Bonita Springs - June 7, 2005

Dogs removed from hospital

Animals were hurt during last week's fire at racing

track

By DENES HUSTY III

Published by news-press.com on June 7, 2005

greyhound adoption

The dogs that survived last week's fire at the

Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track will be put up for

adoption. Anyone interested in adopting the dogs

through Homeward Bound Greyhounds may call 353-7335 or

visit the Web site at www.home

wardboundgreyhounds.com.

note to readers

The information in this story is the most updated

information that has been given to The News-Press. An

earlier version of this story appears in Bonita and

South Lee sections of the newspaper before this

information became available.

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A dozen greyhounds injured in a fire last week at the

Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track were removed from an

animal hospital Monday after a sheriff's deputy was

called to the scene.

There are different versions of exactly what happened,

but one thing is clear: no more greyhounds are being

treated at Dr. Amy's Animal Hospital in San Carlos

Park.

"This is a very bad situation," said hospital director

Larry Gentsch. He said the hospital was forced to give

up the dogs.

The dogs were taken to the hospital following a kennel

fire early Wednesday that resulted in the deaths of 15

greyhounds at the track in Bonita Springs. A total of

51 other dogs had to be treated for smoke inhalation.

The fire was caused a faulty air conditioner which

sparked a blaze in dander and dust that accumulated in

the ducts, investigators said.

The air conditioner filled the kennel with smoke and

although the fire triggered a fire alarm, a guard on

duty at the track went to the wrong kennel twice,

track officials said.

The fire was then discovered by the kennel owners,

Gregory and Arlene Wootten, who called the fire

department.

On Monday, the Woottens showed up to get the dogs, but

Dr. Amy Bosecker-Gentsch wouldn't sign the medical

release forms because she felt the greyhounds should

not be moved yet, her husband, Larry Gentsch, said.

That's when the Lee County Sheriff's Office was

called, he said. A deputy was dispatched to the animal

hospital at 2:47 p.m., said Deputy Angelo Vaughn, a

sheriff's spokesman.

By the time the deputy got to the hospital, the dogs

had been cleared to leave, Vaughn said.

Larry Gentsch said the Woottens signed a paper to take

responsibility for the greyhounds.

The 12 dogs — including one in critical condition and

one in serious condition — were then taken away in a

Dodge Caravan, Gentsch said. He said he understood

that the greyhounds were being taken to a temporary

kennel at the track to be treated by the track's

veterinarian.

The Woottens did not return phone calls for comment

Monday night.

Gentsch said he, his wife and hospital workers were

disheartened that the dogs were removed from the

hospital because of all the hard work they put in to

treat the greyhounds.

"At Dr. Amy's, we've been here non-stop. We've slept

on the sofa," he said.

Genstsch said he's afraid that the greyhounds won't

get the necessary treatment they need and that some of

them might die or might be euthanized.

"I've never put a dog down in my life," said Randy

Doubles, who owns two of the greyhounds taken from the

hospital Monday.

Doubles said he left it up to the Woottens to decide

what to do. He said another two of his dogs died while

being treated at the hospital and another died the day

of the fire.

Doubles said he thought the dogs were being taken to

different clinics in Collier County.

While the dozen greyhounds were being removed from the

San Carlos animal hospital, 19 greyhounds — including

two in critical condition — were still being treated

Monday afternoon at Golden Gate Animal Clinic, said

manager Becky Boyd-Lanier. She said the clinic

inherited five of those dogs from Naples Animal Safari

Hospital.

Boyd-Lanier said the Golden Gate clinic is still in

need of blankets and towels for the dogs. Anyone

wanting to make a donation may stop by the clinic at

1550 40th Terrace S.W. in Golden Gate or call

455-3139.

A dozen more of the greyhounds were also being treated

Monday afternoon at Big Cypress Animal Hospital in

Naples.