Anchorage Animal Shelter Requests Supplies for Seized Animals

January 16, 2012|By Chris Klint and Jackie Bartz | Channel 2 News

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An Anchorage animal shelter is asking for donated supplies from the public after taking in more than 100 new cats, dogs and parakeets over the weekend from two animal-cruelty cases Saturday.

Brooke Taylor with the Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center says an Eagle River case produced 39 dogs including many Chihuahuas and more than 40 parakeets, all of which the center is providing care for. Lester Mendez, 46, and Daniel Hoffman, 50, were each arrested on two counts of animal cruelty after police found dog feces throughout their home, which city officials have forbidden anyone to live in.

In the second case, APD spokesperson Anita Shell says a Salana-area man was cited for animal cruelty when 22 cats were discovered without food, water or bedding in four crates inside a broken car on the 6300 block of Nielson Way.

Shell says 58-year-old James Hershberger, who was living in a nearby Conex-style building with a dog and a space heater, told officers he would start up the car in the evening and let it warm up, then shut it down overnight. He also used a space heater at times, and put a down sleeping bag in the vehicle.

"I have to take the heater out at night because if they run around with the heater in there, they will knock it over and burn up the car or they could get electrocuted," Hershberger said during a phone interview.

Hershberger planned to eventually get the car fixed and drive back to his cabin near Salana with all of the animals.

APD’s temperature readings from the car ranged from 5 degrees below zero to 5 degrees above, while Hershberger’s building was about 10 degrees. Hershberger was released after being cited, and the cats were taken to Animal Care and Control.

"I am not a cruel person like they are trying to say I am," Hershberger said. "I want my family with me, I've raised these cats from kittens."

The center has received many offers of assistance from the public, and Taylor says it needs the following supplies:

•   Non-clumping cat litter (clay litter preferred)
•   Parakeet food
•   Small, clean blankets and towels
•   Canned dog food
•   Canned cat food
•   Dry Science Diet small breed dog food

Supplies can be brought to the shelter at 4711 Elmore Rd. during its normal business hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Taylor says many people have asked about adopting the dogs. She thanked the public for expressing interest, but says they won’t be immediately available.

“AACCC has received many calls from persons interested in fostering or adopting animals involved in the Eagle River case,” Taylor wrote in a statement Monday. “Due to legal aspects common with animal cruelty cases, these animals will not be available for placement for some time. If the animals in this case become available through AACCC, information will be issued on how people can adopt at that time.”

A local groomer, Arctic Tails, is bathing and grooming the dogs from the Eagle River case. Anyone who wants to contribute to the dogs’ grooming costs can contact Arctic Tails at 360-3220.

Editor's note: An initial press release from Anchorage Animal Care and Control listed an incorrect phone number for Arctic Tails. Also, the location and description of Hershberger's residence have been changed after clarification with APD.

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