Tear Jerker - Page 2

If I sent my dog anywhere for any reason and it came back looking like that, I'd slug the guy in the face.

I work at a boarding kennel and sometimes dogs just don't board well and lose weight. However, if that is that case with a dog I am working with I am in contact with the owners to keep them aware of the situation, go to any means possible to get weight on that dog, and weigh them a few times weekly to monitor it.  The condition of this dog is reprehensible.

Stuff like this is why I am so overprotective with my dogs. I don't even leave them alone at the vet!

If he had been a more local trainer I would have prosecuted him.  But being so far away it would have made it very difficult for us....we didn't have the time or resources to do so.  We just chalked it up as a lesson learned....so now I tell my story to warn others.  Ray seemed reputable at first.  He had been the "helper" at national trials and his dog was a Sch3 and from what I had heard Ray trained his dog to a Sch3.  His dog has since died...I wonder why!?!?  He has made excuses as to why but I have a feeling as to what really happened. 

We met him at a trial to get Tasha.  Can you believe he trialed her in that condition.  She failed of course.  We didn't really say anything to him.  There were a lot of people there and some knew him so we didn't know who'd be on our side.  But after he left we had a lot of people coming up and talking to us and telling us how sorry they were to the condition of my dog.  One lady was almost in tears (as were we).  Even the judge made a comment on her condition. 

Oh and to comment from what KC said.  I know that my dog wasn't that way from stress of being away.  She had gone to 2 other trainers before.  One for off leash obedience and the second for schutzhund.  She was in excellent condition and obviously very happy  and very well trained when I got her back from the first 2 trainers.  The second trainer was not able to title dogs at the time due to losing his helper.  Ray (our third trainer) had come down to help him and offered to take Tasha and title her.  The second trainer and the woman who owns the kennel where he worked no longer works with or recommends Ray.   Both the lady who owns the kennel and her trainer were at the trial the day I got Tasha and apologized to me.  They both felt horrible and had no idea he was doing that to dogs.

I am a first time dog owner and sent my dog(s) off for training because at the time knew very little about dog training.  I have learned a lot since then and will do all of my own training from now on.

I understand. If your dog was losing weight by means out of his control, it was his responsibilty as her caregiver to notify you, which he clearly did not. Thankfully your girl is back with you and safe.  That's horrible, that even the judge commented. Did he offer any apology or explanation?

EXACTLY! 

No apology and he tried to blame it on the previous trainer/breeder.  Which was total crap because I saw her when she was with the other trainer and she was looking great.  He was just a scum bag and irresponsible.  He should not be allowed to train, breed, board, or even own dogs.

I think the only food she got was a very small can of CAT food which was her reward when tracking.  I do remember him mentioning using canned cat food when training her to track.    He probably starved her so she'd be motivated to track.  She has never really been food motivated...so that is probably why he starved her.

But this is all just my guess....but it is sill no excuse.

The entire BH trial she had her nose to the ground the entire trial and never looked at him at all.  She was probably looking for food since she was starving.

The reason this guy starved the dogs was a lack of character. Dogs do not appear to be emaciated after being made hungry to track. GSGirl and another dog were simply neglected. They rotten in a crate, lying in their own feces and urine at his grandparents property.  After this all started, one of his cronies helped him build a fence so no one could see what kind of conditions the dogs lived in. He had no kennel license. He spent his money, what little he had, on a fancy truck. Why spend money feeding the dogs your clients have paid you to train?

He stated in the previous thread, now long since deleted, that he had sold his own dog but then was able to buy it back with his "student loan". The idiot is in his early 20's and does helper work so everyone back where he lives coddles him and says what talent he has. Bullshit. If one has no more character than to do the things he did with the dogs entrusted to his care, he is not worth a damn, regardless of whether he can or cannot catch a dog. 

Lately someone has written they are a member of the same USA club as he. My strong suggestion is that those directly involved file a charge now with USA and have his butt banned for life from this and any other dog organization to which he belongs. The sport and the breed do not need people like this who have no concern or regard for the dogs entrusted to them.

 "The individual is in his early 20's and does helper work"

For what it's worth, I would be very hesitant to entrust someone that young with my dog, unless I knew he or she had an older person involved to supervise.

Micky

I still have not received my judgement against Ray Jeffers and we took him to court last year in January.  About a month ago he came up to and told me he was going to start paying on it... At the time I was shocked, but now that i think about it, it could just be another lie.

Ray Jeffers in running for county commissioner in my hometown he has since won the primary, but he has to run again in November.  I feel within my heart that he only said he would pay so I would no longer post things about him or go to the Person County newspaper The Courier - Times and state things about his character that could possibly ruin his chance of winning Person County Commissioner

There must be ways to let people in the county know of this mans' lack of character. Who in the hell would want to entrust their money, their votes, the potential progress of their town to someone who lacks the common decency to care for the dogs he took into his illegal kennel and then starved, lost, or allowed to die in his care?