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December 30, 2013
The recent mass euthanizing of dogs and puppies allegedly connected to a Gibson dog-fighting and drug operation – the result of a state law permitting such dispositions in those cases – highlights some of the more unpleasant tasks foisted upon animal control personnel.
Terrebonne Parish animal shelter records collected during a Tri-Parish Times investigation of the incident shed renewed light on the difficulties faced by other animals, occurring on a day-to-day basis there and in many other communities.
Far less sensational than the pit-bull put-downs that garnered local headlines is the shelter’s day-to-day business, sometimes resulting in decisions deemed necessary, but no less tragic.
Valerie Robinson, the shelter’s director, agrees with other animal care professionals that sad outcomes for dogs and cats are even sadder, because animal problems are largely preventable, and almost always the result of poor decisions made by humans.
“We see so many animals that have been negatively impacted by the actions or inactions of people,” Robinson said. “Our devoted staff tirelessly seeks to educate society about properly caring for animals. Our team of employees and volunteers dedicate their time and talents to caring for the animals that have been adversely affected by some members of our society.”
As of last week there were about 50 dogs and cats ready for adoption at the shelter. But even that outcome – the most desirable when compared to warehousing and in too many cases, eventual destruction – comes with some strings.
Shelter personnel, while pleased to see potential increases in adoptions during the holiday season, caution the public that the gift of a puppy or kitten, dog or cat, carries grave responsibilities for the recipient.
Nonetheless, with adoption as the preferred outcome, shelter records show many instances where the happy ending becomes easily imaginable.
Success stories include a 3-month old male beagle mix adopted Dec. 6.
A 2-month-old Siamese-tabby kitten named Lacy was the recipient of a new home, as was a 4-month-old Shih-Tzu named Buddy.
Buddy – like a number of other shelter animals – has a description of history and personality included in the records.
“Very friendly to everyone, will follow you everywhere, does not require leash, potty-trained to go outside and uses pad, good with other dogs, good with kids, never barks or growls,” is how Buddy’s short bio reads.
The 41 records of animals taken in and summarily euthanized as a result of the Dec. 6 Gibson raid have no such notations, nor do the dogs and puppies have names.
But other animals that met identical fates that same week do have notations which in some cases tell the stories behind the dispositions.
A year-old lab/pit bull cross named Panda was picked up with two other dogs running loose in the Ashland subdivision.
Shelter workers tried to reach the animal’s owner but were not initially successful.
On Dec. 3 the owner was called, as on Dec. 4 and 5th. At various times shelter workers got recordings that stated voicemail was not set up or that the phone was not accepting calls.
A notice was left at the home of the owner, and finally she called.
“She stated she gave the dogs away … that she didn’t know if the neighbor wanted to have the dogs back,” the notation on Panda’s record reads. She stated she would come in on Dec. 6 after 2 p.m. to either redeem her dogs or sign the dogs over to the shelter.
The woman never showed.
Panda was euthanized Dec. 9.
Such abandonments are more common than animal workers wish was the case. Robinson said there are “various reasons that animals find themselves in need of our shelter’s services.”
Some of the most common reasons for surrender are inability to afford the animal, pregnancy or a new child, moving to a place where animals are not allowed and allergies. People finding they do not have time for pets they have purchased, accepted or adopted is another reason.
A female pit bull-boxer mix brought in Nov. 26 had a visit from its owner shortly after being picked up in Village East. The man said his girlfriend had talked of redeeming the dog, but did not have the money to pay the costs involved.
“I let him know he had till tomorrow to claim the dog or it could be euthanized,” an employee noted on the record. “He is making arrangements to pick the dog up Tuesday. He is calling his boss and will call me back today … I informed him we could not keep the dog beyond tomorrow.”
The owner came to the shelter Dec. 4 in the morning but left.
At 12:50 pm there was a call “to ask if we could hold the dog until Friday and how much would it be.”
“I told him someone would call later with an estimate,” the notations state. “At 2:48 p.m. I called him back and left a voice mail reminding him of what was told earlier, and that there was no guarantee that we will hold the dog any longer and to call back if he has any questions. It would cost between $120-$140 to get the dog out. 12/10 (the owner) did not come to get the dog therefore the dog was euthanized due to space issues.”
Lack of space is the reason a cluster of kittens was eliminated on that same day, among them a black and brown 2-month-old tabby named Buster. A cat too scared to rehabilitate was also put down. The 8-month-old tiger named Boo was “good with kids, likes to cuddle and play.”
But Boo’s new temperament markers, including non-stop hissing, made for an irreversible decision.
The shelter records showed a number of pets relinquished by their owners, who at that point could potentially be adopted.
Sally, a 5-month-old basset mix, “love to eat, very hyper and jumps on people but very friendly. Likes other dogs and kids, still potty training.”
An English bulldog named Mackey, 4-years-old, was adopted but returned because he was too aggressive with other animals.
“Needs to be the only pet in home,” a notation states.
A 2-year-old cocker spaniel, Ladybug, was relinquished because her owner could no longer provide care. Another cocker, Gingerbread, was turned in but had to be euthanized due to temperament.
Other relinquishments included a Yorkshire terrier mix, a Maltese and a rat terrier named Momma.
The records – culled from only a few days – confirm much of the anecdotal information Robinson shared.
And ultimately – especially due to the numbers of animals in trouble – Robinson notes that spaying and neutering is still one of the most important lines of defense against future pet tragedy.
“Spay/neuter is an extremely important part of an animal’s care. It is also the key to reducing the overpopulation of animals that plagues our parish,” Robinson said. “Even one accidental litter contributes to the existing overpopulation of animals. There are other benefits to spaying/neutering your pet. They will want to stay home more, be less aggressive, and potentially live healthier lives. Because the staff of the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter recognizes that the primary reason for failure to spay/neuter pets is cost, we developed and implemented a low-cost spay/neuter program to provide an affordable option for pet owners.”
Details of the program are at the shelter’s website, www.tpcg.org/animalshelter.
“We encourage all pet owners to be proactive in their pet’s care and spay/neuter at a young age to remove the chance for unwanted litters,” Robinson said. “Shelters across the nation, including our shelter, take on the enormous task of caring for all of the unwanted animals of our society. Citizens can do their part by spaying/neutering their pets and spreading the word to others about the importance of spay/neuter.”
