Trucker Updates Monday, November 28, 2005: Trucker Final Adoption Update I'm sure you will recall the horrible and heart wrenching story of abuse that took place last March; of how John Hayes of Humansville bludgeoned his neighbor's dog with a hammer, then used a nail gun to shoot nails into the poor animal's head. Miraculously, the dog survived the brutal attack and was taken to a Springfield emergency veterinary clinic. It didn't take long for the clinic staff and doctors to grow attached to the affectionate pup they called Trucker, "Because he keeps on trucking." Dr. Bonnie Toner requested C.A.R.E.’s assistance in providing the healer/hound mix pup with care and rehabilitation over the next few months. C.A.R.E. also accepted the responsibility of finding the "perfect" home for such a deserving animal. Despite C.A.R.E.'s efforts in seeking a felony charge against Hayes, Polk County Prosecuting Attorney, John Porter, tried the case as a misdemeanor and Hayes pled guilty to misdemeanor animal abuse. He served 15 days in the Polk County Jail and was given two years unsupervised probation. In spite of his abuse, Trucker proved to be an affectionate, loving dog who won the hearts of everyone who visited him. He looked forward to his daily walks and even took his daily medication without a fuss. Trucker lost sight in one eye, and suffered hearing loss, but recovered well and was soon ready for some professional training to help him communicate with people in spite of his deafness. He enjoyed his lessons but it was apparent that he preferred playing and loving over learning hand signals. He did eventually learn some signals. Then, to our surprise, Trucker regained some of his hearing! Soon it was time to begin our search for a loving home for Trucker, and we knew it would be a long, difficult process. Because Trucker was an active, energetic dog it was important for him to find a home that provided a warm inside environment and a large, safe fenced in yard for play. Trucker complicated things by proving he could climb a chain link fence. We knew his new home needed a wood privacy fence. We began our search with detailed applications. Phone interviews were next and finally in-home visits. During this time, Trucker lived with C.A.R.E.'s director, Melissa. He enjoyed long walks over the fifteen wooded acres of her home, and romped with lots of new friends. Of an evening, Trucker played with his toys, snuggled into a soft blanket and before bed was given a Greenie treat, usually falling asleep before finishing it. "He really came out of his shell," Melissa commented. "Such a happy dog, his delightful personality just shines." On October 10th, Trucker visited another potential home. His ears perked up and his tail was held high as he made himself at home. He acquainted himself with a kind man and woman who welcomed him into their home with gentle pats. Then he gave kisses to their two lovely little girls. He was also greeted by two very sweet dogs that were a little older and smaller than Trucker. The dogs had toys and treats and looked very well cared for. Both wore collars and tags. Tail wagging, Trucker explored the house, the deck and the yard which was enclosed by a wooden privacy fence. After another visit and a three-day sleep-over, it was obvious that Trucker had found his new, "forever" home. On October 17th the final adoption papers were filed and Trucker began his new life. He will have everything we wanted for him; playmates to share his time with, a soft warm place to sleep, a safe yard to romp in, and best of all, a family that will love him as much as he loves them. Tuesday, October 4, 2005: Trucker Adoption Update The original home we chose for Trucker did not work out. Then we discovered he could climb a 4 ft. chain-link fence. This forced us to turn to applications from people who have wood privacy fences. Trucker is to visit a new potential home on Wednesday, October 5. While visiting homes and waiting for his life-long match, Trucker has been having a wonderful time living as a foster dog with Melissa Sartin, CARE’S founder and owner. He has made lots of new four-legged friends to romp and play with. He has really come out of his shell and his delightful personality just shines. He has also been enjoying long walks in the 15 wooded acres around Melissa’s home. In the evenings he plays with his toys and likes to snuggle up in a soft blanket. Every night before bedtime he gets a greenie treat--usually falling asleep as soon as he has finished it. ……to be continued Friday, May 13, 2005: Result of Animal Abuse Case - Trucker Attacker's Judgement -  53KB   On the morning of May 11, John M. Haynes, 41, of Humansville, Missouri plead guilty to misdemeanor animal abuse at the Polk County Courthouse in Bolivar, Missouri.   He was accused of beating an 8-month old puppy in the head with a hammer and shooting him in the head with two 3-inch nails. These injuries caused lacerations, a ruptured eye, a shattered tooth and deafness. C.A.R.E. supporters were at the courthouse to watch the proceeding and to gather outside the building with Trucker.  They wore “Trucker T-shirts” which had a photo of Trucker on the front and his story on the back.  Trucker was delighted to once again be the center of attention and wagged his tail—he so enjoys being petted. Haynes' six months jail sentence was commuted to 15 days "shock-jail" time, two-years unsupervised probation during which time he cannot own or care for an animal, and about $650.00 court costs.  