Angels of Assisi takes ownership of dogs rescued from Winesett

By Mollie Halpern
Investigative Reporter
Published: January 14, 2009

4:17 p.m.

State police took 64 dogs from former animal control officer David Winesett’s home in Carroll County in November.
Police say the dogs were in “deplorable conditions”... But Winesett was never criminally charged and the civil case against him was dismissed on a timing technicality.
Angels of Assisi in Roanoke have cared for the dogs since the seizure…and were going to have to give them back after the case was dismissed.
But, it worked out a deal that will keep the dogs in their custody.

This toy poodle is upside down right now—but vets say his life was turned right side up when he came into their care.
Vets nicknamed him “Chompers” because his teeth were in the worst condition they had ever seen.
He has improved over the past two months.
Dr. Kelly Farrell a vet for Angels of Assisi says, “it looks much better now because he only has a few teeth left and those are clean now.“

Chompers is one of 64 dogs Angels of Assisi have been working for weeks to buy from this man, former animal control officer David Winesett.
State police say the commercial breeder kept the dogs in “deplorable” conditions.
Lisa O’Neill, a volunteer for Angels of Assisi says, “it’s the best thing for the dogs for sure so we were very happy”.

WSLS tried calling winesett to see why he sold the dogs to Angels of Assisi.
Winesett never called us back—but his attorney has told us his client is getting out of the breeding business.

Although details of the deal haven’t been released, Angels of Assisi says what Winesett paid them for the dogs was 10’s of thousands of dollars less than what it took to board the animals and give them medical treatment.

So far, the animal rescue group has paid the bill.
But because these dogs were technically under state custody the group says the state is responsible for it.
The group isn’t sure it’ll get reimbursed—and it likely won’t ask to be…
All that matters—is that these dogs get new homes.

“He’s very special,“ says Farrell about Chomper.

And as for Chompers…Angels of Assisi is hoping to put his past behind him by re-naming him “Theodore”.
A new name…and hopefully a new home.
 
Most of the dogs that need adopted are adults like ‘chompers’, but there are puppies available as well.
The dogs should be ready for adoption by next week.

Dogs that are rescued from puppy mills have some special needs.
To learn more about that and how to help Angels of Assisi pay for the dogs medical care go to http://www.angelsofassisi.org

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9:21 a.m.

Angels of Assisi and State Police tell WSLS ownership of the dogs has transferred.

We are working to learn the details.

Here is a link to Angels of Assisi website where the organization makes a statement: http://www.angelsofassisi.org