INCIDENT INVOLVING THE EUTHANASIA OF 17 YEAR OLD FEMALE DOG NAMED BASIE AT CROSSPOINTE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
On November 1, 2011 at 12:00 pm a client of CPAH called asking if she could bring in a stray dog that she found wandering. The client had seen the dog about 30 minutes earlier and vowed to help this dog if she witnessed it again as she indeed did as she drove through the area. On the 2 viewing of the dog, it appeared decidedly worse, now hardly able to walk and struggling to breath. She stated that the dog looked like it was going to die. A staff member at CPAH told her if she could catch the dog to bring it in right away and that they would do whatever they could to save the animal. CPAH called Fairfax County Animal Shelter to inform them of the situation. The dispatcher was told that a client was bringing in a stray dog that looked emaciated and was possibly in the process of dying. The dispatcher said she would inform Animal Control. At approximately 12:20 pm the client arrived at CPAH with the dog. This female dog was approximately 17 years of age with no tag, no collar, no microchip and no means of readily identifying her. Every effort was made to contact local animal shelters, where no reports had been filed. The dog was unable to walk on her own and had to be carried into the hospital. Upon arrival the dog looked emaciated and was noted to have thick discolored nasal discharge, the inability to stand on her own, and having difficulty breathing. Oxygen was begun to ease the respiratory effort. A doctor at CPAH did a complete physical exam on the dog and discussed the findings with Animal Control Officer Haines at the Fairfax County Shelter. Per ACO Haine’s instructions, CPAH called the Fairfax County Shelter to see if anyone had filed a missing report matching the dog’s description. Unfortunately, there had been no reports filed with a matching description. Upon further discussion with the shelter and the client it was determined that the dog was found in Occoquan. CPAH was then informed to call the Prince William County Animal Shelter because the dog had been found in their jurisdiction. CPAH called PWC and spoke with a dispatcher who checked their records but found no reports of a missing dog fitting the description of the one currently at CPAH. The dispatcher then informed CPAH that if the ACO from Fairfax County said to humanely euthanize the dog then to do so. CPAH asked if PWC would pick up the body but were told that PWC does not pick up bodies. The dispatcher was then asked if he wanted to take a report of the stray dog to which he responded “no.” CPAH again got in contact with ACO Haines from Fairfax County and informed him that PWC would not help and that they needed advice on what to do with the dog being dependent on oxygen. ACO Haines informed CPAH that if euthanasia was the most humane option then to proceed in that manner and that he would come out and pick up the body. After conferring with ACO Haines the doctor humanely euthanized the dog to help alleviate its continuing struggle for life. Based on preliminary findings, especially the neurological and respiratory conditions, the possibility that the pet in its wanderings may have been struck by a vehicle could not be dismissed. It turned out the dog was not a stray and the owners contacted Fairfax County Animal Shelter the following day. Despite Fairfax County’s offering to hold the body for 7 days, it instead cremated the dog soon after being taken in by the animal control officer on duty. The owners picked up her ashes at Fairfax County. CPAH spoke with Sgt Powell at Fairfax County in regards to what information could be given out because the owners were requesting the name of the client that brought the dog in. Sgt Powell informed CPAH that they were not required to give that information out and that if the owner’s contacted Animal Control they also would not release that information. Sgt Powell also stated that he was reading over the doctor’s assessment and said that the owner was lucky he did not live in Fairfax County or he might have been fined for animal cruelty. The following statement is reprinted from the code of Va Sec 3.2-6507 regarding injured or sick animals; action by the veterinarian:
1. If a licensed veterinarian is called or by his own action comes upon an animal that is sick or injured and the owner of such animal cannot be immediately located, then the licensed veterinarian, in his professional judgment, may treat, hospitalize or euthanize without the permission of the owner. The veterinarian shall make such reports and keep such records of such sick or injured animals as may be prescribed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, including the information required under sub section B of 3.2-6557.
2. In no event shall a licensed veterinarian who has acted in good faith and properly exercised professional judgment regarding an animal be subject to liability for his actions in: (i) acting accordance A; or (ii) reporting cases of suspected cruelty to animals.
While Crosspointe Animal Hospital is extremely saddened by the entire situation, they feel as though they cannot apologize for trying to humanely end an animal’s suffering. A patient’s well being is always the first and foremost consideration when deciding on a treatment plan at Crosspointe Animal Hospital and we commend the Good Samaritan who tried to help treat and if possible save this dog.
STATEMENT PROVIDED BY GOOD SAMARITAN WHO PICKED UP 17 YEAR OLD FEMALE DOG NAMED BASIE.
On Tuesday, November 1, I was driving in Occoquan, near the corner of McKenzie and Ellicott St. I saw what appeared to be a stray dog walking in the vicinity. As I took a closer look, I realized the dog appeared to be severely injured. I continued past the dog but later returned to the area about 20 minutes later to see if the dog was still there. I walked up to the dog and noticed how horrible her condition appeared. She looked emaciated and when I offered her a piece of bread, she showed no interest in eating. She had a very difficult time walking and looked as though her back legs were injured. She was walking almost completely on her front legs, almost dragging her hind quarters. The dog was also having trouble breathing and I could see excessive mucus coming from her eyes and nose. After a few minutes assessing whether it was safe to pick her up, I then put her in my car. I decided to call CPAH instead of Animal Control because I knew that she would receive a more compassionate level of care at their facility. I called the staff and informed them that I was bringing in a stray dog that was in terrible condition. The staff at CPAH took immediate action once I brought her in and within minutes, followed proper procedure by contacting both Fairfax County and Prince William County Animal Control. I also know that CPAH would not and did not euthanize the dog until animal control approved the procedure, as I stayed with the dog for 45 minutes until we awaited confirmation.
