Jersey City: Volunteers, employees and adopters mourn the slain…board spins
They have killed 30+ dogs. There is enough room now. Yet the killing continues. Here is just a sampling of the emails I have been receiving, and it absolutely breaks my heart.
.
Doctor
Doctor was that dog you are describing. There is an intake room in the trailer with more dogs. That is where she was. Her reason was food aggression. She was a sweet dog. I never had any problem with her. I hugged her and kissed her and she never reacted in a negative way. Her tail was always wagging.
Please also see the intake card. it seems minds have been made up about this dog’s doom before the 7 day state mandated stay expired. they waited for the 8th or 9th day to kill her off.
.
Daisy
I’m not here to hate on LHS. I just want to say that what happened to Daisy is a shame. She was a great dog and She will be missed. I spent a lot of time with Daisy and I disagree with her evaluation. I witnessed a few of these evaluations first hand and the techniques that were used ie: provoking a dog untill you get your desired results, is not what I consider to be a fair evaluation.
R.I.P Daisy
Laura Shapiro Waddell I evaluated Daisy, I cannot believe she was put down, there was absolutely nothing wrong with her except for a little dog reactivity : (.
Melissa Geisler St. Hubert’s evaluations were completely unfair to the dogs. BEsides provoking them to get the reaction they were looking for they appeared to be afraid and judgmental of the dogs before even interacting with them.
.
Foxy
A sweet girl who was definitely stressed out in the kennel. She lost a lot of weight and was losing her facial hair. Passed her 1st eval failed the second.
As the ASPCA says about the SAFER test, which is the one they used to determine whether to kill these dogs, often administering the same test two or three times to get the desired result: It is important to remember that you should not use the SAFER Assessment as your only criterion in determining which dogs can be adopted into the community. Nor should it be the sole criterion in making a decision in regards to euthanasia of a particular dog. Use additional information, such as the relinquishment profile and behavior reported from shelter staff, in the decision-making process. Because no assessment is 100% reliable, it is vital to use all available information when determining which dogs can be adopted.
These are unqualified people who should not be determining which dogs live or die. We want this stopped.
As John Sibley says:
The SAFER test is designed to take about 6 minutes. 6 minutes to decide life or death. I do not know of ANY reputable trainer/behaviorist, ANYWHERE, that will go on record as saying that a single SAFER test is adequate sole screening for euthanasia, including the woman who designed it. I do not know of any one behavioral test where the designer will support its use as the sole pass/fail for death. It’s intended to find out what issues are – treating those issues is a separate discussion.
Beaumont
The person that sent me info on Beaumont described him as “my deaf furry baby.” Always sweet and barked for attention. Very mellow. They wondered why anyone would harm this special needs dog. This is just absolutely disgusting. These people have no conscience.
I am speechless.
We are morally responsible for the lives of each innocent animal soul. Even more so those animals with special needs, like Beaumont, who is deaf. He was gentle, and sweet and didn’t deserve to die. He was helpless and at their mercy. And he got none. It’s really unconscionable. And only you can stop it.
Tyson
A gentle soul that was surrendered. He was a sweetheart for sure. Passed his evaluation.
I find this truly despicable. Someone turned Tyson into the shelter. He was a senior dog, probably lost an owner and was grieving to start with (as is evidenced by the sadness on his face). The people probably chose Liberty because of the no-kill promise, and look what happened. For what?
There are plenty of senior rescues out there that could have been contacted. Susan Marino might have taken him. It really makes me angry.
.
Fuller
So you want the smoking gun? Just in case this isn’t enough for you…we have plenty more, but this is enough for today. Here is the one that made me so angry I wanted to take immediate action.
This is Fuller. He was a loveable lug. Swore he was a puppy. Passed an evaluation so thay gave him a second. He failed. Then the ASPCA gave him a third. He passed. He was then re-evaluated 2 more times the same day for food test and failed. Let’s be clear. He was given 5 evaluations, had people there that watched the evaluation and wanted the dog, and then they killed him anyway.
