Latest news with #AnimalSanctuary
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Family forced to rehome beloved pet dogs after Kāinga Ora says they aren't allowed
One of the dogs Kāinga Ora says the family is not allowed to have. Photo: Supplied An Auckland state house tenant is unfairly being forced to choose between her two dogs or a roof over her head, according to an advocate for the family. The Favona family, a grandmother, mother and son own a pair of mixed breed dogs, which Kāinga Ora has told them to get rid of or risk losing their home. They said they have been upfront from the start with the agency about having the dogs and there's been no complaints about Nema and Sophie. An Animal Sanctuary that's helping them rehome the dogs says the family got into problems when they filled out a Kāinga Ora pet policy form and identified the dogs as Pitbulls even though they are mixed breed and not pure bred. Kāinga Ora doesn't allow dogs that are classified as menacing under the Dog Control Act, which includes canines that are "wholly or predominately" American Pitt Bull Terrier, regardless of individual behaviour. Anna Dahlberg, who runs Paws Awhile Animal Sanctuary, told Checkpoint the dogs were not menacing and were of unknown mixed breed. "One of them certainly is a lovely Shar Pei cross, and her mother is some sort of mixed breed... if people can't put a name to [the dog], if it's some sort of mixed breed, they just sort of lump it into the category of Pitbull. But there certainly has been no DNA testing to show that these dogs are Pitbull." Dahlberg said there have been zero complaints about either dog, adding their owner, La Heather, takes pride in taking care of the pair. "They're fully house trained. They're very friendly. "The house is clean and tidy, the dogs are clean and tidy, they do their business outside. She's done all the right things. They're vaccinated, flea and worm treated, registered and microchipped, and they are also awaiting desexing. So she really has gone the extra mile." Dahlberg said the family has been open with Kāinga Ora from the beginning of their tenancy, making the state housing agency aware of their pets. But it was once they declared the breed incorrectly that problems began to arise. "As I'm aware, Kāinga Ora originally was OK with it all and then from what I understand things changed when they found out the breed of the dogs. "Just like everyone else, from what I understand, they wrote down Pitbull and that's where they've gotten themselves into trouble." La cares for her elderly mother and is a single parent to her son, so has been left with no choice but to rehome the pair. The family is now waiting on a tribunal date to hear the outcome of Kāinga Ora's decision, but Dalhberg said from what they've been told, it was unlikely to be a positive one. "They've been told quite clearly that it's very unlikely that they will win the tribunal and that the dogs will need to be removed immediately." She said if they were not able to re-home the dogs, the pair will have to be euthanised. "That is just not an outcome we want. The dogs are highly attached to each other. They're mother and daughter, and they're very bonded. But they're also very bonded with their family and their family is very bonded with them." In a statement this afternoon, Kāinga Ora said they advised the family early on that permission for two large dogs would not be possible due to the size of the property. It said it was working with the family. Because the family told Kāinga Ora the dogs are Pitbulls it could not not give permission for the dogs to remain at the property. It confirmed the tenants have been told to rehome the dogs and it that doesn't happen, Kāinga Ora said it will use to the tools it has available to get the dogs rehomed. The agency appreciates that was not the decision the tenants wanted. Dahlberg said Kāinga Ora should look at altering the way it deals with pets at its properties. "[They should] look at it on an individual basis based on the people and how they're treating their dogs rather than based on the dog's breed."
Extra.ie
20-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Runaway bull finds sanctuary for life
A runaway bull, found racing around a village in the UK last week, has now found a home for life in an animal sanctuary. The two year old 'Dexter' bull was said to have been found rambling around 'in a confused state' in Digbeth, near Birmingham last week and its thought he may have fled a back street slaughterhouse in the area. After being cornered in a carpark by police last week, the lucky animal was handed over to the Hillside Sanctuary in Frettenham, Norfolk, some 170 miles away from where he was found. Liam the Bull. Pic: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Staff have named him 'Liam' believed to be in a nod to the new Norwich City boss Liam Manning. The sanctuary owners said he was very stressed when he arrived there in the middle of the night, but immediately made friends with another bull named 'Piglet' and has since calmed down. They owners of the sanctuary also said they liaised with police to try to find out where Liam came from and the possibility that he ran away from an abbattoir. His ear tag linked him to a farm in Leicestershire, but its thought he was an escapee who literally ran for his life. Liam the Bull with his new friend Piglet (left). Pic: Hillside Animal Sanctuary Liam does have one other obstacle to overcome however, before he can join the herd out in the Norfolk fields to enjoy the summer weather and the fresh green grass. The two year old Black Dexter Bull must have a little 'snip' operation, and the plan is to have him castrated next Monday, and after that, he can join his other rescued pals and enjoy the rest of his days in Hillside. The Hillside rescue centre has many other animals in their care, with 750 rescued cattle, 2,500 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys, 750 sheep and goats, 300 pigs and lots of other animals, including many rescued dogs and deer.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Absolutely devastating' sanctuary break-in sees several animals dead
