K-9 Officer Destroyed at Animal Humane Society

[Mike Fry]

Today, as I was busy preparing for our sold-out auction this Saturday, my email inbox started going crazy. People were emailing to me the above tragic tale of a respected K9 Officer named "Felony" that was killed at the Animal Humane Society, another in a long line of horribly unnecessary deaths at the hands of a "shelter" that is out of control and out of touch with the needs of animals, or the expectations of animal-loving Minnesotans.

Before I say any more, I want to make an important point: In introducing this story, FOX 9 News stated that Felony was "accidently" "euthanized". Both of these words are not applicable to this situation.

Felony's death was not accidental. The Animal Humane Society killed him deliberately. They tested him for "adoptability". He failed their test. So, they chose to kill him.

"Euthanasia" is the act if ending a life to terminate suffering. Felony was healthy, hard-working and loved by many. Here is a quote from the Howard Lake Police Department where Felony worked:

Felony has been with the department since 2002, and has been very visible in the community. He worked the night shift with the night officers, yet routinely searched school campuses and performed for public demonstrations during daytime hours, as well. Felony was often quoted as, “The hardest working officer in Howard Lake,” by the previous police chief during narcotics demonstrations throughout the community.

Fundamentally, what Felony's death should bring about is a dramatic inquiry into the testing staff and methodologies used to conclude that this highly skilled and trained dog, who was used to working in schools, was not "adoptable".

Here is a picture of Felony published by the Howard Lake Police Department:

[Mike Fry]

Mary Wick,

Clearly there are issues and concerns many in this case. I certainly do not agree with keeping animals outside in a kennel. The fact remains, however, that it was the "humane" society that killed Felony, in spite of calls from the PD telling them they had lost their old lab.

Heads should roll at the PD AND at AHS over this. Additionally AHS should fully re-evaluate its screening policies if a dog like Felony could not pass an "adoptability" test.

It is also worth pointing out that in various stories, Felony's loss of body mass was attributed to his age, not lack of care. Even the AHS vet has acknowledged this was likely the case.

[Stephanie]

This story is finally reported by the StarTribune - November 27, 2009:

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/76726637.html

[April]

Beth, while I do not have a lot of experience with this, it is my understanding that lost & found pets are not put on 'display' at the humane society until after the holding period and only if they past the temperament testing (to go out for adoption). (It is also my understanding that this is a fairly common practice throughout the country.) Sadly, even if the police did do a walk through they may have not been able to see this beloved pet, friend and community officer.
I believe this is where some of our frustration comes from, certainly it does for me (I have a STRONG customer service background). The staff at the humane society rarely seem happy, greet anyone, or are willing to do "their job" let alone go above and beyond to actually help save the life of a furry family member.
Before I knew about the humane society, my ex-hubs & I adopted a wonderful (black) dog in January 2005. We had a sweet dog at home and were concerned about the two getting along. Instead of helping us arrange for a first meeting ("they didn't have staff to help with this"); we were told "Just bring him back if it doesn't work." He was the 'shelter star' and I now know that meant he was on death row. He was a wonderful addition to our family (he and the other dog quickly became best friends:) and we enjoyed every minute with him until cancer took his life too soon.

[Mike Fry]

Jackie Phillips:

You did not answer my question. My question to you was what motivated you to become a member of this group, when you apparently are not in alignment with the groups stated purpose?

I also asked you why you have only commented on this one topic?

Furthermore, while this forum is open to members to join, it is subject to rules and membership is at the discretion of Animal Ark. This is, in no way, a violation of any "First Amendment" rights. The First Amendment does not give anyone the right to say whatever they want where ever they want.

Your ability to post here is subject to your ability to follow what many would consider to be some basic rules of public discourse. Stick with the facts. Avoid name-calling. Then, you are more than willing to post alternative perspectives. And, if you did so, people would likely be receptive to your message, even if they disagree with it.

As the moderator of this forum, I will not allow it to deteriorate to the level your posts have sunk.

[Mike Fry]

beth robbins: since you are obviously willing to invent information in your head, why do you not do it in reverse? Why do you NOT speculate there is "more to the story on the AHS side?"

You could just as easily ponder, why, given that AHS knew Howard Lake PD was looking for a lost, older black lab they did not call them to tell them they had one in impound. It would have been logical for them to do so but they did not.

Similarly, you could speculate that AHS must have been abusing or mistreating Felony if his behavior was so bad that he was growling and snapping at people. He was, after all, a highly trained, hard-working k9 cop, with more than 7 years of service under his belt. Alternatively, you could speculate that staff at AHS are lying about why they killed this dog. You could speculate all kinds of things. However, you are only speculating negatively about the Police Department, technically, victims in this case. Can you explain that?

