Tuesday, May 23, 2006

It's A Heartache

The Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County erroneously euthanized five mixed-breed puppies less than six hours after they were dropped off by a concerned resident who found them on his property.

Stillwell said he’s particularly incensed the 7-week-old puppies were put to death during the Humane Society’s crusade to make Pierce County a “no-kill community” by the end of 2008.

“This pretty much throws a wrench” into the animal shelter’s End the Heartache campaign, Stillwell said. “They didn’t follow their policy and they had zero safeguards in place.”

So much for Ending the Heartache, eh?

I heard a rumor a few years back there was a shelter in Tacoma that would kill any pit bull, adult or puppy, that they took in. Was that story true? Is this that shelter? Were these deemed “pit bulls” and were they killed because of that? The photos in the news articles sure look like pit bull puppies.

To me, this whole thing smells rotten. Something is wrong here, and I don’t think we are getting the full story. What rescue organization would put 7 week old puppies to death? Especially when they say they are running a “no kill” shelter? Who would have the authorization to administer lethal injections in such a case? Would that person be a licensed veterinarian or veterinary technician? Could any staff member do this? Isn't it true that the persons involved would have been much more qualified than just a "staff" member? And shouldn't that person, or persons, know the age of the dogs, status, breed, check in date, and goals / policies of the organization? And why wouldn't such a person stop for a moment and ask, when looking at 5 young puppies, why are these pups being put to death? Is there another way? Is this shelter so inundated with dogs that it has to put them to death almost as soon as they are dropped off? None of these types of questions are answered in any of the news articles I have read. Funny... the press doesn't seem to be doing their jobs either. Just the bare facts, no inquiry and no piercing questions. Something really stinks.

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