Vivi's Reprieve

In late September, our friend Joanne from the New England office of the Humane Society of the United States contacted animal shelters across the region to ask for our help with dogs rescued from a cruelty case that has stretched over three states. It seems William and Tammy Hanson, a pair of fugitives with convictions for animal abuse in Arkansas and Missouri, were finally arrested after a long run from the law that included a stop in Vermont.

The story began in 2006 when investigators, acting on complaints about stolen dogs, foul odors, and excessive barking, conducted an aerial investigation of a “rescue” center called Every Dog Needs a Home. What they found were more than 400 abused or neglected dogs—many dead or dying—wandering around a trash-strewn property. While the Hansons were convicted on several counts of cruelty to animals, they went on the lam prior to sentencing...which led them to Vermont.

In July 2009, the Hansons were spotted in Vermont, where Ms. Hanson was taken into custody (she is currently fighting extradition to Arkansas). Mr. Hanson fled…eventually landing in Missouri where he was rounded up by authorities at the end of September. And he had 30 more dogs.

Which brings us to Vivi (pictured above). This sweet, fat Australian cattle dog is a refugee from hell with the Hansons. Last weekend, the HSUS brought her from Missouri to Vermont. DPVHS has transported her to Springfield to find her a new home. But her real second chance at the good life depends on you. Please, visit Vivi—and the other homeless animals available for adoption—and consider adding a new best friend to your family.

Learn more about the Hansons' cruelty case and run from the law.

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A great big tail wag to our friends at Five Star Building Corp. for their wildly successful Five Star Dakin Charity Golf Tournament! They raised more than $30,000 for the animals in one swing of the golf club. (Okay, it seemed that simple, but we know it was actually a lot of hard work). And we couldn’t have done it without our generous sponsors, including 84 Lumber, Nicky D’s, and the Taylor Agency. And thank you, too, to everyone who played a glorious day of golf at The Orchards to help the animals!