UPDATE: The Projo has an update on the eviction, and plans to care for the animals.

ORIGINAL,12/8: Fortunately Dr. Ernest Finocchio, head of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, appears to be on top of the dire situation developing at Bonniedale Farms in Glocester. Yesterday morning Dan MacKenzie, the owner of Bonniedale, was served with eviction papers by a constable representing a Massachusetts bank. A moving van has cleared the personal effects out, but 136 animals have been left behind. According to the ProJo,

Finocchio said he was advised that the bank had hired an agency to take care of the animals. Whatever they do, he said, they had better do quickly because state law requires that animals must be provided with potable water and food within 24 hours, and he has the authority to bring charges.

“If that’s not done, we’ll have no choice but to follow the law and charge someone with neglect of these animals,” said the Rhode Island SPCA leader, who vowed to be back at the farm Tuesday at 9 a.m. Finocchio did succeed in having some animals removed from the site Monday, including a 7-foot corn snake, which was taken to the SPCA shelter in East Providence.

Good luck to Dr. Finnochio who is working on this with the Glocester Animal Control Officer as well as the state veterinarian. If this requires court action, let’s hope it moves to the top of the calendar.

The Providence Rescue League is having its annual Howl-o-Ween Party this afternoon.

Get in costume and come to PARL with your 4-legged friend for pet (and people) costume contests, critter-related crafts, candy, snacks, and a bake sale to benefit the animals in our shelter!

Shop for a good cause — check out the pet-safe pies from Cutie Pies and eco-friendly dog toys from Furry Friends — and a portion of the proceeds will benefit PARL.

1pm to 3pm, Saturday, 34 Elbow Street, 421.1399 x210

Technically, St. Francis of Assisi was a Catholic, but before his conversion, he was a highborn aristo so Episcopalians have embraced him. And everyone is invited to the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ being conducted by St. Martin’s Church tomorrow at Parkside Park on the fashionable East Side — cats, dogs, goats (don’t know where the snakes fit into all this, theologically speaking). In preparation for the event, Episcopalians will get their pets groomed, the Catholics will take theirs to confession, and then by gosh, it’s cocktail time! (For more about Episcopalians and animals, go here.)

4pm, Sunday, Parkside Street

In a scene straight out of Animal Farm, a pig belonging to Pamela Hood of Foster used its snout to lift a gate off its hinges, freeing itself and a family of emus.  The mama and baby emus returned, but papa Emer must be a rollin’ stone, and has been running wild for three weeks now. Last Friday someone phoned in a sighting, and Hood and ASPCA director, Dave Holden, rushed to the scene with a tranquilizer gun. According to the ProJo “They were about 6 feet away when Holden shot the first dart. Nothing. He shot another. The emu was still standing. The owner declared this one a super emu!“.

So now we have an emu who is cold, hungry, and tripping balls on Special-K.  Emer, get help, your family needs you.

This might not be Narragansett Bay — I’m not a beach person — but it is a gray seal, one of the four types we have around here. (Kind of looks like B.J. Novak.) This Saturday ‘Save the Bay’ starts up its seal watch and lighthouse cruises around Rose Island aboard the Alletta Morris. They provide binoculars and expert guides. The program runs on weekends and school vacations from November 2008 through April 2009. The boat departs from Bowen’s Ferry Landing in Newport for both one-hour and two-hour cruises, $20 and up. Check the full schedule or call 401-324-6020. Reservations recommended.

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - Scientists investigating the icy waters of Antarctica said Tuesday they have collected mysterious creatures including giant sea spiders and huge worms in the murky depths.