Jackson, ID# 322762
Jackson, awaiting euthanasia on September 04, 2024
On September 4, Jackson, a very friendly valiant young dog who had learned to navigate and compensate for hemiparesis and blindness, was scheduled to be killed because MCAS managers claimed to have exhausted all options for his care
They had not. They simply prefer the expediency of killing the helpless.
These were the options
On September 02, 2024, The Humane Society of SW Washington had accepted Jackson for medical care but were over capacity and asked to be contacted in a few days. On September 03, they declined due to their current population.
MCAS could have placed Jackson in foster care until space opened up at the Humane Society of SW Washignton or another option was found elsewhere. MCAS once had medical fosters but the current management claims to have eliminated the program, despite it still being part of the Dog Foster Handbook (FAQ, “What are the common reasons that dogs need fostering?”, page 29).
Jackson just needed a foster, it didn’t have to be a medical foster. Jackson’s medical condition was stable and his case could be managed even without an extensive neurolgical consultation. One can manage a case clinically without diagnostics. There was no consultation to even determine if extensive diagnostics are needed. Partial paralysis and blindness can be managed even if they can’t be cured.
MCAS could have accessed Dolly’s Fund, a restricted donation driven fund established by a County Resolution in 2009 and further specified in 2015 as part of another resolution, for the special medical needs of shelter animals. Instead they have continued to illegally divert it to fund spay neuter vouchers, despite both the county auditor and the Oregonian reporting on its misuse.
A consultation with a veterinary rehabilitation specialist could have been arranged about rehabilitation for dogs with semi paralysis. It is affordable. Back on Track Veterinary Rehab once collaborated over MCAS dogs in past times. And after reading about his case online, the veterinarian and founder of Back on Track on September 02, 2024, inquired on how to contact MCAS about fostering or adopting Jackson.
The timeline to his planned death on September 04, was close to the date of inquiry. Regardless, there were no lack of options, only a lack of caring and initiative.
The following statement by the Rounds Committee recommending euthanasia is inexcusable in its sophistry and jaded inhumanity. After all, MCAS believed that his life was worthy but was asking others with less funding to conduct a neurological consultation when in fact management might have been all that was needed and in any event they could well afford any associated costs from Dolly’s fund intended for that purpose.
September 4, 2024
“Rounds met and we have exhausted options and will proceed with DVM recommendations of humane euthanasia given that extensive work up would be needed to reach a diagnosis.”
Since Rounds is so easily exhausted, they should be placed on bed rest, while competent professionals are sought to enable a humane shelter.
Veterinarians at MCAS once recommended legitimate expenditures of Dolly’s Fund through consultations under leadership of former Director Michael Oswald until his retirement on April 30, 2015 (Public records examples available upon request). Michael Oswald was the only long-term Director at MCAS, as since his retirement the position has been a revolving door where people come and go every 1 to 3 years.
The current MCAS managers since 2016 have routinely rejected access to those funds when veterinarians have requested them. The effect has been that veterinarians no longer ask for referrals. The instruction is to off load medical concerns onto another organization.
A forlorn hope exists that Jackson made it through the Committee and was allowed to live, but what I know of the current management at MCAS is that they are dedicated to population control with brutal efficiency.
Gail O’Connell-Babcock