I received the following from a rottie rescue group and was asked to cross post. Please do the same and if possible, write to these folks to stop this horrible stuff. WARNING, this is so sad.......
PLEASE CROSSPOST TO OTHER LISTS OR INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT WRITE
I am so angry that I don't know what to do. I'm sorry to say that the
City of Dallas has a notoriusly bad Animal Control. Three years ago
there was a report done internally that made many recommendations for
change and no changes were made. Last year the Humane Society of the
U.S. was commissioned to do a report on Animal Control with
recommendations for changes, and no changes have been made. Some of
the workers have been cited for animal cruelty, euthanasia procedures
were inadequate, and generally the whole department needed to be
replaced. Last February it finally hit the fan when a cat was supposed
to be euthanized and was put back in a cage while still alive to die a
lingering death after a botched procedure. The reaction of the
department was that the real problem was that they got caught, not what
happened. Now I appears the same thing has happened on one of the
breed that I care a great deal about, a Rottie. It is a tragedy that
so many rottie are put to death every week in Dallas, but is unspeakable
that they have to suffer as this poor rottie appears to have suffered
from what appears, at this point, to be another botched euthanasia.
This has to stop and I need your help. I can't help but thing that any
one of the wonderful foster dogs I have helped over the years could have
been this poor dog. I wish everyone who reads this will take time to
write a letter or letters to the Mayor and City Council regarding the
horrible situation.
Keep in mind these points about the situation
There is no proof that this was a botched euthanasia, but I seems that
is
the case
A city sanitation worker seems to have committed an act of felony animal
cruelty
on orders from his off site supervisor.
City workers tampered with and removed evidence from a crime scene
before the police
arrived on orders going all the way up to the City Manager
Be sure to mention that the city has known for years that major changes
need to be made in Animal Control. People doing their jobs correctly
and treating animals with respect does not require a budget allocation.
This is hurting the image of the city. Say this in your own words so
they don't all sound alike.
If you can write one letter, write to Laura Miller, Mayor.
LMiller@ci.dallas.tx.us Laura Miller
If you can wirte two letter, write a second on to Lois Finkelman. Chair
of Council Committee that oversees Animal Control
LFinkel@ci.dallas.tx.us Lois Finkelman
If you can wirte more, please write the entire Council.
Mayor
LMiller@ci.dallas.tx.us Laura Miller
Council
*EGarcia@ci.dallas.tx.us Elba Garcia
JLoza@ci.dallas.tx.us John Loza
MTReese@ci.dallas.tx.us Maxine Thornton-Reese
DWHill@ci.dallas.tx.us Don Hill
*EDOakle@ci.dallas.tx.us Ed Oakley
LChaney@ci.dallas.tx.us Leo Chaney
*JFantroy@ci.dallas.tx.us James Fantroy
MPoss@ci.dallas.tx.us Mary Poss
AWalne@ci.dallas.tx.us Alan Walne
*LFinkel@ci.dallas.tx.us Lois Finkelman
SGreyson@ci.dallas.tx.us Sandy Greyson
MRasans@ci.dallas.tx.us Mitchell Rasansky
*VLill@ci.dallas.tx.us Veletta Lill
Report from Cruelty Investigator
The witness was at the front gate of the McCommas Landfill in Dallas
when he heard a dog howling and screaming from a City of Dallas
Sanitation Vehicle. The witness followed the truck around to the "Dog
Pit" where he witnessed the Sanitation Worker dumping 50 to 60
animal carcasses while at the same time burying the injured suffering
rottie as it continued to howl and scream in pain. As I have
interviewed the witness, there is no doubt in my mind that the
Sanitation Worker intentionally and knowingly committed this act of
felony animal cruelty. This was torture. The witness actually climbed
down into this horrific pit of decaying animals and uncovered the
screaming dog in an attempt to comfort her while we were in route.
As I arrived on scene I was met by the McCommas Landfill Manager, John
Barlow. I informed Mr. Barlow that the Dallas Police
Department had been called and that they were on their way. He stated
that Dallas Animal Control had been called to identify the
deceased rottie. At that time we requested that Dallas Animal Control
also verify death on the remaining animals in the pit. Mr. Barlow
agreed when DAC arrived and if they stated the dog did not come from
Dallas Animal Control, then after the police had completed their
part of the investigation at the scene, HSGD could transport the dog to
a local vet to perform a complete Necropsy.
Three officers from DAC arrived and we were all escorted back to the dog
pit. The witness identified the dead rottie and gave an
account of what he had witnessed. A DAC Officer stepped down into the
pit with us where he began to search the legs of the rottie for
alleged shave marks from the euthanasia. Before he could complete this,
a DAC Supervisor walked up and stated that this was not
their dog. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! I find this hard to believe as he was
not close enough to make this assessment. When informed that
we were awaiting the arrival of Dallas PD, the DAC Supervisor stated
that they were removing the dog from the pit and transporting it to
Forney Road. I explained to him that the Police were on their way and
that this was a possible crime scene as a Felony had occurred.
He said he had orders from his supervisor to remove the dog as it was
the property of the city of Dallas. I requested that he radio his
supervisor and relay my concerns. He did and they still removed the
evidence from the scene. From that point forward the City of
Dallas refused to cooperate with HSGD and continued to destroy the
evidence.
"It's not our dog, but we're taking it anyway." Yes, I have issues with
the actions they took. As I see it, regardless of where this dog
came from, the City of Dallas on Friday evening believed it to be a
threat, as they removed all evidence from the original crime scene.
They cannot say they were ignorant as every step of the way they were
reminded of the proper procedure of handling a crime scene
dealing with Animal Cruelty. As I was told by Cheritta Johnson of
Dallas Code Compliance, all decisions were being made by Ted
Benividas, Dallas City Manager. Again, as any other investigator would,
I have issues with the same agency that has committed a
possible offense handling their own evidence. As I have worked in the
Dallas area for over a year, DAC has NEVER pulled an animal
out of a crime scene for a Necropsy. Every criminal report that has
been filed in the City for animal cruelty in the past two years list
DAC as the department called to pick up and dispose of the dead
animals. This was the most mishandled and questionable case I
have ever been involved with. So yes, be very upset by the actions of
the City and let them know how corruption will not be tolerated.
Dee Stephens, Chief Investigator
Humane Society of Greater Dallas