''Every Dog Deserves to be Saved'': Oreo's Story Part II

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''Every Dog Deserves to be Saved'': Oreo's Story Part II

By Jo Singer | November 23, 2009 12:01 PM

It will be a very long time before I stop wondering about Oreo; the beautiful dog who was cruelly abused and tortured by her owner, only to be rescued by the ASPCA, treated intensively to heal her painful injuries, but then mysteriously and abruptly euthanized with what I consider to be an apparently flimsy excuse. I am haunted with questions about such a senseless death. In reality could this courageous young dog have been saved?

I am a huge fan of "Dogtown", a most informative, compelling and heartwarming TV show. I follow the series, eagerly awaiting each new episode. Dogtown, located in Southern Utah is part of Best Friends Animal Society Sanctuary. I marvel at the loving care the staff gives these dogs, many of whom are considered "vicious," aggressive and not suitable for rehoming. I am deeply touched by the compassionate, patient care the staff gives these dogs, holding a positive vision for these dogs' rehabilitation to have the opportunity to find a forever loving home.

Oreo, Minutes before euthanization
23-Oreo Photo 1.jpg So I got to asking myself, "Are there dogs that are really not candidates for rehabilitation?" I felt compelled to learn more about it and contacted Pets Alive, the No Kill sanctuary, located about 90 minutes from New York City, in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains Additionally Pets Alive is modeled on and works closely with Best Friends. This facility generously and caringly made an offer to the ASPCA prior to Oreo being euthanized, to take her and keep her forever, to work with her to restore her to sanity.

I spoke with Matt DeAngelis, the Executive Co- Director of the facility. I asked him my haunting question, "Are there really dogs for which rehabilitation is impossible?"

He replied, "That is an excellent question."

He elaborated, telling me that in the 25 years he has been working with dogs, there was only one he encountered that could not be rehabilitated, most likely due to the dog's medical condition. This particular dog was held at a "Kill" shelter and had a seizure disorder.

While ten years have elapsed since he met that dog, he continues to wonder if there was something he could have done to save the dog's life. He quoted Kerry Clair, the Co-Executive Director's words, "We are all they have." His passionate philosophy is that a homeless and needy dog must never be killed when a humane solution exists. And he truly believes these solutions are possible, if someone takes the time and makes the effort to find them.

Pets Alive's website clearly shows that they made several outreach attempts to the ASPCA in order to spare Oreo's life but these offers were repeatedly rebuked. Even though Ed Sayers, the President of the ASPCA described Oreo as vicious and claimed that their rigorous attempts to rehabilitate her were fruitless, DeAngelis and the entire Pets Alive staff were eager to offer her a permanent and caring home to get the opportunity for patient rehabilitation. DeAngelis added that it would be almost impossible to work with Oreo while she was recovering from her injuries and still suffering from her severe pain, both physically and emotionally, following the brutal trauma that she experienced at the hands of her former owner. It takes a very long time for a dog like Oreo to regain trust of humans. At Pets Alive she would have had that opportunity.

Since the ASPCA never visited Pets Alive Sanctuary, although Sayers was invited to tour the facility but declined, Sayers' claims that "Due to the extreme emotional and physical strain Oreo suffered, her living conditions at a sanctuary would have been anything but natural, and her quality of life would have been poor at best. She would be forced to live a life of isolation, with extremely limited contact..." How could he know this if he never investigated the offer?

A dog run at Pets Alive
23-Dog Run Photo 2.jpg According to DeAngelis, at Pets Alive Sanctuary, this is far from the truth. "Every single one of our dogs have people that interact with them. Even our "red" dogs are taken out on day trips - for ice cream and overnight stays by volunteers. There are always people here that can work with all our dogs." Preparations to house Oreo were carefully made assuring her comfort, giving her their "Senior Room" and an outdoor run where she could see other dogs, and receive the caring slow process of rehabilitation in secure surroundings. But Pets Alive's hopes of being able to help this tortured dog were dashed upon the rocks of rejection by the ASPCA.

However, Oreo's tragic death was not totally in vain. As a result, legislation will be introduced that closes loopholes to save the lives of thousands of injured and abused animals in New York State. Modeled on an existing law in California, the bill will be named "Oreo's Law" in her memory.

For more information about Oreo and the Pets Alive facility, visit: http://www.petsalive.com/

We would love to hear your reactions to this story. Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Photos courtesy of Pets Alive

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Matt DeAngelis, Pets Alive November 23, 2009 12:45 PM

Great blog Jo! Let's not forget that this is about RIGHT and WRONG. What happened to Oreo is WRONG.

Matt

NancyS November 23, 2009 12:54 PM

I still just can't come to grips with the ASPCA's motives here. I can't stop grieving and wondering, what if...?

Vicki November 23, 2009 1:40 PM

I have always thought that the ASPCA was an organization that helped animals. I have a different view of them because of this.

