is for enough good men to do nothing.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Gem of the Day: All that is needed for the
forces of evil to triumph
is for enough good men to do nothing.
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$33, 617.95
See Previous Vet Bills Paid by Small Paws
Rescue in 2005 Totaling $438,467.30
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Read the latest letter from Volvo about Small
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Dear Small Pawsers,
Welcome
to the newest members of our online mailing
list, especially if you have seen
us featured in one of our recently updated media
articles , read about us in the best selling book
"Chicken Soup for
the Dog Lover's Soul", or if you saw Small Paws on the NBC Nightly News with Brian
Williams!
Small Pawsers everywhere welcome you with
open arms! We sincerely hope that you enjoy
"Small Pawsing and reading Small Paws!"
If you are new to Small Pawsing®, this may
look as if it is coming only to you
but really it is going out to fellow Small
Pawsers all across our country and
in 20 foreign countries as well!
Adoption
information is posted below. Turn up your
speakers!
We have music for you!
If you missed our last newsletter, here it
is. http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/sept0806.html
Welcome to a special Sunday edition of the
Small Paws Rescue News Network!
Last Thursday evening, Small Paws Rescue
and dozens of independent rescuers and animal
lovers from the Dallas metro area, took Irving
from Irving's story AND the MANY cases of
animal abuse and neglect, apparently happening in the Irving Animal
Shelter, directly to the Mayor and the City
Council.
If you are new, and don't yet know about
little Irving, from Irving, here is more.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/august2806.html
Irving from Irving was nothing but skin and
bones and was carrying around two HUGE bladder
stones. No wonder he was dripping urine and
shaking from pain. He was also suffering
from end stage liver disease. We are praying
for a miracle for little Irving.
To read about the whole unbelievable story
of Irving from Irving, click here.
http://www.smallpawsrescue.org/pup3/august2606a.html
What I am about to tell you all is true.
If I hadn't been there myself, I don't know
if I would have believed it. I will include
all of the links to the media stories, so
that you can watch them for yourselves.
First of all, all FOUR networks affiliate
local news stations were there at the City
Council meeting, (the local news for CBS,
NBC, ABC, and FOX) as well as a reporter
and photographer from the Dallas Morning
News, which is distributed nationally.
One of the local news stations broadcasted
this story, live, from the parking lot of
City Hall.
You never know how things are going to go
with the media. Which side the story is going
to lean to.
I am thanking God that each and everyone
of the reporters, CAME TO SEE THROUGH THE
VEIL BEING PRESENTED BY THE MAYOR AND SOME
OF THE CITY OFFICIALS, and presented the
truth about this particular case, and about
the other horrors and atrocities, evidently
going on at this animal shelter.
Where to begin? Well, I guess I'll start
with some pictures of the media doing interviews
before the meeting started. We were primed
and ready to go!
People, this North Texas Team is mighty and
strong!
Under the direction of Co-Team Leaders, Vickie
Furstenburg and Marilyn Brewster, they contacted
ALL of the media outlets. They instructed their
volunteers to contact ALL of the media outlets. They instructed their
Dallas area message board partners to contact
ALL of the media outlets. They left no stone
unturned and I'm so very proud of them, as I know all of you are!
Small Pawsers Marilyn Brewster (holding little
Irving) and Linda Kilby speak to one of the
T.V. news reporters. There is a "NO
DOGS" rule inside the Irving City Hall.
I asked Vickie Furstenburg to come inside
the building, carrying Irving, and not to
take him back outside until I told her to.
As we both walked into the building, through
a sea of people, with Irving in Vickie's
arms, I saw someone, (one of the City Councilors
I believe) coming directly toward Vickie
and Irving with a look of "OH NO YOU
DON'T -THAT DOG ISN'T ALLOWED IN HERE"
on his face. We just kept walking WITH OUR
HEADS UP AND DETERMINED and with a very deliberate
stare directly into his eyes, I slowly shook
my head NO to him, and as God as my witness,
he promptly turned right around and walked
the other way, as if we had a remote control
in our hands. It was as if God Himself was
there protecting Irving, and his right to
be in attendance, because Vickie and I don't
sure look scary enough to have caused this
guy to turn around on his own. A policeman
working security there, also saw us, but
did absolutely nothing to stop us from bringing
Irving, A DOG, (as in NO DOGS ALLOWED IN
CiTY HALL) into the meeting. Vicki you were
very brave to carry the little guy past security
and all of those people!
Marilyn Brewster was on a roll now, and the
various cameras and reporters, were standing
in line to interview her and to get a picture
of the little dog who was deemed "Healthy
and Ready for Adoption" by the shelter
staff and veterinarian, when in reality he
was only hours from death.
You can get an idea of the numbers of people
beginning to arrive. Eight of us signed in
to speak on the issue of the Animal Shelter
in what they call "The Citizen's Forum."
The rest of the meeting is televised to the
citizens. The Citizen's Forum is not televised.
It was now approaching 7:00 P.M, and Marilyn
still held the attention of the reporters.
There was a live satellite dish outside,
high atop a large news truck. They were planning
to broadcast this story live, on the 10:00
news that night. With all of this media there,
you are going to be shocked and stunned at
what the Mayor pulled, in front of God and
everyone, AND THEIR DOG.
Don Rorchach, retired City Attorney of Irving,
Texas, holds Irving in his lap. Don joined
our fight to bring the truth about the city
animal shelter, AND about the Mayor, to the
Citizens of Irving. He has become a good
friend to Small Paws, and to animals everywhere.
Do you remember that little Shih Tzu type
dog that was sitting on the highway, covered
in oil, in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina
hit last year? The news stations kept showing
her pitiful picture over and over. She sat
there on the highway, begging for someone
to help her. The news crews filmed her, but
them walked away, leaving her covered in
oil, and unable to fend for herself. Don
offered a $2000.00 reward to anyone who could
locate that dog so that he could adopt her.
An animal control officer located this baby,
and contacted Don. (She refused to accept
the reward, which instead went into their
new building fund.)
I have to tell you something that is probably
going to anger you, greatly. All of those
emails you wrote to the City Council, about
this situation, were not delivered to the City Council, until the
meeting, that very Thursday night.
You see, we soon learned that all of the
e-mails directed to the City Council, go
first to the MAYOR'S office.
After the meeting, Beth Van Duynee, one of the City Councilors, told us that
she had no idea why all of those people were
there, why there was a dog sitting on the
front row, or about anything that had happened
at the animal shelter.
She had no idea why after the meeting, a
stack five inches thick, of emails in hard
copy were given to each of the councilors.
She also had no idea about a lawsuit filed
back in April, against the City of Irving,
by a former shelter worker turned Whistle
Blower, until Small Paws passed out actual
copies of the lawsuit and placed it in front
of each of the City Councilors THAT VERY
NIGHT.
One of the people on the Animal Shelter Reform
Committee, Mr. Tom Morris, wrote this letter
to the City Council at ccouncil@ci.irving.tx.us,
telling them about the atroicites happening
at the shelter, and about this lawsuit, but
of course his e-mail went first through the
Mayor's office first, and was never delivered
to the Council Members until the night of
the meeting. This is an excerpt of Tom's
letter. We had no idea what little Irving
from Irving would be bringing to light. No
idea at all.