Here…in the couple’s own words:
When we heard that dogs were being euthanized at LHS, we went immediately to the shelter to see if we could adopt a dog and give it a loving home. I fell in love with Fuller right away. The tag on his cage said that he was Easy Going, but he liked to pull on the leash. We took him out for a walk and were hoping to take him home the same day, if not the same day than the day after, due to the necessity of him being neutered. It was then that we were told to come back in tomorrow because the dog needed to be re-evaluated (3rd evaluation).
We came in the following day, witnessed the evaluation and saw that Fuller had passed with no aggression issues. We were told we could come back that day at 5PM to pick Fuller up after he was neutered. Upon walking out of the shelter, we were than stopped and told that we could not take Fuller today and he would need yet another evaluation(4th evaluation) and to call on Sunday to check the results of his 4th evaluation. Upon phoning in on Sunday we were told that Fuller failed the evaluation due to food aggression with the rubber hand.
Since he passed all the other tests in the evaluation we were still willing to adopt Fuller and work with him on his food aggression issue. We were then told that the dog may not be adoptable due to the food aggression issue and to call back on Tuesday after they had consulted the board regarding Fuller. Upon contacting the shelter once again, we were told that he would not be able to adopt Fuller due to the food aggression issue and he would need to be put down. We pleaded with them as we still wanted to adopt Fuller and work with him.
He was not aggressive towards us at all upon walking him and petting him numerous times. Needless to say, we found out that Fuller had been euthanized Wednesday evening and were devastated. We were also told that this sort of thing happens all the time at the facility.
Okay. That’s all the evidence I need. Let’s hear it Liberty Humane. One more freaking time:
Is it morally right to kill an animal when there is another alternative?
Well? Is it? What you did to Fuller and the rest of the dogs on this page is wrong.
Do you have any doubts? This should take care of them. Here’s the video of the actual evaluation of Fuller, the dog that was killed for failing his FIFTH evaluation. Listen to the evaluator that is making the video. “He’s so good. Oh my God. What a calm, wonderful dog.” How could you listen to that and not cry? Not feel a furious anger for these sociopaths that are killing animals.
Another email sums it up perfectly:
I’ve seen this and I’m speaking to people at the shelter. Yes, Nikki is a killing machine with ice in her veins. But, unfortunately, there is nothing illegal about killing a dog or cat. Call the news stations, call your city council person if you’re a Jersey City or Hoboken resident, call your Mayor if you live in either of those towns, spread the word and come to the upcoming protest. You could also foster or adopt a dog or cat. In all of the anger I think people are forgetting there are animals there that need homes.
As we’ve been saying forever, YOU are all they have.
THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH.
Pick up the phone. Call each member of the board. Their numbers are listed below. Tell them that we want:
1. The immediate resignations of Niki Dawson and Diana Jeffrey.
2. An immediate suspension of killing at LHS.
3. A meeting between board members, Pets Alive management, representatives from both Mayor’s offices and representatives of the LHS volunteer community to
4. Devise a plan to make the shelter a true no-kill shelter. This plan will include the resignation of the entire board at a later date.
There will be no compromise and we will win. And these animals will finally be safe.
