Published: April 21, 2008 10:34 am            

An update on Princess

Communities show grave concern over Great Dane

Hundreds of people have shown an outpouring of support for Princess, a Great Dane that was found starved to the verge of death nearly two weeks ago at a home outside of Corbin.

She was taken to the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter, and if you tried calling them last week, you likely got a busy signal. Shelter Manager Amy Young told me about 300 people came through the shelter last Thursday with food, supplies and money for Princess’ care.

The story has made news among animal rights groups across the country and on state-wide radio and TV stations.

For those who want an update, Clays Mill Veterinary Clinic in Lexington has taken in Princess and is providing her medical care, all at no cost to the shelter.

Dr. Craig Blair at Clays Mill said he heard Princess’ story on the radio while bringing his daughter to school.

“There have been a lot of abuse cases recently, and I guess that was just the straw that broke this camel’s back,” he said. “There was just something about this story that struck me.”

Princess has gained about 20 pounds since her rescue April 8, but she’s still hardly more than skin and bones. She’s up to 94 pounds, but that’s still about 50 pounds lighter than a healthy Great Dane.

Princess’ front left leg will have to be amputated this Tuesday after veterinarians discovered that the large growth on her leg was malignant bone cancer. Aside from a case of heartworms, Princess is in relatively good health.

Blair’s 9-year-old daughter has fallen in love with the sweet-natured Princess. So far, he said, no one has heard a peep — or I guess a bark — from the dog.

Including healing time from surgery, Blair said it could take three to four months for Princess to make a full recovery.

“Her spirt is great, she’s eating like a pig,” Blair said. “She’s doing as well as we could expect.”

But in a strange way, Princess’ suffering has helped the other animals at the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter.

“We’ve had calls from Wisconsin, New York, South Carolina, North Carolina — we’ve had calls from all over the place,” said shelter employee Rosemary Blankenship. “It’s been amazing how many people have called and brought stuff up here — blankets, towels, food. I couldn’t believe it.”

She was surprised to even receive calls from people at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway enquiring about Princess’ health and asking what they could do.

Dr. Blair won’t take any money from the shelter for Princess’ care, but the money that has been donated in honor of her is going to good use — Blankenship said it’s paying for puppy vaccinations.

“The community has been great,” Blankenship said. “I’m really amazed that people are interested.”

As for Princess’ owner, 39-year-old Virgil Whitaker is being charged with second-degree animal cruelty. The dog was found in a pen outside Whitaker’s house. Knox County Animal Control Officer Carl Bolton, who first found Princess, said Whitaker was not in rehab as had been earlier reported. According to Bolton, Whitaker was staying with his mother and claimed he tried to feed the dog, but it wouldn’t eat.

Funny, since it’s eating like a pig now.

But regardless if the dog refused to eat, it was in clearly poor health. Under the law, second-degree cruelty exists if the dog is not given necessary, basic care.

In a related story this week, Gov. Steve Beshear signed Romeo’s Law, now making cat and dog torture or abuse a Class D felony if the animal dies or suffers serious physical injury. It also restricts a person’s right to own future animals following a cruelty or torture conviction.

If Mr. Whitaker had been charged a few weeks later, he might be facing more than a misdemeanor.

Now, here’s the funny thing about this. I’m happy animal torture and neglect is being taken more seriously in this state. Anyone who met Princess would agree that no animal should be forced to live in those conditions. But we’ve also been hearing an awful lot about Kentucky’s overcrowded, underfunded jails.

Penalties for animal offenders should be increased, but I don’t necessarily think all animal abusers belong in jail — not in the state our jails are in.

Depending on the severity of the case, extended community service will suffice. Animal abusers should be forced to pay a hefty fine and pick up a felon’s share of poop at the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter.

Just to make sure we’re talking “felon-worthy” not just misdemeanor work, I’ll be sure to visit the shelter and feed beans to the dogs before they come by.

Hey, we should all do our part to help our overburdened justice system.

        

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