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Blatant abuse of power by Alabama Humane Society

Discussion in 'Dog Discussion' started by Madusa, May 23, 2009.

  1. Madusa

    Madusa CH Dog

    Here is an article about one mans situation, but I am sure after reading it there have been many more.............. alot of things about this situation just don't add up.


    Jasper man angered pet was put down at county humane society
    Noah Chandler
    Eagle Reporter
    Saturday, May 23, 2009
    <!-- end bylineHolder --> An area pet owner is considering legal remedies after his dog was euthanized by Walker County Humane Society shortly after it was put into the hands of the facility.

    The dog, a 1-year-old boxer named Boost, was reportedly brought to the facility by an elderly couple from Jasper. By days end the dog was allegedly put to sleep

    Boost’s owner, Marcus Campbell, is now considering the pursuit of criminal charges against those responsible for his dog’s death.

    “That was the first time Boost ever got out the fence,” Campbell said. “He must have climbed over it or jumped over it, but I know he hadn’t gotten out before.”

    Campbell said he learned his dog had been taken to the Humane Society facility Tuesday, the same day Boost was taken in.

    “I called them, but they were already closed,” Campbell said. “So I went up there at 8 a.m. Wednesday and waited for them to open.”

    It was then Cambell said Lane Reno, director of the Human Society, told him the dog was euthanized about 10 minutes after it was brought to the Humane Society.

    “I asked her when they put him down, and she responded just 10 minutes after he was brought in,” Campbell said.

    Reno admits the dog was euthanized, but denies it happened 10 minutes after being brought to her.

    “We checked our tapes and the dog was brought in around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon by an elderly couple” Reno said. “They (elderly couple) had to bring him here in a pet taxi that they had to borrow from us. The dog would not come out of the carrier so we had to use a capture pole. That is when he became aggressive.”

    According to Reno most animals brought to the Humane Society become frightened or agitated, which she said could explain Boost’s reaction.

    “Some of the friendliest dogs change their demeanor as soon as they get here,” Reno said. “They smell the smells and hear all the dogs barking and it scares them. It changes their mind about cooperating.”

    Reno stands by the decision to euthanized the boxer and said she is willing to take on any accusations of theft.

    “Mr. Campbell wants to say I sold his dog or gave him away to someone, which just isn’t true,” Reno said. “I hate the Humane Society is getting a black eye over this, but we have a lot of animals brought in on a daily basis and many of them have to be euthanized. But no one here stole his dog.”

    Reno alleges the Humane Society did not have any room for the boxer, despite Campbell’s claim of three empty pens. Reno said the pens to which Campbell referred are useless because of damage.

    “We didn’t have room for him and he was showing signs of aggression. We couldn’t put him in a pen with other dogs,” Reno said. “Mr. Campbell has said the day he came her there were empty pens. Those empty pens are not able to be used because they are broke. The cages don’t latch and there are places in the fence they can get out of. They aren’t suitable to house animals.”

    Reno said 33 animals were brought into her Humane Society facility the day Campbell’s dog was brought in.

    “We took in 33 animals on Tuesday and we euthanized 16,” Reno said. “I hate doing it, but we just don’t have the space or the resources to house all those animals. It’s just not possible.”

    Boost was euthanized approximately one hour after being brought to the shelter. Reno said she could not tell if the dog was a pet or a stray, therefore the boxer was put down.

    “They brought the dog in about 3:30 and we closed at 4:30 p.m.,” Reno said. “It’s not unusual to euthanized an animal once it comes through our doors. I mean we get so many dogs in and there isn’t much room. And Tuesday we didn’t have any space.”

    Reno said the condition of the building is sad, but added there is only so much the facility can do with the money it receives. She said if they had better facilities they could accommodate more animals.

    “We need a new facility and the city of Jasper needs a animal shelter,” Reno said. “We are not a dog pound. We are a Humane Society and are licensed as a euthanasia clinic. We are not an animal shelter and do not have to follow the same guidelines the city has to follow.”

    According to Campbell’s lawyer, Brett Wadsworth, his client will pursue a lawsuit against Reno, Walker County and the Humane Society. Wadsworth alleges the Humane Society violated Alabama Code 1975 3-7A-7 when the boxer was put down.

    “It is terrible what happened and we are going to pursue a lawsuit. I hope we will have it filed Tuesday morning,” Wadsworth said. “It will be against Mrs. Reno, Walker County for failure to fund with accordance of Alabama Code 3-7A-7 and probably against the Humane Society as well. It will be one lawsuit with three defendants. Anyone who was reckless in putting this dog down will also be named in the lawsuit.”

    Alabama Code 1975 3-7A-7 reads as follows: Maintenance of pound; notice of impoundment; adoption of animals.

    It shall be the duty of each and every county in the state to provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer for the impoundment of dogs and cats found running at large in violation of the provisions of this chapter. Every municipality with a population over 5,000 in which the county pound is not located shall maintain a suitable pound or contribute their pro rata share to the staffing and upkeep of the county pound. When dogs and cats are impounded and if the owner thereof is known, such owner shall be given direct notice of the impoundment of said animals or animals belonging to him; or the impounding officer may make said animal or animals available for adoption after a period of not less than seven days. (Acts 1990, No. 90-530, p.816)

    “That doesn’t apply to us, We aren’t a pound. We are a animal shelter,” Reno said when read the code. “The only pound that is in this building is on the city side. The building belongs to us, but the City of Jasper has Animal Control. When you have animal control you have to provide impound. Impound is what ever the city want’s to make it. Jasper City has a 72-hour hold. Jasper City pays us to feed and house their city impound dogs. Anything else that gets directly turned into us becomes our dogs. This is a not-for-profit organization, and is privately owned and operated by a board.”

    Wadsworth said the Humane Society violated the seven day hold, which is mandated by Alabama State Code. He said criminal charges could be filed by the end of the day Friday, but stated the law needs to be followed so a situation like this doesn’t happen again.

    Campbell alleges that Reno should have known the dog was not a stray.

    “He is a beautiful full-blooded AKC registered boxer. Who would think he’s a stray?” Campbell said. “He had on a collar and he was well-feed. I don’t know how she could have thought he was a stray.”

    Reno said just because a dog has a collar does not mean it belongs to someone.

    “A lot of strays have collars on,” Reno said. “We often get animals that have collars. If it looks like an owned dog, we usually run an ad in the paper. But we thought it was a stray.”

    Wadsworth said he planned on filing criminal charges on Lane Reno and the City of Jasper for the hasty destruction of the pet. Reno stands by her version of events and is adamant she and her staff were right in their decision.

    “First of all we didn’t have the space and we didn’t suspect it was owned by somebody,” Reno said. “We had to bring him in with a capture stick, which is a minus because we can’t put a dog up for adoption so that automatically ruled that out. We have to base it on that and space.”

    Campbell said when he asked Reno for the carcass of his deceased boxer, she changed her story.

    “When I talked to her she asked me if I wanted to see my dog,” Campbell said. “Once I told her I wanted to see him she told me it was too late because they already incinerated him.”

    Reno agrees that she asked Campbell if he wanted to see the carcass, but once she asked, she alleges a co-worker reminded her that they already disposed of the animals, including the boxer.

    “I did ask him if he wanted to see his dog, but Steve reminded me that we already incinerated them,” Reno said. “That is when Mr. Campbell said I was changing my story.”

    Reno claims they Humane Society’s freezers were full and it was time to dispose of the carcasses. She said the boxer was the last animal to be put in the incinerator.

    “I still have the carcass if they would like to do D.N.A. testing,” Reno said. “I will gladly hand of the carcass to Mr. Campbell and his lawyer so they can see we didn’t steal his dog and that it was euthanized.”
     
  2. Madusa

    Madusa CH Dog

    Cont..........

    Wadsworth said, “Some of the things we’ve heard today make us believe the dog was euthanized.” However, he added, “Her (Reno) saying that doesn’t cure the fact she put his dog down within 30 minutes of it coming there. I don’t know if Mr. Campbell wants to see the remains, but I will ask him. People who have worked at the Humane Society in the past have told us she (Reno) has a strong dislike for any dog that looks like a bulldog and said she would put them down immediately.”

    Wadsworth said he has received numerous calls Friday from other residents saying they’ve had similar dealings with the Humane Society. He said once the calls started coming in he and his client came to the conclusion the dog was euthanized.



    Seems to me that this might just be a case of doggy profiling as this director apparently has it in for the "bulldogs"????????? How can a dog that is brought in by and I quote "an elderly couple" be so vicious that it is deemed necessary to euthanize it? People like this director are the reason that shelters in general get a bad rap.
     
  3. prpitdawg

    prpitdawg Top Dog

    i'd sue the elderly couple to. they had absolutely no reason to put that dog down that quick w/o waiting to see if the owner came to claim him. that woman even admitted the dog probably freaked out b/c of the situation. i think it's a load of bs. i hope he wins and takes her down.
     
  4. Madusa

    Madusa CH Dog

    Here is a link to the news story with video. Make sure to listen up for the passing comment about how they thought it was an APBT or a mix of APBT. They evaluated and determined this dog should die all in 30 minutes?
    http://www.abc3340.com/news/stories/0509/625153.html

    This dog was obviously well cared for and clean, with a collar on. How could they not believe that this dog was owned?
     
  5. prpitdawg

    prpitdawg Top Dog

    that woman is so stupid. you know who she reminds me of? john goodwin. i bet if we did some checking we'd find that they are bumping uglies.
     
  6. chinasmom

    chinasmom CH Dog

    Sad story indeed. Just think about how many times a day this happens all over the country.
     
  7. Shameless

    Shameless Big Dog

    Yes unfortunately it happens quite often, seen it with my own eyes.

    I hope the guy takes legal action, as well as learns not to leave his dog outside unattended or untethered. I know accidents happen but it all could have been prevented. Poor dog, must've been one hell of a day for the poor guy.:(
     
  8. gh32

    gh32 CH Dog

    That's a bad deal.If he sues I hope he can at least get something.
     
  9. dajuice

    dajuice Big Dog

    The excuse about her thinking a healthy pure bred boxer was a stray is insulting.
     

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