My Billings Gazette

This link alleges an ACO "falsified an evidentary document".

Then they allege Yellowstone County and deputy attorney Rosenquist allowed more dogs to become pregnant in their care, thus increasing the costs involved..

In this "report", the MNA says:

....."Other costs are mounting, due to puppies being born. According to a Billings Gazette article written by Laura Tode, published on March 11, 2009, twelve of Kapsa’s dogs are pregnant.

This development brings up an interesting point. The gestation period for dogs is sixty-three (63) days – nine weeks – or less. Yellowstone County officials raided Kapsa’s Shady Lane Kennels in Ballantine, MT, for the second time, on December 30, 2008. As of the publication date of Tode’s Billings Gazette article, Kapsa’s dogs had been in the custody of the State/County for over ten weeks. This means that the dogs that are pregnant, at this point, were impregnated while under the County’s care.

How is it that Deputy Yellowstone County Attorney Ingrid Rosenquist is petitioning the Court to charge Kapsa for the needless cost of new puppies of dogs that got impregnated while under State/County custody? How can these costs possibly be Kapsa’s responsibility? Are they not, rather, the responsibility of Yellowstone County Animal Control and Humane Society officials, who did not handle the dogs responsibly by immediately separating them, after they seized them from Shady Lane Kennels? Twelve dogs are still pregnant, which means they had to have been impregnated at least two weeks after having been taken into State/County custody. Therefore, all the ensuing costs of the litters of those dogs cannot and should not be levied against Kapsa.".....

Perhaps the MNA should brush up on their fact-reporting skills (don't hold your breath, though) before reporting erroneous information.

The canine gestation period averages 62 days but can range from 54 to 72 days, it is flexible. The breed generally does not affect the canine gestation period. Whether your dog is a sheepdog, chihuahua or poodle, the gestation period will last approximately nine weeks.

However, there are exceptions, and the MNA could learn a thing or two (pdf file) about the physiology of gestation.

Likewise, prolonged gestation can occur for several reasons. Fear and stress, nutritional inadequacy, illness or systemic illness, and dystocia can delay birthing, the latter is not uncommon.  Dystocia occurs due to a small or malformed birth canal, size of puppies and/or difficult position in the birth canal and uterine weakness (uterine inertia).

A simple little math equation could have sufficed, MNA.  1 day in December '08 plus 31 days in January '09 plus 28 days in February '09 plus 11 days in March '09 equals 71 days in total (give or take a couple days for the reporter's actual date of intention).  And should you have comprehension-deficit-disorder, here's an online book for you to read even, pages 106 through 126, all you ever wanted to know about parturition and dystocia.

Even if the Gazette's article was posted on March 11, it's not uncommon for reporters to have their stories published late, say a day or two, especially if there is a holiday or weekend involved.  So, even if the reporter's story was posted on time, that little math equation is still within the window of a 72-day gestation.  It's also possible, the reporter obtained information that may not have been accurate from the source at the time of posting.  MNA could have performed a simple phone call to validate that or not.

I'm not saying pregnancy in some dogs didn't occur in the county's possession, since I don't have information to confirm that, I just want to point out the undeniable facts of gestation and potential causes for prolonged gestation and delivery.  If there is any evidence of such, I'm sure the county intends to address that fairly (if for no other purpose than to avoid a lawsuit).

Elsewhere on the MNA site are more goodies to peruse concerning the case. 

Paint Kits For Pets:  the Pup Casso and Kitty Casso

Saturday, April 4
Easter Bunny visit: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at ZooMontana.

Sunday, April 5
Easter Bunny visit: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at ZooMontana. 652-8100.

Get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

Also at ZooMontana,

Saturday, April 11, 2009, 10:00a-3:00p
Easter Extravaganza

Easter Bunny Pics available from 10-3
Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt will take place throughout day.
Animal enrichments every 1/2 hour and 2-3 keeper chats.

Optimist Park Easter Egg Hunt:

Saturday, April 11
Easter Egg Hunt: Noon. Optimist Park.

Age groups: 10-12 years old, 7-9 years old, 4-6 years old, 2-3 years old, 1 and younger.  Call 670-4395 for details.

-----------

Easter and Bunnies Don't Mix!

Special Easter pets are a part of the celebration for many families.

That’s why each year doting parents and grandparents race to the pet store or farm in search of a baby chick or rabbit for the kids in their lives.

Unfortunately, the joy of those Easter bundles is often short-lived.

According to the American Humane Association (AHA), the vast majority of the baby bunnies, chicks and ducklings that are given as Easter gifts may only survive the first few weeks after the holiday.

For animals that do survive, the novelty of the pet can wear off pretty quickly as cute babies turn into larger, adult rabbits, chickens and ducks.  Read more...

More Information: