[SiNNiK]

Fatally Injured Dog Received No Veterinary Care

Fatally Injured Dog Denied Veterinary Care, Dies Slowly After Being Gunned Down by City Police; Demand Staff Training and New Policies at Fort Worth Animal Shelter

On November 14, a Fort Worth city police officer—who claimed that a stray dog charged at him repeatedly—reportedly shot "several rounds from his handgun striking the animal." The dog, later identified as a family's companion named Bud, was reportedly shot in the head and the chest. According to TV news reports and city officials, the dying dog was left alone at the city's animal shelter without care for several hours, during which time he surely suffered horribly. Bud died slowly, most likely from blood loss, organ damage, and/or shock.

Graphic news footage shows that Bud was bloodied and unable to walk properly. In the footage, animal control officer Barry Alexander can be seen needlessly restraining Bud on a control pole and prodding him to move forward while he is obviously in pain. The footage then shows that Alexander lifted Bud by the skin on his back and the noose around his neck and put him in a compartment on an animal control truck. Animal control supervisors and health department officials claim that the officer did not know how injured this obviously dying dog was upon leaving him alone in a cage at the animal control center. Officials responded to PETA's three-page letter offering assistance to prevent another tragedy from happening with this vague, less than helpful three-sentence response.

Failing to provide veterinary medical care to animals "as needed to prevent suffering" is a violation of Fort Worth's city codes as well as Texas state law. Please contact city officials and demand that immediate action be taken to provide all animal control officers with professional training in injury and disease recognition and that policies be instituted requiring veterinary care or euthanasia for injured animals in the city's custody.

Please contact the people below and be a voice for this poor dog.


The Honorable Michael J. Moncrief
Mayor of Fort Worth
1000 Throckmorton St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-392-6118
817-392-2409 (fax)
mike.moncrief@fortworthgov.org

Daniel B. Reimer, MPH
Director of Public Health
1800 University Dr., Rm. 232
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817-871-7201
817-871-7335 (fax)
daniel.reimer@fortworthgov.org

Sign the Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takea...ltl=1166215265

[Sawyer]

My husband witnessed a similar situation at the hospital (human) he works for. I don't have the facts as it was never reported in the papers - just his story regarding the police and a poor dog's last moments - so I won't retell the story. I am a firm believer that every little bit helps and a post like this could make a difference for a future dog. I hope people will take a couple of minutes to make that difference.

Thanks for posting this.

[Sawyer]

I just wanted to update to say my husband and I just watched the video and to no surprise - a pit bull. I don't know what was worse, watching the dog be put into the van or hearing the dad talk about having to break this news to his children. I don't know the whole story but it is a reminder that we need to protect our dogs and watch them closely for their own safety.

[skunkstripe]

This was a 7 yr old dog with no history of aggression. But along comes PETA and pretends to be a "voice" for the family. But if you read their three page letter is is the same old story from PETA, the "dangerous" dog should have been killed just because Ingrid Newkirk got scartched on her arm 30 years ago by a "Pit Bull". If it were up to PETA we would not be allowed to own ANY dogs at all, so where do they get off trying to get free publicity off of this? They could not care less about this poor family and that dog.

I feel sorry for the family. First their dog gets killed in a horrible way for no good reason, and now the hypocrites at PETA are trying to use it for their own agenda.

[ilovemywestie]

Gosh,!!!!!!!!!!!!Wow!!!!!!!!!!!

[APBTgal]

yeah. not much of a PETA fan myself.

[drfong]

Hello, I'm sure this won't be popular but here's my 2cents. I have friends and family who are police and it is never an easy decision to shoot anything. I feel that the shelter should have done something to put the dog out of misery, but without the facts I can not fault the cop for shooting it. There was a case here in TN a few years ago where a cop shoot a dog that got out of a car durring a traffic stop, I don't remember exactly what kind of dog but I think it was a pit mix. The officer shot the dog because he felt threatened and all hell broke loose here. The family of the officer was getting death threats, I believe his mother ended up having to move because of threats. Not just the officer, which I feel is insane, but his family. The guy could have shot a person with less uproar. On the PETA part, can't stand them.

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by skunkstripe

This was a 7 yr old dog with no history of aggression. But along comes PETA and pretends to be a "voice" for the family. But if you read their three page letter is is the same old story from PETA, the "dangerous" dog should have been killed just because Ingrid Newkirk got scartched on her arm 30 years ago by a "Pit Bull". If it were up to PETA we would not be allowed to own ANY dogs at all, so where do they get off trying to get free publicity off of this? They could not care less about this poor family and that dog.

I feel sorry for the family. First their dog gets killed in a horrible way for no good reason, and now the hypocrites at PETA are trying to use it for their own agenda.

Unfortunately there aren't many resources for help when a city shelter isn't doing their job, or is cruel to the animals. That's when people turn to groups like Peta. Peta has no problems getting publicity, and they are often the only source for getting the word out to the public that something is wrong. As for the "same old story", I think you're leaving a lot out. It has nothing to do with any scratch - it has to do with Ms. Newkirk having been an animal control officer for many years, and experiencing the hell that pit bulls go through in this world. Most municipal shelters do not screen the people they sell impounded dogs to, and so they have no way of knowing how their dogs will be treated. For pit bulls, the chances of mistreatment increase. There are many pit bull rescues that would prefer shelters euthanize the ones that rescues have no room for, because at least those dogs won't be harmed any more.

So let's not have a Peta bash fest. Don't like them? Then don't donate to them. But at least admit that they step up to help when no one else will. If you can do it better, then do.

[skunkstripe]

Originally Posted by DogAdvocat

Unfortunately there aren't many resources for help when a city shelter isn't doing their job, or is cruel to the animals. That's when people turn to groups like Peta. Peta has no problems getting publicity, and they are often the only source for getting the word out to the public that something is wrong. As for the "same old story", I think you're leaving a lot out. It has nothing to do with any scratch - it has to do with Ms. Newkirk having been an animal control officer for many years, and experiencing the hell that pit bulls go through in this world. Most municipal shelters do not screen the people they sell impounded dogs to, and so they have no way of knowing how their dogs will be treated. For pit bulls, the chances of mistreatment increase. There are many pit bull rescues that would prefer shelters euthanize the ones that rescues have no room for, because at least those dogs won't be harmed any more.

So let's not have a Peta bash fest. Don't like them? Then don't donate to them. But at least admit that they step up to help when no one else will. If you can do it better, then do.

If I "left a lot out" it was because I did not intend to hijack the thread. And if people turn to an organization like PETA thinking they are going to get help, then they need to be educated as to reality of this criminal organization. If you consider telling the truth about PETA with regard to their real purpose a "bash fest" then that is your right and privelege. Keep in mind that this is a public open forum so I have a right to say my peace as well.

PETA does not "step up to help"-PETA artfully gives sound bites to create the impression that they are doing good for animals. It is sad that by misusing cases such as this one, they might sucker some idealistic person who wants to "help animals" into setting off bombs, burning buildings, releasing animals that have never been in the wild to get run over or starved, illegally euthanizing dogs and cats etc and dumping the dead bodies into dumpsters on BETA's behalf. Is this what you call "stepping up to help"?

I do not have to "do better" than PETA because doing NOTHING would be better than having PETA involved in any way. Donate to them? Not in a million years. Educate people about what PETA is REALLY about? Oh, yes, on forums suich as this one. More and more people are wising up and not giving PETA the time of day.

[cshellenberger]

I have NEVER liked PETA. Any group that is as intolerant of other opinions as they are can't be trusted. I've always put them in the same class as ELF and Greenpeace. I firmly believe in stopping animal cruelty, but faarming, ranching ect are not cruelty as PETA says they are.

As far as the dog not getting the proper care, that is something the family should file a suit against the county for. Or perhaps the family needs to get like minded people together and change the procedures at the shelter by changing state, county, and local ordinance.

[lyzard]

my heart breaks for that family. before i got my 2 little ones i had a pit named beatle and she was the sweetest angel youd ever hope to meet. she never met an enemy or stranger and never growled, barked or snapped at anyone or anything.
that police officer should be punished to the extent of the law. i hope he loses his job over this. police get too gun happy. has been happening alot lately if you pay attention to the news.. be it human or animal it should be treated with respect and compassion.
i am done ranting. if i say too much more i will be upset for the rest of the night

-lyz

[drfong]

lyzard, I'm not trying to start an arguement, and I love pit bulls. My ungle used to raise them. I'm not sure the details of the arrangement because he was not the breeder. I was really young. Anyway I'm not anti pit bull, I don't support breed bans etc. I think the person at fault here is not the police officer but the owner who let the dog run free. As someone who has been charged by a pit (not one of my uncles) and was lucky to not get hurt, I can say if I was charged by one and had a gun, I would shoot it. I dissagree with you about cops being gun happy as I have many friends and family that are or were police. Pulling you gun is never fun or happy. Just because your pit and my uncles pits never attacked anyone or even acted aggressive, that does not meen this dog did not. While well breed pits that are well trained can be some of the most calm, well behaved dogs around, most pits seem to come from BYB and owned by irresponsible people who foster aggressive behavior toward people and other animals. Unless it is shown that this cop intentionally shot this dog for no reason, I think we should not jump to conclusions about his motives or reasonable punishment.

