Latest news with #ArizonaHumaneSociety
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Miami Herald
‘Leopard dog' was found tethered to fence in Arizona heat. Now, she needs a home
American pit bull terriers aren't known for having elaborate coats of fur. But when one was found tethered to a fence beneath the beaming sun in the Arizona heat, her unusual appearance caught the eyes of rescuers. With decorative spots dyed all over her body, she soon became known as the 'leopard dog,' the Arizona Humane Society said in a July 10 news release. Now, a little over a month after her rescue, the 5-year-old dog — named Rainbow Brite — and her nine pups are looking for a home, the nonprofit said. The nonprofit said its staff responded to a report of a dog 'tethered to a fence in triple digit temperatures with no shelter and no water' on May 29. When staff arrived, they found Rainbow Brite with her puppies 'in direct sun with no water on 133-degree pavement,' the nonprofit said. 'It was also discovered that Rainbow was covered in leopard patterned dye,' the nonprofit said. She and her pups were heat stressed, according to the nonprofit. Rainbow's temperature measured 106 degrees, she was panting heavily and had bright red gums, the nonprofit said. Staff on scene quickly worked to lower her temperature, giving her water and covering her in wet towels, the nonprofit said. 'Within five minutes, her temperature lowered to 102.5 degrees – a sign of just how overheated she was,' the nonprofit said. After she was stabilized, Rainbow and her puppies were taken to the nonprofit's animal hospital, where staff found she was underweight. 'But the whole family was luckily found to be relatively healthy overall,' the nonprofit said. While she was in the care of a foster family, the nonprofit said 'Rainbow gained 20 pounds and the pups continued to grow big and strong.' After weeks of care, Rainbow and her pups are ready for a new home. 'I'm a sweet pup who just loves attention and meeting new people, it is one of my very favorite things in the whole world,' her profile on the nonprofit's website says. As of July 11, Rainbow was still up for adoption through the nonprofit's South Mountain Campus in Phoenix.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Phoenix man accused of killing wife and telling police she had committed suicide
An 83-year-old man was arrested in connection with his wife's stabbing death at their Phoenix home after he tried to tell police she died by suicide. Donald Cunningham is accused of stabbing his wife multiple times in the head, face, eye and torso sometime between June 20 and June 23, court documents said. On June 23 at about 12:45 p.m., Cunningham called Phoenix police to report an attempted suicide near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. Cunningham told dispatchers that his wife killed herself four days ago after an argument between the two had turned physical. He claimed his wife had stabbed him in the arm and he had locked himself in the bathroom. Officers went to the apartment and attempted to open the door but initially could not because it was barricaded with kitchen furniture, court documents said. Upon entering, officers noticed apparent blood throughout the apartment. Officers heard a dog barking in a bedroom and tried to open the locked door. Officers kicked down the bedroom door and saw Cunningham on the bed with jumper cables around his neck and his hand raised. Court documents added that Cunningham was covered in blood and had a cut on his left arm. Officers detained Cunningham and took him to a hospital, where he told staff that his wife had stabbed him, then she stabbed herself to death. On June 24, the next day, the Arizona Humane Society received a call from Crisis Intervention that a dog needed to be removed from Cunningham's apartment. Humane Society workers removed the dog and informed police of a dead body, identified as Cunningham's wife, found inside the apartment. Officers located the dead woman on the floor between the bed and the bedroom wall, and she had multiple stab wounds, court documents said. Cunningham was detained and taken to Phoenix police headquarters after being discharged from the hospital, court documents said. He refused to speak to investigators about the incident, court documents said. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of second-degree murder. Cunningham's son, Adrian, told investigators that Cunningham and his wife were married for 15 years, and they met and married in the Philippines. Adrian explained that Cunningham and his wife would get into frequent arguments that would sometimes turn physical. He said the arguments were typically over Cunningham's use of methamphetamine or his old age, court documents said. Adrian told investigators Cunningham was arrested nearly three months prior for assaulting his wife, court documents said. The last time Adrian saw his father's wife alive was Feb. 20, the court documents said. He confirmed that she did not have a history of suicide attempts. Adrian told investigators he returned to Cunningham's apartment on Feb. 23 but did not get an answer at the door. He said he had not spoken with Cunningham or his wife since then, court documents said. Rescued: Phoenix newborn found 'clinging to life' at home near dead mother This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man arrested, accused of fatally stabbing wife
