Turtlewoman: My daughter brought home a box turtle she found at a campground. Its shell is about four inches in diameter. We have it in a 15-gallon aquarium tank, but it seems to spend most of its time in the corner. Do you know what size habitat this turtle should be in?

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Well, turtles aren't the friskiest pets, and they do tend to just lay around...Also, when didshe find it? Turtles in the "wild" hibernate in the winter, sometimes as early as September, depending on the weather. Turtles kept in the house as pets do not hibernate, but I'm wondering if this one had already started the hibernation process. In any case, the turtle should be checked by a veterinarian who will know what kind it is and what kind of food and care it needs.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Well we're off to a late start because of technical difficulties, but we're back on track. Did you read the PG story about Joey Porter's dogs killing a horse? Did you read the Pet Tales column about a woman who "rescued" what she said was a dying dog. She's arrested and charged with theft. Can we chat about these items? Or anything else that interests you.

Mini: I'd like to know who I can e-mail on behalf of Tammy Grimes and Doogie. I cannot believe they are going to charge this woman for being humane and saving this dog's life. If she had called or waited for help from authorities the dog would have been dead.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: for starters, go to your favorite Internet search engine (I use Google) and look up the Web site Dogs Deserve Better. That is the Web site of the organization that Tammy Grimes started. They have had contact information there.

Turtlewoman She found it in St. Louis in August. We've been feeding it lettuce and crickets, every other day. The thing eats like a pig, will wolf down big pieces of lettuce as big as a the turtle in about two minutes.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Glad to hear it's eating. Depending on the kind of turtle it is, I hear they like chicken and other meat...and live worms! Yeah! The turtle MIGHT need a bit more variety in its diet.

ericka: We are thinking of getting another Sheltie for our 3-year-old male Sheltie (from a rescue) to keep him company while we are at work. Do you recommend a male or female, and what is the easiest way to introduce a new dog into the house?

Linda Wilson Fuoco: All things being equal, most people think that two dogs will get along better if the second dog is the opposite sex. But that depends on many factors, including the dogs. I'd start by going back to the rescue where you got your male, and see if they have something suitable. Most people take the "old" dog to the adoption site to see how he gets along with the potential "new" dog. You shouldn't leave the two dogs alone in the house, without supervision, at first. They should be crated or in separate rooms, just to be safe. And don't feed them together, at first. Could cause a food fight. Rescue groups generally have great advice on how to work this out.

k9pal: Tammy Grimes overstepped the lines on that one. I agree the dog likely was suffering, but she should have waited for the authorities. My honest opinion is a dog at that age and in that condition, the owner should have been a grownup about it and put it out of its misery.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: You make some interesting points, k9pal. I'm starting to get e-mails from people who can not BELIEVE that I am not taking the side of Ms. Grimes. I talked to the humane agent. He said he went to see Doogie the same day as the call -- but the dog was gone, with Ms. Grimes. Perhaps the owners left their dog in some kind of veterinary limbo -- neither getting veterinary care nor getting him euthanized.

smpjcu: Linda, I am 25 and bored with my career. I want to look into working as an animal cop or in animal control. Do you know where I should start looking for information? I do not live in Pittsburgh.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Where do you live? I would suggest talking to people in shelters that have humane agents to find out more about that line of work. In Pittsburgh that would be Western Pennsylvania Humane Society and Animal Friends. Call your local officials and ask who handles animal control, and talk to the companies or government officials who perform this service. In Pennsylvania humane agents are required to undergo training.

Mini:Thanks for the info on Tammy Grimes.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: You're welcome. Her hearing on theft charges was today at 1 p.m. Perhaps her Web site will report the outcome of that hearing.

k9pal: I'll wager if it hadn't been Joey Porter's dogs, they would have been shot by the police -- as it's part of the state's policy for dogs killing livestock when caught in the act.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Local police answered the call about the dogs, and yes, they knew who the dogs belonged to. Perhaps they also knew that he would step and take control of the dogs and be available during the investigation. Our reporter said the dogs were standing over a dead body when the police arrived. They were not "caught in the act." So, what do you think should happen to the dogs, k9pal? What do other readers and chatters think?

smpjcu:From what I read about Grimes, I feel bad, but she was trespassing on private property. I also hope the owners are prosecuted for neglect -- where are they in all of this?

Linda Wilson Fuoco: How can the owners, at this point, be prosecuted for neglect? The people who have the power to investigate and prosecute -- the police and the humane agent -- do not know where the dog is and Ms. Grimes will not tell them. The prosecutors only have the word of Ms. Grimes that the dog was in bad shape. The owners say the dog is very old and in failing health. They say they want the dog back.

smpjcu:I live in Cleveland (I know, don't judge, I live for school here). I have been around animals my entire life (I currently have three cats and two dogs) and I would like to get into animal welfare and reform. I just need a starting point.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Well, smpjcu, I don't know how things work in Ohio, but I would start out like I said -- contact local shelters and animal control agencies.

smpjcu:I was always taught that you cannot take the fight out of a dog; these dogs are a danger not only to livestock, but to children.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: When you say "these dogs" what dogs are you talking about ? The two dogs that apparently killed the miniature horse? Or are you talking about a specific breed?

