Distressed Leonbergers in Australia

 

As there are meanwhile all Leos re-homed and the fund is settled and a reasonable amount of money is collected, the orig. story is shortened, 
but will still remain for a while
just to remind humans because we humans forget very easy .....
 

On Friday 15th January 1999 the story was made availabe to Tamaryn Hodge - Leo Club GB.

Mandy Schelbach picked the poor Leos up the day before they were due to be put down and 
set about getting them wormed,washed and de-matted. Her vet began treating them for 
everything he could think of.
 

The photos were taken after the dogs had been bathed and clipped and already spent a few days with Mandy. It can clearly be seen from these photos the poor condition of these unfortunate dogs.

When you consider that there are only 20 Leonbergers in Australia, in total, the fact that 7 have recently come into the hands of the RSPCA is very worrying. Sadly the woman who imported these dogs from England, and then bred from them is still a registered breeder.

A fund was set up and a lot of Leo friends worldwide made donations.

This was done by individuals and Clubs working together - with a good result.

 

March 99 the Leo Rescue Fund had a total of 813.43 £ (UK) or approx. $ 1342.16 (US) and more contributions still came in. 

Sincere thanks to all those from America and Europe who have been so generous in their support of this worthy cause. Even owners of other breeds have been keen to help by contributing money and providing publicity.

Thanks to the extreme generosity of Leo friends worldwide!

 

The news from Australia were mixed. Sadly, one of the adult Leos died. 
At least she finally had the love and care she deserved, if only for a short time.

The youngster's are meanwhile all re-homed and we hope that the new owner will provide Mandy Schelbach with photos - if we get them they will be shown here.

A very sincere ‘Thank you’ to all of those who have been so generous in helping raise such a terrific amount so far.

List of Contributors to the Leo Rescue Fund

  • D. Provost - P. Walker - M. Reitz - B. O'Connor - J. Litner - E. Steffen - T. Johnson - M. Case - S. Irish-Oien
  • M. Petry - E. Burt-Hedrick - L. Stalteri - J. Campbell - K. Sudol - M. Croom - F. Inwood - J Kennish
  • L. Hodge - T. Hodge - E. Mc Hugh - M. Lusby - L. Gray - Planet Leo - The Leonberger Club of Great Britain
  • The Leonberger Club of Great Britain (Working Section)
    - Attendees of the LCGB Anal Furunculosis Seminar 28/2/99
  • S. Springel - A. Muller - K. Beaucher - D. Koch - B. Faust - T. Cunningham - P. Nelson
own remark:

Mandy Schelbach is meanwhile on the net and keeps me from time to time informed what's going on "down under".
It was due to a bad accident - but I found a new e-mail friend and will stay in touch with Mandy!

I made a mostly word-by-word-translation from the original article - and with the help of my friend U. Hermann this translated articles was published (full length) in the "Nordlicht" (regional Leo-Magazine) and another reaction was a letter from the DCLH-Landesgruppe Baden-Wuerttemberg, dated April 99, and the LG Baden-Wuerttemberg wrote:

"We thank for providing us with the extensive information about the neglected/distressed Leo-Dogs Australia.
We are very confused/terrified about that matter and informed the person conc. with Animal shelter matters as well as the Chairman of the International Union about this - we made the information available to them to assure a coordinated action conc. that matter" !