"The last thing you should know - if
you do not already - is that a former Shelter
employee has filed a suit against the City
of Irving pursuant to the Texas Whistleblower
Act. The plaintiff is Tarah Baumgarter. She
worked as an Officer at the Shelter for almost
six months before being terminated. Ms. Baumgarter
makes numerous allegations, including:
Controlled drugs missing from the Shelter
Dogs in Shelter not removed from cages during
cleaning but instead soaked in chemicals
and hit with hoses
Animal feces not cleaned from inside cages
Small dogs and puppies bounced around cages
during cleaning by being hit by hoses
Injured dogs left in cages without veterinary
care
Female dogs placed in cages with male dogs
Large dogs placed in cages with small dogs
Healthy dogs placed in cages with sick dogs
Cats killed in animal control trucks in the
back of the facility instead of being logged
into the Shelter and then euthanized
No sedation on cats killed in trucks
If person feeding dogs did not like a particular
dog, it would not be fed each day
If three dogs were in a single cage, food
only sufficient for one dog was placed in
cage, resulting in dominant dog obtaining
food and others going without
Plantiff was touched in a sexual manner on
two occasions and upon report to Shelter
supervisor no action was taken
Dogs not permitted to be placed in euthanasia
room because an employee used room to eat
his lunch
Dog pinned against back wall of cages with
boot to be given initial shot for euthanasia
Re-use of same syring to euthanize several
dogs and needle then repenetrated drug bottle
so as to cause contamination
Improper drug log book used and when Plaintiff
submitted proper form, Supervisor did not
implement
Plaintiff compelled to remove head of dog
to be tested for rabies by method of chopping
head off with axe without proper protective
devices, resulting in blood and body fluids
flying into Plaintiff's face and mouth
One or more persons not certified carrying
out euthanasia
Kicking dogs after brought into Shelter
Wild bobcat babies left in Shelter for two
days without food
Healthy dogs that are noisy, dogs held by
police department when owner arrested and
when dogs seized on abandonment or cruelty,
all placed in quarantine area with dogs suspected
of rabies disease.
Rabies cages and room not properly secured
If too many rabies case dogs came in, one
would be removed and place in general caging
with other dogs, even though quarantine time
not sufficient
No rabies quarantine policy/procedure manual
present in or at room
On dog bite calls, if owner alleges rabies
innoculation, proof not required
Cats placed in quarantine placed in cages
without litter box, food or water for days
My wife and I had occasion to interface with
Ms. Baumgarter in the days just after we
became active in assisting the Shelter and
just after she had started her job as an
Animals Services Officer. We found Ms. Baumgarter
to be a very energetic, enthusiastic employee
who was very excited to be working at the
facility. In the short time we knew her we
saw her do numerous things to assist the
animals in her charge, inclusing arranging
for animals to be transported to other facilities
where they would have a better chance at
adoption and repainting and carpeting a portion
of the cat room to provide a play area for
cats and kittens.
Strictly from a personal point-of-view, it
is difficult for me to believe Ms. Baumgarter
made all these allegations up. But that is
strictly my opinion. However, as City leaders,
you owe it to the citizens of Irving to keep
trck of this case. If even a fraction of
her charges are found to be true, it certainly
reinforces all the evidence others have brought
forward about shoddy and negligent Shelter
management.
I, and others like me who are fed up with
excuses as to why provable acts of cruelty
and negligence at the Shelter continue to
be tolerated by our City, demand action by
you on our behalf. If no satisfaction is
forthcoming, I will personally pay for advertisng
in the Irving Journal to inform the citizens
of Irving about these issues and tha fact
that elected officials are ignoring these
concerns.
Thomas E. Morris"
Of course, letters like this are only effective
if they are delivered and read by the intended
recipients. The City Council each received
about a five inch stack of papers, with all
of your emails printed out on them, at the
meeting that night, not before.
It was overwhelming at best, and I don't
know how many of them actually went home
and read your emails, but we sent them, and
they were indeed a force to be reckoned with.
As the meeting was set to begin, we headed
down into the auditorium, which had stadium
style seating with one row higher than the
row in front of it.
I decided that there was no other place that
Small Paws volunteers COULD sit, other than
on the first row in the middle.
I wanted to be able to look that Mayor directly
in the eyes, as well as the City Council
members. They all sat on a curved raised
platform in front of us, and we had a bird's
eye view.
Many times, in case like this, City Councils
will change the order of their meetings,
if a large group of citizens are there to
speak on one issue.
They'll often times let that group go first,
so they can clear that group out, and then
get on with the rest of their meeting.
They did NOT do this, and I believe the Mayor
was hoping that the news crews had a deadline,
and would all leave, if he made us wait until
the very last possible minute.
He was wrong. They didn't leave, and I think
it it made them even more determined to stay and watch the fireworks which were
surely about to begin.
We watched as a citizen asked for a variance
in erecting a security fence around his property.
One of the councilors contended that it would
block the view of drivers. This was to be
a wrought iron fence, one you could see right
through it, and yet this one councilor acted
as if it were the Berlin Wall, being resurrected.
Thankfully, the fence was approved with a
vote of 8-1. Aha. Maybe they DID have some
common sense, after all.
We all sat quietly through other city issues
until they were all done, and the Citizen's
forum was coming up next.
Knowing the TV cameras which broadcasted
the meeting to the citizens of Irving, were
about to be turned off, the Mayor gave a
speech that left people sitting there with
their mouths open..
He said that the City of Irving has a plan
to be the first "no-kill" shelter
in the country. WOW. That was just stunning
to all of us, since it is more than common
knowledge that there are MANY wonderful "No
Kill" facilities, all across our country.
"No Kill" facilities in America.
No Kill Municipal Animal Shelters in America
That wouldn't be the only incorrect thing
the Mayor said to the cameras as they rolled,
and as his face turned bright red. I could
see his jugular vein beating hard, and it
was then that I realized that he seemed to
be terrified of us.
He went on to tell about how much good the
shelter had accomplished, and how they were
directing $40,000.00 to it, as of that very
day. He also talked about a 6 million dollar
bond issue that was coming up for a vote
of the people in November, for a brand spanking
new animal shelter.
He didn't seem to realize that all of the
shiniest glass and marble couldn't hide or
change poor management or inept veterinarians.
He also announced for the cameras feeding
this hooey, via closed circuit TV to the
citizens of Irving, that all of this hoopla
was over one "sensationalized incident",
and that the Irving Animal Shelter is one
of the finest in the country.
Audible gasps were heard coming from the
audience, where some were sitting on folding
chairs at the very back, as the seats in
the large auditorium were still pretty full.
Earlier, some of the media reporters had
shared with us the Mayor's statement to them,
made directly beforehand. You would think
that someone in his position would know what
to say, and what NOT to say to the press.
I guess not.
Someone from his camp really needed to come
and put a piece of duct tape over his mouth,
to save themselves from further embarrassment,
but alas, his mouth seemed to have a mind
of it's own.
