I’ve been keeping this story on the back burner for a bit because – well, it’s just too sad to think about.
A retriever mix in Dallas was apparently hit by a car on an interstate earlier this month. At some point in this dog’s life, he was loved by someone enough to be microchipped. I have no idea how he came to be alone on the highway but considering that he was chipped, it’s plausible that he had a home and an owner looking for him.
Police and animal control officers responded to the scene. The dog’s rear legs were shattered and he was bleeding internally. I did not go to medical school but it would be obvious to me that this dog would be unable to walk and suffering from great pain.
One of the ACOs, Charles Jackson, muzzled the dog and then tried to force him to walk to the AC vehicle. The dog was unable to walk and cried in pain. Mr. Jackson then picked the dog up by the rear fur. When the dog again cried, Mr. Jackson dropped the dog. Finally Mr. Jackson put the noose of a catch pole around the dog’s neck and began to drag the suffering pet to the AC vehicle. A police officer, Senior Cpl. Joshua Merkel, intervened and helped to get the dog loaded up humanely.
After arriving at the city facility, the dog was euthanized. Thankfully, the police officer who intervened on behalf of the dog spoke up about what he had witnessed. Mr. Jackson has been taken off patrol duties – although I don’t know what tasks he has been assigned in their place (hopefully nothing where he has contact with animals!) – and he may face disciplinary action.
I know there are good people in Dallas. I know they don’t want to pay for this type of “public service”. I only hope they make that known to Dallas Animal Services, the Mayor, and city officials.
Thank you Cpl. Merkel – not only for intervening on the dog’s behalf – but for speaking up about what you saw. You did the right thing. Dallas could use more people like you.
I’ve been reading story after story of neglect, abuse, and betrayal on your website. Every day, a new horror. Every day, more abuse. Every day, horrendous conditions. Every day, retribution killing of already adopted or rescued animals. But this can’t be right.
I thought we all wanted the same thing. I thought no one wanted to kill. I thought animal control shelters were always staffed by caring and compassionate people who treat animals kindly. I thought they leave no stone unturned to save their lives. I thought groups like HSUS and ASPCA, which make millions because the public thinks they either oversee or run local shelters, were on the case.
I thought that rather than fighting each other, we should be fighting our common enemy. If we pass mandatory S/N, and empower the Charles Jacksons’ of the world to impound more animals, we will solve the problem of the “uncaring public.” Now you are suggesting that it will only empower them to drag them across the sidewalk and throw them to the ground and then kill them in the shelter out of spite, rather than treat them for their injuries.
And shouldn’t we continue to give Charles Jackson and his cohorts full discretion to decide which animals live or die? Because if we empower people, if we actually embrace the grassroots, well, these rescue people are just dog fighters and hoarders in disguise. Doesn’t Charles want what is best for animals? While the local rescue group wants to drag them across the sidewalk, throw them to the ground, and then kill them?
You are confusing me. Please clarify.
It’s a hot mess. To clarify things, I would suggest you read a book called Redemp – oh, wait.
Hey, SOMETIMES this blog reports happy stuff! (Good stuff, nice stuff, or at least nifty stuff about feeding raw food to pets…)
Actually, I recall a post or two about the unwashed masses.
I just wish there could be more unwashed news to report.
I think generic good deed doings for pets go largely unreported. It’s all about ratings/revenue. “Some lady goes to the local shelter every other day to walk the dogs and pet the cats” just doesn’t sell like “Are we turning into a nation of HOARDERS?!” (I actually heard Jane Velez Mitchell say that on TV last night.)
That did not sound like the real Nathan Winograd. I’m not sure what that was.
Agreed Tom. Now I’m confused. Keep up the great blogging Biscuit!
Tom,
Nathan was being sarcastic because these types of ridiculous statements are what No Kill advocates consistently hear. Someone just posted something similar on my Facebook page. I’ve also been told if I just go up to the shelter and walk dogs or wear my No Kill Houston t-shirt, that will fix everything. This is a shelter killing 65% of the animals, but yea walking dogs is going to fix all the problems.
It is a bad thing when these animals are being abused but not all shelter workers are bad and mistreat the pets. I used to work for one and I spent most of my time hiding animals in the shelter until I could find a rescue or somewhere for them to go. We were a kill shelter but I would only put down the ones that were sick or hurt beyond help. I still go by just about everyday to play with the animals and I have adopted several in the last couple of years. All of my pets are shelter pets. As I have room I will adopt someone new.
The police officer involved deserves a commendation.
If not from the police, then from local rescue groups.
If this had happened in my neck of the woods, not only would the ACO be punished by the community, but the officer would be publicly thanked by local groups and organizations who care about animals – and we wouldn’t shut up until it happened.
This has to start at a local level. The reason these things go on is because the general public is either unaware or believes that the story they just read is a rarity, an oddity – certainly not a regularly occurring issue.
Local education, local legislation, local support.
That’s what needs to happen all over North America – and it only takes one person to get the ball rolling. Don’t believe me? Ask Nathan. ;O)
Keep it up, both of you. Your national voice is what keeps our local efforts going.
The AC officer should be fired. He is no officer of any law. And I would see how he treats his wife and children, if anyone was dumb enough to live with him. Animals, especially home pets can get loose, don’t have a clue what a car or truck can do to them. This dog should HAVE to be taken to the closest Vet, with care and save it from anymore pain. The officer should be congratulated for doing his job, he’s paid to do it, for representing Right, standing against Wrong, that is what he’s supposed to do.