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Yahoo
Phoenix man accused of killing wife and telling police she had committed suicide
An 83-year-old man was arrested in connection with his wife's stabbing death at their Phoenix home after he tried to tell police she died by suicide. Donald Cunningham is accused of stabbing his wife multiple times in the head, face, eye and torso sometime between June 20 and June 23, court documents said. On June 23 at about 12:45 p.m., Cunningham called Phoenix police to report an attempted suicide near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. Cunningham told dispatchers that his wife killed herself four days ago after an argument between the two had turned physical. He claimed his wife had stabbed him in the arm and he had locked himself in the bathroom. Officers went to the apartment and attempted to open the door but initially could not because it was barricaded with kitchen furniture, court documents said. Upon entering, officers noticed apparent blood throughout the apartment. Officers heard a dog barking in a bedroom and tried to open the locked door. Officers kicked down the bedroom door and saw Cunningham on the bed with jumper cables around his neck and his hand raised. Court documents added that Cunningham was covered in blood and had a cut on his left arm. Officers detained Cunningham and took him to a hospital, where he told staff that his wife had stabbed him, then she stabbed herself to death. On June 24, the next day, the Arizona Humane Society received a call from Crisis Intervention that a dog needed to be removed from Cunningham's apartment. Humane Society workers removed the dog and informed police of a dead body, identified as Cunningham's wife, found inside the apartment. Officers located the dead woman on the floor between the bed and the bedroom wall, and she had multiple stab wounds, court documents said. Cunningham was detained and taken to Phoenix police headquarters after being discharged from the hospital, court documents said. He refused to speak to investigators about the incident, court documents said. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of second-degree murder. Cunningham's son, Adrian, told investigators that Cunningham and his wife were married for 15 years, and they met and married in the Philippines. Adrian explained that Cunningham and his wife would get into frequent arguments that would sometimes turn physical. He said the arguments were typically over Cunningham's use of methamphetamine or his old age, court documents said. Adrian told investigators Cunningham was arrested nearly three months prior for assaulting his wife, court documents said. The last time Adrian saw his father's wife alive was Feb. 20, the court documents said. He confirmed that she did not have a history of suicide attempts. Adrian told investigators he returned to Cunningham's apartment on Feb. 23 but did not get an answer at the door. He said he had not spoken with Cunningham or his wife since then, court documents said. Rescued: Phoenix newborn found 'clinging to life' at home near dead mother This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix man arrested, accused of fatally stabbing wife
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rescuers Respond to Call About a Neglected Dog. They Find a 'Leopard' Left with a Litter of Puppies
An animal shelter in Arizona was in for a surprise when they received a call about a "leopard" and some puppies in need of assistance The Arizona Humane Society rescued a pit bull terrier named Rainbow Brite — found painted to look like a leopard — and her nine puppies from 99-degree weather The 5-year-old dog and her puppies have received veterinary care and are in a foster home togetherAn animal shelter in Arizona was in for a surprise when they received a call about a "leopard" and some puppies in need of assistance. On Thursday, May 29, the Arizona Humane Society (AHS) in Phoenix received a call from a neighbor reporting a dog in need of help, as she and her nine puppies were tethered to a leash outdoors in the scorching Arizona heat. "The temperature that day in Phoenix was 99 degrees," a representative from AHS tells PEOPLE, and a photo of the rescue shows that the concrete sidewalk was even hotter, clocking in at 133 degrees. When the shelter's Emergency Animal Medical Technicians (EAMT) arrived on scene alongside officers from the Phoenix Police Department, they were in for quite the surprise — the mama dog, later named Rainbow Brite, was painted with multi-colored spots, meant to make her look like a leopard. "We don't know how or when she received her spots, but the condition she was in when our EAMTs arrived on scene indicated she was in need of help," AHS representative Joe Casados