Call them all and tell them:
Laura Moss, Board Member (917) 701-5160
Bonnie Yost Suozzo, Board Member (201) 330-7732
Diana Jeffrey, Board Member (973) 259-1398
Michele Perotta, Member (201) 906-9156
John Hanussak, Member (201) 985-8533
Althea Bernheim, Board Member (201) 656-0809
Niki Dawson, Executive Director 908-966-3098
Here are the other numbers again:
Liberty Humane Society
board@libertyhumane.org
(201) 547-4147
lhs@libertyhumane.org
Mayor’s Office Jersey City:
Jerramiah Healy
MayorHealy@jcnj.org
Tel: (201) 547-5200
Fax: (201) 547-4288/5442
Mayor’s Office Hoboken:
Dawn Zimmer
dzimmer@hobokennj.org
Tel: (201) 420-2013 / 2018
Fax: (201) 420-2096
Office of The Attorney General
Paula T. Dow
609-292-4925
Email form: http://www.nj.gov/lps/formmail.htm
NJ Governor Chris Christie
609-292-6000
Email form: http://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/
NJ Assembly Members:
District 31
Charles Mainor
Phone: (201) 536-7851
Page for email: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=322
District 32
Joan Quigley
Phone: (201) 217-4614
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=97
District 33
Reuben J. Ramos
(201) 714-4960
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/BIO.asp?Leg=293
August 30th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
I called most of the board members, Laura Moss hung up on me immediately. I think Bonnie’s number is a fax number.
Spoke with one who talked a lot about evaluations. Also was told Pets Alive only offered to loan some equipment. I am guessing that is not, at all, correct.
Thank you.
August 30th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
This board member also stated there was no one willing to take the dogs, that the volunteers were simply too attached.
Perhaps she really is misinformed?
If you want a name feel free to contact me erich@fuzzyaccounting.com
August 30th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I couldn’t read more then a few paragraphs of this blog – it makes me want to throw up. I will be contacting the government officials as I believe they would be more willing to see reason then the ones doing the killing. Also I don’t think I can be polite to the LHS board members and going off on them isn’t going to help.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sidewalk Angels, No Kill Nation, Jennifer Olszweski, Billie J. Franklin, Lynda Samphire and others. Lynda Samphire said: RT @sidewalkangels: Jersey City: Volunteers, employees and adopters mourn the slain…board spins http://t.co/ggRZzfM [...]
August 30th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
This is such a tragedy!!!!! What is wrong with these people?!?!? Any animal is going to be nervous in the shelter because of the noise, confusion & scared. This is one of the saddest stories I’ve read!!! It certainly sounds like they don’t want to adopt out any pets. They are probably paid a fee for each one they euthanize. I shared this on my Facebook & I’m definately going to write letters, emails & make phone calls. If we all pull together & let this place know that we are aware of their practices, just maybe it will start to change for the better. It doesn’t hurt to try anyway. We have to do this for the furbabies.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Re: Fuller, I believe the SAFER guidelines warn against testing a dog more than once on the same day, and they DEFINITELY do not recommend repeating the hand-in-food test more than 3-4 times per session as you’ll get a learned response. That would fall under the category of provoking the dog.
August 30th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
It looks as thought they have something against pit mixes….it is sad to see ANY non aggressive dog put down. I have a rescue dog who was hours away from being destroyed because of hair loss on her tail and dental work needed…I adopted her ….she definitely has problems with any person other than myself….didnt make me want to return her at all…she has even nipped a few people…still cant say i want to return my dog….she is adjusting to being out of a cage she spent 6 years in…they broke her tail and abused her…with me she is a queen and has never been mean or aggressive to me …to others yes but to me she is my angel….STOP these people from killing animals that DESERVE a chance….
August 30th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
I, like Daniela, couldn’t finish reading this blog…It’s sickening to learn that this type of thing is happening….It’s as though these people have an obsession with “tidying their house” and have made murder the equivalent of vacuuming and dusting.
The fact that LHS just forges ahead without any thought to actually extending themselves to find homes for these animals may not be criminal. Their actions are absolutely a betrayal of the trust and expectation that they will advocate for the animals in their care. They are, in my opinion, guilty of perpetrating a heinous moral crime.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
I have always been a animal lover but not until recently have I been getting involved in volunteering and helping anyway I can. It is so depressing reading these stories on a daily basis. Sadly I was not informed and I feel animal lovers everywhere have no idea the extent of the problems we face each day. I truly feel blessed just to read the love others have and know there are great people trying to put a stop to this.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
The board member I spoke with has a pit, I think, and certainly seemed to be an advocate for the breed. I think the shelter had one of the Vick dogs.
