D.C. Animal Watch

The following were among cases received recently by the Washington Humane Society. The society operates its own shelter at 7319 Georgia Ave. NW and the District's shelter at 1201 New York Ave. NE. For more information or assistance, 24 hours a day, call 202-723-5730.

Biting Pet Dog Surrendered

BRANCH AVE. SE, 2000 block, Aug. 8. A man was bitten by his Presa Canario dog while playing with it in a park. He surrendered the animal, which was quarantined at the D.C. shelter.

Dog Dies; Owner Charged

ASCOT PL. NE, 200 block, Aug. 12. A man was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals after a Humane Society officer found his dog dead, chained to a pole in a yard. The temperature was 87 degrees. According to a necropsy report, the dog had heat stroke. Further tests were pending.

Pit Bulls Frighten Homeowner

ASPEN ST. NW, 400 block, Aug. 9. A man requested help from animal control because three pit bulls in his yard were preventing him from entering his house. They were impounded at the D.C. shelter. The dogs' owner called the shelter two days later, saying that the homeowner had given him permission to leave the pets at the house, where he was going to be living in a few days. The dog owner was asked to bring in written proof that the animals were permitted to live there. When he did not provide it, the dogs were euthanized.

Raccoon Carried in Trash Can

SEVENTH ST. NE, 4000 block, Aug. 11. A man saw a baby raccoon trapped in a trash can. He took the container to the D.C. animal shelter, where the raccoon was determined to be healthy and released.

Injured Rottweiler Euthanized

MAPLEVIEW PL. SE, 1300 block, Aug. 13. The owners of a Rottweiler called animal control and said that the dog was limping after an opossum entered its doghouse the previous night. The owners said they were afraid to touch the dog and wanted it picked up. When an officer arrived, the owners changed their minds.

The dog had been kept in a pen with a dirty bowl containing water and bread crumbs, according to animal control.

When the owners were told that the dog needed medical care, they said they could not afford it and agreed to surrender the animal, which was euthanized at the D.C. shelter.

Threatened Cats Surrendered

EADS PL. NE, 4500 block, Aug. 14. The owner of two cats asked animal control to pick them up because a relative had threatened to harm them. The cats were held at the D.C. shelter.

4 Dogs, 2 Cats Impounded

NINTH ST. NE, 600 block, Aug. 19. Four dogs and two cats were impounded after they were found in filthy rooms during an eviction at a home. The animals were thin, had matted fur and were soiled with urine. One dog bit a U.S. marshal. They were bathed and groomed at the D.C. shelter, where they were held pending contact from the owner.

Chihuahua Mix Impounded

11TH AND KENYON STREETS NW, Aug. 13. A Chihuahua mix was found running loose and was taken to the D.C. shelter, where it was to be made available for adoption if not claimed.

Dogs' Injuries Investigated

POMEROY RD. SE, 2800 block, Aug. 16. The Humane Society received a report that a pit bull had been stabbed. An officer met with the owner, who allegedly said that she had thrown a knife at the dog because she was afraid it was going to bite her.

The officer was shown the pit bull on a filthy back porch, where it was bleeding heavily from a wound on its hindquarters. The dog also had wounds on its head, neck and legs.

The animal was treated by a veterinarian and impounded at the society shelter. The case was under investigation.

NAYLOR RD. SE, 3100 block, Aug. 11. Humane Society officers interviewed witnesses who said that a pit bull had been thrown from a second-story window. In addition, the pit bull's owner reportedly had been seen kicking the dog.

An officer returned the next day to meet with the owner and noticed that the dog was limping.

A warrant was obtained to seize the animal. A veterinarian examined the pit bull and prescribed pain medication. It was held at the society shelter, and the case was under investigation.

Baby Robin Under Tree Rescued

Q ST. NW, 2500 block, Aug. 9. A baby robin was found under a tree, unable to fly. An Animal Control officer took it to a wildlife rehabilitator.

Mangy Pet Dog Impounded

FIRST ST. NW, 1300 block, Aug. 12. The police department asked the Humane Society to help handle a family dispute over the care of a sick pit bull. A society officer met with the family and took the dog to a veterinarian. The pit bull, which was missing fur and had sores and scabs on its head, was diagnosed with mange. It was treated and held at the society shelter. The case was under investigation.

-- Compiled by KATHY ORTON