<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10>Ok I'll try the short version of this - my cousin called me from Clovis, New Mexico today (I'm in Westchester County, NY) He said his neighbors went away and left thier basset chained in the high heat/sun to a fence in the backyard. 2 ft chain, didnt see any water or food in sight, the poor thing was crying all night. He called the animal control and they came and they did nothing but leave a ticket in thier door. The basset was still chained (on about a 2 ft chain BTW) crying in the wicked heat. He went in ther yard which was fenced in and let the dog at least off the chain, and she was going crazy happy someone was even paying attention to her (oh yeah, even when thier home the dog is out there like a trash can and doesn't get any affection). Now the problem is he went to the store and saw the basset up the street and he couldn't catch it. I guess it found a hole to get out. So why am I writing? I'm not sure...well one thing if you see a tri-color female basset near Clovis, NM keep the poor thing or get it to a rescue but the other thing is maybe if the basset comes back I can coordinate something with a rescue group and the owners? Maybe someone can contact me personally? Or maybe someone has a better idea?
<BR>Thanks
<BR>Steve</FONT> </HTML>