I do not know all the details but I hope a rational discussion occurs. Transparency is everything in dealing with animals.
August 30th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Eric. This has nothing to do with what they have or dont have. They are killing adoptable animals. People are afraid to speak. Thats why is always takes forever to get anywhere. We will speak. We have the nerve and we have the vision. We will not stop until we have all the animals safe and sound. The same way that you go to bde at night they will soon enough. In one piece. Happy!
August 30th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
DIANA JEFFREY THE BOARD MEMBER FOR KILLING!!
HER NUMBER IS 201 443 2291
August 30th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Post three. I bet that was Fuller who she was talking about right?? lol He had a home much like many of these animals. Now they make them sit in a cage all day and barely get any movement. This is a death camp people. It is horrific. What a e they going to do say here look see how clean and empty it is? why bc they killed all the animals off
August 30th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Post three. I bet that was Fuller who she was talking about right?? lol He had a home much like many of these animals. Now they make them sit in a cage all day and barely get any movement. This is a death camp people. It is horrific. What a e they going to do say here look see how clean and empty it is? why bc they killed all the animals off
August 30th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Post three. I bet that was Fuller who she was talking about right?? lol He had a home much like many of these animals. Now they make them sit in a cage all day and barely get any movement. This is a death camp people. It is horrific. What a e they going to do say here look see how clean and empty it is? why bc they killed all the animals off
August 30th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Laura Moss-left a message
Bonnie Yost Suozzo-fax #.
Diana Jeffery-talked with…someone? said ms. jeffery wasn’t there, so i asked to leave a msg. i started my *polite* msg, and she stopped me, saying, “this is a law office and the phones are very busy.” i left my name and phone # although i really don’t expect a call-back.
that is as far as i made it on the list. will try more later as i need to calm myself first…
August 30th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Well I sleep with three dogs including a Rott.
I had biases in the past and understand them but also understand behavior testing can be dishonest. Just finished Redemption where Winograd compares his shelter’s treatment of pits to one a few hours away with a so called expert who killed pits.
As a pet owner without actual experience in the animal welfare industry these issues become very confusing and the only thing that will help is the absolute truth.
Every shelther should embrace No Kill, why would anyone prefer a shelter that kills friendly animals.
August 31st, 2010 at 1:30 am
Absolutely despicable! There are just no words……….the sadness is overwhelming……….the only comfort is to know that what comes around, goes around…..you reap what you sow!!
Coverups always get UNCOVERED, truths are always revealed…..it just takes time.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:42 am
How about I find your phone number and give out to all my friends and have THEM call you at 3am to harrass you? Would you like that? These are VOLUNTEERS (not paid) and you’re having them harrassed at home. Do you not realize they aren’t the only people who live there? They have families and young children. Would you like some stranger having your phone number and being able to find out where you live, risking the safety of the children in your home? If you want to publish people’s phone numbers you need to have their permission AND you need to find business numbers instead private home numbers.
I understand your desire for answers and wanting to get action, but risking the safety of these people’s families just makes you look irresponsible.
YOU may not hurt them but some nutcase could. Think of all the people who do violence because they wanted to “prove a point”
August 31st, 2010 at 11:32 am
this shelter these board members make me sick how can you live with yourselves you are the lowest of the low you seem to have no compassion and should not be in the position of killing these inncocent nagels SHAME ON YOU may you be haunted every night in your dreams for the rest of your lives, you make me sick you arnt human your sad pathetic individuals who dont have a heart, and i hate you all so much
August 31st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Erica,
OH MY GOD! These people are keeping animals in horrible conditions, evaluating them until they fail and then killing them for no reason, and in return we are CALLING THEM ON THE PHONE! Holy crap. You should have us arrested.
And you DID publish my cell phone number on Facebook. Nobody called, BECAUSE I’M NOT DOING SOMETHING MORALLY REPREHENSIBLE.
Your husband John is on the board of a public charity. As much as he tries to hide behind THE BOARD, he is open to public scrutiny.
Your husband kills dogs that could be in homes.
And I look irresponsible. To whom?
Anyone who uses google can find the phone numbers. That’s how we did it. Perhaps you should rant to Google.
OR PERHAPS YOUR HUSBAND SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING OR GET THE HELL OFF THE BOARD.
Matt
August 31st, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Erica:
I think you need to take a good long look at what is going on. If Matt and others don’t speak up for these animals who will?? Certainly not you or the other useless Board Members. All of you are power hungry and the animals are the ones suffering to fulfill your selfish desires. I hope when the day comes each and every one of you will pay the ultimate price for what you have done and are continuing to do. How do you sleep at night, how can you possibly take a deaf dog and arbirtarily euthanize him? How about Tyson and Fuller and all the rest of them that you people have killed? God help all of you because you are going to need it. Be aware knowone will stop until this situation is resolved.
Kathi
August 31st, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Huh? I’m not married to anyone on the board, my husband is not named John and I don’t live anywhere near the shelter let alone the county the shelter is in! I live in Mercer County. I happened upon this blog because I am actually looking to ADOPT a dog. You have me confused with someone else apparently. I have nothing to do with the shelter and I don’t like animals being killed. I just feel it’s wrong to publish people’s private home numbers. and thank you Kathi for proving my point. “each and every one of you will pay the ultimate price for what you have done…”
August 31st, 2010 at 3:04 pm
I live in Edinburgh Scotland but will give international voice to your outrage over these wholly inadequate tests and the animals being put down rather than rehomed. We have a house full of behavioural problem cats and dogs (and rabbits) who would have all been put down by these criteria but with whom we have wonderful loving relationships. It may take years – sometimes up to five – but we always get there, and if our companion animals are not models of good citizenship that is because of the neglect, abuse and abandonment they suffered before we took them in. So if they show some aggression we allow for it and love them all the same. And they love us.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I’ve created a website, rainbow-bridge.webs.com, to remember those pets who were not fortunate to make it out of these horrible places called shelters, pets who were never fortunate enough to find forever homes, pets who were surrendered by their uncaring and uncompassionate owners, pets who were abused and used as punching bags, pets who lost their fight for a better life.
This site is new.
August 31st, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Okay Erica, if you have nothing to do with this and don’t condone what is going on why are you so worked up? I don’t think Matt just pulled your name out of a hat and decided to single you out. “each and every one of you will pay the ultimate price for what you have done…”!!! You just proved my point again, those who are responsible for the killing of innocent animals will pay the ultimate price. If you have a clear conscience than none of what is being said should bother you in the least. .
Kathi
August 31st, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Here is where to mail the NJ dept. of criminal complaints:
NY division of criminal justice
atten: complaint dept
25 market st
po box 85
trenton nj, 08625
August 31st, 2010 at 11:58 pm
BEAUMONT WAS THE WORLDS GENTLEST SWEETEST SOUL!!
THEY NEVER GAVE THE POOR BABY A CHANCE THIS IS SO UPSETTING!
September 1st, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Kathi,
I don’t care about the things that are written, well I can’t say that, I’m sad that animals are dying, BUT I have been on the recieving end of harrassment in the past and this hits home for me. I’m totally for baggering people at the shelter, having peaceful demonstrations or making blog posts. Heck I’d even join you or help raise money. That’s all well and good, but to give out people’s home phone numbers is a scary business. and Matt didn’t pull my name out of a hat, I entered my name in the comment section, just like you did.
