Carson's Story

6/8/2009

 Carson close-up
Carson came to the Greyhound Adoption Center on May 21. Where Carson came from is a story many animal rescuers would like to forget.

Carson came from a Mojave, California, property where hundreds of animals were kept by Cynthia Bemis and Cynthia Trapani. The Monday before Carson arrived at GAC, both women were convicted in Kern County of multiple felony counts of animal cruelty (14 for Bemis, six for Trapani). They each could spend as long as nine years in prison. Their sentencing takes place on June 17. (See UPDATE.)
 
The story surrounding this hoarding situation is a long one. Bemis has been accused of animal cruelty in three different counties. Both women were arrested two years ago after Kern County Animal Control officers raided the Mojave compound on which they lived with more than 170 dogs.

Their recent conviction compelled rescue groups to come forward to try to save as many animals as possible. Rescuers said this has proven to be one of the worst cases of animal abuse they've ever seen.
 
Chris DeRose, president of Last Chance for Animals, said to KGET-TV in Bakersfield, "It's been a very difficult rescue. These animals have been neglected so much they are pretty much fending for themselves. It's literally a dog-eat-dog situation. And they're in bad shape, they're in bad shape. There are a lot of these dogs that are just fighting to survive with one another."

Rescuers said the first thing that hits you is the smell; the smell in the trailer is overwhelming. One commented that the floor is so caked with animal waste that it has actually rotted away.  There are several holes in the floor where dogs dug to get under the trailer to birth a litter of puppies, most of which didn't survive.
  
Rescuing and finding organizations to take the animals has been ongoing since  permission was given for rescuers to enter the compound. Dozens of dogs remain on the property yet, although rescuers are going daily to provide food, water and care.
 
Carson luckily has had two weeks of respite and care at the Greyhound Adoption Center. He loves to be with people! We'll keep you updated on his progress.

UPDATE: All the dogs were rescued from this situation. The women were sentenced on July 8, 2009, at the Bakersfield Courthouse in Kern County. According to news reports, both were given five years probation, fined and prohibitions against owning or being in possession of animals or operating a "rescue" shelter. Bemis was sentenced to one year in jail, with 91 days credit. She was released from jail in October 2009, to a transitional program. Trapani was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 85 days credit. In a separate case against Bemis from 2006 in San Bernardino County, a plea bargain was agreed to in April 2010, resulting in probation and mental health treatment.

Carson, not surprisingly, has a few issues -- particularly getting along with other male dogs. He LOVES his people, though, and likes to play and rub against you, making odd little noises. He is "turned out" with a group of girl dogs at our center, and would do well as an only dog or with a carefully matched  dog companion. He needs a dog knowledgeable adopter. He's still waiting for the right home.
 
 

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