Thinking about rehoming your pet for free...DON'T

Dog Gone

People aren't the only ones losing their homes during these difficult times so are their pets, but beware, offer your pet free to a good home and it could vanish. Police are investigating several missing dogs, which were all given to the same man. Carmel Cafiero is here with this special assignment report, Dog Gone.
Reported by:



WSVN -- Robbie Coy: "He's 9 years old, left in a garage. The next door neighbors broke into the garage to take him out."

That cruelty is just one symptom of the kind of stress people are under these days. Throughout South Florida, dogs like these are being dumped, abandoned or turned in to shelters by owners no longer able or willing to care for them.

Robbie Coy: "That's Jumbo and Yumbo. They came in together."

As a result, rescue groups like Sabbath in South Miami-Dade now have more homeless dogs then ever before, and in Boca the Tri-County Humane Society, a no kill facility, is passed capacity.

Jeannette Chrisos: "And it's sad when you have to turn people away when they're in your lobby, and they're crying, and we must get 50 calls a day, and 20 people come into our shelter."

Some desperate owners have offered their dogs free to a good home, but experts say that can be a death sentence.

Jeannette Chrisos: "The worst thing you can do is give an animal away free."

They say people lie to get the animals and then...

Robbie Coy: "They can sell it as a laboratory animal. They can use it for fighting with pitbulls. They can torture it. They can do anything they want. You have no idea who they are."

And that's what the folks who raised and loved Bubba fear may have happened to him.

Mark: "I think Bubba's possibly dead. I don't think he's around anymore."

Mark and his wife Kim have asked us not to use their last names.

Kim: "We were trying to do what was best for Bubba."

Mark's out of work. They have a new baby and had to move to a home with no fence. They offered Bubba free to a good home on Craig's List and thought the man who took him in would give Bubba a loving home.

Mark: "He said, 'Just about every Sunday I have a barbecue.' He said, 'Give me a call, come by, visit with him, play with him.'"

Carmel Cafiero: "So Mark left Bubba here at this Hollywood home, but that same night, Kim was cruising the Internet and discovered the man who adopted him had been getting other dogs from the Internet too. She had a very bad feeling."

She called the next morning.

Kim: "I said we want him back this morning, and if not we want him back today, and he said, 'You can forget about it. You're not getting your dog back. Your dog is gone.'"

In less than 24 hours Bubba had vanished.

Mark: "He said you gave that dog to me, there's nothing you can do, forget about it. He's gone."

This is the man they trusted to give Bubba a good home. His name is Kelvin Quiles. He's a used car salesman with a criminal record. He moved out of the Hollywood house, but we found him selling cars in North Miami. He wouldn't tell me what he did with the dog.

Carmel Cafiero: "Where's Bubba? What did you do with Bubba?"

Quiles shoved the microphone away.

Kelvin Quiles: "I told you, get the --- out of here, OK?"

And then locked the door, but questions from law enforcement will not be so easy to dismiss.

Hollywood Police Lt. Scott Pardon: "We've been investigating since January 30th."

The Hollywood Police Department says it has an open and active investigation on Quiles based on dogs he has acquired.

Hollywood Police Lt. Scott Pardon: "We have people who love their animals, and they're entrusting him with them, and they don't know what's happening to them."

And not knowing is just one of the things that haunts Kim and Mark.

Mark: "I'm really afraid they took him and fought him, and when they were done with him, they killed him."

If you're facing the prospect of having to give up a pet there are options.

Jeanette Chrisos: "If it's just a matter of not being able to afford food for their animals, we can provide that for them."

Check local shelters but make sure you understand if there's a chance your pet could be put to sleep, contact rescue groups. If they can't take your pet, they may be able to help you find a foster home or a new home without your pet ever having to go to a shelter, but don't wait until the last minute.

Robbie Coy: "It's harder to adopt from a place like this than from a home."

In the wrong hands, your dog can end up dog gone in a matter of minutes. It's no way for a loyal and trusting friend to end up.

The Hollywood Police Department asks that anyone with information about Kelvin Quiles, please contact Broward Crime Stoppers. The number is 954-493-TIPS.

VISIT THIS SITE FOR VIDEO CLIP: http://www4.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI115854/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Tri-County Humane Society
www.tricountyhumane.org

Sabbath Rescue
www.sabbathrescue.org

IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:

Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE
Broward: 954-921-CLUE
E-mail: clue@wsvn.com

Sponsored by lil Country Paws

Letter from a Shelter Manager

I read this posting from the Orlando pets and I think everyone should read this. I do not know the original poster, but I commend this person on their fight to save lives. I know from experience and everything in this note is as true as the sky is blue.

A Letter from a Shelter Manager

I think our society needs a huge "Wake-up" call. As a shelter manager, I am going to share a little insight with you all...a view from the inside if you will. First off, all of you breeders/sellers should be made to work in the "back" of an animal shelter for just one day. Maybe if you saw the life drain from a few sad, lost, confused eyes, you would change your mind about breeding and selling to people you don't even know. That puppy you just sold will most likely end up in my shelter when it's not a cute little puppy anymore. So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders" or "strays," that come into my shelter are purebred dogs. The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets? Or they say, "The dog got bigger than we thought it would." How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her." Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 6 dogs! "She's tearing up our yard." How about making her a part of your family? They always tell me "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog". Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off. Sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy. If it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the "Bully" breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted. It doesn't matter how 'sweet' or 'well behaved' they are. If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed it may get a stay of execution, but not for long. Most dogs get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression. Even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment. Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down." First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash. They always look like they think they are going for a walk happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to "The Room," every one of them freaks out and puts on the brakes when we get to the door. It must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process. They will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff." Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and been deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep," sometimes they spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves. When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food? You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind. It was just an animal and you can always buy another one, right? I hope that those of you that have read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head I deal with everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists & I hate that it will always be there unless you people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter. Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.
My point to all of this DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE! Hate me if you want to. The truth hurts and reality is what it is. I just hope I maybe changed one persons mind about breeding their dog, taking their loving pet to a shelter, or buying a dog. I hope that someone will walk into my shelter and say, "I saw this and it made me want to adopt." THAT WOULD MAKE IT WORTH IT!!