September 1st, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Erica:
I understand your concern about the home phone #’s being published, and I think they are legitimate concerns in today’s environment. When you (all inclusive) work so hard to protect these animals from abuse, neglect and death the tendency is there to do whatever is necessary to protect them. This shelter in NJ is not the only one that practices this type of behavior testing, it happens more often than anyone realizes. I see abuse and indifference all the time where I volunteer. You never become hardened to what cruelty is heaped on dogs, cats, horses or many other species. All we can do is keep fighting for better and stronger laws, punishment to these people who think it is alright to hurt a sentinent being, and the removal of the powers that be in these shelters that think it is okay to euthanize just because they don’t like an animals temperament. Laws must be put in place to prevent this from happening over and over again. One good case in point is “Oreo”, to this day I can’t get past the ASPCA euthanizing this poor dog who already had suffered such abuse at the hands of his owner. I could go on and on about the horrible treatment of animals, a dog who was kicked repeatedly in the face because he was whining, of course nothing happened to the man who did this to the pup, and thank God this puppy will be okay. It does no good to state all of the abuses I have seen, but I more than understand Matt’s feelings on this matter and all the others who are upset by what is transpiring. If I have misjudged you I do apologize, I think we as a whole have this knee jerk reaction in regard to matters such as this and we tend to strike out. I wish I were in NJ and I would certainly join in any demonstration against this shelter. Again, I am sorry if I misjudged you.
Kathi
September 1st, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Um…Kathi…which shelter do you volunteer at?
We’re not objecting in this case to the tests (which we do btw object to). We are objecting to the way they are used. Read my other blogs for more info.
You think the answer is to trust the lives of these animals to politicians? Do you see a single one lifting a finger to help?
I will continue to “strike out” as you call it, and I will continue to do whatever I need to do within the law to make things right.
Funny you mention Oreo, because it’s our “striking out” that got the Oreo story out.
Thanks for volunteering.
Matt
September 1st, 2010 at 6:19 pm
I volunteer at two shelters here in NC. One is a no kill the other is just horrible. No I don’t think the answer is to trust politicians, I do think if we work hard and long enough that hopefully we will get some stricter laws to enforce the prosecution of these so called humans that abuse animals. When I said strike out I meant that we who are trying to protect animals from abuse will do whatever is necessary to protect these innocent lives. I will continue to petition, demonstrate and whatever else is necessary to get rid of abusers, dog fighting rings, puppy mills, and pet shops. Not many months ago I traveled to Charlotte to demonstrate outside of a pet shop, I am glad to say that store is now closed. Tfhe 3 1/2 hr trip was well worth the outcome.
Oreo, what can I say about Oreo!!! I was banned from the ASPCA site because of trying to save Oreo. I have no use for the ASPCA and I don’t care who knows it. They were wrong, plain and simply wrong and it broke my heart when they killed that precious beautiful dog that could have had a future with Pet’s Alive help. I also contacted Best Friends on the day he was killed, their response to me was “unless the ASPCA contacts us directly we can not intervene”!! To hell with them also.
September 1st, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Kathi, I understand. We all have the knee jerk reaction. I donate a lot to the groups who foster and get animals of all kinds out of the kill shelters. I hate the we as a society feels it’s ok to just get rid of animals simply because they’re in the way. I believe people who kill or abuse animals should be subject to the same jail time given to murders and persons who commit assault. Animals and children need the biggest voices and I’m happy to help in anyway I can, which is why I was looking to adopt in the first place. We’re hoping to adopt an older dog, so I was specifically looking to get a dog out of a kill shelter, since those poor old sweeties are always left behind. That’s how I stumbled onto this blog post. My knee jerk reaction was to call out the blog for posting people’s home phone numbers. I’m sorry if I was harsh, but there are such awful people in this world, and the thought of the children and spouses being scared in their own homes… it really upset me. Like I said originally, post the business number. Or better yet the mayor’s office, the governor, elected – paid officials. From my understand these board members were just elected recently right? maybe they are trying to correct the problems. has the actual person responsible for the euths been fired or removed from his/her position? i don’t think scare tactics are ever a good idea. but I have to move on, I won’t be adopting from this shelter and I’m sorry but I can’t work with Pets Alive either because of this privacy issue. I can’t trust that my information would be held private.
September 1st, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Oh puh-lease.
Scare tactics?
These people are the board members of a PUBLIC CHARITY. They deserve the same scrutiny as an elected official.
