I was contacted by a reader, Sheila Connelly,
with a heart-breaking story about an 11-year old Samoyed named Baby.
When she was picked up by the Brooklyn Animal Care & Control, she
was unrecognizable as a dog, let alone a Samoyed. She was filthy,
neglected and abused with huge, infected wounds. After witnessing
the horrendous suffering Baby had endured at the hands of a
monster...what did the facility do? They released her back to the
person that abused her in the first place.
Justice for Baby is an organization that is
determined to find and remove Baby from her abuser and find her a
forever home to allow her to have some sort of happiness in her
final years.
Please take a moment to read more about Baby and
sign the petitions to assist this wonderful organization to get
justice for Baby.
This is what Baby looked like when she was picked up by the
Brooklyn Animal Care & Control
This is what a normal, healthy Samoyed looks like... THIS is how
Baby should look.
The following is from the
Justice for Baby website
Baby's
Story
Baby is an 11 year old Samoyed who arrived at the Brooklyn
ACC (Animal Care & Control) on February 7, 2011 as a stray. Baby had
previously been adopted from the ACC and her owner was identified
via Baby's implanted microchip. Due to Baby's physical, medical and
emotional condition the ACC contacted the ASPCA to evaluate her case
for cruelty and neglect. The ASPCA allegedly did an initial
investigation but declined to further pursue the case and as a
result, Baby was picked up by her owner on February 15, 2011 despite
the fact that 1) ACC staff believed Baby should not have been
released to her owner, 2) a Samoyed rescue was willing to pull her
out of the shelter through the ACC's New Hope Program, and 3) a
woman who is very familiar with this breed and had been in contact
with the Samoyed rescue was willing to adopt her. Baby was also
guaranteed transport to the rescue and if need be, her new home.
This is an injustice.
Based on the information gathered we intend to do whatever possible
to make sure Baby is removed from her current environment and
offered rehabilitation with an organization or individual that is
qualified to evaluate and care for Baby's specific needs. Our core
Team Baby is made up of volunteers who have been deeply affected by
this injustice. We are supported by a larger community that is also
dedicated to getting Justice for Baby.
Simply put, we want a wrong righted. A mistake corrected. We want
Baby rescued from what appears to be a life of deprivation. No dog
should ever be allowed to deteriorate to this condition and then be
placed back at the mercy of those who were responsible for her
deterioration. Surely the long term maltreatment that Baby appears
to have been subjected to violates not only the ACC's adoption
agreement but also meets the standards of animal cruelty and
neglect.
We are respectfully requesting of those in a position of authority
that Baby either be surrendered by or seized from her current owners
and allowed to retire from whatever role she has been forced to
endure, which we strongly suspect is that of a shop/lot dog, so that
she may live out the rest of her days as every dog should; loved,
protected, and cared for.
Baby is the one who deserves a second chance, not her owners.
Veterinarian Statement
This is certainly a neglected dog regardless of breed. Since she is
a Samoyed, it is worse as the coat should be white. Baby appears
depressed given her posture in the picture; her head, ears and tail
are down and she is not looking at the picture taker. Baby's coat is
in appalling condition which can lead to dermatitis and general
discomfort. The matting takes away from the insulation factor of the
undercoat so she would be colder in the winter and hotter in the
summer. The poor coat condition can also lead to fly larvae (maggot)
infestation come warmer weather. This is often a fatal condition as
it happens rapidly in older, neglected outdoor dogs. Baby also
appears to have a mandibular (jaw) mass. She has a red lesion on her
nose which appears to be caused by rubbing her head and nose on
something. You can see white along the top of her muzzle and
head. The matting and filth constitute years of neglect.
I just read the medical which adds to my take that this has been
years of neglect. My entire evaluation was from the picture.
Bilateral otitis, infected wounds and periodontal disease scream of
long term neglect. Otitis is painful. Come summer, Baby would
quickly become maggot infested with her infected wounds which were a
result of the severity of matting. I don't recommend shaving a
double coated breed except in extreme circumstances and I would
advise shaving Baby. Glad it's been done. The undercoat in double
coated breeds acts as insulation. So it keeps them warm in winter
AND cool in summer. That is why I very strongly discourage shaving
these dogs. Sammies also have very pink skin and if shaved, are
prone to sunburn. They will also have difficulty thermoregulating
(keeping body temperature normal). I've had Sammies in my life since
1988 and I have never seen a Sammie with a coat this bad.
Sometimes owners are given a second chance but Baby is 11 and if
they haven't figured it out in 11 years, I don't think they will.
Samoyeds are a versatile breed: they hunt, herd, pull sleds and in
their native Siberia, keep their Samoyed people warm at night. They
are truly indoor/outdoor dogs. But they, and ALL dogs, need
companionship. No dog should be sent outdoors and ignored/neglected.
In my opinion, neglect of this measure is a form of abuse in that it
causes pain and discomfort to Baby.
Kathleen McManamon, DVM
Volunteer for Northern Illinois Samoyed Assistance
******************
There's much more to read at their
website. Please take a moment to visit and, if you would, sign the
petitions they have posted. Thank you.
|