[Dulce]

Hey, I actually agree with you dfrong!! YAYYY!

Why would this owner allow their dog to run lose? Ugh. I didn't really thoroughly read thru it, but I didn't catch that it was a Pit either.

My Pit is well trained, calm, quiet, and the BIGGEST love bug you will ever meet! It's all in how they're raised, bred, etc. It takes a lot of work, but people like this family don't help us any if they allow their dog to run loose.

However, I am upset by the fact that he didn't receive emergency medical attention

[DogAdvocat]

Originally Posted by skunkstripe

If I "left a lot out" it was because I did not intend to hijack the thread. And if people turn to an organization like PETA thinking they are going to get help, then they need to be educated as to reality of this criminal organization. If you consider telling the truth about PETA with regard to their real purpose a "bash fest" then that is your right and privelege. Keep in mind that this is a public open forum so I have a right to say my peace as well.

PETA does not "step up to help"-PETA artfully gives sound bites to create the impression that they are doing good for animals. It is sad that by misusing cases such as this one, they might sucker some idealistic person who wants to "help animals" into setting off bombs, burning buildings, releasing animals that have never been in the wild to get run over or starved, illegally euthanizing dogs and cats etc and dumping the dead bodies into dumpsters on BETA's behalf. Is this what you call "stepping up to help"?

I do not have to "do better" than PETA because doing NOTHING would be better than having PETA involved in any way. Donate to them? Not in a million years. Educate people about what PETA is REALLY about? Oh, yes, on forums suich as this one. More and more people are wising up and not giving PETA the time of day.

You don't want to hijack the thread? I can't think of a better way of doing so than putting incindiary misinformation in that thread. You had to know that Peta would become the topic when you comment about them - bringing comments from both their detractors, supporters, or people like me that would just appreciate a little honesty.

You say they are a criminal organization - feel free to cite the crimes they have been convicted of, and also please explain why they haven't lost their non-profit status because of those crimes. You can, of course, start with the crimes that Ms. Newkirk has been convicted of.

You're wrong about them not stepping up to help. Many of the issues that they focus on would be kept undercover because other groups and individuals don't get the attention that Peta does. If someone wants national coverage, and national assistance in the form of a write-in campaign, then Peta's action alerts are a perfect way of accomplising that. A good example of that would be Sissy, the El Paso zoo elephant that was caught on tape being beaten by her trainer/handlers, and it was Peta that got that tape into the public, and because of their involvement, Sissy was released to the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary. There's innumerable cases of them assisting the animals and making real changes for abused and neglected animals.

You mention bombs and releasing animals. Apparently you lump all groups together under the label of Peta. The incidents you are apparently talking about are connected to the ALF, not Peta. Otherwise, I'm sure that you can cite arrests and convictions of Peta officials -- maybe under the RICO act? No? Hmmm.

You mention euthanizing pets and putting them in dumpsters. I do hope that you tell the whole story about that, and not just nasty innuendos. For instance, you can include information about the hell holes that those animals came out of, and how, just like millions of other pets accross this country, their was no available homes for them, and so instead of allowing those animals to be gassed, suffocated, or allowed to freeze to death, volunteers working for Peta humanely euthanized them by lethal injection. I agree that putting them in dumpsters wasn't the wisest idea, but then I don't know what their alternatives were. What I think is interesting is the people that spend their time bashing Peta for this incident instead of focusing on the horrible shelter system those animals were in. At least one of those shelters is nothing but a death camp, since they didn't even allow adoptions at all.

So please, do exercise your freedom of speech, and do educate people, but please do it honestly, and stop misleading people with knee-jerk reactions to incidents you don't have the complete facts about.

[skunkstripe]

Originally Posted by DogAdvocat

You don't want to hijack the thread? I can't think of a better way of doing so than putting incindiary misinformation in that thread. You had to know that Peta would become the topic when you comment about them - bringing comments from both their detractors, supporters, or people like me that would just appreciate a little honesty.

Heck no I did not want to hijack the thread. I did not think there was anyone left on a dog forum who would seriously defend PETA. Most people nowadays are aware of Newkirk's / PETA's stand on Pit Bulls. If you want honesty, I have started a new thread so you can post your documented facts about PETA

http://www.dogforums.com/7-off-topic...html#post18818 (Peta)