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Rescued dog draws 300 calls to adopt Web-posted Feb 11, 2006 By ANN ZANIEWSKI Of The Oakland Press PONTIAC - Rosie is the most popular pup at the Michigan Animal Rescue League. Since images of her frail, skin-and-bones frame covered by straggly gold fur were in media reports Wednesday and Thursday, the shelter has received more than 300 calls and 60 e-mails from people who want to adopt her. A former Pontiac animal control officer plans to bring her case to the city attorney's office in hope of initiating animal cruelty charges against Rosie's owners. "This is the worst I have ever seen," said Linda Cedillo, who worked in animal control until about nine years ago. She now is a licensing and zoning inspector for Pontiac. The wheaten terrier mix was picked up Wednesday afternoon from the basement of a Pontiac home. One of her owners had contacted a rescue group called the Animal Care Network the evening before to say she wasn't sure why the dog, which was kept in a crate in the garage, could no longer stand. The emaciated dog weighed 9 pounds instead of the ideal 30 when care network volunteers found her. She was too weak to lift her head or stand, but her tail wagged. A man at the house surrendered ownership. The dog was taken to the Michigan Animal Rescue League, where staff named her Rosie. "She's just still very sweet," Michigan Animal Rescue League director Kayla Allen said. "She is still wagging her tail." Allen called Cedillo and Michigan Humane Society cruelty investigator Debby MacDonald. Humane Society spokeswoman Amy Popp said MacDonald was told that the city is handling the case, but said the society would be willing to help in an investigation. Drawing on her 15 years of experience in animal control, Cedillo took photos of Rosie and is going to spend the next couple of days collecting evidence. If there's enough, she plans to present the case to the city attorney's office Monday and ask for the approval of an arrest warrant. Messages left at Mayor Clarence Phillips' office and at City Attorney Mark Hotz's office were not returned. Pontiac Police Sgt. William Ware said animal control officer Donnie Benion may be pursuing an investigation. "I'm assuming, with the press coverage on this, I would believe that our city is doing what is necessary" to follow up on the case, Councilwoman Susan Shoemaker said. It's rare for people to be punished under Pontiac's animal cruelty ordinances or state laws against mistreating animals. The city's animal control department shrank from two officers on the street to one last year in the face of budget cuts. "I will follow it through to the end, no matter what," Cedillo said. Allen said she is waiting to hear the results of blood work that will show how Rosie's kidneys and liver are functioning. She seems to be improving. Even during her night at a foster home, she nibbled every hour on small amounts of soft food mixed with a trace of kibble. Rosie stood and took a few steps on her own for the first time Friday. Back to Rescue Stories page |