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46 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2004 Rescued pup gets training to help kids By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Thanks to Shannon Pugerude, a rescued pup now will have a shot at lending a helping paw. Four-month-old Tag was among the 41 neglected dogs seized by Jackson County Animal Control officers in Gold Hill in September. He not only has been adopted by a child development specialist, but is being trained to work with children. "He’s a good little pup," said Pugerude, who works with 3- to 5-year-olds for Asante Health System’s child development program in White City. She has been taking her dogs to the special education class for years because the children, some of whom are in wheelchairs and on oxygen, enjoy petting and playing with the dogs. She said one of her dogs is losing a battle with cancer, so she adopted Tag as his understudy. Advertisement "Our hope is that Tag will pick up on everything," she said. Tag’s story is one of the happier endings. Animal control officials seized 41 dogs from Anita and Brian McKenna of Sams Valley in late September after neighbors complained that the animals were in jeopardy. Officers found the dogs in various states of neglect. Of the 41 dogs, 19 with severe health problems were euthanized. Doug McGeary, the assistant county counsel who put together the search warrant and was involved in the animals’ seizure, said the McKennas had blocked animal control from finding homes for the remaining animals because they wanted some of them back. In November, however, Circuit Court Judge Raymond White determined that because the couple failed to pay $20,000 for shelter and veterinary costs, they lost control of the dogs. Jackson County Animal Control Officer Andy Lane wouldn’t give out information about the remaining dogs in light of litigation, except to say that some are still remaining to be adopted out. According to shelter staff, some of the dogs are still being treated for health problems. At least one more has been euthanized. Meanwhile the McKennas have been charged with 41 counts of animal neglect and are scheduled for a circuit court trial April 6. Medford resident Jerilyn Pool provided foster care for Tag’s mother, Abby, and the rest of her litter. All but one pup has been adopted, she said, and she has decided to keep Abby herself. McGeary said he sees about one case a year similar to this one, but each is a little different. "People have different reasons for having their animals," he said. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times