Judge Lynch stated that if he broke his probation during the two years, he would spend the full six months in jail. Was justice served? We feel very strongly this should have been a felony animal abuse case instead of a misdemeanor. Prosecuting Attorney, John Porter argued that as no “torture or mutilation had been intended “– it was a misdemeanor case. Trucker did suffer horribly during his beating from Haynes and while nails were being driven into his head—how can anyone argue with that? Fifteen days in jail versus a lifetime of deafness and being blind in one eye. Please read the article in the Bolivar Newspaper quoting Porter. Here is the link, YOU be the judge. (29 KB Adobe PDF) On the upside, Trucker is alive and will not have to spend the rest of is life being abused by Haynes. Trucker will soon go to his new home. We will be going through the adoption applications over the next few weeks. It is an extremely daunting task as there are so many wonderful homes available to him. We will let you know just as soon as a decision has been made regarding Trucker's new family. Castaway Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) would like to thank all our wonderful supporters for their letters, e-mail, gifts for Trucker and donations to Trucker's Fund helping us care for Trucker and other abused animals. We are truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of concern and support during this ordeal. We are working hard to reply to each and every letter and e-mail, please be patient if you haven't heard from us yet; you will. We would also like to thank and recognize Bonnie Toner, DMV of the Springfield Emergency Veterinary Clinic. Without Dr. Toner's dedication and skill, Trucker would not be alive today. Keep on trucking Trucker, your future looks bright. Thursday, May 5, 2005: Trucker's health continues to improve. The scars where the nails were pounded into his head have healed up. His hearing is definitely improving and he tilts his head when he "hears" a sound. He enjoys his short walks outside and wags his tail at everyone. Lara Moritz, anchor/reporter for 9 NEWS, KMBC-TV in Kansas City visited our Animal Adoption Center in Springfield on May 4, to meet Trucker and to collect information regarding this case. His story will air in Kansas City on the 10 o'clock News on May 5. We are no longer accepting any more applications to adopt Trucker. CARE has received so many wonderful applications that it is going to be a daunting task to pick only one home. The outpouring of care and love for this little dog has been utterly amazing. We have received literally hundreds of letters of concern and are attempting to answer each and every one of them. We are a volunteer organization, so please be patient with us if you haven't heard yet; you will. We are hoping for a large turnout of support for Trucker at the hearing On May 11 at 8:30am. It will be held at the Courthouse in Bolivar, Missouri. John Porter, the Prosecuting Attorney is still adamant that John Haynes of Humansville, MO is accused of misdemeanor animal abuse instead of felony animal abuse. Thank you for caring about Trucker. We will update his story again soon. Tuesday, April 12, 2005: Trucker continues to improve and finally has his appetite back. He is visiting a veterinary ophthalmologist this week as he is having some trouble with his eye. He also appears to be hearing high pitched sounds and we are all hoping he is not completely deaf. Trucker has made the local (Springfield, Missouri) TV news several times this week. One of the TV-journalist's confided in us that she was a little scared of dogs-and was then seen bending over Trucker petting and talking to him! He's that kind of dog! As you can imagine, we at CARE Animal Rescue, and other animal lovers are so upset that the Prosecuting Attorney of Humansville, Missouri has chosen not to accuse this person with animal abuse - but merely a misdemeanor charge. Since when could hammering nails into a 10 month old dog's head NOT be considered animal abuse? We need all the help we can get to bring this man to justice. We have heard from concerned people from Toronto to Florida, from New York to California. Please let the Prosecuting Attorney of Humansville, Missouri know what you think of this injustice. Address & other information below: Prosecutor's contact information: John Porter, Prosecuting Attorney Polk County 102 E. Broadway Bolivar, Missouri 65613 Phone: (417) 326-5756 The prosecuting attorney said the dog was extremely vicious, and that it is common (and legal) for cattle to be killed by way of a hammer to the skull. He feels the defendant was simply trying to euthanize the dog because of its viciousness. When the dog was hit with the hammer, it was reportedly unconscious - and the man used a nailgun to make sure it was dead. For these reasons, the prosecutor has filed this as a misdemeanor case, rather than a felony. THIS IS ABSOLUTE NONSENSE. TRUCKER IS A 10 MONTH OLD PUPPY AND HE IS NOT VICIOUS. DURING ALL HIS PAINFUL TREATMENTS HE NEVER ONCE GROWLED OR ACTED AGGRESIVELY IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER. HE TAKES HIS PILLS OUT OF OUR HANDS, HE LETS US LEAD HIM OUTSIDE AND LOVES ANY ATTENTION HE RECEIVES. TRUCKER IS A VERY GENTLE DOG. "EXTREMELY VICIOUS" - IS A OUTRIGHT LIE. NO-ONE OTHER THAN JOHN HAYNES HAS REPORTED AGGRESSION IN TRUCKER. THIS MAKES US THINK THAT MR. HAYNES IS FABRICATING THAT PART OF HIS STORY TO ESCAPE A FELONY CHARGE. Friday, April 8, 2005: KY3-TV News Article 04/08/2005 94KB PDF * Thursday, March 24, 2005: Trucker underwent a three hour surgery to remove a tooth shattered into pieces by one of the nails. He is resting comfortably but one side of his face and eye have puffed up. He has lost his appetite somewhat and is now on specialty prescription dog food to help increase it. Trucker is still taking his daily medications-his pills don't have to be hidden in food-he will take them right out of your hand! Trucker perks up when he has visitors-he is a very social boy! Make donations with PayPal - it's fast, free, and secure! Please note: Due to the large volume of emails received, we may not be able to respond to all of the inquiries we receive in a timely fashion. Please bear with us; we will respond to as many as possible as soon as we can. Be sure to check this website for updates as they become available. Contact Us Thank You for your support!