He told the closed circuit television cameras,
and all of the millions of people watching
in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, that he has
six cats. He said that if he were to shave
them down and spray water on them, they would
look exactly like "that white poodle."
He meant our Irving.
Someone get that poor man a muzzle.
What happened next was mind boggling. Betty
Yarbourough, the leader of the Irving Animal
Shelter Reform Group, gave a very moving
talk about Kildeer birds.
We were allowed 3 minutes each, with a lady
timing us all, and calling it out when we
had one minute left. They DID allow some
speakers to go over, but not before the Mayor
openly chastised and called down one gentlemen,
on his overage. I believe his intent was
to embarrass this man, and to be condescending
to him. It did not work.
Betty continued her story and told about
how if an intruder is approaching the nest
of a Kildeer, the parents will fly off, as
to distract the enemy by using themselves
as a decoy, so the nest will be protected.
She told the City Council that this is exactly
what they are doing. By telling rescuers
that they are "mistaken", and have
been "misinformed", or by telling
the media that the rescuers are "misinforming"
people about the shelter, that they are trying
to lead the hungry hawks away from the nest,
to a diversion, so that their "nest"
will continue going on undiscovered.
Betty received a standing ovation at her
very precise and correct analogy. She also
referred to the previous "Black Tuesday"
when 21 cats were all euthanized, one after
the other, because some of them had sniffles,
when a large bottle of antibiotics purchased
for this very reason, remained left untouched.
When she spoke of the killing of 21 cats,
all of once, the City Manager, (who seemed
to be great friends with the Mayor, and he
sat talking and laughing during the talks
of most of the speakers for the entire evening)
dropped his jaw, and the blood drained from
his face, leaving him ashen. This was evident
to all of us, as we discussed it later.
Betty then called for an external audit from
the HSUS of the animal shelter. All of the
speakers would end their talks with this
same request, including Your's Truly.
All during Betty's speech, I stared directly
into the eyes of this man, whom the City
of Irving had elected as their Mayor. I did
not blink. I did not waver. I was as cool
as a cucumber, and I knew it was God giving
me this strength, as there is no way I could
have had it on my own.
I let him know, in no uncertain terms with
"THEM THERE EYES", that when my
turn came to speak, I was going to expose
him for exactly what he was, and it was not
going to be pretty.
It was then that he got up and left the stage,
disappearing behind a wall.
Diana Wood, Small Pawser and Trial Attorney
there in Dallas, was next to speak. I mouthed
the words to her to insist on waiting until
the mayor returned, before she began giving
her three minute talk and Diana was already
on this track, trust me on this one. She
was FURIOUS.
Diana got up to the podium, and told the
council that she would be happy to wait until
the Mayor returned to begin speaking. Another
standing ovation of the crowd deafened the
rest of the council.
The council members looked dazed, as they
searched around the room for the Mayor.
Soon, it was announced that the Mayor had
gotten an emergency phone call, and he had
to go and take it.
Diana told them that this was fine, and that
we were all willing to wait until after the
emergency phone call to begin. Again, a standing
ovation.
The Council members now looked not only dazed,
but were beginning to actually look frightened.
A few of them disappeared behind the stage
as if in search of the Mayor, who had by
now, definitely gone missing.
The end scene from the Wizard of Oz came
to my mind. You know the one. I found this
online and it describes both scenes perfectly.
"When Toto tugs and pulls away a shiny
green curtain drape that covers a small booth,
revealing, unmasking and exposing a white-haired,
ordinary man who is furiously and frantically
pulling levers, dials, switches and levers
on an elaborate machine to control all the
Wizard's special technological effects in
the projected image. The fraudulent man,
with his back turned, suddenly looks over
his shoulder and sees Dorothy and the others,
and tries to unsuccessfully distract them:
"Pay no attention to that man behind
the curtain....the...Great...er...Oz has
spoken".
I could almost see munchkins and a yellow
brick road. I was only hoping that the flying
monkeys didn't end up in the Irving Animal
Shelter.
Soon, it was announced to all, as well as
the media, that the Mayor had high blood
pressure, and because he is such an animal
lover, this had taken a terrible toll on
him, and he and had left the meeting and
would not be returning. They said that we
should continue on as 8 other Councilor's
stood before us, ready to hear us speak.
Cat calls (Pardon the pun) came from the
audience with things like, "What a coincidence?!"
and "Wow, that was great timing!"
One after another, our folks spoke. Bayn
Carlson, a School Teacher, become angry when
the City Manager was openly laughing and
talking and using his blackberry during Bayn's
speech.
I thought Bayn was going to give him detention
or send him to the corner. Instead he raised
his voice and said, "AND WHEN I AM SPEAKING
YOU OWE ME THE COURTESY OF NOT LAUGHING AND
TALKING!"
Here we go again! Yet another standing ovation!
We were told by citizens that Tommy Gonzoles,
the City Manager, does this at all of the
City Council meetings, and has been told
time and again how rude it appears to the
audience, yet he continues to do this.
After Bayn's stern public chastisement, Tommy
straightened up in his chair and remained
quiet, at least acting as if he were listening.
After the meeting was over, I heard a lady
ask him what they were going to about Dr.
Elizabeth King, the veterinarian who had
examined Irving and deemed him healthy and
ready to be put up for adoption.
His answer was, and I kid you not, as God
as my witness he answered the question with,
"Whose that?" He didn't know the
name of the veterinarian who worked at the
shelter.
When my turn came, I blasted the mayor, in
abstention, for leaving the meeting. I told
the council that this was unbelievable and
was astounding. Up down Up down. More standing
ovations, this time accompanied by screams
of support.
I first started with what Diana Woods had
advised me would be called some "housekeeping".
I was thankful for two attorneys to be there
that night, one was Diana and one was Don,
the former City of Irving attorney.
I told the Counsel that in an effort to distract
some of the media from the real problem,
it wad been reported that we, Small Paws,
was a group of hard hearted individuals and
that we were keeping a little dog from his
rightful owner, a little boy.
You see, a woman had contacted us claiming
that Irving from Irving was the dog that
was stolen from her home back in March. She
even seemed to have been under the impression
that we didn't even have Irving anymore,
and that we had "sold" her dog
to keep from giving it back to her.
The news media was given this information
by the shelter, along with the woman's address.
After having spent a couple of hours interviewing
and filming her at her home, were going to
air it on the news that we were refusing
to speak with this owner, which couldn't
have been further from the truth.
After I explained what was going on to the reporter, AND she saw the picture of the little boy's stolen dog, a PURE BREED LHASA APSO, she concurred that there is no way the stolen dog and our dog Irving were the same dog, the same thing we had told this distraught owner, both in e-mail and voice mail.
I told the counsel that this "Small
Paws won't give a little boy's doggie back
to him" story, was yet another attempt
to distract people away from the real problem,
which stems from the management who is operating
the shelter.
The counsel agreed by the show of nods, that
this woman's stolen Lhasa Apso was not our
Irving.
Then I introduced myself. I told them that
Small Paws is comprised of over 6000 members
in 20 countries, including communist China,
and that the Mayor's untimely departure would
soon be known throughout the world.
Again, another standing ovation.
