DETROIT -
The public plight of a pit bull that was euthanized after being rescued from a hardware store in Detroit continues as rescue activists push forward with pressing the city to change its policies on such cases.
The dog garnered attention across the city after he was found in poor health in a doorway of an Ace Hardware store on McNichols Road. He was publicly given the nickname "Ace."
A number of animal rescue groups asked Detroit City Council members to let them have the dog so it can be put up for adoption.
But Denise Gardner of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing's office told council members during a meeting on Tuesday that the city has a policy of not putting pit bulls up for adoption. "The city of Detroit does not consider the pit bulls to be transferred for adoptable pets," Gardner said.
A Wayne County judge on Wednesday signed an emergency injunction in the euthanasia of Ace. But, Bruce King, general manager of Detroit’s Environmental Health Services, said the Detroit Animal Control never got it. He said Ace was euthanized Wednesday night.
"We are not insensitive to the overwhelming appeal from citizens for an alternative approach," King said. "We are, indeed, heartened by these appeals. However, if we grant this one exception, we are simply not set up for what will undoubtedly lead to overwhelming appeals in similar cases."
King said Ace was put down following expiration of the four-day holding period and department policy.
Nitta Moses said she recognized the dog as the one she had raised since a puppy when she saw him on television. She said she hasn't seen him since July, when he was stolen.
But when she went to the Detroit Animal Control center on Wednesday to claim him, accompanied by her attorney, she said a different dog was brought out to her. "This is not the same dog," Moses said. She and her attorney, Corbett Edge O'Meara, said they had a sneaking suspicion the dog had already been put down before their visit.
“If we can change this policy, the tragedy that is Ace’s death has not been in vain,” O’Meara said. “I was preparing a request that the city of Detroit, the Department of Health, be held in contempt of court for violating it. But, if they are willing to change their policy, we can save these animals. If we can change the policy of the city of Detroit, I don’t want to fight them.”
Several animal rescue organizations said they are meeting with the city’s shelter officials to come up with a plan for finding more places for the rescued dogs to go to.
Source:
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/...dogs/-/1719418/4707754/-/sskmrvz/-/index.html There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. - Bernard
Williams
This was written by another member under his memorial.
And thanks to her for posting this.
I am not on or was on this forum to argue, I was and am
here to enjoy it. ?