To you and Jackie Phillips, can you explain what, if you really believe AHS was simply "doing their job" by killing this dog, you are even doing as a member of this online community, that has a stated mission of spreading no kill?

What motivated you to join and post about this story, when according to your profiled neither of you are even from anywhere near Minnesota? Why so many posts from you, and only on this one topic? And why so one-sided in your wild speculations?

[Mike Fry]

I am growing weary of the wild speculations being thrown around in these comments. Suggestions that Felony was mistreated, neglected or abused have no place here, because there is no substantiation for those statements.

Likewise, there is speculation that the PD did not look for Felony, when they have made strong statements in the press to the contrary.

The facts in this case are pretty simple: Felony got loose, was taken to the Animal Humane Society and they killed him, in spite of him having a nearly spotless work record in challenging settings.

Some of the people commenting here appear to not have even read the story, or watched the video.

Statements made by AHS that Felony was aggressive are difficult so accept, given his 7 year spotless record as a k9 Officer.

[pitbull friend]

Considering that the report also said he was quite thin, I would wonder whether: 1) part of his bad behavior was hunger ("snapping and growling 'even' when food was present?!?"); and/or 2) part of his bad behavior was illness or injury. (I can't imagine we'll ever know for sure.) When I volunteered at AHS, they were very reluctant to spend veterinary resources on checking such things out. For instance, dogs who came to the St. Paul shelter who were housetrained often had problems because they weren't let out more than once a day. (They had no outdoor fenced area then, so dogs only got out if volunteers walked them.) The housetrained ones would not go in their kennels, giving them bladder infections. Then they couldn't hold it. They would be adopted out & people would find them impossible to housetrain. Some of those were returned to the shelter and, being impossible to housetrain, were killed.

I don't know why the Police Department's negligence lets AHS off the hook for using "temperament testing" to kill rather than evaluate, rehabilitate, and appropriately place. Ms. Phillips seems to imply that it does. Ms. Phillips, you don't seem to be at all open to the possibility that AHS might not have done everything perfectly or that this whole incident might be a sign that both the police department and AHS need to make some changes. Since you're so keen on asking questions, try a few of mine, OK? Is it that their practices are very close to your own? Are you trying to defend killing dogs you didn't have the resources and/or inclination to rehabilitate or place elsewhere? Are you saying that you, as an animal control officer, have nothing to learn from mistakes or tragedy? Do you have some experience with any of the parties involved (if so, what?), or are you basing everything on a situation in another state? Are you here with any desire to learn and discuss, or just "defend" some people you don't know based on a perspective you gained in a somewhat different situation halfway across the country?

[sb]

From looking at his picture I'm thinking his bad behavior might be; big, black and gray about the muzzle. Yes, that is difficult to rehab.

[April]

Wow. This is something that seems so impossible. I am even more shocked to read a related article at www.herald-journal.com. I am deeply alarmed that one account indicates calls were made to the humane society to notify them of this missing friend; on the other hand "there is no such record." It certainly seems our dear, dear pets are not safe if the unthinkable accident happens.
Having experienced weight issues in my own dogs I am shocked at the harsh judgment to this dog's weight. In my experiences an ideal weight may be as "low" as 4 on the scale, depending on other health issues in the dog (i.e hip dysplashia, arthritis). A dog fighting an illness such as cancer may easily look like a 3 or a 4 on the scale before death or recovery. Perhaps a fit dog who has missed a couple of meals and is stressed may look worse for the wear also. Also, the photo provided certainly doesn't point to a dog who is unhealthy, as hinted by the humane society and call-in person. (Keep in mind also, that many of us do not know what a healthy dog really should look like.)
Nathan Winograd and others have proven over and over again that the temperament testing used by the likes of humane societies all over this country are not working; perhaps Felony's case and death will help move for a change.
Lastly, the obvious question remaining is regarding a microchip. I would be surprised to learn this dog was not chipped (and if not, we could all learn from that) and there's no indication that the human society looked for a microchip.
I am very disappointed in the humane society once again. What is humane about killing a wonderful member of the community and a dear friend to his special human (or humans:)? There is no way for the humane society to justify this cold act of murder; there is no reason to not wait a more appropriate time to allow for a reunion.

[Mike Fry]

To Jackie Phillips - you are asking questions that have already been answered. You may believe it is the "job" of the "humane society" to kill dogs. I do not. And, I suspect that the vast majority of their donors do not believe that is why they are given nearly $11 million dollars each year.