I told them that the Mayor's speech was filled
with "misinformation", especially
that this was all about "one sensationalized
incident".
I told them this is about a pattern of abuses
and neglect that have been witnessed and
reported by many of the citizens of Irving,
but that these complaints had fallen on deaf
ears, and tonight, there would be no more
excuses, if they wanted to claim that they
didn't know about these accusations, because
we were going to name them in front of God
and everybody.
We couldn't have paid an audience to be more
with us, than this one was.
I then addressed the accusation that Small
Paws volunteers were a "bunch of screaming
animal rights activists."
Calmly, and deliberately, I told them that
we do not put animals above people, quite
the contrary. I told them that we do not
believe that animals have rights above people,
but that we are animal welfare specialists.
I told them that we are professionals, and
that we know our stuff.
I told them we are not associated with the
PETA people, and that we believe we have
been charged with speaking for animals who
can not speak for themselves.
I looked the right in their eyes and told
them there are horrors and atrocities going
on at their animal shelter that they do NOT
know about, either because it is being kept
from them or because they refuse to hear
the truth.
I told them that if they knew about these
things, that any sane person would be as
horrified as we are, and since they are not
horrified, it must mean that they are not
aware.
I started reading the list of the lawsuit
allegations.
I told then that if they knew what was good
for them, they would check on the controlled
drugs at the shelter and see if anything
was missing.
I told them they need to listen to the citizens
of Irving, who are trying with everything
they have, to tell them about the ghoulish
things going on over there.
I told them that one lawsuit was going to
turn into 20 if they didn't get a handle
on this. We later learned of another lawsuit
against the city, involving a woman whose
pet was mistakenly euthanized, something
that seems to be happening alot, according
to the volunteers and shelter walkers.
Another diversion the city was using, is
claiming that we didn't have our paperwork
into the shelter, and that's why the shelter
wouldn't let us take poor Irving to the hospital.
I explained to the Counsel how this was completely
erronious, and about how we work with hundreds
of shelters across the country, and that
we didn't grow this large by not knowing
how and when to submit our paperwork.
I told them that after the request for the
paperwork came, it was emailed to the shelter
manger within 30 seconds. Hard copies were
then hand delivered to the shelter by Marilyn
Brewster, within 30 minutes. We had everything
they requested. A copy of our 501C3 papers
and a list of volunteers in North Texas.
I had also included a brochure, a web page
with our media stories, and our website.
Again, I assured them that we know exactly
how to submit requested paperwork.
I told of two beautiful young German Shepherds
who found themselves in the shelter. A group
who trains these beautiful dogs to become
the aids of visually impaired people, was
on the way to pick these two up.
The shelter worker was busy eating lunch,
and didn't bother to get up and put a DO
NOT KILL sign on their cages.
You guessed it. They killed them both during
the noon hour, as rescuers were driving there
to get them. Deader than dead. Another "mistake"
that seems to happen at this shelter on a
regular basis.
I told them that if they refused an external
audit from the HSUS, that it would appear
to the public that this is a cover up, and
that people would soon begin to wonder what
ELSE the city was covering up, if they did
not encourage and allow this audit.
After the meeting was over, we spoke with
Counsel Woman Beth Van Duynee.
She told a group of rescuers that this City
Counsel who was completely uninformed about
our reason for being there, who the dog was,
and that there was a lawsuit against the
city, filed by the whistleblower shelter
worker, back in April, which is public record.
They had no idea the city was being sued
due to the animal shelter.
She had no idea that we had sent emails to
the City Counsel. She held them in her arms,
in a very thick folder, and told us she would
go home and read them and I believe her.
She didn't have to share with us that she
had been kept in the dark up until now.
Ok, I'm going to end with the media accounts
of this whole situation. Are you ready? This
is what Vickie Furstenburg sent out to her
team.
Subj: Irving from Irving
Date: 9/8/2006 6:40:03 AM Central Standard
Time
From: Omalou@aol.com
I would like to respond to the Irving's City
Council meeting last night. I am appalled
at the actions of the Mayor. He made such
a jack ass of himself.
Before Robin, Diana Wood, and Bayn Carlson
spoke at the podium, the Mayor conveniently
received an emergency phone call and left!
I suspect that he could not look any of us
in the eye and admit this situation was mishandled.
CH 8 http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/showVideo.php?vidId=86501
CH 11 http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=12807@ktvt.dayport.com
CH 4 http://www.myfoxdfw.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=814140&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1
Another story on Channel 4.
(Editor's Note: This is where the news announces
that the city says that Small Paws Rescue
has misrepresented the facts of this case.
Our Senior Staff Counsel, Angela Paulsen,
will be sending a certified letter and an
email, to the city on Monday, demanding a
public apology for this false and misleading
statement. You didn't think we were going
to let that go, did you?)
A THIRD story on Fox Chanell 4 after the
Mayor left the meeting. On this newscast,
the Mayor says he left because he was tired.
Editor's Note: I guess the Mayor got an emergency
phone call at the meeting that night, telling
him that his blood pressure was rising, and
that's when he figured out that he was tired
and left the meeting. Maybe he went home
to rush his six cats to emergency, if they
would all look like Irving if he sprayed
water on them and shaved them down.)
There is also an article in the Dallas Morning
News today about Irving from Irving.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/irving/stories/DN-irvshelter_08wes.ART0.North.Edition1.3e6ceeb.html
http://www.readlarrypowell.com/
(Scroll down to Sept 6 to see the recent
update on the Larry Powell blog. This is
the 3rd update from Larry. I'm sure there
will be an update soon. Stay tuned.)
The "honorable" Mayor Gears also
stated that he has 6 fat cats and if any
of them was shaved and wetted down, they
would look like the poodle (Irving). My God
Mr. Mayor............I certainly hope not
for your cats' sake.
If the mayor lives in the Irving city limits,
I think maybe he needs to issue himself a
citation since the city ordinance only allows
you to have four (4) cats at his residence.
Section 6-9.
Restrictions on number of dogs, cats or any
other animals or combination of both, to
be kept in residential premises.
It shall be unlawful to keep or harbor more
than 4 (dogs), cats, or any other animal
or combination of these beyond the normal
weaning age on any premises used or zoned
for residential purposes, with the exception
of those listed in Section 6-13 of this chapter.
(Ordinance No. 2413, 11-9-72)
Please take a moment to send an email to
the Mayor and City Council and voice your
opinion.
Mayor Herbert Gears mayor@ci.irving.tx.us
City Council ccouncil@ci.irving.tx.us
City Manager, Tommy Gonzalez tgonzales@ci.irving.tx.us
Thanks to Flo Eastwood, Mary Herman, Sheila
McMahon, Carol Taylor, Martha Lindsey, Linda
Kilby, Jane McDonald, Diana Wood, Bayn Carlson,
Marilyn Brewster and Robin Pressnall for
attending the meeting.
A special thanks to Diana, Bayne, and Robin
for speaking on behalf of Irving, and Jane
for fostering this precious little dog, and
a very special thanks to my rescue partner,
Marilyn, for spending countless hours speaking
with reporters (I can hide behind this black
box and say what I need to, but don't put
me in front of people).
