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WILMINGTON, DE (USA)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fur at last. Fur at last.
After days of deadlocked negotiations and doubtful appeals, 10 death row dogs may finally be on their way to the good life, thanks to Delaware Governor Jack Markell.
The 10 dogs, guests of the Kent County SPCA in Camden, DE, had been posted on the shelter's euthanasia shortlist with a deadline of Friday at 4pm.
In accordance with state law, shelters may not euthanize animals without first notifying rescue groups who may offer to take those animals.1
Canine Nation, a non-profit animal welfare organization from Chicago, learned about the dogs (mostly Pit Bull Terriers) and quickly found foster homes for most of them while procuring accomodations at a Delaware boarding kennel for the remaining unclaimed ones.
"Once we had found homes for six, there was no way we could leave the last four to die," says Canine Nation's director of mid-Atlantic operations, J.C. Hans. "So we rented a row of rooms at a boarding kennel."
But despite these grand preparations, the dogs didn't make it out as planned.
"The transfers were scheduled to begin on Wednesday. But the KC SPCA truck showed up empty. We never got any explanation," says Hans.
For days, the KC SPCA would not communicate with anyone on the matter, and as the deadline approached with only hours to go and no signs of relief, Hans decided to take it right to the top. He called the Governor of Delaware. |
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This Lab/Pit Bull and this Chihuahua/Rat Terrier were among the dogs on the Kent County SPCA's unadoptable list last week. In 2010 Governor Jack Markell signed a progressive law that requires Delaware shelters to circulate such a list before they may euthanize an animal. This gives rescue groups time to find homes and alternate shelter space, reducing the number of needless euthanasias. |
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"As it turns out," says Hans, "the Governor himself rescues dogs. In 2003 when Hurricane Isabelle hit, the Markell family rescued a terrified little stray who needed shelter from the storm. They took her in, made her one of the family, and named her 'Isabelle'."
After learning of the situation, Governor Markell's Office made a call, and within minutes, word came from the KC SPCA's director, Murrey Goldthwaite: the transfers would go through.
The KC SPCA said they will release the dogs to Canine Nation on Monday morning.
A representative for Governor Markell joked that if the President could pardon a turkey, the Governor could pardon dogs.  |
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- LONDON, ENGLAND, 1996 "Kizzie" was mistaken for a Pit Bull and ordered to be killed. After 4 years on death row, she was freed when two High Court judges ruled that the order was abuse of court powers.
- MERSEYSIDE, UK, 1998
"Buster", a Pit Bull, was seen outside without wearing his muzzle, a violation of the Dangerous Dogs Act. He was sentenced to death. A four year legal battle ensued, costing £50,000, before the judgement was overturned.
- SCOTLAND, 1998
"Woofie", a 3-year-old Boxer/Collie mutt, was sentenced to death for growling at a postman. The sentence was overturned after an intervention by French actress Brigitte Bardot.
Source: BBC NEWS |
1 Title 3. Chapter 80. §8004. Euthanasia in Animal Shelters.
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