Compare these two dogs:
Phoenix AFTER spending almost a year Lee Loder's dog, BEFORE he was
in the care of Birmimgham Jefferson placed in the care of BJC, and his owner
County Animal Control: was arrested on animal cruelty charges:
(Documented evidence shows Phoenix was at ( I was the staff veterinarian in charge of the dog
his normal weight when he was first impounded. below when he came to BJC. Within two or so
When he was taken out of the facility he had lost weeks, with proper care, he had gained 15 pounds)
half his body weight)
Do you see the striking, and sickening similarities? Both are nothing but skin and bones. Lee Loder was arrested when animal cruelty officers found his dog in this condition. What happened to Birmingham Jefferson County Animal Control when Phoenix was released from their care in THE SAME CONDITION? Why were they not charged with animal cruelty as was Mr. Loder? I know that the Birmingham Police Animal Cruelty Officer, Dana Johnston, is and has been since I was employed there a frequent visitor to the facility. But she was not there for the animals....she was visiting her "buddies" that worked there. (More about her here, MY STORY.)
Every time I see the pictures of the 2 dogs above, I recall horrifying images of victims of the HOLOCOST. I can't prevent it.
I placed this picture here not to imply in any way that these dogs suffered to the devastating extent of these HEROIC humans. I am only trying to bring home to those who may not know intuitively how these dogs suffered and that we all must come forward, speak up for these that cannot speak; we must do whatever it takes to insure proper treatment
of animals in our "humane" shelters across the state. While many shelters do provide outstanding care, many do not. There are no standards in place, there is no official oversight of these facilities. It has become painfully clear that the suffering will continue until proper legislation and enforcement of such is put into place. And
the only way we can accomplish this is by speaking up to our legislators. Use our greatest power - our voice and our vote. We need to let them know that we DO give a damn and that we will be vigilent, persistent, and unyielding in our pursuit of better care for our animals.
Know this:
IF YOU ARE A TAXPAYER IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY IS SUPPORTING ANIMAL CRUELTY. IF YOU ARE AN ANIMAL LOVER ANYWHERE, YOUR TRUST IN THOSE WHO ARE PUT IN CHARGE OF IMPOUNDED ANIMALS HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE
OBSCENELY VIOLATED.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, REALIZE THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO PHOENIX, AND THE FINDINGS DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE BELOW, ESPECIALLY THE BLOODY DOG, ARE SITUATIONS THAT WERE FORTUITOUSLY (BY CHANCE) DISCOVERED AND REPORTED. DURING THESE TIMES FOR BJC IT WAS
"BUSINESS AS USUAL".
THEY HAD A FULL TIME VETERINARIAN ON STAFF WHO WAS HIRED AFTER I LEFT AND REMAINED EMPLOYED AS SUCH UNTIL SOMETIME AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH THE BLOODY DOG. (HE CAME THERE AFTER SPENDING SOMETHING LIKE 13 YEARS AS VETERINARIAN FOR OUR LOCAL ZOO, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. HOW COULD HE POSSIBLY BE QUALIFIED TO TAKE CARE OF THE DOGS AND CATS WITHIN THE FACILITY?)
FIVE YEARS...FIVE YEARS FROM 2004 TO 2009, AND TO DATE..... HOW MANY MORE ANIMALS SUFFERED SUCH A PLIGHT,OR MUCH WORSE? UNSEEN BY THE CARING PUBLIC, IGNORED BY THOSE WHO WERE THERE TO CARE FOR THEM? PLEASE KEEP READING AS I WILL BE ADDING MORE AND MORE TO THIS STORY.
So what happened next? Spurred by many citizen complaints, representatives from Commissioner Carn's office made an "impromptu" (unannounced) visit to the facility. An excellent article by Ed Reynolds, in the "Black and White" newspaper, reports at length what the representatives observed. To read this article, click below:
BJC ANIMAL CONTROL: OUT OF CONTROL
Quoted from the article: (Important commentary from former staff veterinarian to come)
We never saw [BJC veterinarian] Dr. Shaw tend to this dog. More than half the floor of the cage was smeared in blood. We were told that she was given painkillers and that the vet would be checking on her later. The dog did not move the whole time we were there. We asked Shelley [a BJC Animal Control employee] if the dog was OK and if they were going to treat it. Sharon [Evans] asked, "What decision will the vet make after he checks on the dog?" Shelley said that if the dog's wounds are major, then the dog would be put down and if there were only minor treatments needed, they would put the dog up for adoption and hope that whoever would adopt the dog would take the dog to the veterinarian for the needed care.
