Today seems to be a day of sad news.
First, a rescuer contacted me yesterday about the case of a dog she was asked to rehome from a well-to-do family. The family had purchased the dog, but were not willing to treat the dog for a skin problem. Before this rescuer could find a home for the dog, she heard that the family had sent the dog to the shelter because they decided they did not want the dog anymore. She asked if I could help check with the vet (I only know one vet there) if there is such a dog there. It was a purebred Labrador with MKA certificate, too.
I checked and was told there was such a dog, but no details as to what had happened to him.
So, I told the rescuer to best go down to the shelter and check it out herself.
Well, she did, and it's bad news. Apparently, the dog had maggot wounds and the shelter informed the family, but the family wasn't willing to treat the dog. So, the dog was euthanised.
Maggot wounds is totally treatable. If the dog was dying of a terrible disease and suffering tremendously, I would understand why certain people would want the animal put down (because they don't want the animal to suffer - that's usually the reason). Although we have never had any animal put down, we don't judge others' decision. But maggot wounds? And one wonders how a pet contracted maggot wounds...
And our second story....
Just now, a young girl called me. Apparently, her friend had been fostering this distemper survivor (a female dog). The parents of this friend didn't like the presence of the dog and sent it to the shelter today. Since the dog was a distemper survivor, the shelter advised the parents that the dog would be euthanised. The parents gave consent and the dog was euthanised immediately.
I don't know what to say about such parents. When their child shows such admirable compassion in wanting to foster a distemper survivor. (not a sufferer, but a SURVIVOR), they send the poor dog to be euthanised at the shelter.
At the rate humans are intentionally killing animals at their convenience, it's no surprise that we humans (as a race) will eventually suffer consequences of a similar magnitude.
The vet whom I contacted has asked me to advise all rescuers that shelters have certain policies. Diseased animals will be euthanised. Hence, do not send diseased animals to the shelter, please. Send them to the vet to be treated.
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