When I got home at 11:30 last night I was
feeling disappointed that all our efforts
fell on deaf ears, but after 3 1/2 hours
sleep, I'm ready to continue the fight for
changes at the Irving shelter for "Irving"
from Irving.
BTW.....We had Irving at the meeting last
night and he was the perfect dog. Never made
a peep and had plenty of kisses for everyone.
He was the star for the night. Irving has
touched my heart in such a way that is hard
to put into words. I absolutely LOVE this
sweet little dog and I hope and pray that
his suffering at the shelter will not be
in vain.
Vicki Furstenberg
Small Paws Rescue No. TX team leader>
I'm going to end with the time lines of what
happened to Irving, written by the volunteers
who experienced them, as well as some of
the letters that have written to the city,
on Irving's behalf, and on behalf of all
of the animals that find themselves unfortunate
enough to walk through the doors of this
shelter.
I've also spoken to the attorney handling
the case, and have volunteered to be a witness
at the trial of the whistle blower, Tarah Baumgarter VS. The City of Irving, Texas. I can personally
attest to one of her allegations, that the
shelter let sick dogs lie there without veterinary
care.
The Mayor has three years remaining on his
term, and can't be fired without a recall
election. Many citizens are calling for his
resignation.
I've also urged the Animal Shelter Reform
group of citizens, to inquire about filing
a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) against
the shelter, until an audit can be done of
their obviously questionable procedures.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers, during
this very painful episode in Irving from
Irving's life. Please don't stop now! We
have got to support the Animal Shelter Reform
Group of Irving, as they try to fight the
powers that be, and to continue to expose
the abuses and neglects going on at this
shelter.
I have assured them that they have our attention
and any help and support that we can offer.
I hope we did what you all would have wanted,
for this one poor little dog. I have never
been more proud of how our people conducted
themselves.
Remember, the only thing needed for evil
to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
We are a bunch of good men, (some of us are
good men in bras) with a story to tell, and
just as we have done for over eight years
now, we are going to keep singing it from
the mountain tops, forever and ever, amen.
All my Love, Robin
The Timeline
Henry (aka Irving)
The Bichon at Irving A.C.
Log of Linda Kilby from Thursday 8/24 - Saturday
8/26
Thursday, 8/24 Arrived at Irving Animal Shelter
at approximately 4:10 pm. Noted a Bichon
in Cage #17 Labeled Poodle. He was very skinny,
his hold body was trembling and he was dripping
urine. I spoke to Leticia and told her he
was dripping urine and appears to be very
ill. I also mentioned that I know of a Rescue
that would take him. ("Small Paws Rescue").
She said that he would be available for adoption
on Wednesday 8/30/06 and for rescue on Thursday
8/31/06. I asked her to come and look at
the dog with me. She did and she stated that
he did not appear to be sick in her opinion.
At that time I told her he was a Bichon and
that he may have some Poodle as well, but
he is definitely a Bichon. She changed his
card to read Poodle/Bichon. I asked her if
they could make an exception to their "Rule"
and let this dog go into rescue. She said,
"No, we are pretty firm about that unless
they are sick and this one is not sick".
She also said their vet has not checked him
out yet, but she will tomorrow. At that time
I assumed that the vet would say we could
take him into rescue as surely she would
be able to tell that he is sick. I then went
home and emailed the Executive Director and
both Team Leaders of Small Paws Rescue to
advise them of the dog. At that time I mentioned
that we could probably get this dog tomorrow
after their vet examined him.
Friday, 8/25 Telephone call to I.A.C. at
12 noon. Spoke to Leticia - she stated that
their vet has not checked out Henry yet.
I told her I would call back in a few hours.
2:30 pm - Spoke to Leticia. She stated the
vet did check him out. Leticia read the notes
on the back of his card. It read: "HW
neg, Administered Capstar & Strong Tee.
Appears to be in good health." I inquired
about the constant urine dripping from him
and Leticia stated that the vet did not write
anything down about it so she is assuming
there is not problem there. She also stated
that when I saw him dripping - he might have
just gone tee tee. The vet was gone for the
day so I was not able to discuss this issue
with her. I was told again that he is not
available for rescue until Thursday 8/31.
2:45 pm - Telephone call to Leticia. I asked
her if there was any way we can get the dog
into rescue b/4 Thursday. She said I would
have to talk to Susie and she will not be
in until Monday.
Sat. 8/26 - Arrived at I.A.C. at 10:15 am.
Bichon in Cage 17 - Appeared very lethargic
and also appeared to have gone downhill.
He also had a brownish looking stain on his
whole side ½ way up his side and from the
front logs all the way down to his hindquarters.
I asked Leticia, "What is the brownish
color all over him?" She said "I
don't know, I'm not a vet!! I went back to
Cage 17. As I was walking back there - one
of the employees said that he was going to
get him some food right now. I waited until
he cam back with the food. The dog was not
at all interested in eating. I went back
to the front desk and Leticia said I can
call Susie and she gave me her card with
her cell phone number included on it. I contacted
Susie at approximately 10:35 via her cell
phone. I explained to her that the Bichon
in Cage 17 was very sick and we would like
to get it into Rescue. She said she can't
let a rescue pull a dog until she has the
proper documentation ie. 501.3 ( c) form
and a list all volunteers authorized by the
rescue to pull an animal for that rescue.
I told her that I fully understand that they
can't let the dog go until she had this documentation.
I also told her at that time that I will
contact the appropriate people and have them
fax the information and email it to her if
she would prefer email. She said she will
be able to access the information on her
Blackberry. I immediately when home and emailed
Robin Pressnall, Executive Director of Small
Paws Rescue, Vicki Furstenberg, and Marilyn
Brewster the Team Leaders for Small Paws
in No. Texas. I advise them of Susie's request
for documentation. I also gave then Susie's
contact information (telephone numbers and
email address). (Robin's Note: Paperwork
was emailed immediately to Susie.) I mentioned
that the shelter was open until 1 pm today
and if we can get this documentation before
1 pm, we would be able to get the Bichon
out of there today.>
Then from Marilyn Brewster:
Subj: FW: Course of events re: Irving from
Irving
Date: 8/31/2006 11:11:21 PM Central Standard
Time
From: mnbbnb@charter.net
To: Pup3@aol.com
Here is my account of what transpired with
Irving from Irving on Saturday, August 26,
2006:
12:00 noon: Vicki called me and said that
there was a dog at the Irving city shelter
that Robin wanted someone to pick up before
the shelter closed at 1:00 that same day.
Robin’s urgency stemmed from the fact that
the dog was dribbling urine and she suspected
he had bladder stones and was, therefore,
in considerable pain. Vicki said the shelter
had named him “Henry,” but SPR was calling
him “Irving.” I immediately called the shelter
and spoke with a gentleman at the front desk
(I believe it was Joseph Soto) who said that
the dog would be available to the public
on Wednesday, August 30, 2006, and then available
to rescue groups on Thursday, August 31,
2006. The gentleman was very friendly and
helpful, but he said that Susie Williamson
was the only person who could release the
dog early and she wouldn’t be back at the
shelter until Monday morning.
