Latest news with #MSPCAAngell
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Anonymous tip saved Mass. cat from abuse that broke his tail — now he needs a loving home
A Cambridge man is facing animal cruelty charges after a video surfaced of the man interacting with the cat in a way that MSPCA-Angell characterized as violent abuse. Jaydan Depina was arraigned on two counts of animal cruelty in Cambridge District Court on July 29, and he is expected to return to court for a dangerousness hearing later this week, the MSPCA-Angell said. Depina pleaded not guilty to the charges. MassLive reached out to Depina's lawyer for comment, but did not receive an immediate response. Sage, a roughly 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat, was surrendered into the MSPCA's care on July 21 with 'multiple injuries' including a broken tail and lung contusions, the group said in a news release. 'Sage's case was challenging, and it required collaboration between many agencies to get him the justice he deserves,' Chris Schindler, the MSPCA's law enforcement director, said in a statement. Read More: Second Chance Animal Services now offers affordable pet grooming in Springfield The law enforcement division became aware of Sage's case in mid-July when it was contacted by Cambridge Animal Control, which was tipped off through an anonymous complaint. Upon investigation, Schindler said the group found video evidence appearing to show the cat falling from an upper floor of a building before someone 'swings him by his tail and slams him on the ground repeatedly and then brings him back inside.' MSPCA Law Enforcement identified the person in the video as Depina and obtained a surrender for Sage's care. 'We worked overdrive on this, ensuring Sage could start getting treatment as soon as possible, while also working closely with Cambridge Police to secure an arrest,' Schindler said. Read More: Meet the people who work on animal cruelty cases in Western Mass. Schindler added Sage 'has some healing to do.' He will undergo a neuter surgery on July 30, but will soon be made available for adoption, the MSPCA-Angell said. Schindler thanked the 'close working relationship' the organizations involved have together for expediting the process. He also noted the 'vital resource' of having the public come forward to report suspected animal abuse, applauding the anonymous tipster for filing their complaint. 'Our Law Enforcement team isn't huge, and we have to cover cruelty complaints across all 351 communities in Massachusetts, so we really rely on people reporting issues directly to us or to their local police and animal control officers, like what happened with Sage,' he said. Those with information on potential animal cruelty are asked to submit a tip on the MSPCA's website or call either 617-522-6008 or 800-628-5808. Read More: Mass. lawmakers eye lesser charge to deter animal cruelty Coincidentally, Sage had been treated at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston in late 2024, according to Schindler. At the time, the center was told he had fallen off a building resulting in a fracturing of the roof of him mouth and in his toes. Schindler said 'there was no reason to suspect cruelty at that point.' With new imaging, Schindler said veterinarians found not only Sage's most recent injuries, but also rib and toe fractures that they believe he suffered at least four weeks prior, if not longer. He added this is 'often consistent with abuse.' At first 'shy' and with a 'shutdown' demeanor, the MSPCA said Sage has blossomed into a 'social, happy, and loving' cat since his surrender. Those interested in adopting Sage are asked to visit the MSPCA's Boston Adoption Center during its open hours Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in donating to the MSPCA Law Enforcement to help stem animal abuse in Massachusetts and care for animals affected by it, can donate on the group's website. More Local Animal Stories Fire at a Mass. home started inside a snake enclosure in a bedroom Goose, 'elusive' monitor lizard on the loose from Webster, spotted in Conn. Swimmers pulled from water at 2 Mass. beaches due to sharks this week Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
These new laws go into effect in Massachusetts that help protect pets
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Healey approved two new laws this year that help protect pets beginning that go into effect on Tuesday. In Massachusetts, new laws go into effect on a date specified in the text of the bill, or 90 days after Governor Healey signs the final version. The laws enacted under Governor Healey this year, 'An Act providing for the humane protection of animals' and 'An Act prohibiting inhumane feline declawing,' were approved on January 8th making them in effect on April 8th. Bills going into effect in 2025 in Massachusetts The Act providing for the humane protection of animals prohibits the sale, offer to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease or transfer for permanent physical placement a dog or cat that is less than 8 weeks of age. Those found in violation face a fine of not more than $100. In addition, this new law also states that dogs and cats cannot be sold, offered to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease or transferred on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park or other recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market or commercial or retail parking lot. The state implemented the following fines if found in violation: Not more than $50 for a first offense Not more than $100 for a second offense Not more than $300 for each subsequent offense MSPCA Angell is a supporter of these new laws and said, 'Selling animals at such young ages can result in behavioral and health problems—problems that can make the animals more difficult to adopt out, creating further challenges for already overcrowded shelters. Additionally, the measure bans the sale of animals in parks, outdoor markets, and parking lots, which previously resulted in some consumers buying sick animals with no recourse for those who sold them.' The Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing bans cats from being declawed, except in rare situations such as cancer in the nail bed or other conditions that jeopardize the cat's health. In a statement from MSPCA Angell to 22News, 'The practice is akin to amputating a person's fingertips at the first knuckle, and frequently causes serious pain and behavioral problems for the cats involved. Beyond the pain of recovery and healing, it is estimated that roughly half of declawed cats experience complications after the surgery. Plus, the behavioral issues that may arise often push families to surrender their cats.' The state implemented fines of not more than $1,000 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense. Cat declawing is a surgical procedure that can cause lifelong medical issues, such as permanent disability, nerve damage, chronic back pain, and lameness. This is a surgical procedure that removes the last bone in a cat's toes. Declawing can also cause behavioral effects in cats, as it removes their ability to use their claws to scratch, stretch, and mark territory. Some cats that have been declawed resort to biting, which can lead to infections in humans, to defend themselves since they can't with their claws. All of these issues can make it more likely for cars to be surrendered to shelters. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
