Canine flu slows couple's work to rescue dogs
SPRAKERS — Eric Bellows and Keri Whitfield are desperately trying to keep their sick dogs alive and healthy. All 37 of them. for the past two weeks, the couple has watched helplessly as the rescued dogs they keep on a 25-acre farm in rural Montgomery County have suffered through a contagious strain of canine influenza virus. Bellows said he believes the illness originated at a leading new York City dog shelter.
“This is our life,” Bellows said as he gave a tour of their tidy, sparsely furnished home, which has literally gone to the dogs. in winter, Bellows and Whitfield keep their dogs in the small home’s two bedrooms, or in the living room they use as their bedroom.
Their efforts illustrate the difficulties facing the small but devoted subculture of animal rescuers who work to save dogs that would otherwise be killed in increasingly overcrowded city shelters.
Animal Care and Control of new York City, where Bellows’ dogs originate, takes in 43,000 animals per year. The animals that aren’t adopted are euthanized.
The lucky ones end up with Bellows and Whitfield, who are both 30. Eight newborn puppies nap in a penned-off area in their kitchen, sleeping off the illness.
Containers of Clorox wipes are everywhere. Each time one of the dogs drools or sneezes on the floor, Bellows or Whitfield dutifully wipes it up — one of the many precautions they’re taking against the virus.
With all of their dogs carrying the bug, they’ve stopped accepting new dogs and put all adoptions on hold for three weeks. Bellows is also taking a brief hiatus from his work as a dog trainer, also to prevent the spread of the contagion.
Canine influenza virus, which poses no risk to humans, kills only dogs that are weak, aged or otherwise at risk.
The virus was discovered by Cynda Crawford, a University of Florida veterinarian and researcher, and Edward Dubovi of Cornell University. Crawford says in epidemiological terms the virus is similar to a human flu strain. “It’s like sending a kid to school,” she said of the general risk. “They may get sick but it won’t kill them.”
But many of the dogs Bellows recently received were suffering from malnutrition or other forms of neglect when they were dropped off in shelters. He specializes in what he calls “power breeds,” such as pit bulls or Rottweillers, that have reputations for ferociousness. Because of that stigma, people are hesitant to adopt the dogs, who consequently face a higher risk of being euthanized.
Bellows said he believes the ACC shelter has been unwilling to acknowledge the extent of their virus problem.
“They keep denying it,” said Bellows.
ACC spokesman Richard Gentles said they realize some of their dogs may arrive at their facility with the virus, since many come from the streets. But “we don’t have an outbreak of it,” he said. regardless, ACC is forbidden to turn any animals away.
Canine flu slows couple's work to rescue dogs
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