Fair 36°
Tag:

Animal welfare

Obituaries
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33
'Bald Ballerina' Maggie Kudirka Dies After Inspirational Cancer Battle, 33 The world lost an extraordinary spirit on Friday, Dec. 27, with the passing of Maggie Kudirka, lovingly known as the "Bald Ballerina. "Maggie, 33, succumbed to metastatic breast cancer at her home, surrounded by family, loved ones shared on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maggie Kudirka (@baldballerina) The Joffrey Ballet School, where Maggie trained, mourned her loss, calling her a “beautiful warrior.” “Maggie’s passion and grace will forever inspire us,” they wrote, reflecting on her profound impact on the dance and c…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
Reward Offered After Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia Reward Offered After Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia
Reward Offered After Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia A $5,000 reward is being offered for information regarding the owner of a dog that had to be put down after being abandoned in Virginia earlier this month. Animal control officers in Arlington are still seeking the public's assistance after the severely neglected dog, discovered in critical condition near South Walter Reed Drive in early December, died despite emergency rescue efforts. The Arlington Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) reported that "Walter," a brown and tan dog with cropped ears, was found Wednesday, Dec. 4, around 8 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street South and Walter…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Sports
Michael Vick Appointed Head Football Coach Of Norfolk State Michael Vick Appointed Head Football Coach Of Norfolk State
Michael Vick Appointed Head Football Coach Of Norfolk State Michael Vick is coming home. The Newport News native, who became a human highlight reel at Virginia Tech before heading the NFL, has reportedly reached an agreement to coach Norfolk State University. Vick, now 44, was largely heralded as the NFL's greatest rushing quarterback before his career came to a screeching halt when he was implicated in a dogfighting ring that landed him behind bars. He has since rehabilitated his image, and has accepted the job to replace former head coach Dawson Odums, who was let go last month after another disappointing season.  "It’s an honor to announce…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia: Officials Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia: Officials
Neglected Dog Dies Days After Being Found Emaciated, Abandoned In Virginia: Officials Animal control officers in Arlington are asking for the public's help after a severely neglected dog, discovered in critical condition near S. Walter Reed Drive, died despite emergency rescue efforts. The Arlington Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) reported that "Walter," a brown and tan dog with cropped ears, was found Wednesday, Dec. 4, around 8 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street South and Walter Reed Community Center.  A concerned resident stayed with the dog until Animal Control Resource Deputy Karina Swetnam arrived to take him to an emergency veterinary clinic. Walter wa…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Chickens Rescued From Illegal Cockfighting Ring Operating Out Of Virginia Yard: Sheriff Chickens Rescued From Illegal Cockfighting Ring Operating Out Of Virginia Yard: Sheriff
Chickens Rescued From Illegal Cockfighting Ring Operating Out Of Virginia Yard: Sheriff Dozens of chickens were rescued and a suspect arrested following the investigation into an illegal cockfighting ring that was uncovered earlier this month in Virginia, officials say Members of the Stafford County Sheriff's Office were tipped off last week about a home in the area that was hosting cockfighting events, the same home that was related to a previous stolen property report. At approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 7, deputies responded to a home on Norman Road, where they found several large chickens in the area, leading to them obtain a second warrant in connection to the alle…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Chickens Perish, Structures Destroyed By Fast-Moving Fire In Virginia Chickens Perish, Structures Destroyed By Fast-Moving Fire In Virginia
Chickens Perish, Structures Destroyed By Fast-Moving Fire In Virginia An eagle-eyed paramedic was able to alert fire crews to an overnight blaze in Stafford County that damaged several structures. Shortly before midnight on Saturday, Oct. 26, Stafford County Fire and Rescue units were alerted to a fire in the 500 block of Wyne Drive, near Warrenton Road in Falmouth, by an ambulance that was returning from the hospital and spotted it. Additional units were called to the area and upon arrival minutes later, they found three detached buildings, including a chicken coop, on fire.  The flames were quickly knocked down, with "minor impact to the adjacent resi…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing
Former DoD Deputy Chief Admitted To Operating Dogfighting Kennel, Electrocuting Dogs For Losing A Maryland man who used to serve as a Department of Defense deputy chief admitted to his role in a violent dogfighting ring that involved him electrocuting animals who lost, federal authorities announced. Frederick Douglass Moorefield, Jr., 63, pleaded guilty to federal charges that include conspiracy to engage in animal fighting, specifically the fighting of dogs, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering. According to the guilty plea, federal agents began investigating Moorefield’s connections to dogfighting after officers from Anne Arundel County Animal Control responded to a rep…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back
Woman Who Euthanized Dog Shocked To Discover He's Still Alive — And She Isn't Getting Him Back A former Maryland resident who made the difficult decision to put her puppy down due to unrelenting health conditions has learned that he is healthy and still alive — and she won't be getting him back. Kristie Pereira, 32, who recently moved to San Antonio, TX from of Laurel, MD, adopted Amos Hart from Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation in Falls Church, VA in December 2022. She renamed him Beau, and Pereira says the two were "happy as can be." That is, up until February 2023, when Pereira noticed Beau was exhibiting strange behavior.  "He'd be pacing around and at times I'd lo…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Two Dogs, Firefighter Injured In Southeast DC House Fire Two Dogs, Firefighter Injured In Southeast DC House Fire
Two Dogs, Firefighter Injured In Southeast DC House Fire An intense house fire sent two dogs to a local veterinarian and a firefighter was injured battling a blaze in Southeast DC on Tuesday afternoon. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Feb. 27, officials say that DC Fire and EMS personnel were called to a home in the 3500 block of Ely Place SE, when a rapidly-moving fire broke out and spread throughout the residence. Update Working Fire 3400 block Ely Pl. SE. Continue to extinguish hotspots around solar panels on roof. @HumaneRescue transporting 2 injured dogs to veterinarian. Currently 1 displaced resident & @RedCrossNCGC has been notified. #DCsBr…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
News
40 Cats Rescued From Feces-Covered VA Home Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials 40 Cats Rescued From Feces-Covered VA Home Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials
40 Cats Rescued From Feces-Covered VA Home Will Soon Be Up For Adoption: Officials Forty cats found living in deplorable conditions of a Loudoun County home are in the hands of rescuers. An investigation into the Sterling hoarding case began on Tuesday, Aug. 1, when a member of the public contacted Loudoun County Animal Services to check the welfare on cats. We are caring for 40 cats that were received after a pet hoarding investigation that revealed unsafe living conditions... Posted by Loudoun County Animal Services on Friday, August 11, 2023 When LCAS Humane Law Enforcement Officers (HLEO) arrived, they found multiple cats both inside and outside of the home. Upon…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
News
Six Puppies Kidnapped From Mom In DC, Reward Offered Six Puppies Kidnapped From Mom In DC, Reward Offered
Six Puppies Kidnapped From Mom In DC, Reward Offered The Humane Rescue Alliance in D.C. has offered a reward of $7,500 in the hopes of finding six stolen puppies, sources said. On September 14, the HRA announced that multiple now five-week-old puppies were kidnapped and stripped from their mother when they were just three weeks old. These puppies are supposed to remain with their mother, Godiva, and littermates until eight to 10 weeks old, the HRA said. The HRA said they are extremely worried about the well-being and safety of these puppies, as they may have been sold to unsuspecting buyers or adopters. Anyone with information should contac…

SHARE

by AJ Goldbloom
News
Fairfax Veterinarian Details Atrocities In Ukraine After 2-Week Trip Fairfax Veterinarian Details Atrocities In Ukraine After 2-Week Trip
Fairfax Veterinarian Details Atrocities In Ukraine After 2-Week Trip Dr. Courtney Katsur couldn't stand to watch news of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The atrocities, the endless violence, and the evil all turned her stomach. But she wasn't about to do nothing.  The Fairfax veterinarian took a short leave from her job at Town & Country Animal Hospital to fly to Ukraine and help the animals there. She spent two weeks in the country and returned earlier this month more eager than before to help the often-forgotten victims of war.  "I knew that I have a skill/profession where I could help not only the animal victims of this war that…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier