YHS offers rewards for information in two cruelty investigations



Everly was too weak to stand
when rescued by YHS.

Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning "the highest good." It is the mission of the Yavapai Humane Society (YHS) to strive for the highest good for our community's most helpless animals. This lofty goal is often challenged by budget constraints. This means YHS has to rely on kindred souls in our community for help.

While this may be the season for "Peace on earth and good will towards men," YHS is witnessing a disturbing increase in animal cruelty. Let me give you three examples from just the past week.

Last Wednesday, a county magistrate ordered 11 dogs to be confiscated by the Sheriff's Office and impounded by YHS. Sadly, the magistrate did not require the irresponsible dog owner to be answerable for the costs associated with impounding, caring for and rehabilitating these un-socialized animals, making YHS responsible. We are now working hard to find a safe place for these unfortunate animals.

On Thursday, a sweet golden retriever was brought to YHS by a Good Samaritan. Everly was found collapsed on her rescuer's front lawn, a victim of extreme neglect. When she arrived at YHS she was so emaciated and dehydrated she couldn't walk or even lift her head. She also had an open infected wound on her right rear leg that may still result in her losing that leg - if she is lucky enough to survive. Everly is a loving girl and her prognosis is fair, unlike Monty, my third example.

YHS Medical Team poured out
their heart to save Monty.

On Friday, Monty was brought to YHS after being shot. He was rescued and rushed to YHS by the Sheriff's Office. The YHS medical team sprang into action. X-rays revealed a bullet had passed through Monty, but not cleanly. It seems Monty was fond of eating rocks and the rocks altered the bullet's trajectory before it exited his body. The bullet fragmented leaving some small pieces of shrapnel. However, the bulk of the bullet passed completely through Monty. 

Monty survived two hours in surgery only to succumb to the loss of blood he had sustained before he got to YHS. Following the gallant effort to save his life, Monty was in too weak a condition to recover and he expired peacefully surrounded by YHS' compassionate staff.

A cruelty investigation is underway in Everly and Monty's cases. Animal cruelty is a class 6 felony in Arizona. YHS is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for Everly's neglect and a separate $1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person who gut shot Monty and left him to bleed out and die. Please contact the Sheriff's Office at 771-3595 with your information (refer to DR#12-039906 for Everly and DR#12-039571 for Monty).

YHS created the Special Treatment and Recovery (STAR) program for needy animals like these. STAR enables YHS to provide "summun bonum" care to these desperate animals. STAR is completely funded by donations. Your donation to STAR is directly responsible for the survival of animals like Everly and the emergency care provided Monty and the confiscated animals. These three cases put a substantial strain on STAR. If you feel the call to help replenish this life saving fund please send your tax deductible donation to the YHS STAR Fund.

YHS is fortunate to have such a dedicated team of employees, volunteers, partners and supporters. This compassionate team stands ever ready to help animals who have no one else to turn to. If you want to be part of this team, consider volunteering with YHS and/or send YHS a life-saving donation. On behalf of the YHS team, have a merry Christmas and happy Hanukah.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at eboks@yavapaihumane.org or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.