Latest news with #Zeiler
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Former Blakely police officer faces animal abuse charges
Former Blakely Police Officer Anthony Mercado is facing animal abuse charges after an animal control officer found several dogs at his home in poor condition, according to a criminal complaint. Mercado worked for the department until recently, when he was let go because of the charges, according to Police Chief Guy Salerno. According to the criminal complaint: On April 29, Humane Society Officer Marci Zeiler received a report of a dog in very poor condition at Mercado's residence. The report included a photo of a dog that appeared to be extremely emaciated. On April 30, Zeiler contacted Salerno to discuss the situation. Zeiler then met with both Mercado and Salerno at the Police Department to discuss the condition of the dog. Mercado said the dog, a female boxer, was thin, but just simply didn't gain weight even though she ate well. He said she had a wound on her front leg that he was treating himself. The three then went to Mercado's home on Hickory Street in Peckville. He asked if Zeiler could inspect the dogs outside, but said she could walk through the house to get to the backyard. When Zeiler stepped inside the house, she was hit with the smell of urine. There were two animals inside the residence: a German shepherd on a leash and a 'lab type dog' in a crate near the back door. Mercado first let the German shepherd outside to be inspected. The dog had a dull coat and was losing tufts of hair. It scored a 4 out of 9 on a body condition score scale. Zeiler then inspected the Lab, who also scored only a 4 out of 9 on a body condition score scale. She noted that because the Lab was a puppy, she hadn't initially been concerned. However, Mercado said the Lab had been 'really fat' when he got it a few months ago, but had lost weight. Both dogs were dirty, as was the yard, Zeiler said. Mercado pointed out there were food and water bowls in the backyard, but they were empty and dirty. Zeiler then inspected the boxer, who scored only a 1 on the body condition score scale. 'Every bone in her body was visible,' Zeiler wrote in the complaint. 'She had an open wound on her right front carpal joint with extreme swelling, She had open sores on her left front carpal joint, both ischium bones on her back end and the end of her tail. Her feet had urine stains turning her white marks yellow.' Mercado said the dog lived in a crate. He said the crate currently had feces in it, but claimed he cleaned it often. Zeiler told Mercado he could surrender the boxer or she could come back with a warrant. Mercado said he would take the boxer to a veterinarian, but Zeiler said it was too late for that, and Mercado agreed to surrender her voluntarily. Zeiler told Mercado that if she took the animal back to the shelter and she immediately gained weight, that would indicate he hadn't been feeding her enough. Mercado took issue with that logic, saying the animal would have access to intravenous fluid and have a different standard of care. When Zeiler put the boxer in her vehicle to transport her back to Griffin Pond Animal shelter, the animal began to 'eat anything she could find.' Once at the shelter, a veterinarian examined the animal and noted she didn't have any conditions that would account for her low weight. The boxer, named Reya, ate and drank enthusiastically and was put on a refeeding program to gain weight slowly and steadily. Lab tests indicated that Reya was positive for giardia — an intestinal parasite — and she was successfully treated with medication costing less than $20. Although giardia sometimes causes some weight loss, it doesn't usually affect older dogs. The boxer gained about 20 pounds over the course of the next month and was adopted. Mercado — who is charged with cruelty to animals and animal neglect — is 'awaiting preliminary hearing,' according to court documents.
CBS News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Seniors rally in San Bruno to protest Trump policies, defend social safety net
SAN BRUNO (KPIX) — A small but determined group of seniors gathered along El Camino Real outside the Tanforan Mall on Sunday, holding signs and voicing opposition to President Donald Trump's policies, which they say threaten the programs they rely on most. Claudia Zeiler, an 80-year-old protester, stood among the others with a firm message. "I need Social Security. I need Medicare. I have an autistic grandchild who needs all the care she can get," Zeiler said. "We had said we'd leave the country if this started, but I think we're here to fight." Despite Trump's repeated assurances that he would not cut Social Security, many at the rally expressed deep skepticism. They accuse him of taking from the poor to give tax breaks to the rich. "I don't know what else to do. I have to do something," said Zeiler. The demonstration was organized by the local chapter of Indivisible. The protest aimed not only to voice concerns about current policies but also to build momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. "Not a waste of time. People driving by are seeing us. And tomorrow, there'll be more people out here. And as the months go on, it'll grow," said Don Mendel, another participant. "We can't stand by and watch all this happen. It just can't be it. It's unacceptable." Protesters wore black armbands, a symbol they say represents solidarity and rising outrage. They warn that American democracy is at risk, accusing Trump of eroding democratic norms, human rights, and the rule of law. "He keeps taking more and more things away. It's scary," said Michael Kesselman, the rally's organizer. While some passing motorists showed support, others responded with chants of "Trump" in defiance. Still, they said they remain undeterred. "We will save democracy, eventually, slowly," Zeiler said.
