For at least the second time in the past month, the KCMO Animal Shelter "accidentally" killed someone's dog.
Oops.
This time, the dog was removed from a kennel at 55th and Norton (we don't know from the story if he was legally removed or if Constitutional search and seizure laws were violated) and taken to the city shelter because the dog had not been neutered (which violated the city's mandatory spay/neuter laws for "pit bulls").
Animal Control was supposed to give the owner, Marlin Hatcher, five days to rescue his dog, Ox, from the city shelter. However, 2 days into his stay, Ox was killed.
Head of Animal Control Leslie Forsberg said, "I'll use this opportunity to express my deepest apologies to the owner. We never want something to happen to an animal while it's under our care." It's great that you're sorry Leslie -- but this is AT LEAST the second time in the last 30 days this has happened.
It's beyond time to stop making excuses for the killings and start focusing on actually providing shelter for dogs. It's time to stop pretending that the mandatory spay/neuter law is working when the net result of the law is that more dogs are dying in the animal shelter, not only dogs like Ox that never should have been in the shelter in the first place, but the city's euth rate went up nearly 10% in the first year of the Mandatory Spay/neuter law. Wasn't it supposed to go the opposite direction? Isn't MSN supposed to slow the killing?
The KCMO Animal Control is badly broken. This is yet another example of its brokenness. "Sorry" isn't enough.
L-A-W-S-U-I-T!
Posted by: MAC`s GANG | February 12, 2008 at 12:15 PM
No kidding Mac. I'm not sure if this man has enough money for a lawsuite (they can get quite expensive), but I know I'm sick and tired of the "well, we can get you a new one" mentality. People have emotional connections with dogs...and dogs with people. You can't just "replace" the emotional connection with a new dog because "oops" we killed your other one.
I'm sure I'll keep everyone posted if I hear any more.
Posted by: Brent | February 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
I'll contribute to the legal fund.
Posted by: Michelled | February 12, 2008 at 01:55 PM
This is absolutely heinous. INexcusable. I do not know how all cities work or if some cities send any of these cases to 'The District'. Would be worth the study. In the city in which I work as a court clerk, a citizen can appeal and/or request a trial at very little cost, (that is, if an attorney is not used). Folks are not charged any add'l court fees, except I believe $64.50 for a trial. At least in PV, a person may plead not guilty and request a trial in every case, and most of ours are traffic offenses. This would also be the case for animal control violations and stuff like violating city codes, battery, DUIs.
So, unless this case is so convoluted and there is an effort to 'push it on thru', the defendent would not need a lawyer, but should go in w/ plenty of facts.
Posted by: Becky | February 12, 2008 at 09:19 PM
KCMO folks - please contact your city council members on this issue. KCDA has been in contact with this man and this is not going to be swept under the rug.
Posted by: MichelleD | February 12, 2008 at 10:46 PM
Hey I like Lawsuits against idiots.
I`ll contribute also.
I`ll post the bank info or paypal link on my site if he files suit.
Let us know.
I think a few legal wins might just wake up a few people.
Be very careful where you stick that needle,because it might end up costing you a lot of money!!
Posted by: MAC`s GANG | February 13, 2008 at 01:08 AM
I Marlin Hatcher thank everyone soooo much for the support however im just seeing this so if ANYONE would hepl me i would appreciate it!!!!! MY EMAIL IS marlinsonny@gmail.com
Posted by: marlin hatcher | February 08, 2011 at 03:21 PM