They are hiding behind “The Board” to try to shield themselves from criticism. I guess you have never taken a stand Erica, which means you’ve never had to defend it.
You cry crocodile tears for the senior dogs that don’t get adopted. Where is your outrage for Tyson and Beaumont, senior special needs dogs that were murdered by Liberty Humane?
And your disingenuous comment that you “can’t trust that your information would be held private” by Pets Alive — I’m not sure what you mean. Do you think that the Board members gave us their home phone numbers and we released them to the public? THEY WOULDN’T EVEN GIVE US THEIR NAMES!
We got all the information from Google, which is a public source, so the information was public. Your beef is with them. So please…let’s not show our ignorance okay?
Matt
September 1st, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I have taken a stand, and I have had to defend myself. I have stood high enough to have bomb threat placed against my HOME because of some idiot who thought the best way to “set me straight” was to threaten to kill my family. (The issue was gay rights to marriage) I am not saying YOU are using scare tactics. I am saying the people who take the number you published and then THEY threaten the families because they can’t think of a non-violent approach to resolving the issue or taking a stand. I’m not ignorant sir. I just happen to have an unusual view of the acts of those crazy few who take your innocent request to take action (meaning lawful action) and twist it to me “make them pay”
I am outraged. I ALREADY said that I WILL help in anyway I can, give a donation, come to a PEACEFUL rally, sign a petition. But I refuse to be part of the endangerment of children. I don’t trust my information with you because you seem to not “get” that there are people living in there board members homes. Young children probably, maybe even elderly parents, sick relatives, innocent bystanders that could potentially end up getting hurt because some lunatic decides to take matter into his own hands to prove a point. I wouldn’t want that to happen. Would you?
That’s all I’m saying. These poor animals are dead, more may be dying. It’s terrible and needs to stop. But there are limits, and the death of an innocent child should be just as important to you as the death of an innocent dog.
September 1st, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Erica,
I totally appreciate what you’re saying. You need to understand that the illegal and immoral part of what happened to you started with the actions of the person who illegally threatened you.
I’m saying that anyone can get the numbers we published from Google in about three seconds. That’s the nature of the world we live in.
Matt
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 am
One problem I see is that these kinds of tactics, publishing numbers and encouraging hateful speech, etc. actually work against you.
Expressing outrage at their actions and working to have the individuals responsible for these crimes removed from their positions is appropriate.
Much of what I see being done here is very positive and beats the heck out of the usual apathy that has cost so many animals their lives over the years. But publishing home phones and even hinting that the perpetrators be on the receiving end of what they have been doing, however enticing that may be will cause many would be supporters to quietly withdraw from the fight.
These people appear to have committed crimes and killing animals who should have been adopted is indeed evil. But just as we understand what causes dogs to strike out at people and other dogs, we need to understand that the people responsible for the killing of so many lovable and loving animals need to seen as sick and ignorant, not themselves evil, even though their actions are definitely evil.
My personal opinion is that they spend time in jail and face large fines, but we all know that will likely never happen. What is important is that we stop the killing without losing our credibility in the process. That credibility is what will stop the next shelter when faced with a similar situation.
If someone cannot find compassion for the people at fault here, then perhaps this isn’t really about the dogs.. maybe they are a way for some to feel superior to those who have none for the dogs.. the truth is that IF life is sacred, then ALL life is sacred, even the life of murderers.
Please.. heal everyone and every animal we can. It may not be too late to reach some of those “on the other side” but those we do reach become advocates for NO Kill, those that don’t remain advocates for euthanasia. Educate them, attacking them will only get them to circle their wagons.
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:10 am
Kum Bay Ya David. Tell that to the animals they killed. Our mission is to improve the lives of companion animals by any means possible.
Implied in that, of course, is that the means have to be legal. So you can sit there and “find compassion” for these animal abusers and killers.
If you think we are “attacking” them now then you’re going to be very surprised in a week or so.
