Buddy, ID#297465
MCAS managers specialize in inventing multiple reasons for killing companion dogs placed in their care. Buddy was a dog with so many positive features and options, killed because they don’t want to make an effort. As a plan they list excuses: Exaggerations, vague generalizations and at times outright dishonest conclusions characterize their work much as a delinquent child might try to explain why they didn’t do their homework. The difference is children aren’t paid but MCAS managers are highly salaried. MCAS managers, without accountability or oversight, kill because that takes less time and effort than trying.
Buddy was the entire emotional support for his owner who was arrested October 15, 2025, and none of the reasons listed for killing Buddy were legitimate. Buddy’s owner just had no friends who could redeem Buddy on his behalf. Respite fosters were once central to MCAS’ now sabotaged pet retention mission. Even without that, Buddy could have easily been placed in a foster or medical foster, He could have also easily been adopted as a special needs dog.
Helping the Pets and People Who Need the Most Support Wade Sadler MCAS Director February 2020
“At MCAS, Sadler has championed programs to make services more accessible to the pets and people of the community…. “Yes, I care a lot about animals,
but I also want to be able to help the people attached to those animals. We’re considering the social justice perspective relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and what it means for the services we offer. How do we help the people who are struggling, who need the most support, or who aren’t accessing our services?”
MCAS managers have completely violated the agency mission.
November 3, 2025
“Spoke with Herbe [Multnomah County Department of Corrections, counselor] at 863362- Herbe confirmed that there is not a current release date set for AO. Advised that we have not been able to secure placement, and with pets medical/behavioral history, will likely be moving forward with humane euth. Herbe inquired about an additional week to determine if the AO will be released. Advised that at this point, we cannot offer an extended hold but if she gets additional information, to please call asap in the event the pet is still in our care. Herbe expressed understanding. //jkt”
Understanding that MCAS has given a rigid ultimatum without options is far different from an acceptance of the alleged “reasons” behind the ultimatum. There is no evidence on record that MCAS sought any placement options despite their statement otherwise. Some options are listed above: respite fosters, special adoptions.
In a similar case, as an individual rescue, I took a senior level 2 dog from MCAS who belonged to a prisoner. I boarded his dog and with his permission and, after 6 months, placed her in home. She died of cancer loved and regarded as worth the effort about a year later. No one thought it wasn’t worthwhile. Her name was Mumbles. Do not tell me it can’t be done.
Buddy was killed on November 7, 2025 as DM-UU2, ‘unhealthy and untreatable,’ ‘moribund end stage disease,’ when he was not. All dogs killed at MCAS are labeled unhealthy and untreatable to cover for MCAS lack of effort and responsibility.
November 5 2025, Rounds Review
“Rounds met. Due to multiple medical issues that impact quality of life and aggressive behavior towards other animals, move to humane euthanasia.”
What affected Buddy’s quality of life was compelling his death. All of his daily behavior monitoring sheets from August 2025 were positive, some marked with hearts. There are none for his recent admission. It may be a discontinued practice.
The veterinary record contradicts the euthanasia statement made by the managers.
October 31, 2025, Vet Exam
“Assessment:
-Gingival mass- r/o benign vs neoplastic
-Subdermal mass- r/o benign vs neoplastic
-Moderate peridontal disease
-Heart murmur [ 2/6 left systolic; regular heart rate and rhythm]Plan:
Full sedation for biopsies would be necessary to reach diagnosis for both masses, however even if they are benign, they need to be completely excised due to both of them bleeding; this will be a much more involved procedure and needs to be schduled as a mass removal surgery combined with neuter under general anesthesia rather than sedation and small biopsy; this can be done at MCAS when staffing allows but ideally recommend transfer to rescue due to our very limited surgical capacity.
-Given the chronicity of masses and visible characteristics there is a very good chance both masses are benign.
– Recommend transfer to a rescue for behavior reasons as well; he is an EXTREMELY friendly dog toward people but adopters need to be screened since he cannot be around other dogs.”
While living on the streets, there was one dog aggression incident on April 28, 2023 involving a small dog on leash when Buddy was briefly at large. The probationary time for a Level 2 designation, one year, had long passed without any further incidents. An incident does not define a lifetime unless MCAS needs to make it so for convenience. The pictures are not attached to this record.
April 28, 2023, Finalized Animal Control Issue Summary #279900
“ … MARIA stated that she put out her hand to fend off the dog and was bit…Maria stated the owner was close by and was able to regain control of the dog.”
What is remarkable is that living on the streets is challenging for all dogs, and yet there were no further incidents of any sort.
Options
Buddy could have been treated at MCAS accessing Dolly Fund dollars intended for the special medical needs of shelter animals. But that restricted fund is seldom accessed for animals. For interim care, medical fosters are always available. Instead Buddy was killed to save the managers’ effort and time consuming thought.
October 16, 2025
“Called MCDC 83689 to speak to Curtis W [AO]
He stated that Buddy was dog aggressive, he also stated that Buddy is trained to do a number of tasks, including turn lights on and off. He also knows sit, lay down and roll over (per owner)”
There are multiple types of dog aggression, every one manageable, some rehabilitatable (for example, common place leash reactivity). MCAS made no effort to seek clarification about what the owner meant by “dog aggression.” All dogs? Under what circumstances? They needed an excuse to kill him then falsified the reason. Buddy was not “unhealthy and untreatable.”
The agency freely violates its public service contract and were this a normal government would be investigated and held accountable.
Gail O’Connell-Babcock
Buddy’s records, redacted
MCAS’ Pets in Crisis Policy, Started November 2016, ended July 2022
Shelters Move Toward Alternatives, Cornell University, Dog Watch Newsletter, April 2016
Dog-Dog Aggression-Whole Dog Journal May 2024_Pat Miller
Jason Renaud’s Dog Respite Proposal, September 2022