By Staff
It all started in December 2003.
It was Dec. 23, 2003, to be exact.
I was in my owner's back yard.
My yard companion (a young, female pit bull) died on Dec. 21, I think.
An animal control officer came and took her away.
That was Dec. 22. On the 23rd, that same animal control officer came back and took me from the yard to a veterinarian's office and then to the Cass County Animal Shelter. I've been here ever since.
My owner and I lived on Second Avenue in Dowagiac.
He and his family went to Indianapolis for the Christmas holidays in December 2003.
They left on Dec. 21 and someone was supposed care for us while he was gone. I don't recall seeing anyone until the animal control officer appeared.
My yard companion I'll call "Angel" because of where she is now.
I'm told the veterinarian ruled her cause of death as starvation.
I know I was thin and it was because of the whip and round worms in my intestines getting the nutrition from the food I was eating.
I weighed 29 pounds when I was removed.
From what I've been told, my owner appeared in District Court and pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges involving "Angel" and me.
A trial was set for June 29, 2004.
However, he didn't appear for his final pretrial conference so the court issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
In an attempt to speed the process of releasing me from the shelter, I understand the staff attempted to serve him in Indianapolis with a civil forfeiture complaint so I could be either ruled property of the shelter or he would post a bond with the court for my stay until the court could hear the cruelty case.
At this writing, the bond would be $2,003.55. I've been told that authorities in Indianapolis didn't actually personally serve him with the paperwork, but they did post it at his residence and sent them to him in the mail. Unfortunately, in Michigan, that isn't proper service for Court purposes, so I continue my stay at the Shelter. But finally, the Director went to the Prosecutor's office to ask if he could put me up for adoption. They did some research and said with all that has been done, they saw no reason for me to continue my stay here.
Don't get me wrong. The people at the Shelter are great. They give me attention. Robin, one of the animal control officers, says I'm a little snot because I tip my food bowl over and jump straight up in my pen, so she's affectionately named me "Booger." Judy (the nice lady that took my picture), doesn't like that name so she calls me "Bogey." I go for walks and have good food. I get to play and I like all the inmate workers. I now weigh 42 pounds and according to the Center for Animal Health, I'm in good condition, have my rabies and DHLPPC shot, but I need a family I can call my own.
People might say I'm not much to look at, but remember, beauty is only fur deep. I guarantee I'll be a loyal, friendly and a forever friend to that special person that will give me a good home. Won't you come see me today?
For more information about Bogey or other animals at the Cass County Animal Shelter, please call 269-445-3701. The shelter is located at 323 M-62 North in Cassopolis. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.