k9pal: The dogs shouldn't be punished, but should be declared dangerous, according to state law, forcing him to have all bonds and secure enclosure requirements met if he's to keep them. They are dangerous and it would be irresponsible to return them to him otherwise.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Well said, k9pal. You sound like an informed person that knows a bit about Pennsylvania dog law. Officials in this case are pondering charges, and part of the hearing process would be a determination as to whether the dogs are dangerous. Then, as you said, the owner would have some stiff requirements to meet aimed at making sure the dogs do not attack another animal...or people.

k9pal: Have the owners submitted any sort of vet records for the dog she took? That way, they could prove they had been providing for him. Regardless, she should not have gone onto private property. Besides, the police department does have jurisdiction if they believe an animal is immediate danger.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: I don't know whether the owners have submitted vet records. At this point the owners are not under investigation. In addition to being charged with theft and receiving stolen property, Ms. Grimes is charged with criminal trespass.

tismyself The dog clearly was suffering and in need of emergency care. The police report states the humane officer met Tammy at the vets and saw Jake. She offered to turn the dog over to him there. He told her to get the dog the treatment he needed, but then did not return her calls. Why would he not step in? This is the part I don't understand. The vet confirmed severe neglect. The before and after videos on the www.dogsdeservebetter.com/doogie.html site speak volumes. My religion requires me to help a suffering animal. Jewish Talmudic law states you may not pass over a suffering animal and do nothing. I would have done the same thing. However I would have left a note on their door stating where he was, the vet, and to contact me. Is there some legal reason the humane officer did not act there at the vet?

Linda Wilson Fuoco: You say the dog "clearly was suffering." We really only have the word of Ms. Grimes on that...The video and pictures on her site may "speak volumes" as you say, but law enfocement officials can not act on that. Yes, the humane officer saw Ms. Grimes at the veterinary clinic but she did not agree to turn the dog over to him.Last I heard she won't tell anyone where the dog is. Many people feel an obligation to help suffering animals but most people go thru proper channels. Did it ever occur to Ms. Grimes to talk to the owners and ask if they needed help with the dog?

k9pal: I owned a "dangerous dog" prior to this law going into effect; she was NEVER outside without me being with her. Not in the pen, not on the steel cable -- there are no guarantees when you have a dog that has shown a propensity to attack/kill animals.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Good points, K9pal. A dog that is aggressive to people and/or animals should really never be unattended. I would never leave any dog of mine outside in my fenced yard when a family member isn't nearby. Our dog is a cocker spaniel and would hurt no one...but someone might ttry to hurt him...or enter our yard and steal him because "they " decided his owners were neglectful by leaving him alone for hours at a time when family members are at work or at school.

k9pal: I agree with you Linda. Once she took the dog, she seemed to have no interest in working with humane agents, but to use this one dog to further her own agenda.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: You wouldn't be the first person to voice the opinion that Tammy Grimes was out to further her own cause. By the way, she has reported things to the humane agent in the past, and has worked with authorities...but not this time.

k9pal: Charging her is fair in my mind; it would set a very dangerous precedent otherwise. Not that I disagree the dog needed help, but there are legal ways that have to be followed. I'd be irritated if someone took my dog without even speaking to me. It just sets a bad/irresponsible precedent to let her get away with it. Besides, take the dog to its own vet -- they can tell what's happened.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Very well-stated on all counts. Thanks, k9pal.

k9pal: I'm amazed at the way people brag about how old their dog is, with no regard of the pain the dog is in. They talk about how the last dog lived till it was 14 or 15 years old, but forget the dog didn't walk the last six months to a year. It's just selfish of people, IMHO.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: It's hard to make that final call to the veterinarian and it's even harder to make that last drive. Maybe someone should have offered to help the owners? Talk to them? Offer to drive the dog to its own vet?

tismyself They were not home and the dog needed help right away. I've worked at a vet for years. The dog's eyes were rolling in the back of his head. He was in an altered state of consciousness. If you found a person like that you'd call 911. A witness states he was on the ground for three days. With that information and the state in which the dog is seen in the video prompted her to take him in for emergency care. No food or water for three days is very dangerous for a dog that age. It looked like he was suffering form extremely low blood sugar. I stand by Tammy. You don't leave "members of the family" you "love like a son" outside 24/7 in a mudhole with no food or water, suffering extreme pain and left to die. The dog has made a remarkable recovery in just eight days.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: OK, assuming everything transpired as Ms. Grimes states, why wasn't the dog returned to the owners or the Humane Society after the visit to the vet?

k9pal: A six-foot fence will not stop a determined dog. If you've ever attended a Schutzhund demonstration, all protection breed clear a nine-foot wall, with no help and no foot holds.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Right again, k9pal. An athletic dog can scale fences six feet and higher...many can dig out. Check local laws. Some people put electrified wire -- sometimes used in horse and cow pastures -- on the top of the fence. Or you put a top on the kennel...or keep them inside when you can't supervise them.

k9pal: How has this dog been seen since it was taken? What kind of remarkable recovery are we talking about?

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Linda : Really REALLY good question, k9 pal. Neither the owners nor authorities have seen this dog since Ms. Grimes took it. She and her supporters have been saying the dog is doing GREAT! Today there is a video that purports to show the same dog and he's moving around great but I for one don't know if that's Doogie/Jake or some other dog.

k9pal: They actually sell turtle food. Plus you should check with the vet to make sure it's one that will be OK in captivity.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: Correct on all counts, k9pal. Thanks for your participation. Thanks to everyone who participated in this chat. Thanks, also, for your patience with the technical delays. Hope to hear from you all in two weeks at the next chat. You can contact me by e-mail, anytime: lfuoco@post-gazette.com.