the lovely woman who fostered him with great live and care. She was there Monday for the "passing of the leash," and spent an hour with my daughter discussing this very important little guy. I'm proud of them for choosing this pup, and he's incredibly happy to have landed somewhere he can be the center of attention. If he could only talk.
Jack
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 4:57 p.m.
Love the recall petition comment. lol
music to my ear
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 3:32 p.m.
deb I am happy your daughter took biff / watson in .I believe the crate gives him nitemares I just hope he graduates to the bed soon. he stills remembers "that crate" and that is why he cries.OF course I am the dog whisperer (not). good luck Watson enjoy your new home.
PattyinYpsi
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 2:39 p.m.
Hooray for adopters! Hooray for your daughter and boyfriend! And thanks for letting us know that all is well in the world of Biff.
djacks24
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
Thanks for letting us know the story has a happy ending.
arborani
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
Bless you and your family, Deb - and as ever, bless HSHV.
Bubba43
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
Thank God you found him & he's OK now.
Jon Wax
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 11:58 a.m.
If you are going to report the news, report ALL of it. quit with this montesssori news writing method. What is the name of the person who adopted the dog? yeah, yeah, charges are pending, blah blah. name the suspect or wait to release stories like these until AFTER you can name the suspect. you guys are really a poor replacement for the paper. Peace
jcj
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 9:58 p.m.
What do you want? Name everyone that is suspected of a crime but not yet charged? Or only those that do something that YOU find particularly offensive? Due process is STILL the best system, not mob rule!
Goofus
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
A2dotcom is most cowardly excuse for a journal there ever was..They run in constant fear of a lawsuit or libel charge. They don't name names or deliver real facts and stories because they are too cheap/broke to hire a decent lawyer most likely.
nuseph
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 4:01 p.m.
Even major news outlets don't have a uniform practice on naming people who haven't been charged. You still have every right to want to know this person's name. But I'll take whatever info I can get as it comes, rather than waiting for charges that may never actually arise.
djacks24
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
If you've been reading long enough you should know political correctness trumps facts here.
Jake
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
you guys are really a poor replacement for the paper..............this line says it all.
Margaret
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 10:49 a.m.
I'm stumped as to why the person even adopted an animal. Like he didn't know he was going to be neglectful / abusive ? In my own opinion having grown up on a small farm & even now at 51 years old still being a "rescuer" , you can telll ALOT about people by their animals care & interaction. I also believe that animals & children DO NOT ask to be here. We are basically their guardians and sadly we have become horrible at this. Finances can affect this & I always tell people if you cannot afford an animal & it's proper care then surrendering it is the kindest thing. I also believe that when it comes to children & animals those who abuse, neglect, mame, etc., deserve NO LESS than the exact same form of punishment at the very least. I'm glad this little guy was seized. I've had "rescue" animals that have had horrible pain & permanent physical damage (not to mention the emotional part of it) done to them by people & they've amazed me at the bouncing back of health & heart. Only the heart of an animal lover gets more satisfaction in this than alot of othre pleasures in life. Time to hug my 2 cats (yes 1 of which is a rescue) LOL. More positive stories of this nature are needed.
jns131
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
I could not agree more with this one. Coming from one who rescued a dog 4 years ago and looking to do it again in a few years.
Nick Danger
Sat, Sep 29, 2012 : 10:26 a.m.
Give us a name ,this guy deserves to be outed