Troy Tagtmeyer owned a breeding kennel, Neco Kennel, on County Road 31 north of Stratton in Colorado. In May, authorities found 40 dead dogs. They’d been left locked in their kennel to starve to death and some were in such bad shape that they couldn’t even recognize the breed. Of the six dogs that were still alive, one later died from dehydration and malnutrition.

Tagtmeyer was charged with 46 felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Later a 47th count was added for attempting to deceive a state animal welfare investigator.

One of the saddest things about this case is that in February Tagtmeyer lost his kennel license after a failed inspection, was told to close his kennel and given two weeks to place the dogs in suitable homes.

“There were repeat issues of cleanliness, some animal care issues and waste disposal,” Anderson said. “At that time, we were told the kennel was closing.”

Follow-up was done by phone and mail, no one ever went back to make sure that the order was carried out until a state investigator visited the property when the 40 dead dogs were found. This horrific situation could have been avoided!

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Most of us tend to think our dogs are pretty smart and on occasion they have even been known to outwit us, at least temporarily. So how can you tell if your dog is really smart… maybe even smarter than you? Here’s a few indications…

1. Neighbors complain about loud music and howling coming from your apartment in the middle of the day when you’re at work
2. You find mysterious sculpture of a human (who looks strikingly like you) on a leash in your living room
3. Ice floating in toilet water
4. Neighborhood cats bring dog treats to your doorstep
5. Friends swear they’ve seen your car at the local meat-processing plant and you know you didn’t go there
6. You can never find the leftovers
7. The remote is covered with slobber, and the TV was left on Animal Planet
8. The dog doesn’t lick itself anymore… now it’s the cat’s job
9. Mensa mailings addressed to “Rover”
10. Your apartment keys no longer work

So just how smart is your dog? Do you have any amusing stories to share to add to our list?

Hallelujah! An actual prison sentence although when you hear the story you will think even this is far too lenient for this sick bastard!

Mick Gordon, 37, of Longview, WA, pleaded guilty to first degree animal cruelty in the death of his hunting dog, Copper.

Originally charged with 10 counts, six were dropped in a plea agreement. On top of the animal cruelty charge he was also charged with third-degree malicious mischief, second-degree criminal trespass and hunting black bear, cougar, bobcat or lynx with the aid of dogs in Wahkiakum County.

Gordon and his hunting buddies, Bryan Hall, Joe Dills and Adam Lee, dubbed themselves the “Kill ‘Em All Boys” and were taken down by authorities after a seven month undercover operation.

Gordon, believe it or not, is actually a registered nurse although, thank God, his license was suspended when the charges came to light.

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