They have their opportunity to save face. That’s how we operate. They can resign now or face greater and greater pressure.
Kum Bay Ya doesn’t work in these cases.
September 3rd, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Hi David –
With all due respect, I believe you don’t have any idea who is being dealt with here. These people don’t want to be educated – They have already decided that they are uniquely and unerringly qualified to decide which animals should live and which should die. If you even think about taking that decision out of their hands, you are in for a fight. This is not Niki Dawson’s first time at the rodeo. She was hired in November of 2008 to be the Executive Director of Camden County Animal Shelter and it quickly went from a place of hope and second chances to a place of despair and killing. The script has been the same for Liberty – From the mass walk-out of a Board to a new “mystery” Board where no open meetings or public forums exist, to the firing of staff or banning of volunteers who question her, to the unfair and completely biased “testing process” it is more of the same from this sociopath. The difference this time is that people are actually speaking up. Camden County failed to protect their animals, plain and simple. It was well known what was going on but no one would speak up. The Board was actually banned from the Shelter – That’s right, Board members were not allowed to volunteer nor appear at the Shelter unannounced, except for a “liason” hand picked by Dawson herself. Great system of checks and balances, don’t you think? It’s time to shut this down, by any means necessary. It’s time to stand up and be a true voice for those that have none. People like this don’t just go away, David.
September 4th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Ummm, no, I’m not saying be weak and not to do whatever it takes within the boundaries of what is “right” to do. I am saying that if there is a chance to educate them, then take it because it is what is in the long term best interest of the animals.
Personally, I would use picketing, protesting, fasting and even passive resistance if all else failed. I would be doing everything you are doing on the same fronts. But I would also be looking to find a way to get the public educated and that goes for whatever officials are encountered. I have no problem at all getting those responsible for this sent to jail for any crimes they may be culpable of. But I wouldn’t espouse hatred for them.
Compassion is not for the weak. Compassion is something only the very strong are capable of but if we lose it, then we are no better than those we are struggling with. Remember that people are animals too and the rotten ones didn’t get that way overnight and they didn’t get that way by being treated kindly by other people.
Over 850,000 animals were euthanized in the state of California alone last year. People will not be convinced this policy is wrong if a bunch of mean-spirited protesting animal-rights activists are spouting hatred – and it doesn’t matter that the hatred is deserved, if you preach hatred and non-forgiveness then that is what you will get for the animals.
September 5th, 2010 at 12:18 am
Just so we are clear: Niki sued the city and was represented by Dianna.Sarah, her daughter and former employee sued Liberty Humane after she was terminated and was represented by Dianna, and Daryl was fired and he is also once again employed. 6 former board members quit because of the behavior of Dianna and she and Niki are there again – what will it take to get rid of these people?
September 29th, 2010 at 7:27 am
I volunteer at two shelters here in NC. One is a no kill the other is just horrible. No I don’t think the answer is to trust politicians, I do think if we work hard and long enough that hopefully we will get some stricter laws to enforce the prosecution of these so called humans that abuse animals. When I said strike out I meant that we who are trying to protect animals from abuse will do whatever is necessary to protect these innocent lives. I will continue to petition, demonstrate and whatever else is necessary to get rid of abusers, dog fighting rings, puppy mills, and pet shops. Not many months ago I traveled to Charlotte to demonstrate outside of a pet shop, I am glad to say that store is now closed. Tfhe 3 1/2 hr trip was well worth the outcome.
Oreo, what can I say about Oreo!!! I was banned from the ASPCA site because of trying to save Oreo. I have no use for the ASPCA and I don’t care who knows it. They were wrong, plain and simply wrong and it broke my heart when they killed that precious beautiful dog that could have had a future with Pet’s Alive help. I also contacted Best Friends on the day he was killed, their response to me was “unless the ASPCA contacts us directly we can not intervene”!! To hell with them also.
April 21st, 2011 at 8:50 am
I volunteer at two shelters here in NC.