Want To Help Protect Pets From Cruelty & Neglect? Here's How

MIDDLETOWN, RI—Last December, the State Police and Exeter Animal Control raided the Carlos Alves property and rescued 24 dogs, including some newborn pups. The Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took in many of the rescued dogs and saved some of them. Others died. The RI SPCA reported that some of the dogs had been starved.

Alves was charged with animal cruelty. He was convicted the following April. But to the dismay of animal advocates, he walked out of court with just a $200 fine and probation.

That wasn't the only time pet lovers came face to face with a criminal justice system that — many felt — failed to protect animals. About a month after the raid on the Alves property, Coventry and Exeter animal control officers rescued 11 pit bulls that had been left outside in freezing temperatures. The owner, Eugene McQuade, of East Greenwich, was charged with cruelty, mistreatment and abandonment. He took a plea deal. The court dropped all but one of the charges against him. That judge even gave him back some of the dogs.

And on Smith Hill where efforts to establish common sense regulations on pet groomers had gained steam after the deaths of Ollie, the pug, at the Middletown Petco, and Daisy, the Maltese, at The Dirty Dog in Warren, there was more chagrin. The bill died in committee. Advocates are hopeful another attempt will succeed.

There were successes in 2018, too. The good and the bad news will be summed up at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Potter League in Middletown. The “Rhode Island Animal Advocacy & Legislative Forum” is presented by the RI SPCA's Joe Warzycha and the Potter League's Brad Shear. They'll also offer some tips for people who want better laws and are willing to lobby their lawmakers on behalf of the pets.

Two lawmakers will take questions. Newport's District 13 Sen. Dawn Euer and Portsmouth and Tiverton District 70 Rep. John Edwards are both "animal friendly," according to Potter League. Learn more or RSVP here to submit a question in advance.

Related Story: "People Should Be Outraged;"Related Story: No Justice Yet For Daisy And Ollie; Related Story: Dogs Recovering After Police Rescue

File Photo Caption: Brad Shear with dogs rescued from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Credit: Margo Sullivan/ Patch Staff