ASPCA Tries to Soften the Blow about Oreo
posted by: Sharon Seltzer 88 days ago
President and CEO of the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Ed Sayres issued a press release today in an effort to soften the blow about his organization’s decision to euthanize Oreo – a dog that made national news as a victim of extreme abuse.
His statement outlined the detailed process the ASPCA went through in trying to rehabilitate the dog. It was also issued, because of threats made to the organization.
On June 18th, the one-year-old Pit bull mix named Oreo was thrown off a 6th floor rooftop in Brooklyn, NY by her 19-year-old owner Fabian Henderson. The dog broke her two front paws and fractured a rib. Neighbors said they heard Henderson beating Oreo for 20-30 minutes before the final assault.
Oreo was taken to the ASPCA hospital and Henderson was placed under arrest by ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents.
The ASPCA performed reconstructive surgery on her front legs and nursed the dog back to health. Her owner pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to felony charges of animal cruelty and will be sentenced on December 1, 2009.
Oreo’s story caught the attention of the media which led to a flurry of calls from animal rescue groups and individuals that wanted to adopt her. Her fame has now led to a public outcry as the ASPCA made their decision to euthanize her.
Sayres said when they first notified the public about their decision; their office was bombarded with phone calls and e-mails from people who were confused and wanted to help. The ASPCA sympathized with their sadness and tried to explain. Then the calls got angry and were “laced with profanity” and the ASPCA became the villain in this horrible situation that they did not start.
Today's press release was issued to let the public know how much their good intentions were appreciated and help clarify the great lengths the ASPCA took trying to rehabilitate Oreo. Sayres said, "The details surrounding Oreo’s case are largely unknown."
So he outlined "the circumstances that led to this most difficult and heartbreaking of decisions."
"After arriving at the ASPCA’s facility, Oreo began to recuperate from her injuries, only to begin showing signs of extreme aggression - with little provocation or warning."
These are the steps taken by the ASPCA:
- Oreo underwent a comprehensive evaluation to determine the right rehabilitation program for her to get her ready for adoption or a foster home.
- They actually had two different evaluations performed; one in-house and one from an outside veterinary behaviorist.
- Both evaluations recommended that Oreo not be placed in a home.
- ASPCA staff continued with "extensive" behavior training, but Oreo continued to "lunge, growl, snap and attempt to bite."
- She alternated with lunging at the behaviorist and then her handler.
- ASPCA tried to socialize her with other dogs, but she repeatedly attacked them.
- To keep the other dogs and staff safe, Oreo had to be kept in "relative isolation."
- Her violent behavior became so overwhelming that employees were told to "refrain from making sustained eye contact with Oreo so as to not incite aggression."
The ASPCA then decided to look into alternative placement for Oreo in a long-term resident facility. However they finally came to the conclusion this meant sentencing her to a life alone, away from people and dogs. They worried that her quality of life would be "reduced to virtually nothing."
"Thus, we arrived at the painful yet clear decision to humanely euthanize Oreo," said Sayres.
Sayres also reminded the public that the decision the ASPCA made, is the same decision "dedicated shelter workers throughout the country make each and every day."
"Oreo has come to a place where she can no longer be around people or other animals. We make this decision – and others like it – with a heavy heart and complete understanding that had she been treated with love and respect, Oreo’s fate would be much different."
The ASPCA is worried their decision will make people think they failed Oreo. I hope it opens their eyes that cruelty like Oreo suffered is rampant and sometimes even with the best intentions the damage it does cannot be healed. Rest in peace – Oreo.
Read more: animal welfare, animal abuse, oreo the dog, aspca and oreo, fabian henderson
comments
The ASPCA gave Oreo only a few months; it is clear from the information on the dogs abused by Michael Vick that it can take months or years--but these all came around. I have to agree with those who said that ASPCA was using Oreo primarily for fund-raising.
I say this because they were not willing to send Oreo to Pets Alive. Pets Alive has taken dogs with problems as great as Oreo's and helped those dogs overcome their fear motivated behaviors. However, if Pets Alive succeeded where the ASPCA failed, that would be bad press for the ASPCA. Bad press might affect their fund-raising.
The ASPCA killed Oreo very quickly, while people were attempting to arrange another place for her. I think they are hoping people will forget.
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Yes, I agree, this is a sad story. Everyone needs to realize however, literally millions of healthy, adoptable animals are put to sleep in animal shelters, just because their time has run out. Until every animal lover decides to 1. stop buying animals from pet stores, and puppymills. 2. Get their animals spayed or neutered. and 3. Stop making pets, throw away possessions, if you get a pet, it should be for life, or don't get one. Unless everyone does this, and everyone decides to be responsible and stop turning a blind eye, it's never going to change, and more and more animals will be put to sleep.
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I never understand when I watch the ASPCA animal programs, they save a dog from a horrific situation, then they evaluate a starved dog to see if they show agrassive behavior while eating, the dogs been starved and hes going to let you take his food? come on! Have they seen The dog whisperer, Best friends re-hab of the "Vick"tory dogs? Stop killing the dogs you rescue, unless their health is hopeless, Call Ceasar!!!!
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The owner should have been euthanized in this case, and along with him, millions of others like him!! if they dont have any mercy for a helpless dog, do you think he would have mercy for any of us? or for other animals? isnt he a danger for the society? would you leave your kids around this sick bastard? is he better than a raper or a pedophile? these are the questions we should all ask ourselves...
As far as the dog's concerned, unfortunately we had an adopted stray like that that killed two of our other 7 completely harmless dogs we had at the time. they don't change. the killing is imprinted forever in their poor abused brain, by the monster that raised them this way... the dog was humanely put down and we suffered incredibly for years to come. of course, we tried to give her for adoption, but nobody wanted her, given her history. if we didnt do that, she was condemned to live the rest of her life locked in a small paddock as we had another 5 dogs at the time (the shelters here are far from being anything but shelters and they weren't even considered...)
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She was not given enough time for rehab especially when this organization has SO MANY animals to deal with.That was a good case to call Cesar Milan the Dog Whisperer.Thses poor pit bulls how they suffer because of evil people that have them for the wrong reasons.
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Dogs just need love. Like mine. They were rescued, aggressive but lots of love and lots of cheese will get a way to their hearts somehow. Before you know, these same dogs will protect you with their lives.
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Poor Oreo. What a horrible life this young dog must have had. I wonder if Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer could have rehabilitated her.
Fabian Henderson should be euthanized.
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This story really makes me angry. Sayres should go. Here was Oreo, traumatized from abuse, then evaluated after being isolated in a kennel for an extended period of time. No legitimate evaluation can be done under these circumstances. There are sanctuaries in this country who could have taken Oreo. ASPCA is going to lose public support if it doesn't get rid of jerks like Sayres. Does he really believe that ridiculous press release covers his rearend?!
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Ed Sayres makes $500,000 a year and has a personal driver. These perks come from people who (sadly) don't realize that Sayres is being paid to be a serial killer of sorts. Sayres fouled up the SPCA in San Francisco and has routinely denied animals safe havens when the opportunities were presented to him. His belief that saving an animal is the same as killing them (a dog like Oreo) is a bit like saying murder is life and torture is freedom. This man is an abomination.
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I thought the ASPCA were the good guys? It takes a human longer than 4 months to heal mentally and physically, why in the world do people think an animal is any different? Oh that's right, they are animals....well they bleed red, they feel pain, their bones break like ours, their hearts beat like ours, and everything else functionslike ours in order to keep them alive. Sometimes I think they are smarter than some of the humans walking this planet...
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