Here is footage from a news story I called in to ABC 24 after the Memphis Animal Shelter euthanized a very sweet and loving Red Nose Pit Bull I found an adopter for. After my adopter filled out the paperwork, they told us to wait while they ran a background check and arranged a home visit. We waited patiently, but it never happened, and when I went back to the shelter, worried about the dog, I found he had been put to sleep. We were given two contradictory reasons (signs of illness, and later, aggressive behavior), but no one could come up with proof or written records for either reason. This pit bull had an extremely mellow and sweet disposition. We temperament tested him, and he was neither dog nor people aggressive. As far as illness is concerned, I have my doubts about him being sick, since the vet does not remember him and there is no medical record to prove that he exhibited symptoms of illness advanced enough to warrant euthanasia when he had sponsorship and an adopter.
The shelter has supposedly improved since the widely publicized cruelty investigation in October, but from working there this past month, I saw very little change. We need massive reform!
You can read the full description of the story
here, as well as see original footage of my handling the dog
here.
RIP, you sweet and beautiful creature. We will do everything we can to fight for justice -- for you and all the other dogs who have suffered your same fate.
