Manatee Dogs: Stay of Execution?

A legal group filed an emergency appeal on behalf of a pair of Australian shepherds that are scheduled to be euthanized.

The scheduled euthanasia of two Australian shepherds this week has been delayed by the emergency appeal of a legal project. The Bradenton Herald reports that the Lexus Project filed the appeal Wednesday in Manatee County, on behalf of the shepherds, named Buck and Bill. The two Australian shepherds bit a boy several times on Christmas Eve, while he was standing outside in the Panther Ridge subdivision in East Manatee. His injuries exposed a nerve on his leg and required surgery. The dogs reportedly escaped through a window of the home where they lived. The motion is part of an ongoing legal effort to save the lives of the two dogs. But previous motions have been met with denials, according to the Bradenton Herald "I don't know what …

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Animal Services Giving Away Pets For Free

Of course details apply—you must pay $15 for a required tag and license for your free cat or dog.

So you might not be able to bring your kid a bunny for easter, but how about a free cat or dog? Manatee County Animal Services is doing a promotion through Saturday where they are giving away cats and dogs for free.  But wait there's more! Pick up your new pet and you also get to select an Easter egg that has a chance inside to win an extra prize.  "We have a pet for everyone," said Animal Services Chief Kris Weiskopf. "Help us help the pets by adopting today; every dog and cat deserves a second chance to live and love.”  Animal Services staff at the downtown Bradenton adoption center said Thursday they have been busy with requests and had three adoptions as of 1 p.m. Of course, details apply—you do have to pay $15 for a required license …

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Volunteers Needed for Community Dog Wash

Ready for some sudsy Saturdays? Manatee County Animal Services needs volunteers to help wash adoptable dogs starting Saturday, April 6. Prefer cats? Help is needed with petting cats, also.

Adoptable Pet Of The Week

Blake's an Active and Loving Dog

Blake is a pitbull mix who needs to find a home that will give him room to play and run.

Blake's a pit bull terrier mix who's about 1 year and 3 months old and has been at Manatee County Animal Services since Sep 22, 2012.  Blake has the high energy of a young dog, but calms down after running for a short while. After getting his energy out, Blake becomes an easy-going and loving dog who will vie for your affection. If you decide to adopt, the adoption fee for Blake is $80 and includes: For more information on Blake and the other adorable adoptables at the Manatee Animal Shelter, call (941) 748-4501.

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Prosecutor's Office Serious About Protecting Animals

The state attorney's office is not just prosecuting more animal cruelty cases, its attorneys are adopting animals in need.

When Manatee County Animal Services took in 33 pit bulls, most of them under a year old, some of the folks in the state attorney's office took notice. All of the animals were surrendered to Animal Services and the agency worked with the owner to pick up all the dogs, so the attorneys weren't looking to press charges. They were keeping an eye on the welfare of the animals. During Ed Brodsky's campaign, he promised to pay attention to animal cruelty cases and his office has taken that to heart. There have been recent cases of cruelty where law enforcement officers have brought the cases to the state attorney's office. Those cases are under review. But one attorney, who has worked on abuse cases, decided to take it a step further. When she …

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Manatee No Kill: Success in Action

A full year after the Manatee Animal Shelter have adopted the no kill policy, the shelter has become a guide for other counties in the area.

In October of 2011, Manatee County made the goal to make their county Animal Shelter No Kill by December of 2012. "No Kill actually means you are vowing not to kill any healthy, adoptable animal," said Kris Weiskopf, Manatee County Animal Services Chief. The policy has been put into place and the save rate went up 20 percent for 2012 vs 2011. Manatee County is also serving as a model for other counties considering going no kill. "We have a lot of other counties looking at our plan," Weiskopf said. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. While the county has not been able to increase its Animal Services budget, …

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Toni Whitt

6:22 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013

Hi Tom, I agree with you two or three dogs are plenty for most families. The problem is not enough people spay and neuter their dogs and cats. I hear all the time about how some dog had puppies after their owners "thought" they were keeping their dog away from other dogs. Or how the dog down the street got out when their dog was in heat. If everyone was responsible and spayed and neutered there …   more ›

Manatee to Celebrate Injured Dog as He Goes to Foster Home

The public is invited to a Jan. 9 send off for Axel, the dog who was hit in the head and left with a gaping wound.

No Kill Manatee County is hosting a celebration this week as Axel, the dog who was hit in the head and left wandering with a gaping injury,goes to his foster home. No Kill Manatee is inviting the community to come out and say so long to Axel. He will leave his friends at Beach Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 9, where he has convalesced since he was found with his injury in November. From there he will make a stop at Lucky Dog Restaurant where owners and friends put together a Facebook Page for Axel. Then they will head to Manatee County Animal Services, 305 25th St. W., Palmetto, where Axel will meet his new foster mom, trainer Trisha Robinson of Dawg Phonics. Axel will also will meet his fans and be reunited with Animal Services officer Steve …

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Make a Shelter Dog's Holiday More Comfortable; Help Build a Bed

Orphaned animals need a bed for the winter. Animal Services needs volunteers to help build them.

Manatee County Animal Services is working to make sure every orphaned dog has a bed to lay on. The county shelter is currently in need of 100 shelter approved Kuranda Beds and has been able to purchase 50 of the beds thanks to public donation. To celebrate, Manatee County Animal Services and Picture Them Adopted, the volunteers who photograph shelter animals, will host a Build A Bed Pizza Party. The Dec. 20 party is designed to get party-goers to assemble the beds. The party starts at 10:00 am at the Palmetto Animal Services Facility, 30525th St. W. Palmetto.   Volunteers are encouraged to wear pajamas for the photos. Closed toe shoes are required however. Be one of the volunteers to make it a merrier Christmas for the county's shelter …

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Manatee County Animal Services Offering December Adoption Special

Cats are free during December, although the $15 license fee will not be waived.

Studies show petting a cat can lower your blood pressure and help relieve stress. Their purring promotes relaxation (that's not based on a study, but rather presonal experience). Well if you're concerned about wellnesss, Manatee County has a deal for you. Manatee County Animal Services is offering cats for adoption at no cost in December. That’s right, cats are free while supplies last. The Manatee County license however, is still $15. Any and all cats, all shapes, sizes and colors, at no cost to you. No down payments, no interest and you're free to adopt a pair of cats.  All pets adopted will receive a health check, be spayed/neutered, vaccinated including rabies and microchipped. Now the disclaimer in not so small print; Free does not …

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Animal Network Offers $500 Reward in Cruelty Case

The dog was hit in the head with a machete or an ax and was so badly injured his skull was visible. Vets said he is likely to survive.

Manatee County Animal Services and the Animal Network are searching for a person who used an ax or a machete to attack a dog, cutting deeply into the dog's skull and sinus cavity. It was the worst cruelty case animal service officers can remember out of "hundreds of cases a year," said Joel Richmond, enforcement supervisor for Manatee County Animal Services. Such extreme cases tend to be more rare, Richmond said. A bad year may have half-a-dozen cases that rise to felony animal cruelty. Officer Steve Bell found the dog walking through in the 200 block of 60th Avenue West with a gash to his head so deep that the dog's skull was visible. Bell had been in the neighborhood on an unrelated call and was writing his report in his Manatee County …

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