Shelter Dogs Abandoned in the Wild
We’re shocked and horrified by today’s news story about an Arkansas mayor who decided to deal with animal control challenges by leaving poor shelter animals to fend for themselves.
I can only hope the pun was not intended in the mayor’s statement:
This problem is dogging us and taking away from our ability to focus on the greater good for the community as a whole.
I think the shelter says it best on their website:
It is ILLEGAL to abandon an animal. Don’t break the law!
I uncovered the mayor’s own blog and encourage you to comment. I’ve also provided his contact numbers below. (I left him a voicemail telling him what I think of his decision, and I highly doubt he’ll be returning my request for a comment.)
870-572-3421 Phone
870-572-5034 Fax
870-817-4035 Cell
Thank you to Dogster member Pippin for bringing this to the community’s attention. See the Forum thread here.
Update: The Humane Society and PETA are getting involved.
This just blows my mind all I want to do is cry …what an Idiot!
Unbelievable! Here is a link Dogster Max posted in the forums where the mayor is interviewed by the local news regarding his decision:
http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=8485252&nav=3HvEeYw7
The mayor’s decision is both inexcusable and irresponsible- what a schmuck!
Ok, I’m confused. I read through what that mayor had written on his blog and no where did I see it say anything about him making the decision to just release all the animals into the wild and leave them on their own. Also, I went to the shelter’s website and didn’t find anything on there either. As a matter of fact, the the quote above about abandoning the dogs being illegal wasn’t complete. Here is what it actually says on the shelter’s website:
“It is ILLEGAL to abandon an animal. Dropping off a dog at the shelter IS abandonment. Don’t break the law! If you have puppies that need homes put a free ad in the paper or find homes for them. If you can no longer take care of your pet find someone who wants him and can give him a good home. When a pet is dropped off at the shelter he loses his name and all of his records.”
This was copied directly from the shelter’s website, which by the way, is having an adoption event today, June 14th. Has anyone actually spoken to this mayor or the shelter and verified this information?
I’m sorry if I’m offending anyone, but this is the first time in nearly two years of being a member of dogster that I’ve seen a posting like this, and followed links provided and not read anything on those links that backs up the information in the blog.
Wendy,
I thought the same thing at first too because I went to the shelter website and the Mayor’s website and saw nothing about this. However, if you search more extensively, you will find local news stories about this issue. I found a television news story with an interview with the mayor.
Although I am horrified by the mayor’s decision, I think this issue is far more complicated than this blog suggests. The local government of this town is broke and the alternative of keeping the dogs in the towns sanitation lot was not a good solution either. They definitely should have sought outside help if they didn’t have the funds to care for the animals, but at the same time, I think we need to look at this issue from the town’s perspective. But again, I cannot emphasize how much the thought of turning domesticated dogs loose upsets me…
I can’t imagine that the tax-payers of that city would allow such a thing. They need to revolt. It can be done, but everyone has to join in.The Dog You Stole Was Recovered Today
By Marla Gray aka The Evil Genius
This poem is dedicated to Chrissy and every other dog that has been “liberated” by crazy people. The words of Jim Willis are in red, the words in black are mine.
I stole your dog today. No, I didn’t set a foot on your property, but from the condition of your dog, I can imagine what it looks like…the word “junkyard” comes to mind.
The dog you stole was recovered today. No, I didn’t set foot on your property. Of course you don’t own any property but if you did, I can imagine what it would look like. The word “junkyard” comes to mind.
I found her along a road, with a heavy chain wrapped around her neck, still attached to rotten boards from her doghouse, with rusty six-penny nails protruding. Not only did I know that most of the town had already ignored her, judging by where I found her, but I knew that if she had gotten into the woods the “cross” that she dragged behind her would have wrapped around a tree until starvation or thirst killed her. The local populace is usually deaf to the sound or blind to the sight of an animal in need, unless they decide to shoot one for trespassing.
