Dessin successes

Cruelty cases conclude with happy endings

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — Several Wayne County cases of animal cruelty processed through the Dessin Animal Shelter have recently been resolved with positive outcomes. Just in time for the new year, two victims found new homes and a chance at a better life, while several others are now free to find their forever homes.

Eileen, a calico cat with a broken leg, dumped from a pickup truck in Lake Ariel in October, has been adopted by Nancy Johanns of Blakely. Though the cat’s injuries required amputation of a rear limb, Johanns welcomed the three-legged feline into her home.

A dog found wandering near Hawley with a length of chain embedded in its neck will receive a new “leash” on life from Julie Ottaviani, of Honesdale. The chain had to be surgically removed, but the dog is healing well.

A former Shetland sheepdog breeder lost her appeal of a court decision requiring her to forfeit 14 dogs and one cat. The charges stem from several incidences, including one where it was found that SueAnn Wilke-Westbrook of Emigsville had stowed some of the dogs in a Honesdale self-storage facility that was not air-conditioned on July 24. Wilke-Westbrook also faces $750 in fines.

The dogs are now available for adoption, and most have been placed in good homes. After waiting more than four months for their case to move through the courts, the remaining five shelties are now ready to be taken into new homes. Two are geriatric, but in good health, while the others are two-to-three years old.

One volunteer who walks the shelties on a regular basis said they are exceptionally well-behaved with very friendly dispositions. “They’re like walking a feather,” said Jeanne Walter, who travels from the Equinunk area to help at the shelter. For more information visit dessinshelter.com or call 570/253-4037.