Dogs abandoned in Mojave Desert play a deadly game of “hide-n-seek” with rescuers as temperatures soar to 105 degrees

by Roni Raczkowski, Best Friends Network Volunteer

A delay in sentencing for Cindy Bemis and Cynthia Trapani, two Kern County women convicted of hoarding animals, allows rescue groups more time to round up the remaining dogs left abandoned at the hoarders’ facility in Mojave Desert. But these cunning canines seem to be imitating Wile E. Coyote as they evade volunteers’ attempts to trap and rescue.

The elusive dogs hide in holes, under debris, and behind broken fences and boats. This pack is frightened, un-socialized, and quite adept at hiding. Rescue groups led by Last Chance for Animals (LCA) spend hours setting traps and waiting, watching the thermometer push towards 105 degrees. Fourteen dogs were trapped and rescued by LCA volunteers Rene Ruston and Tom Brawley on Wednesday June 17th, but help is needed for the last ten. LCA is at the property every day feeding and caring for the animals.

The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation has generously offered to donate to $200 to rescue groups for every dog rescued, and Animal Alliance will donate an additional $100 if a senior dog is rescued. With this added incentive, LCA is hoping more rescue groups will join forces in saving these neglected animals. To date, LCA has rescued nearly 200 dogs and 25 cats left abandoned in deplorable conditions.

Bemis and Trapani were convicted of animal hoarding on May 18th, and their sentencing hearing has been postponed to July 8th. This delay gives rescue groups more time to save the remaining dogs at the compound before local authorities seize them.

According to Kim Sill of LCA, “It is time for major reform in Kern County. When I was driving up to the property on Wednesday, there were people dumping dogs on the freeway. This community that convicted Bemis and Trapani needs to take a lesson in owning a pet.”

How You Can Help
Your support is still needed to convince Judge Twisselman to hand down the maximum punishment for the suffering these women have inflicted upon innocent lives. You can help by sending polite letters to the following:

Andrea Kohler
County of Kern
District Attorney’s Office
1215 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 868-2340
Fax: (661) 868-2700
E-mail: dacriminal@co.kern.ca.us

Hon. Kenneth C. Twisselman II
Kern County Superior Court
1415 Truxtun Avenue
1st Floor, Courtroom 8
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: (661) 868-7204
Website: www.kern.courts.ca.gov

If you can help LCA with rescues, fosters or donations, contact Kim Sill at kimsill123@gmail.com or campaigns@lcanimal.org.

Photos courtesy of LCA