Mass. Animal: Senator Gets Humane Award, Dentist Fixes (Tiger's) Teeth, Chicken Killer Had 'Rage'

By Charlene Arsenault

Firefighter accused of killing chickens may have had “rage”

Last week, police arrested Frank Sargent, 66, for allegedly feeding rat poison to his neighbor’s chickens, ultimately killing 11 of them, reported ABC News.Sargent, a Boston firefighter, was placed on leave.

Initially, he denied the allegations, but admitted to throwing pellets laced with poison during a four-month period into the coop in the backyard. He blamed “noise” for the actions, initially.

The Boston Globe, in a follow-up, reported on new information that had come to light on the situation. Sargent, who faces 11 counts of malicious killing of a domestic animal, recently made what some call rage-like comments, stating that he felt the birds were mocking him. He also added that he had poured hornet spray on the chickens.

Needham Dentist Fixes the Teeth of Wildlife

Steven D. Spitz, DMD, a resident of Needham, recently revisited the Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation (PEIVDF) dental/veterinary mission toNoah’s Ark Rehabilitation Center in Locust Grove, GA.

There, he fixed the teeth of lemurs, tigers, bears and other wildlife with a team of dentists.

“Working with the [Peter Emily] foundation is a literally a dream come true,” said Spitz. “Through my undergraduate training, I was deciding between vet and dental school. I chose dental and it was the right decision for me, but this allows my dental experience to work in an amazing way for animals who need my expertise.”

Spitz is a prosthodontist and owner of Smileboston Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, where he treats human patients on a regular basis.

Swim With your Pup at the Y, Before the Pool Closes

Just before the YMCA of Burbank in Reading closes its small pool to be drained and cleaned for the end of summer, local pups will have the opportunity to dive in and make a splash with their owners during the second annual Puppy Swim.

The Puppy Swim will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. and half hour time allotments are available for signup. A $25 donation to the Burbank YMCA Annual Fund is appreciated.

Fund for Animals, Humane Society, Give Rep. Mannal and Sen. Wolf Humane Legislator Awards

State Rep. Brian Mannal, D-Barnstable, and Sen. Daniel Wolf, D-Harwich, got the 2014 Humane Legislator Award from the Fund for Animals Cape Wildlife Center and the Humane Society of the United States.

Announced in a press release and reported by Massachusetts Newswire, the HSUS president and CEO presented the awards during the “Wild for the Cape” fundraiser in early August.

Rep. Mannal supported legislation to make it illegal to circuses to keep elephants constantly tethered by chains, and also to prevent the use of bullhooks. As the co-sponsor of the Massachusetts Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, which is pending, he supports an act to prevent calves and pigs from being confined in cruel veal and gestation crates.

Sen. Wolf also co-sponsored the bill. He is also a champion of protecting and preserving wetlands and waterways.

Adrienne Tashjian of Winchester also got a lifetime achievement award.