Baseball Fans Cry Foul Over Treatment of Panhandling Dog

A costumed dog named Coffee sits outside pro ballparks in NYC, pipe in mouth, for hours at a time (Photo from Facebook page "Stop Abusing Coffee")

The ASPCA is investigating the well-being of a costumed dog who sits outside New York City’s professional baseball stadiums for hours at a time, pipe in mouth, collecting money for her nearby owner.

Observers say she seems to be toothless, and wears a shock collar. Whenever she tries to lie down because of fatigue, she suddenly sits right back up – likely jolted into panhandling mode again by her owner.

Coffee in another getup (Photo: Jason Long, via MSNBC)

“Coffee is FORCED to sit outside Citi Field with a pipe in her mouth every Mets home game for hours on end with a shock collar on & no food, water or rest. Something needs to be done about this,” one baseball fan wrote on the wall of the Facebook page Stop Abusing Coffee, which calls for investigation of her possible abuse.

Jason Long, a baseball fan who could no longer stand to see Coffee’s situation, started the Stop Abusing Coffee Facebook page earlier this month when he watched the tired dog try to lie down, only to see her  immediately sit back up. It was clear to him that the shock collar was behind her decision not to lie down.

He decided to rally he public and animal welfare officials into action.

“Thousands and thousands of people go to Citi Field and Yankee Stadium unaware of Coffee’s suffering,” he told NBC New York. “The mission of the page is to bring animal cruelty awareness to the public and give Coffee a better forever home.”

Unfortunately, since receiving the allegations against Coffee’s owner, the ASPCA has not been able to locate Coffee. I hope the owner doesn’t go into hiding for too long, because if she’s not earning money for him, there may be more reasons to be concerned about her well-being.

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Baseball star wishes injury on Vick

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher (and four-time All Star) Mark Buehrle, well known for being a passionate animal advocate, was quoted in an interview posted yesterday on MLB.com wishing Michael Vick had been hurt during the past season. Quoting from ESPN‘s article about the interview:

“He had a great year and a great comeback, but there were times where we watched the game, and I know it’s bad to say, but there were times where we hope he gets hurt,” Buehrle told MLB.com. “Everything you’ve done to these dogs, something bad needs to happen to these guys.”

The interview on mlb.com no longer displays that particular quote, as it was removed soon after posting, but the column’s author, Scott Merkin, posted them on his Twitter feed.

Buehrle and his wife Jamie have been tireless in their advocacy for animals, and partnered with the White Sox on a program called “Sox for Strays,” which hosts rescue group appearances at US Cellular Field during the season. The Buehrles are also familiar faces for Chicagoans, as they’ve taped numerous public service announcements, and they appear with their dogs Diesel, Drake and Duke. The slogan “Let ‘em steal home — adopt a pet” is emblazoned on a highway billboard, alongside a picture of the Buehrles’ dogs.

While we’re on the theme of guys who love their pets, let’s help our friends at PetHobbyist.com spread the word about Cat Guy Week, from February 7-13.

Why, look at that. It’s Cat Guy Week right now!

Photo credit: The Buehrles with their dogs Diesel, Drake and Duke, courtesy of mlb.com.

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