Hit with a case of the dog flu (canine influenza virus), the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society has put all dog adoptions on hold as of Monday February 6, 2017. The outbreak and hold has affected adoptions at  510 N. LaSalle St. and the Everyday Adoption Center in the South Loop PetSmart (1101 S. Canal St.)

This is not the first time that Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society has been forced to close for dog adoptions, but the closure this time is estimated at 3-4 weeks. During this time, all dogs in their care will be quarantined and medicated for the canine influenza virus, and the organization is requesting donations to aide in the additional care & treatments.

Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)  hit Chicago and the Midwest hard in 2015, and has since stuck around to infect more dogs in 2016, and now it seems it did not waste any time now surfacing in the early days of 2017.

A plea on the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society facebook page urges donations and not just the monetary kind, “Since all the dogs at The Anti-Cruelty Society are now on medical treatment for canine influenza virus (dog flu), we are in need of tasty food to help get the dogs to take their medications!” And what tasty foods do they find most helpful?

“We’re specifically looking for hot dogs and liverwurst. If you are able to donate to help us purchase these items, please visit anticruelty.org“

Of course financial assistance can also be made by sending a check to the Anti-Cruelty Society office at 157 W. Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60654. The Society helps more than 20,000 animals each year, and although they are eager to resume dog adoptions, cat and kitten adoptions are unaffected by the dog flu outbreak and adopters are welcome to come visit the many adoptable felines.

Missing for almost exactly a month, an Iditarod dog was miraculously found still alive in the harsh Alaska wilderness. ABC reported Tuesday, that the dog was found in Palmer, Alaska, and captured with the help of local dog lovers.

The 3 year old Alaskan Husky named Sarabi was lost after her “musher” Laura Allaway dropped her leash due to an aggravated shoulder. Despite attempts to locate the dog through fliers and networking, no sightings were made for nearly 3 weeks and nearly all hope was lost.

Allaway told ABC News:

“I was pretty sure that she wasn’t around anymore after 3 weeks of no confirmed sighting.”

Laura Allaway, 33, is a suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin native and is currently residing in Fairbanks, Alaska. According to Iditarod.com, she had 10 sled dogs and 2 pet dogs.

As if by miracle, the lost sled dog Sarabi was spotted in the yard of the Rev. Tim Carrick of the United Protestant Presbyterian Church in Palmer, Alaska. After feeding and coaxing efforts, the dog was finally safely captured. Laura Allaway is currently traveling, but Sarabi was returned to the care of a close friend who plans to reunite the musher to her dog as soon as she returns.

Police uncovered a potential dog fighting ring in Chicago’s south side after responding to a domestic disturbance and stumbling upon two decomposing dogs at the residence. ABC7 Chicago reported on Sunday that the two dead dogs were shoved in the closet, but police then found more dogs on the property.

The horrific scene was discovered at 11758 S. Morgan Street when officers noticed the overpowering smell wafting from the home. They proceeded to discover two starved tan pit bull puppies covered in feces and urine, dead and shoved in a closet. Prosecutors indicated they did not have any access to food, water, or light.

Animal control removed a third pit bull puppy (still alive) and three adult pit bulls. None of the dogs appeared to have proper care or nutrition and were all reportedly very skinny. At least one of the dogs had bite marks on it’s face and other signs of dog fighting were present.

The Chicago Sun Times stated, “Burnett’s sister, who had called police on her the day prior, told police more dogs were downstairs and they were being used for dog fighting.” And also reported that at least one dog recovered was covered with garbage and feces.

Illinois state law outlines animal cruelty in that no one is legally allowed to, “beat, cruelly treat, torment, starve, overwork or otherwise abuse any animal” in accordance with the Illinois humane care for animals act. One violation results in a  Class A misdemeanor. Subsequent convictions of aggravated animal cruelty are punishable with a Class 4 felony.

Shantell Burnett, 24, was arrested and charged with four felony aggravated cruelty to animals charges in Cook County.