Dog doing well despite injury

MAT-SU -- Walking through the Mat-Su Animal Care and Regulation shelter, Shady is inevitably one of the most perky, eager dogs to greet shelter visitors. He's a little black-and-white border collie with a chipper attitude -- so chipper, in fact, that it's difficult to believe Shady is recovering from an animal cruelty case.

Shady was picked up by Animal Care and Regulation officers after neighbors called in a complaint that the dog had not been fed or given water.

Mat-Su Chief Animal Care and Regulation Officer Dave Allison said that when officers first checked the year-old dog, they found he was pinned to the ground because the cable lead he was fixed to had become wrapped around his neck tightly enough to not only constrict but become encased in his skin.

The other end of the lead was tangled in a bicycle, prohibiting movement. Shady was freed from the bicycle, a door tag was left at the home notifying property owners the officers had been there and officers left the scene. Allison said officers returned a few hours later and seized the dog because they had not been contacted by the property owners, and felt allowing the dog to stay at the site any longer might put its health at risk.

"We looked at the animal's condition and, basically, made the determination that this animal wasn't staying there," Allison said.

After Shady was brought to the shelter, the owners contacted Allison and were cited for cruelty to animals, a violation that carries a potential fine of $300. Because the owners willingly relinquished the animal to the shelter and have not yet been to court to challenge the citation, their names have not been made public, Allison said.

It's an unhappy turn of events for a pup that was originally purchased by the family from the shelter, Allison said.

"The family wanted a pet, but didn't want to take the time to care for it," Allison said. "It's just a sad situation."

Shady arrived at the shelter July 1, and after a brief operation to suture his ragged neck back together and remove the cabling, is now in good spirits. Shelter staff are hoping to find Shady a new home, where he can recuperate. The pup appears to be very trainable, is quite social and is eager for positive attention. With a little attention to his skin, such as using a harness instead of a collar and keeping the area clean and free of mosquitoes, Allison said he's a very adoptable dog.

"Other than needing a lot of love, he's a real sweet little dog," Allison said.

Because he's already been outfitted with a microchip and has a current shot record, Shady can be taken home for $50, $30 of which is refundable upon proof of his neutering. For more information about Shady, animal No. 2429, contact the shelter at 746-5500.

Cat sale: shelter overwhelmed with cats

The Mat-Su Animal Care and Regulation shelter is waiving the $20 adoption fee for cats until 5 p.m. Wednesday in hopes of finding homes for the numerous cats now at the shelter. Cats of all ages and varieties, from elegant Siamese adults to romping tabby kittens are available at the shelter, and each is deserving of a good home. Stop by the shelter, located near the Central Mat-Su Landfill off 49th State Street, contact the shelter at 746-5500 or visit the shelter's Web site at www.petharbor.com for more information.