told Newsweek of the dogs' conditions. According to the representative, Rainbow Brite's owner surrendered the 5-year-old American pit bull terrier and her puppies to the shelter, agreeing that they "could no longer care for them." Rainbow Brite and her large litter went from their old home to the Lazin Animal Foundation Trauma Hospital, which is one of the largest level-one trauma pet hospitals in the U.S. According to AHS, Rainbow Brite's temperature was dangerously high, and veterinarians used cool towels to bring it down from 105.7 to 102.5. Vets also found that the mama dog was underweight—a concerning finding in a nursing dog, as she needs "calories to help keep her, and her puppies, healthy," the shelter tells PEOPLE. Eventually, AHS's staff stabilized Rainbow Brite. She and her nine pups — affectionately called her "sprites" — were transferred to AHS's "Mutternity Suites," a calming space dedicated to the shelter's pregnant and nursing mama dogs. Rainbow Brite's spots also made her a minor social media star. In a TikTok shared to the shelter's official account, a shelter representative visits the pit bull terrier in her enclosure and tells the viewers, "I heard we have a leopard in our mutternity suites." The video has over 75,000 views and shows Rainbow Brite happily nursing her litter and chowing down on some treats. "We don't know how or when she received her spots, but we are thankful she is cool, comfortable, and safe and getting the care she needs," the shelter tells PEOPLE. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. According to AHS, the animal family of 10 will soon be available for adoption. However, for now, all the canines have been placed with a foster family. "When ready, they will return to the shelter for spay/neuter surgeries and vaccines before AHS will work to find everyone a new, safe home," AHS says, adding that the shelter has dozens of other pets in need of fostering. In a follow-up TikTok video, the shelter heavily advocated against leaving dogs outdoors in extreme heat. It noted that tethering a dog outside in several Arizona cities is illegal. "We are happy that her owner agreed to surrender her, so that Rainbow Brite and her nine sprites have a second chance at a new life," AHS said in the video. "Sharing her story is a reminder for everyone that she is just one of the many pets in the valley who are tied outside in our extreme weather." "The [AHS] strongly urges pet owners not to tether their pets, as it is extremely dangerous," the shelter added. "Rainbow did have her spots before we picked her up, and eventually the dye will fade. But for now, she will keep people guessing if she really is part leopard." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hoppy Easter! Bunnies become animal ambassadors at Phoenix Zoo to promote proper pet care
Three new bunnies at the Phoenix Zoo were hopping into a bigger role. After being recently adopted from the Arizona Humane Society, the bunnies — Pepper, Lavender and Benjamin — were being asked to help promote proper pet care by taking on the position of animal ambassadors in training, the zoo announced April 18, just in time for Easter. Through the animal ambassador program, the zoo hoped to inspire and encourage people to care about the planet and nature. For the newly promoted ambassadors in training, they will be tasked with helping to educate the community about rabbits. 'They will be going out on programs, so they get to represent the zoo for people who can't make it to the zoo,' Beckey Mansel of the Phoenix Zoo said in a video posted to Facebook. 'So, they're going to go to schools, they're going to go to libraries, they're going to go out and about and give people opportunities to meet these animals up close.' By connecting the animals to the community, the animal ambassadors can help people understand the species' natural history and see what responsible pet ownership looks like, Shelby Brose, the Humane Society's senior manager of education and outreach, said. Rabbits, according to Brose, are oftentimes misunderstood animals. 'There's a lot of misconceptions about rabbits, and one of the biggest ones is the overall care that they require," Brose said. 'Oftentimes, people think that rabbits are very much a starter pet, something you can set and forget, when in fact their care requirements are more comparable to that of a cat or a dog.' According to the society, a pet rabbit should have a large enclosure so it can nest. It also needs daily exercise and a healthy diet, comprising hay, pellets and leafy greens. Carrots should also be given as treats. Rabbits can make great house pets, are social, and can be trained to do, 'Fun and exciting natural behaviors,' Brose stated. But before bringing a rabbit home, she encouraged families to study up on its needs and care requirements. 'The opportunity for Pepper, Lavender and Benjamin to be Animal Ambassadors and live together at the Phoenix Zoo is a great fit for them," said Brose. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 3 bunnies named Phoenix Zoo ambassadors, just in time for Easter
