Prosecutor's Office Serious About Protecting Animals

When Manatee County Animal Services took in 33 pit bulls, most of them under a year old, some of the folks in the state attorney's office took notice.

All of the animals were surrendered to Animal Services and the agency worked with the owner to pick up all the dogs, so the attorneys weren't looking to press charges. They were keeping an eye on the welfare of the animals.

During Ed Brodsky's campaign, he promised to pay attention to animal cruelty cases and his office has taken that to heart. There have been recent cases of cruelty where law enforcement officers have brought the cases to the state attorney's office. Those cases are under review.

But one attorney, who has worked on abuse cases, decided to take it a step further. When she saw photos of the 33 dogs who came into the shelter, she decided she was going to step up and adopt one.

Rebecca Muller Thompson, who has a 5 year old dog named Snickers, said the photo of all the dogs tugged at her heart. She decided that she would at least foster one of the puppies, with a plan to adopt if Snickers — who is nicknamed Doodle — would get along with the new puppy.

"I love pit bulls," she said. "And I hate the thought of them being in the shelter."

On Thursday Muller Thompson went to animal services and played with five of the puppies who came into Animal Services. She left with a little girl puppy.

"I supprt rescue and adoption," she said. "I supported Ed's campaign and I was happy to hear that part of his campaign was to support efforts to protect animals."

Muller Thompson was still trying to decide on a name for her puppy Thursday afternoon, but if everything works out the puppy is likely to have a nickname in addition to her given name.

As for the rest of the litter, no one got left behind. Julie Royal of Royal Pet Rescue arrived soon after Muller Thompson to take the smallest puppies out of the animal shelter to bathe, vet and foster them until they are ready for adoption.

All of the puppies will be spayed or neutered before they are adopted.