12:05 pm: I called Robin to clarify the discrepancy
between her understanding that Irving could
be picked up that day and what the shelter
worker told me. Robin said that her information
had come from an email from Linda Kilby and
she gave me the cell phone number for Susie
Williamson. Robin further stated that she
had already emailed our 501(c)3 paperwork
to Susie Williamson.
12:12 pm: I called Susie Williamson from
my cell phone as I pulled out of my driveway
to go pick up the dog. I introduced myself
as a volunteer with SPR, and told her that
I understood they had a dog at the shelter
they were calling “Henry,” and that they
thought he was a poodle. Susie confirmed
that fact and then I told her I understood
that we could pick up the dog that day. She
said that was a “misunderstanding,” and that
what she had told Linda Kilby was that if
we sent her our 501(c)3 paperwork that day
she could get it processed by the time the
dog was available for rescue to take him
on the next Thursday, August 31, 2006. I
told Susie that not only had Robin emailed
the paperwork to her already, but that I
had copies of it in my car and that I was
headed to the shelter as we spoke. I further
explained to her that I was told that the
dog was dribbling urine and in much need
of medical attention. Susie sarcastically
stated that their vet had examined the dog
the day before and that he was not in need
of any veterinary services. Susie then pointed
out that she wasn’t working that day and
she was on her cell phone, so she wasn’t
even sure that we were talking about the
same dog. She seemed quite bothered that
I had contacted her on her day off.
12:50 pm: I arrived at the Irving animal
shelter and went straight to the back to
find the dog (the gentleman at the reception
desk was completing a kitten adoption for
a woman with four wild children). I found
the dog and was horrified by what I saw.
He was shivering and dribbling urine, and
he was emaciated beyond belief. There were
two cards on his cage: one stated that he
had been examined by a veterinarian and was
ready to be adopted. The other one had boxes
checked on the front for sex, breed, etc.,
and it stated that the dog was available
for adoption on Wednesday, August 30, 2006
and available to rescue on Thursday, August
31, 2006. There were also notes hand-written
on the back of the card that stated that
the dog was heartworm negative, that he had
been bathed, and that he had been given a
Capstar. Since the information on the front
of that card disagreed with the other card
that said he was ready to be adopted, I stopped
one of the shelter workers who was going
from cage to cage feeding the dogs. He said,
“That dog can’t be adopted until August 30th.”
He wasn’t terribly pleasant.
1:00 pm: I went to the front desk and waited
for the gentleman to complete the kitten
adoption. I identified myself as the woman
who had called him about an hour earlier
to inquire about Henry the poodle, and I
gave him one of my SPR business cards. I
told him that I had spoken with Susie on
my way to the shelter and he asked if Susie
had agreed to release the dog. I told him
that she had not agreed to it, but that I
noticed that the dog was obviously in dire
need of medical attention. I promised him
that I would take the dog to my veterinarian
immediately upon leaving the shelter if he
would agree to let me have him. He said that
he, too was quite worried about the dog because
he hadn’t eaten since he was at the shelter.
He offered to call Susie to try to convince
her to release the dog to me.
1:15 pm: Susie told him I could have the
dog and the gentleman at the front desk took
my 501(c)3 paperwork and business card and
asked me to fill out a short form with my
name and address. He said it was needed in
case the prior owner wanted the dog back.
I completed the form and whisked the dog
out of the shelter in order to arrive at
my vet’s office before they closed at 2:00.
1:55 pm: I arrived at my vet’s office and
they immediately went to work on stabilizing
the dog. >
From: "Tom Morris" <morris2690@sbcglobal.net>
To: "Tommy Gonzalez" <tgonzalez@cityofirving.us>,
<mayor@ci.irving.tx.us>,
<ccouncil@ci.irving.tx.us>,
<cmiller@ci.irving.tx.us>,
<sstokes@ci.irving.tx.us>
Cc: "Pat Fowler" <pfowler@ci.irving.tx.us>
Subject: Fw: Appalling Incidents At The Irving
Animal "Shelter"
Date: Sat, 2 Sep 2006 13:00:11 -0500
Mr. Mayor and Other Honorable Citizens:
Upon reflection, I realize there are other
practices and issues you should be made aware
of as you consider badly needed reforms at
theIrving Animal Shelter.
The first is that the current Shjelter management
authorizes the needless killing of healthy
animals on a systematic basis. As you know,
there are mandated "hold" times
before the City can kill a dog or cat at
the Shelter. What none of us in the volunteer
ranks understand is why Shelter management
insists on killing healthy, adoptable animals
at the earliest "legal" opportunity
when there are empty cages remaining unused
in the facility. I understand that overcrowding
is a real problem and in those situations
it is necessary to follow the "letter
of the law" when it comes to enforcing
minimum hold times. But when there are empty
cages this practice of killing healthy animals
as soon as their minimum hold times are up
is totally senseless and contributes the
the feeling by those of us interested in
seeing conditions Shelter conditions improve
that management cares nothing about "animal
welfare" and everything about "animal
control".
I have asked Mssrs. Fowler and Teel why they
feel they must adhere to this killing schedule
if cages are open. They have never given
me a logical response as to why they continue
the practice.
Another equally senseless practice at the
Shelter is killing animals on Sundays. The
problem with this is that it makes it impossible
for rescue groups to save an animal identified
for rescue on a Saturday but not removed
from the Shelter that day. John Teel's response
to this is that it takes a long time to kill
an animal, and they need the time to do so
when the Shelter is not open. The reality
is they currently kill animals when the Shelter
is open. Several witnesses heard Shelter
employees state that 21 cats were "put
down" last week while the Shelter was
open. If Shelter management is as committed
to to animal welfare as they claim, you would
think they would have policies in place designed
to save lives, not destroy animals prematurely
before they know if a dog or cat may have
a home.
The last thing you should know - if you do
not already - is that a former Shelter employee
has filed a suit against the City of Irving
pursuant to the Texas Whistleblower Act.
The plaintiff is Tarah Baumgarter. She worked
as an Officer at the Shelter for almost six
months before being terminated. Ms. Baumgarter
makes numerous allegations, including:
Controlled drugs missing from the Shelter
Dogs in Shelter not removed from cages during
cleaning but instead soaked in chemicals
and hit with hoses
Animal feces not cleaned from inside cages
Small dogs and puppies bounced around cages
during cleaning by being hit by hoses
Injured dogs left in cages without veterinary
care
Female dogs placed in cages with male dogs
Large dogs placed in cages with small dogs
Healthy dogs placed in cages with sick dogs
Cats killed in animal control trucks in the
back of the facility instead of being logged
into the Shelter and then euthanized
No sedation on cats killed in trucks
If person feeding dogs did not like a particular
dog, it would not be fed each day
If three dogs were in a single cage, food
only sufficient for one dog was placed in
cage, resulting in dominant dog obtaining
food and others going without
Plantiff was touched in a sexual manner on
two occasions and upon report to Shelter
supervisor no action was taken
Dogs not permitted to be placed in euthanasia
room because an employee used room to eat
his lunch
Dog pinned against back wall of cages with
boot to be given initial shot for euthanasia
Re-use of same syring to euthanize several
dogs and needle then repenetrated drug bottle
so as to cause contamination
Improper drug log book used and when Plaintiff
submitted proper form, Supervisor did not
implement
Plaintiff compelled to remove head of dog
to be tested for rabies by method of chopping
head off with axe without proper protective
devices, resulting in blood and body fluids
flying into Plaintiff's face and mouth
One or more persons not certified carrying
out euthanasia
Kicking dogs after brought into Shelter
Wild bobcat babies left in Shelter for two
days without food
Healthy dogs that are noisy, dogs held by
police department when owner arrested and
when dogs seized on abandonment or cruelty,
all placed in quarantine area with dogs suspected
of rabies disease.
