Monday, December 21, 2009

A Big Headache and Then Lots and Lots of Pictures...


The headache started as we drove out to Shiloh this morning when we were called by the guys who told us that the three loose pit bulls were back on Shiloh's property. The same ones we all suspect attacked Lindsey Loham a few weeks ago, ripping off both of her ears, as well as attacked and almost killed the neighbor's little dog.


Well, as we drove up, the guys had caught the smallest of the dogs and had it on a rope. The other two bigger ones had run away toward the next ranch over. So, I immediately called the Clark County Animal Control who told me that there was already a humane officer in Sandy Valley and they would come over to pick up the dog and look for the other two. Five minutes later, Animal Control called me back and said they could not come to get the dog as we are in CA.


Those of you who know where we are located know that we are about 1/2 mile into San Bernadino County. The nearest CA town is Baker, some 100 miles away. Of course, when AC needs our help, we are considered in NV (where both Sally and I live), but when we have a problem, like a dumped horse, then we are considered to be in CA. It is beyond frustrating.


Anyway, I was informed that I had to call the San Bernadino AC to pick up the dog (don't forget a Clark County AC officer was only about 2 miles from Shiloh at this time, the nearest CA AC officer was at least 100 miles away). I explained that it is entirely possible that the pit bulls live in NV, as they could be in NV within about 10 minutes of wandering down the road. I said, "come on now, you really aren't going to play the "you are in CA card" with me when there are three loose pit bulls wandering from ranch to ranch attacking animals and most likely, people will be next". I said if I were to drive it 1/2 mile down the road and meet the officer, would they take the one we had caught? With that question, the AC person on the other end of the phone hung up on me.


So, I guess if we have a loose pit bull attacking a person or animal on our side of the Valley that it is our problem to deal with? I did call the San Bernadino AC who had no idea where we are located (the CA side of Sandy Valley doesn't show up on most maps) and that an officer would be calling me. I still haven't heard a thing.


We had our Farrier, who lives on the NV side of Sandy Valley, about 2 miles from Shiloh, bring the one pit bull to his house where they called the Clark County AC and told them to pick it up. How ridiculous is that?


This is such a frustrating situation. It is also a scary one, as we had to keep our dogs locked up all morning at the ranch, afraid that the other two would return. These dogs could easily kill little Daisy, one of the ranch dogs, a goat, or another pig. Of course, they can also attack a person. I am just hoping that somehow the other two dogs can be caught in NV, or the CA AC will help us.


Anyway, on to nicer things. I should know very soon when the new Fallon Feedlot horses will be arriving at Shiloh. We are possibly going to be saving two more OTTBs as well as another camp horse, so we are waiting to get all the transport organized.
Here are lots of photos that I took today...

This is the New Arrival, Liberado. He is the Arab gelding whose owner had lost his job and could not feed him for the past few days. We named him Liberado, which means "released, set free or delivered" in Spanish. The owner's name was also Liberado, so it's a perfect name for him. He is 7 years old and very sweet. We are not sure if he is broke to ride, we will give him some time to settle in before we try anything with him. He does appear to be healthy and sound.

He is a bit thin and dirty, but very interested in his new surroundings and with some time will make someone a very nice horse...
Our Christmas Tree...
Veteran and Longfellow are doing great. They have become good friends...

Veteran is gaining weight and his coat is looking better. He is still thin but has an excellent appetite and should be back to a healthy weight in a few months.

His condition when he first arrived.

His hindquarters are becoming more round and has less bony points.

Longfellow is also filling out.

Salsa carried a feed bucket around. Sigh...

Out in the Big Pasture, Daytona and Dayton hung out. They are best friends and make a very cute pair.

That is Kerkorian in one of the Duplexes with Little Vacation Village behind him.

Boone, looking cute! He has such a neat face. We are still waiting for his x-ray results from last week's vet testing.

Falcon out in the Okay Corral.

Okay Corral. Lots of horses laying down in the sun and dozing away...

Thistle in The Big Pasture.

Pequito is enjoying his time out in the Big Pasture. He is friends with another TB gelding, Sleet...

Here is Sleet (Sleetwood Mac).

Another TB gelding, Seattle enjoys his hay in the Big Pasture...

The VC Pen with the three Blind Girls. That is the annex pen behind them with White Cloud.

Nike in the Okay Corral. She is looking great but we had to put her adoption evaluation on hold as her hoof crack (caused by an injury in her former adoptive home) has opened up causing her to show lameness if she is worked. We are giving her some pasture time to allow her hoof wall and it's crack to grow out.

Sanctuary Horse, Austin in Okay Corral. He is very fuzzy!

So is Slewus in Big Pasture. What a face!

Big Pasture horses eating their hay...
Lovely in Big Pasture. She looks, and acts, like a different horse from when she first arrived. She is enjoying a good horse life with her herdmates.





5 comments:

Elaine said...

Glad to have you guys back. I cannot believe those dogs are out again and what a ridiculous mess with Animal Control. What can we do to help? I just don't know. The horses look great and the new little fellow is awesome. Cannot wait to see the new saved horses and get back to the ranch. Alas, I fear it will be after Christmas and into the New Year, we are going on vacation. I almost hate to go, I love coming to the ranch so much. Glad to have you back. e

shilohsally said...

Thanks Elaine...we will see you when you get here...RESCUE NEVER STOPS AND NEVER ENDS...Thanks for U do for Shiloh...We love U. Sally

scurrilous amateur blogger said...

these dogs can easily kill a horse as well. please kill them when they return.

Beanie Mouse said...

Have you considered Police involvement at all?? Criminal damage or something like that?? you may find that the Police depts would be more inclined to help out perhaps, if danger to life is involved.... Or just take the dog you have and tie it to the nearest Nevada AC building.

Beanie Mouse said...

Of course, we could always co-ordinate a letter writing campaign to the AC people in Nevada to complain about this type of situation (that they never help you when you need it but always ask you when they want it). Care to post an address?? I'm sure between us we could come up with some kind of "standard complaint" letter that we can all print out, sign & mail....