lil Country Paws

SEE OUR MARCH SPECIALS

XXXtremely URGENT! Distemper outbreak @ Melbourne, FL. Shelter

This recent distemper finding is further proof of what people have been saying about BASE all along. This outbreak is just a piece of what is really going on in county shelters. These animals live in such deplorable and horrific conditions it makes my skin crawl and my stomach nauseated. Conditions at this shelter isn't that far from how the millers treat their animals and if you've ever done a raid on a miller you know exactly what I'm saying. Our Brevard County Commissioners are directly responsible for the shelters and what have they done? Not a damn thing, except turn a deaf ear and closed their eyes. Now they are trying to pass this problem off to 'privatize' it.

BASE will probably just choose to kill all the dogs, but there are options. There was a recent outbreak in Pasco Co and they asked E.A.R.S. to help them.

http://ga4.org/uan/notice-description.tcl?newsletter_id=30715250

Dogs have been showing signs of severe illness at the Melbourne shelter for months not just weeks. Why is this just now being officially released? Why didn't they call in the vet/researcher from University of Florida earlier? Why did they wait so long to give treatment to some animals, allowing them to suffer and die a slow and excruciating death? Distemper is an extremely painful disease, which I wouldn't wish on any living being. We need to hold the county accountable for this. The commissioners have been told time and time again that the conditions at both animal shelters are horrific, deplorable and inhumane. They know that certain members of management have failed to follow procedures repeatedly, yet these people continue to be employed. I understand that animal shelters are not a fun place, but the animals should at LEAST be treated humanely. Being neglected and abused is not HUMANE! This is considered cruelty.

I hope the media wakes up and starts to listen to the citizens and what they have to say about what is going on at our shelters here in Brevard, especially in the back 'stray hold' areas and E room. Adoption floors may look nice, but beware the back areas are inhumanely disgusting. This shelter has no heat or A/C systems, no blankets....except when staff is instructed to put on a show for an inspection. Dirty cages and kennels are NOT disinfected properly, Sick animals are not being treated unless they have been forced by an outside source, etc......... If an animal is sick, treat it! Don't let it sit there suffering for hours or days on end, as it dies a painful death. Follow policy procedures and disinfect kennels properly. Don't take out an animal for euthanasia and then put a new animal in that same kennel without following procedure. I truly wish people could see what is really happening at this Brevard County Melbourne Shelter as I have seen it. I had hoped with the new Brevard County Commissioners in office things would change for the better for the animals sake.....but I see them allowing the same inhumane behavior by base and staff. Shame on each and everyone of you for allowing this to happen. I have no right to judge you but someone much higher will. Our animals are suffering due to your negligence and uncaring attitudes. You can close your eyes and pretend it's not happening but I can't. I will fight you all and I will be their voice until we are heard.......Our animals have rights and I will write to everyone who will listen and if the residence of Brevard County care to join me, feel free to write the commissioners, your state reps, congressmen and governor. Become a voice for the Voiceless and help bring about change. Your participation is greatly needed and appreciated.

Brevard County Commissioners
http://www.brevardcounty.us/commission/

Florida House of Reps
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/contentViewer.aspx?category=WebSite&file=contact%20us.htm

Florida Congressmen
http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc&state=fl

Governors' Office
http://www.flgov.com/contact_governor

Report Animal Abuse, Cruelty, and Neglect
http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/report-animal-cruelty.html

Brevard Voices for the Voiceless

I hope you have a box of tissues handy...........

I found this on one of my boards yesterday and felt it should be passed on.........Spaying and neutering your pets should be made mandatory in every state. Become a part of the solution!
Definition for the word S-H-E-L-T-E-R............Something that gives protection. Are your shelters doing that?

I have edited this letter to protect the individual who wrote it....
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Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living. I ' m an Animal Control officer in a very small town in ---------------------- . I ' m in my mid ---------------, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.

There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I ' m the person you all write about how horrible I am.

I ' m the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I ' m the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I ' m also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.

First off, all you people out there that judge me, don ' t. God is judging me, and I know I ' m going to Hell. Yes, I ' m going to hell. I wont lie, it ' s despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I ' m not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn ' t be here for me to gas. I ' m the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man. The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.

Friday ' s are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody ' s around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I ' m not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I ' m told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.

So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.

I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs.

They swallow the food so fast, that I don ' t believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don ' t even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it ' s time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy.

I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name.

They will not die without a name.

I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch.

I talk to them, and tell them that I ' m so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber.

Some tilt their heads to try to understand.

I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me.

I tell them that I know I ' m going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.

After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don ' t even move their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.

As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room.

We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn ' t keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs.

As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I ' m playing God, deciding whose going to live and die.

We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back.

Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us.

My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals.

We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time.

They don ' t want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad.

I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian. After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town.

It ' s about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends.

I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don ' t eat, I can ' t eat. It ' s now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play.

I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber. They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I ' m told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds is very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.

I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did. In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.

They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!

So, don ' t call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.

As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I ' m starting to hallucinate.

This is my life. Don ' t judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.
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If you are a Brevard resident and believe in animal rights and would like to help us change how are animals are being treated in our shelters please join our online group..........

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lil Country Paws