Rabies cages and room not properly secured
If too many rabies case dogs came in, one
would be removed and place in general caging
with other dogs, even though quarantine time
not sufficient
No rabies quarantine policy/procedure manual
present in or at room
On dog bite calls, if owner alleges rabies
innoculation, proof not required
Cats placed in quarantine placed in cages
without litter box, food or water for days
My wife and I had occasion to interface with
Ms. Baumgarter in the days just after we
became active in assisting the Shelter and
just after she had started her job as an
Animals Services Officer. We found Ms. Baumgarter
to be a very energetic, enthusiastic employee
who was very excited to be working at the
facility. In the short time we knew her we
saw her do numerous things to assist the
animals in her charge, inclusing arranging
for animals to be transported to other facilities
where they would have a better chance at
adoption and repainting and carpeting a portion
of the cat room to provide a play area for
cats and kittens.
Strictly form a personal point-of-view, it
is difficult for me to believe Ms. Baumgarter
made all these allegations up. But that is
strictly my opinion. However, as City leaders,
you owe it to the citizens of Irving to keep
trck of this case. If even a fraction of
her charges are found to be true, it certainly
reinforces all the evidence others have brought
forward about shoddy and negligent Shelter
management.
I, and others like me who are fed up with
excuses as to why provable acts of cruelty
and negligence at the Shelter continue to
be tolerated by our City, demand action by
you on our behalf. If no satisfaction is
forthcoming, I will personally pay for advertisng
in the Irving Journal to inform the citizens
of Irving about these issues and tha fact
that elected officials are ignoring these
concerns.
Thomas E. Morris
972-556-1752
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Morris, Tom
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 4:18 PM
To: 'tgonzalez@ci.irving.tx.us'; 'mayor@ci.irving.tx.us';
'ccouncil@ci.irving.tx.us'; 'cmiller@ci.irving.tx.us';
'sstokes@ci.irving.tx.us'
Cc: 'pfowler@ci.irving.tx.us'
Subject: Appalling Incidents At The Irving
Animal "Shelter"
Mr. Mayor and Other Honorable Citizens:
I am a member of the Irving Shelter Reform
Group. I became aware of the terrible conditions
at the Shelter last Fall when I first went
to visit. Since then my wife, Clare, and
I have worked diligently to do what we can
to improve conditions in the Shelter and
improve the adoption rate of healthy animals
that end up in the Shelter.
I am not a “screaming animal rights activist”.
I am a senior officer in a large public company
where I am charged with making high level
decisions daily. I think others would tell
you that I am objective and level-headed.
And I understand the mission statement of
a city animal control operation starts with
“control”.
With that being said, I have been REPEATEDLY
disgusted by incidents that have occurred
over the past year where it has been obvious
that the Shelter management and staff have
ignored the welfare of dogs and cats that
have ended up in the facility while making
it as difficult as possible for volunteers
willing to give of their own time and resources
to ASSIST THE CITY in getting more animals
out of the facility alive.
The most recent incident in this sad saga
is the case where the needs of the little
dog named “Irving” were ignored based simply
on rigid adherence to bureaucracy. But unfortunately
– and needlessly – what occurred in this
case is merely the latest in a LONG series
of other totally senseless and avoidable
cases of inhumane treatment and/or flagrant
disregard for the well-being of the animals
by the staff.
Until recently I had been of the opinion
that it would be better to work with Shelter
senior management (Mssrs. Fowler and Teel)
in the hopes that by pointing out these issues
to them things would get better.
But they haven’t. Things are getting worse.
The Shelter staff continues to BLATANTLY
ignore the welfare of the animals and needlessly
put restraints on volunteers who only want
to help turn this hellhole into a better
place.
There are many issues/problems to be resolved
in the facility. But four must be addressed
immediately if things are ever going to get
better.
The first is to fire Susie Williamson, the
Shelter Supervisor. She does not possess
the leadership skills or temperament to hold
that position. Her demeanor is usually surly
or harassed. Her negative, bureaucratic attitude
and public moodiness combined with her lack
of compassion is a disgrace to the City.
Her lack of interest in aiding “Irving” is
not atypical. She should be removed immediately.
Second, you should demand that senior City
staff answer some very serious questions,
such as:
· Why does your staff continue to deny accusations
of mistreatment of animals when there are
multiple eyewitness accounts of these abuses
taking place regularly?
· Why do these incidents continue to occur
despite the promises of senior City management
that “they are committed to making things
better”?
· Why are needless obstacles and petty regulations
being put in place to make it even more difficult
for volunteers to assist in increasing the
adoption rate? For example, why is the Shelter
(acknowledging that they are already short
of staff) going to take on the task of taking
photos of the animals for Petfinders when
motivated, qualified volunteers have been
doing the job? I suspect it is because management
does not want volunteers to know what is
really going on with disposition of the animals.
Third, you should demand an outside audit
of the Shelter. Bad things are happening
in the facility daily. You and your fellow
citizens of Irving deserve an impartial third
party evaluation by nationally recognized
animal control professionals to delve into
current practices so that YOU can better
understand what is going right – and wrong
– with this facility. Once you really know
what is happening, you will be in a better
position to take corrective action.
Lastly, you should demand to review the credentials
of the part-time veterinarian recently added
to the staff. Too many reputable vets who
practice in Irving have already found fault
with many of her diagnostic conclusions.
There is a real question as to her competence.
As leaders of our City you have an obligation
to make Irving a model of civic excellence.
How we manage the Shelter is a direct indicator
of success or failure on this barometer.
Currently, we are failing. As a citizen of
Irving, I am appealing to you to take action
now to make the Shelter what it should be
– a “shelter” for unfortunate animals that
end up there – and not a holding pen where
the staff just counts the days until they
can euthanize another homeless pet.
Thomas E. Morris
972-556-1752>
<> > Subj: RE: Little White Dog
named "Irving" and
> Small Paws Rescue Org.
> > Date: 9/1/2006 8:57:19 AM Central
Standard Time
> > From: neuteress@yahoo.com
> >
> > Small Paws is one of the most highly
recognized
> > 501(c)3 groups in the country.
I have worked with
> > them in the past; they are a FANTASTIC
> organization.
> > They have a very significant membership,
and are
> well
> > known and respected on a national
level. There
> should
> > be NO REASON that an animal they
want to pull
> > shouldn't be given to them the
first time they
> ask,
> > let alone the third time! They
are NOT a second
> rate
> > humane group. I'm certain that
Irving will be
> hearing
> > from their membership.