You found her in the yard by your house on New Year’s Eve, after she was spooked by some fireworks. She didn’t run away from home, she was scared by the noise. The rest of the neighborhood never ignored Chrissy. Everyone loved her and knew who she belonged to. The only thing around her neck was a collar with a rabies tag, which you should have used to identify her with. Chrissy was found in the home of a so called “rescuer”. You know, one of your kind . . . psychos. It’s a shame you’ve never been shot for trespassing.
That her ribs showed, that her ears were filthy, that her overall condition was poor and that her coat and eyes were dull, were good indications that you didn’t deserve her. But just to make sure, I checked with the local authorities for a report of a missing (unlicensed) dog matching her description and to see if you’d placed a “lost dog” advertisement in the local newspaper. You hadn’t, which I can only surmise means that you do not miss her. That’s rather convenient, because the fact that she is not spayed, probably unvaccinated, and possibly heartworm positive means that restoring her health could cost me around a thousand dollars.
She had recently been attacked by another dog in the home that you placed her in and her wounds are still raw and full of stitches. Her overall condition is poor and her coat and eyes are dull, good indications that you didn’t care what happened to her after you stole her. Despite the fact that you stole her because you thought she was neglected, she has been spayed and was wearing her rabies tag when you stole her. Chrissy has been a part of our family for twelve years and you stole her, hid her and then shipped her to another state without any regard for the fact that she would miss the family that she loved and that loved her.
Perhaps it may be some small comfort to know that she doesn’t miss you. In fact, her very act of escape made it clear that she’d had enough of your brand of pet guardianship. It took her about a day to realize that I’m not you, that I won’t hurt her, that despite our brief acquaintanceship, I love her. It took two days for her to realize that the other animals who live here accept her and that one of the joys she has been missing has been the companionship of other dogs. It took three days for her to appreciate the ecstasy of a homecooked meal and that a couch is meant to be reclined on, and that she no longer has to sleep outside - in fact, when the thunder starts, she’ll get a hug and her ears rubbed, and I’ll make a fool of myself with baby talk.
Perhaps it will be some comfort to know that she doesn’t miss you, nor does she miss the “rescuer” that hid her from us for a year and a half and let her be mauled by another animal. The very act that people were still kind enough to be looking for her after a year and a half made it clear that she was not abused and needed to be reunited with her family. It took her about a day to realize that you aren’t me, that you would hurt her, that despite your brief acquaintanceship, that you would abandon her to be harmed by another. It took her about two days to realize that other animals live with you, crated, not vetted, neglected and ignored. After living with you, she realized how good she had it to have a good family that loved her instead of living with a person like you who is a fraud and would set his own animals on fire for sympathy and personal gain. It took about three days to realize that despite the fact that she is an outdoor dog, her dog house is much nicer than the ones yours live in outside and she’s grateful she’s not blind or she would be running around in circles in your backyard with your dog “Cleo”. She immediately realized you make a fool out of yourself every time you talk.
She has a beautiful name now. Already in the first week she has come to look more like she should. Her eyes sparkle and she has learned to wag her tail in greeting. She has stopped flinching when I make a sudden movement, because she knows now that I won’t beat her, in fact, she rarely leaves my side. She’s even become brave enough to bark at a cat and today I watched from the window as she initiated play with the other dogs. No, it’s clear she does not miss you or her former life of neglect on a chain.
She had a beautiful name when you stole her. Her name has been Chrissy since we got her as a puppy. It took more than a week for her to start to look like herself again after the trauma she has suffered at the hands of you and your friends. She still flinches at sudden moves now. We believe she has post traumatic stress, you know - - what you claimed to have after your animals went to a firey grave. Only Chrissy’s PTS is real … your’s was make believe. Her eyes are starting to sparkle again and she had to relearn to wag her tail in greeting. I don’t know if she’ll ever be the same after the year and a half of neglect she suffered because of you. No, it’s clear she doesn’t miss you or her year and a half of neglect from you and your friends.