Donna November 23, 2009 2:12 PM

It seems like this was a bad mistake made by one person who works for the ASPCA. I think the ASPCA as a whole is a great organization that has helps so many animals. I don't think that should be discounted because of the bad decision of Sayers.

jmuhj November 23, 2009 3:06 PM

ASPCA has a HUGE treasury and, in my opinion and the opinions of many others in the animal advocacy movement, does not do nearly enough to truly help the numbers of animals it could do if its policymakers wished. This particular case was absolutely senseless, but not isolated. Every time I see the "behavioral tests" the ASPCA subjects potentially adoptable rescued dogs to on one of the Animal Planet programs, I cringe. And that's from someone who does not like dogs. If all the donors who see the Animal Planet programs and the heartwrenching ASPCA ads truly knew how their donations were and were not applied, I believe many of them would opt instead to apply those hard-earned donations to grassroots community organizations, sanctuaries, rescues and low-cost spay/neuter programs that actually do the most good for the greatest number of animals.

Sheryl E November 23, 2009 3:52 PM

I agree with JMUHJ 100%. I have always supported the ASPCA. I believe with all larger orginazations there are alot of things behind the scenes we do not know about. How many Oreo's are out there that no one new about? The smaller orginizations tend to spend thier money on helping animals not over paying the higher ups, that is what it should be about. Shame on all of you who hide behind your lies. What happened to compassion, be it for humans or animals? I just don't understand....

heath November 23, 2009 3:55 PM

Per Pets Alive's tweet the other day, SPCA's do fantastic work, and they shouldn't be criticized because of the actions of 1 man -- Ed Sayres. I agree with Donna, who says, above, "It seems like this was a bad mistake made by one person who works for the ASPCA. I think the ASPCA as a whole is a great organization that has helps so many animals. I don't think that should be discounted..."

Thank you for keeping Oreo's story alive.

Jan November 23, 2009 9:24 PM

Thank you Jo. I volunteer at Pets Alive and was deeply saddened and confused when we received news that Oreo had been killed around 3pm on November 13th.
Mr.Sayres made an irrevocably wrong decision on "Oreo's behalf".
To anyone reading this blog, please help support the passage of "Oreo's Law" in NY State which was initiated last week. With "Oreo's Law" kill shelters would no longer be permitted to kill an animal that has a facility ready, willing and able to take it in. We need to close the loophole that Oreo's life slipped through.

Aine O'Neill November 24, 2009 6:42 AM

Oreo wasn't killed she was murdered and it's a pity that Sayers couldn't have done to him what he did to Oreo, please everybody in NY state vote to change this loophole that allowed Oreo to be murdered.The picture of Oreo shortly before she was euthanised certainly does not show a dog that looks dangerous, she's being cuddled and petted by two people, hardly the thing you would do if the dog was a vicious animal.

Ruth from England November 24, 2009 7:01 AM

Oreo's story touched many of us in the UK very deeply. After all she suffered,to have the chance of a new and happy life denied her was very wrong.She obviously only needed time,kindness, and understanding,to learn to trust people again.
I hope 'Oreo's law' is soon passed.

jessy November 24, 2009 9:26 AM

I too have always thougth of what i see on the animal planet of the ASPCA that they are there to " HELP " any and all animals.. that they do' nt kill then and stay as long as they need to.. I just do NOT understand WHY THIS HAPPEND...

debbie November 24, 2009 10:41 AM

The CEO of the ASPCA makes over $400,000 a year and where is your donation REALLY going? To the animals like Oreo who truly NEEDED their help, or to line the pockets of the fat cats at the top. I WAS a monthly sponsor but recently suspended my financial support after the murder of OREO. I will spend my donations LOCALLY and to shelters with little or no PAID managers, or at least something more in line with normal salaries. Work locally to save animals...the BIG organizations with rare exceptions (Best Friends) are not looking out for them. PETS ALIVE rocks. They are what true rescue groups are about. They have my undying gratitude and financial support forever.OREO will not be forgotten. Please help pass OREO's Law.

Shanon November 24, 2009 2:23 PM

Subaru USA is currently running a "Share the Love" event that allows buyers to support select charities as part of their purchase. I was disheartened to learn that one of the charities they are supporting is the ASPCA...yes, the organization that killed Oreo. On behalf of Oreo and all neglected and abused animals the ASPCA is supposed to save, I encourage all of you to contact Subaru and ask them to withdraw their "Share the Love" support from the ASPCA and redirect it to a NO-KILL animal organization. You can contact Subaru on Twitter (@subaru_usa), Facebook (http://bit.ly/6M7Qh3) or via their website (http://bit.ly/4XDorx).

Colette November 24, 2009 7:50 PM

For an organization that is suppose to do anythign to help pets, I still cant understand their excuses to euthanize this dog. They had an offer to take the dogg off their hands no strings attached and refused to do so, and this is who suppo=sedly cares for animals? They should be ashamed for being so insensitive, they should have let this pets alive facility take her and at least try, it wasnt going to hurt to try...sad, RIP oreo