The owner of an animal sanctuary has spoken of his devastation after a break-in which caused many animals to be killed. Peter Loy, who runs Greenbank Animal Sanctuary in the Haulgh, said: 'It's devastating – absolutely devastating. 'This is supposed to be a sanctuary and I feel that I've failed them because I couldn't keep them safe.' In the early hours of May 4 the sanctuary was broken into and a stable door forced open, releasing the chickens and goats. The resulting stampede caused several animals to lose their lives and many more to be injured. Peter said: 'Since the accident we've had over £3,000 worth of vet bills and we've had to spend so much money on security.' Three ducks, seven hens, three roosters, a turkey and a guinea fowl died in the incident. Peter said that one of the goats has been so traumatised by the break-in that she no longer leaves her stable. He said: 'The goats are still traumatised three weeks on – she won't even come out of her stable now and she used to love her goat tower.' Peter Loy runs Greenbank Animal Sanctuary with his husband (Image: Peter Loy)Greenbank Animal Sanctuary takes in animals that have been abandoned, abused and neglected – with some having even suffered sexual abuse. Peter said: 'We take the most broken animals that no one else will – there's very few places in the country that would take these animals. 'This attack has been so horrifically detrimental to the wellbeing of the animals.' He said that one of the goats had befriended a chicken who would sleep in the same stable at night. Peter said: 'He used to sleep with the chicken – she would put herself to bed and they would literally stay there all night until morning.' Sadly – during the break-in – the goat ended up killing the chicken with his horn in the panic of the stampede. Peter said: 'Now he bleats for her at night – I think it's because he thinks that he killed his best friend.' Have a story? Get in touch at A duck also had its bill smashed – now needing a prosthetic bill to keep its tongue in its mouth. One of the ducks had its bill smashed in the incident (Image: Peter Loy) Peter, who runs the sanctuary with his husband who is Vietnamese, believes the attack may have been motivated by homophobia and racism. He said: 'I'm angry – not at the person who did it – but at the people who enabled them. 'People who do extreme things are influenced by ideology and misinformation. READ MORE: Bolton animal rescue receives £1k Aldi grant READ MORE: RSPCA seeks volunteers to help wildlife across the UK READ MORE: Exotic animals come to St Andrew's CE Primary School in Ramsbottom 'We just don't feel safe here anymore – we're now scared to leave our home and we have to have someone watch the property. 'We have given everything to these animals – they aren't just animals but feel like my children. 'It breaks my heart because I swore to protect them and failed to protect them.' Greater Manchester Police were contacted and said that they closed the investigation because no suspect was identified.
CTV News
12-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Friendship blossoms between 300-pound pig and little red chicken at B.C. sanctuary
Truffles the pig and a chicken named Little Red instantly bonded at New Beginnings Animal Sanctuary. (Photo submitted to CTV News)
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary says goodbye to Baloo the bear
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways The Brief Noah's Ark Animal Sancuary is mourning the loss of one of its beloved animals, Baloo the black bear. Baloo came to the sanctuary with Shere Khan the tiger and Leo the lion after the three cubs were rescued from the captivity of a drug dealer. The 23-year-old bear was humanely euthanized after weeks of professional observation and treatment for mobility issues. HENRY COUNTY, Ga. - Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary has said goodbye to its beloved bear, Baloo. On Tuesday, the Henry County animal sanctuary said that veterinarians humanely euthanized the black bear after weeks of treatment for mobility issues. He was 23 years old. The backstory Baloo arrived at the sanctuary decades ago as one of three cubs known as the "BLT brothers" rescued from the captivity of a drug dealer. The nonprofit said when they got the animal, he had a harness digging into his flesh because it was never loosed as he grew. It required surgical intervention to get the device off of the bear and treat his injuries. He was the last survivor of the BLT - or bear, lion, and tiger trio - which had become favorites of visitors and volunteers. The other two were Shere Khan the tiger and Leo the lion. What they're saying Nonprofit officials say that Baloo's size in the past has been a concern, and the sanctuary's current leadership had been working for years to improve his diet and care. In April, the bear suffered a turned leg, which led to discomfort that officials say continued to increase. After multiple tests, officials say all treatment options were exhausted, leading them to make "the difficult decision to euthanize Baloo on Tuesday, May 6." "We will forever miss our beloved sweet bear, Baloo," the sanctuary wrote on Instagram. Dig deeper The treatment of animals at Noah's Ark has been the center of protests and lawsuits in recent years. In 2023, a former veterinarian for the animal sanctuary and an Ohio-based nonprofit sued the organization, accusing it ofviolating the federal Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit alleges that Noah's Ark failed to fulfill its responsibilities in feeding, housing, and caring for approximately five dozen animals. According to court documents, this alleged neglect resulted in significant suffering, hunger, and even death among the animals. Noah's Ark denied all the allegations. In 2022, an avian flu outbreak that killed over 700 vultures led to the state taking control of the facility and putting down hundreds of birds housed in the facility. What's next The University of Georgia will conduct a necropsy of Baloo's body to learn more about his death. His remains will be returned to Noah's Ark, where he will be reunited with the other members of the BLT trio in a memorial at the sanctuary. The Source Information for this story came from a release by Noah's Ark Animal Sancuary and previous FOX 5 reporting.
