Teaching Piano Lessons for 80 years. At 95-years old, Elba Ruilova still teaches piano lessons four afternoons a week from her west Tampa home. She began teaching when she was 15.
By
Times Staff Writer
In print: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Suncoast Animal League staff and volunteers remove 121 small dogs from a home in East Lake on April 7. A fundraiser will be held Wednesday night at Boyle’s in Palm Harbor.
PALM HARBOR — Veterinary bills for the 121 small-breed dogs taken this month from a home in East Lake could eventually reach $15,000 to $18,000, according to the head of the rescue group caring for them.
As a result, a fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit Suncoast Animal League has been scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at Boyle's Backyard Neighborhood Bar & Grill, 1101 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor.
The event will include an auction, beverages and snacks and a presentation by the animal league's director Rick Chaboudy.
The dogs were removed April 7 from the Ranch Road home of longtime dog breeder Teresita Hughes. Rescuers from the animal league and Pinellas County sheriff's deputies have said they encountered a strong smell of urine and found dogs living two to eight per cage, many of them malnourished. They were accompanied by an inspector from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Most of the rescued dogs were Pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese.
Hughes could not be reached for comment Monday, but a man who has answered the telephone at her home in the past previously said descriptions of the dogs' living conditions had been fabricated.
The Sheriff's Office has opened an investigation into possible animal neglect and has said it plans to send its findings to the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office. The Suncoast Animal League plans to go to court, probably this week, in an attempt to get custody of the dogs.
Of the 121 dogs removed from the home, one, a female Pomeranian, has died of an infection, Chaboudy said Monday. He said another remains in critical condition with kidney problems, and a third has spent a lot of time in an oxygen unit.
Several have had surgery to remove mammary tumors, several have problems with their knee joints, eight are pregnant and almost all have dental problems.
"We're at about $2,300, $2,400 (in veterinary care) right now," he said, "and we really haven't gotten into the vet bills yet."
>>Fast facts
To learn more
The Suncoast Animal League, at 1030 Pennsylvania Ave., Palm Harbor, is a nonprofit, no-kill rescue agency for abused, neglected, homeless and unwanted animals. Call (727) 786-1330.
[Last modified: Apr 21, 2008 11:14 AM]
Comments on this article
by klm
Apr 21, 2008 11:14 AM
the women made enough selling them let her use that money to pay for them. and never let her have an animal agin...
by mk
Apr 17, 2008 2:25 PM
The dogs are NOT being caged now...they are in HUGE enclosures, outside 4x daily and tended to with love and care. It the owner had cared, she would have done the same. She lived in the filth also!
by mk
Apr 17, 2008 2:12 PM
I am working with some of these dogs. It is frightful to see how they were treated and their problems because of neglect. I CAN judge! Many will make lovely pets when their issues are dealt with. Please donate to Suncoast Animal League for them! Thx
by Cheryl
Apr 17, 2008 8:53 AM
None of you have room to judge this breeder, I personally have bought a dog from her and visited her home and it is nothing what these people are making it out to be. She is a wonderful person and all of you have no room to judge!!!
by pup
Apr 15, 2008 4:36 PM
The breeder needs to pay for the veternary care of the animals seized because it occurred during their possession of the dogs. Abuse/neglect fines need to be imposed criminally and this person needs to be forbidden to have any future animal.
by pup
Apr 15, 2008 3:58 PM
The breeder needs to pay for the veternary care of the animals seized because it occurred during their possession of the dogs. Abuse/neglect fines need to be imposed criminally and this person needs to be forbidden to have any future animal by law.
by Kathleen
Apr 15, 2008 8:31 AM
The owner should ultimately be financially responsible for these costs such as a lien on her property and reimbursement to the non profit. Or at least restitution.
by Pete
Apr 15, 2008 8:30 AM
Ironic that these dogs were rescued from a life in wire cages only to be housed in wire cages.Why use donated dollars to care for these waifs. Charge the breeder for the cost of care.
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