> >
> > Do the problems at Irving have
to go "national"
> before
> > the necessary changes are made?
> >
> > Many ACO services across the country
are setting
> > successful, positive examples of
what a facility
> &ACO
> > team that truly cares about the
welfare of the
> animals
> > can do. Why is Irving having so
much trouble
> > resolving the problems when they
know what the
> > problems are and have so many resources/humane
> > volunteers (at NO COST) helping???
> >
> > I'm truly saddened to hear that
the new vet's
> actions
> > apparently haven't resulted in
better treatment
> for
> > those unfortunate animals coming
in to IACO..
> >
> > Count me in as a strong supporter
of an external
> audit
> > ASAP (like YESTERDAY)!! I also
want to say that
> I
> > strongly support Betty in her opinion
that
> "...Susie
> > Williamson should be removed from
her position
> > immediately,..."
> >
> >
> > Respectfully,
> > Kat Chaplin, (817) 379-0969
> > Ahimsa of Texas, Inc.
> > Classy Cats, Inc.
> > Roanoke, TX >
<Subj: A Little Dog named Irving
Date: 9/1/2006 3:38:40 PM Central Standard
Time
From: bettyy3@earthlink.net (Betty is the
President of the citizen's group for Animal
Shelter Reform)
To: mayor@ci.irving.tx.us, ccouncil@ci.irving.tx.us,
tgonzalez@cityofirving.us, pfowler@ci.irving.tx.us
CC: jcarroll@ci.irving.tx.us
Mr. Mayor, Member of the City Council, City
Manager, and Pat Fowler,
This has been a banner week at the shelter
and, quite frankly, I have not been able
to put my feelings into words until now.
I do not know about the State of Oklahoma,
but here in our great State of Texas, a veterinarian
is sworn to uphold the following oath as
adopted by the House of Delegates in 1969:
"Being admitted to the profession of
veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to
use my scientific knowledge and skills for
the benefit of society through the protection
of animal health, the relief of animal suffering,
the conservation of animal resources, the
promotion of public health, and the advancement
of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously,
with dignity, and in keeping with the principles
of veterinary medical ethics.
I will accept as a lifelong obligation the
continual improvement of my professional
knowledge and competence."
Yesterday, Clare Morris and I made a trip
to Dallas where the little dog Irving lay
in a diagnostic hospital for animals. We felt it necessary to be introduced to
this little guy personally and make certain
we had not been misinformed, as the shelter
staff is saying. Trust me on this one, Herb.
We were not misinformed. I held Irving in my own arms, wrapped in
a towel so as not to bruise his protruding
ribs, and looked into his face. In my own
hands they placed a solid stone removed from
his bladder: it was the size of a golf ball
(picture attached). He had a second stone
they did not show me; however, the medical
staff said it was somewhat larger than the
one I held. A healthy dog? You do not need
the use of sophisticated equipment to see
that this dog was suffering. (my own picture
attached)
Some may consider me silly when I tell you
that I whispered "I'm sorry this happened
to you on my watch" into his ear. He
was a tough little guy - he licked my face
and wagged his tail: he was going to be okay.
Small Paws would see to it. They delight
in helping animals who are Hospice patients
and to quote one of the rescuers there with
me yesterday "we hold their little paw
until they cross over Rainbow Bridge."
This group enjoys more than 6,000 members
internationally: when they flex, it shows.
Not only did Dr. King make a serious mistake
in evaluating this dog's medical condition;
but the shelter supervisor failed to recognize
distinct and basic symptoms of extreme distress.
This surprises me due to Ms. Williamson's
experience as a competitive dog breeder.
To deem this critically ill dog healthy and
place a "I'm ready for adoption"
card (picture attached) on his cage was ludicrous!
I believe if anyone mentions the 72 hour
hold period one more time I will scream.
This is not about the 72 hour hold period.
This is about the fact a skilled veterinarian
and shelter supervisor failed to see an animal
in extreme pain, the fact those individuals
were willing to let this emaciated and suffering
dog stay in that cage unmedicated and urinating
on itself from August 24th until August 31st,
and the fact that one of those individuals
was so focused on control that they refused
a renowned group of rescuers the opportunity
to pull the dog for emergency care! How many
times do I have to say it? We are NOT the
enemy. We've been told the shelter staff
has named themselves and our group the "Hatfields
and McCoys". That, sir, is what we deal
with as we spend countless volunteer hours,
such as yourself and the council, to help
OUR city shelter because the staff cannot
possibly do it all! Unfortunately, you get
what you ask for. Yesterday at 2:45 p.m.,
with a small little dog in my arms, I became
a Hatfield and the shelter became a McCoy.
They labeled us; we drew a line in the sand;
and they stepped over it. It is unfortunate,
because we are more determined and more dedicated
than ever before to oversee our shelter until
it is a polished jewel. Only then, will we
rest.
Just yesterday, Clare and I went to the shelter
at 4:40 p.m. to conduct a "head count"
of the cats and kittens. This was my first
time to actually experience a roll call of
this sort, and in that short amount of time
I assisted, I found two cats missing and
unaccounted for (again); and a cage with
four kittens with an identification card
marked "three". I see why animals
cannot be found; I see why an entire litter
of unweaned kittens were lost in July; and
I see how a box of unweaned babies could
be placed on a top shelf and forgotten. By
the way, at one minute until 5 p.m., Clare
warned me to hurry for Leticia would come
and tell us to leave when the clock struck
5. With 30 seconds to go; there were several
uniformed ASOs gathered at the front desk,
and just as Clare warned, the door opened
and Leticia announced "are you girls
ready to go?" Of course we were, just
let us make one more note of one more mistake
on the tracking system. We finished our tally
outside OUR shelter, standing on the sidewalk.
A young ASO walked past me carrying a "live
animal" box marked "Justin's Cat"
- I am hoping it is one of the missing ones:
I'd rather it be in the box and not properly
logged out, than MIA.
I should have pushed harder at City Hall;
but because of the respect I have for my
home town, for you Herb, and for my friends
on city council; I failed to focus as clearly
as I should have. My mistake. This is MY
shelter, run by MY taxes; and I am taking
ownership from this day forward. This is
YOUR shelter, run by YOUR taxes too - I'm
asking that you take ownership with me.
As a core member of the Irving Animal Shelter
Reform, I am asking for a full outside audit
from the Humane Society of the United States
- now. It would be very honorable for the
city to send them an invitation and put a
stop to all the negative publicity and ill
feelings from citizens.
The cost of an audit will probably be comparable
to a K-9 police officer that is imported
from another country, which is approximately
$20,000. I would prefer the next K-9 officer
be recruited from our own city shelter's
Death Row as seen in other cities, and the
money used to fund the audit. The result
would be an excellent blueprint of shelter
procedures to be used for Irving's new state-of-the-art
animal shelter.
I would appreciate a call, an e-mail, a cup
of coffee? Just something would be wonderful.
Signed,
Betty Yarbrough
Citizen of Irving>
Irving from Irving, inside City Hall.
Always remember.
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else ever has and more than anyone else ever
will.
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