Gross incompetence and convenience euthanasia

Cora, ID #323294

MCAS managers do not know how to manage distressed or sick animals who most often enter MCAS with normal behavior. On record, their only management tools are the use of force and/or psychotropic medications. If a dog does not take the psychotropic medication, then they kill the dog claiming ‘distress got in the way of medical care.’ They do not call in experts to address how to successfully treat distress when it is a barrier to care.

Cora was 11 months old when she was surrendered by her owner on August 23, 2024 for intractable diarrhea and vomiting. He believed Cora might have been poisoned due to the spray from the landscapers. She had been sick since the previous Sunday, August 18, 2024. He had been force feeding human food to get calories into her. He could not afford her care.

One day after admissions, on August 24, Cora was killed for “behavior,” secondary to agency stress after a veterinary exam under sedation. In order to sedate Cora who was fearful a catch pole was used to hold her in place.

There were alternatives to euthanasia including calling the owner to assist; consult with a behavioral veterinary specialist; refer to Dove Lewis where they successfully treat animals with behavior challenges. One was a street dog of ours, Harley, who had a behavior challenge (fear of strangers) who underwent surgery for lung cancer and lived to tell the tale. Most veterinarians are trained to deal with distressed dogs. MCAS does not permit behavior training critical to the welfare of shelter animals.

After finding no evidence of Gastrointestinal obstruction or foreign material, the veterinarian on duty ordered Cora killed for behavior and medical reasons:

“-Due to behavior, unable to provide supportive care pt needs for vomiting and diarrhea.

-Concern for QOL [quality of life] given severe FAS [fear, anxiety and stress] as well as medical condition for which she will not tolerate treatments.

– Recommend humane euthanasia for both behavioral and medical reasons”

An 11 month old dog ill, terrified, separated from her owner and everything she knew should not be killed for “behavior,” described as “unhealthy and untreatable” for a treatable illness she had already lived with and tolerated for a week.

Veterinary professionals at MCAS have no professional independence under the current management. They must obey the directives dictated to them, even as they contradict the agency’s mission and the purpose of Dolly’s Fund.

The agency’s decision to kill Cora instead of transferring her to Dove Lewis or seeking expert advice indicates its management’s fundamental lack of interest and unwillingness to spend public money on ownerless animals. Even Dolly’s Fund is stipulated to be used precisely for cases of special medical care needs dogs like Cora.

Gail O’Connell-Babcock