The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Related links
* April 3 - Ducky the lost dog is lost no more, two charged

* March 30 - Hunt for Ducky continues

* Ducky's Facebook page

* Ark of Hope Rescue, a 501c3 nonprofit: 301-478-3300

* Times-News coverage (from Cumberland)

* Ducky's Law Facebook page

An update on Ducky's Law
A draft of proposed legislation has been submitted by Queen City Animal Rescue to a local attorney for review.

Once finalized, advocates for bill - tentatively called Ducky's Law - are hoping to find support in the Maryland General Assembly to introduce the bill, which aims to change animal abuse and cruelty laws on both the state and federal levels "so that it is a serious felony with severe consequences, including extensive prison time.

The draft bill has not yet been released for publication.

Two men have been charged with several counts each of animal cruelty - Ricky Allen Adams, 25, and Frederick Newton Lease, 27, both of Cumberland. Each posted $3,500 on April 3. If convicted, both Adams and Lease face maximum penalties of 90 days in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000.

Currently, both men are scheduled for hearings on May 26 in District Court, located at 123 S. Liberty St., Cumberland.

He's come a long way baby!

Still, Ducky the dog has long
way to go on road to recovery

By Kevin Spradlin
PhDispatch.com
OLDTOWN, April 14 -- Ducky, the dog that two men allegedly wrapped duct tape around his mouth and dumped him from a pick-up truck along state Route 36 near Corriganville, is doing well in his temporary home.

After a week on the run, Ducky - whose real name is Bullet - was found relatively safe some 15 miles away in Lonaconing. He's spent the last 10 days under the veterinary care of Dr. John T. Fox of Western Maryland Animal Hospital.

"He gained five pounds at the vet," Care said. "It definitely feels like he's got a little bit more weight (to gain)."

For that same period of time, Ducky also was isolated due to what's being called a "fright bite" of an Allegany County Animal Control officer on the day he was captured.

On Thursday, Ducky was transferred to Ark of Hope Rescue and will now spend an undetermined amount of time continuing to be socialized and loved, and rescue owner Dianne Care and her daughter Elizabeth Care, an aspiring veterinarian. Ark of Hope Rescue is situated midway between Flintstone and Oldtown in eastern Allegany County.

Ironically, Care said she had contacted the family in the weeks and days before Ducky's muzzle was duct-taped and he was dumped along Jennings Run. She had tried to get the family to surrender either the female - now known to be Mitzi - or the three males. Care said the idea was to prevent any more puppies.

The former owner still has three dogs, Care said.

Each of the dogs now at Ark of Hope is estimated to be approximately eight months old.

As for Ducky, he seemed to settle down rather nicely after being taken from the car into the house. There, he was reunited with his sister and two brothers, sat with, talked to and caressed.

"It'll take time," Dianne Care said. "This dog," she said as Ducky sat, with collar and leash, at her feet, "he's not aggressive."

During a length visit early Thursday evening, PhDispatch.com watched as Ducky arrived at Ark of Hope Rescue and was reunited with his brothers and sister.

"You can only imagine what his life has been (like) up 'til now," she said. "When he first got to Dr. Fox's at Western Maryland Animal Hospital, he was, of course, scared to death because of the ordeal he went through. When they first put a leash and collar on him, he totally freaked out. He didn't like anything to do with it. And here it is, a week later, and he's absolutely fine and walking perfect on a leash."

Care said like Ducky, his sister and two brothers were nervous to the point that "you couldn't touch them." Instead, they'd hide in the back corners of their cages and avoid human contact.

Ducky showed the classic signs of being nervous when he first arrived at Ark of Hope on Thursday. His tail was tucked between his back legs and, often, he was panting. That lasted, however, for only about 10 minutes before he apparently became much more relaxed and comfortable in his new environment.

Ducky's future looks good. Care said she's confident the dog will become adoptable - and sooner rather than later. And already, the dog that captured the hearts, minds and imagination of the Internet world for over a week has 117 different people vying to become his permanent home.

His brothers Captain and Frank, and his sister Mitzy, meanwhile, have a combined two applications.

"I'm hoping they're not going to be here long," Care said.

While expressing hope and optimism for Ducky, Care said Ducky is not the only sad tale Care is privvy to. Earlier this week, a cat now named "Westy" came to be at Ark of Hope Rescue after a contact in Westernport had reported a cat with a major limp was running loose.

The gray and black manx was finally caught. Care said the first vet visit for the cat, which clearly favored its right front leg, was shot. The wound had healed on its own in a crooked manner over a period of time, probably this past winter.

Then there's the story of Chance who, in August 2008, was an 18-month-old black lab enjoying a bit of freedom in a Frostburg neighborhood. The sense of joy didn't last long, though, after a man armed with a shotgun shot the dog allegedly because he didn't want the dog in his yard.

Ark of Hope Rescue currently has 29 dogs - 23 of which are adoptable and six, including Ducky and his three siblings, who are still being rehabilitated.

The facility also has 15 cats. All but one are adoptable.