Of all the things that have become apparent from my brief relationship with her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their wonderful ability to heal and to trust, the fact that love can work miracles - one of the most apparent is what a fool you are. She was possibly the most trusting, loyal and loving being in your life, and you consigned her to a life of filth and loneliness until she made the best choice she’s ever made when she broke free. Perhaps her guardian angel helped her escape. Lest anyone should mistake me for an angel, I will admit that one day I hope to be as good as she; I believe she forgave you within the first twenty-four hours of her new life for the about four years of her previous “life,” while I still wrestle with the part of me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.
Of all the things that have become apparent from your brief time with her - such as the forgiving nature of the dog, their wonderful ability to heal and to trust . . . these are just a few of the things you destroyed in this beautiful animal when you stole her from her home. One of the most apparent is what a fool you are …. love can work miracles. It was the miracle of love and not giving up that brought her home where she belongs. She was possibly the most trusting, loyal and loving being in our lives and you consigned her to a life of filth, abuse, pain and loneliness until she was rescued today. Perhaps her guardian angel helped rescue her from you and your friends. You are no angel and believe me, she will never forgive you for ripping her from her the only family she had ever known, shipping her to a different state and allowing her to be attacked by another dog. I don’t have any problem with the part of me that hopes that one day you will burn in Hell.
It’s not clear yet whether she’ll remain here or whether I’ll find her a loving home where she can count on more individual attention than I can give her, but one thing is certain, this is one bit of stolen “property” who is never returning to you. So sue me, prosecute me, plead with the courts that she is rightfully yours…I’m convinced this is the best “crime” I’ve ever committed. Hardly anything has pleased me more than the day I stole your dog. I need only look into her beautiful brown eyes to know that she’d defend my decision with her life. If we have one prayer, it is that you will not replace her, and if we have one special day to commemorate together, it is the day I stole your dog and the day she stole my heart.
It is clear that she couldn’t remain with you with the police on your tail so you found her a “loving” home with a known nutcase where she was neglected, abused and suffered physical pain. She never got that individual attention you promised her. You were wrong about one thing, this is one piece of stolen property that was returned to me. I sued you, they prosecuted you and I pled with the courts that she is rightfully mine. I am convinced this was the best “crime” you have ever committed. Nothing pleased me more than the day my dog was recovered, ending the nightmare you forced my precious dog to endure. If I have one prayer, it is that you will not steal another dog, and if we have a special day to commemorate together, it is the day my dog was recovered and the day you became a convicted felon for life!
Dear Wendy:
It is true that the mayor’s blog and the shelter’s site have no information on this, and for good reason. They are being berated by the press and the general public for their decision.
The piece of the shelter quote was provided to illustrate the hypocrisy of the situation.
All information was verified through news stories, as the mayor and shelter did not answer phone calls. Here is a follow-up story: http://www.helena-arkansas.com/news/x1470883524/Arkansas-city-releases-shelter-dogs-into-national-forest
Thank you for commenting.
Outrageous! As a mayor, he should have know better. Animals are animals but they should still be treated with care and value for life.
The answer should be to provide shelter and training to the dogs and help them find homes.
A man of those principles is not fit to be mayor in my opinion.
Dog Owner Guide
Learn To Proper Way To Train Your Dog
http://www.dogownerguide.com
Thank you for providing more information. I am appalled and saddended that a city mayor would do something so irresponsible and inhumane! I would love to see the federal government go after him for illegally releasing the dogs in a national forest; however we all know that probably won’t happen. It breaks my heart to think about those poor dogs out there trying to fend for themselves, especially with all the wild animals.
This is why it is so important for dogs never to be thrown into shelters in the first place.
Check out what I’m doing to help:
http://www.spotapup.com
Here’s an excerpt from my “about” page:
My name is Kristin Smith. I am a television news reporter, animal shelter volunteer, vet tech, and a dog rescuer. In my travels as a reporter, I have seen so many abandoned, neglected, and abused animals and have rescued them whenever possible. I have gone on to find them forever homes.
I have now created a tool everyone can use in finding the right pet for the right owner. At the same time, it will hopefully lessen the burden on shelters and rescues.
This tool is called http://www.spotapup.com, and the mission is simple: by matching the right dog with the right person, we hope to keep dogs from becoming homeless, and winding up in shelters.
Check it out:
http://www.spotapup.com