Puppy scalded by acid draws worldwide anger

[nifer]

all i have to say is W T F.

Seattle Times: Puppy scalded by acid draws worldwide anger

12:08 PM PST on Sunday, March 19, 2006

By CRAIG WELCH / The Seattle Times

Animal advocates from around the world have expressed their outrage over the treatment of a pit-bull puppy in Federal Way that had to be euthanized after it was burned with acid over most of its body.

Pasado's Safe Haven, a nonprofit animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Sultan, said it continues to receive angry calls and e-mails from around the United States, Canada and Europe about the 4-month-old puppy whose body, face, mouth and paws were so severely scalded that veterinarians could not save it.

"We literally have been getting more than 80,000 hits an hour on our Web site," said Susan Michaels, Pasado's co-founder. "This case has struck a real chord."

A concerned neighbor brought the wounded female puppy named Mooie to Valley Animal Hospital of Auburn on March 10 after learning it had apparently been dumped in a backyard in Federal Way where children were playing.

"I've seen animals burned, tied up by their legs, thrown up against walls so their heads were smashed, but I'd never seen anything like this," said veterinarian Ivy Engstrom. "This was one of the worst things I have ever seen."

KING

The puppy was burned all over its body, including inside its ears and mouth.

Up to 80 percent of the dog's skin was burned. Engstrom feared its intestines had been destroyed by whatever it ingested.

"This poor baby would have needed all of its skin transplanted. There was just nothing left to save."

The burns were so powerful that a hazardous-materials team eventually responded to the vet's office because workers were having trouble breathing, and experiencing rashes and burning on their arms and necks.

Investigators told Engstrom they thought it was a type of acid that can be used for cleaning concrete, such as in a swimming pool, but that may sometimes be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Engstrom, frustrated that authorities didn't appear to be taking the case as seriously as she hoped, contacted Michaels. Both said they were later disappointed to hear that Federal Way police and King County Animal Control each thought the other agency was responsible for investigating the animal cruelty, which is a felony.

Attempts to reach officials at both agencies were unsuccessful Saturday night.

Regardless, Pasado's Safe Haven offered a $10,000 reward for information about how the animal was burned. Outraged callers and e-mailers have increased that to more than $15,000.

Pasado's co-founder Mark Steinway has been conducting his own investigation.

He, Michaels and Engstrom also were upset that authorities cremated the dog, rather than perform a necropsy.

"As far as we're concerned that was mistake No. 1; you don't destroy the only evidence in a case," Steinway said. "Now there's literally no way to determine what caused the burns on that puppy unless you talk to the vet or determine it through photographs. Right now, we fear too much time has gone by."

Steinway said it's important to take these cases seriously — not just for the animal's sake but also because such cruelty may portend violence to people.

"Anyone who would do this to an innocent puppy probably wouldn't hesitate to do something to a human being," he said.

http://www.king5.com/localnews/stori....3f0cb756.html

[nifer]

taken from another msgboard:

Justice for Mooie the puppy...she suffered so....

The most important thing you can do this week is to send an e-mail for her
If you read our website frequently, then you know that we never show you graphic photos. But this time, we must. You must be MADE to be as incensed as we are to propel you to ACT to seek justice for this little girl.

The Federal Way Police Department (Washington State), in whose jurisdiction this case fell under, first passed off the case to King County Animal Control. KCAC cremated the body, basically destroying all the evidence.

Our humane investigators have been on the scene for two days, trying to resurrect this case. When they found stained clothing and rags, allegedly left behind by the potential perpetrator of the crime, in his personal garbage can, our investigators called KCAC to retrieve the evidence (which they did). We next asked why no search warrant had been issued for the potential perpetrator's home or yard? We were told that there was not "probable cause".

We disagree. Although we cannot go into detail to assure that we are not causing damage to a criminal case suffice it to say, there is enough "probably cause" to conduct a search. In fact, it was widely reported in the news that Federal Way Lt. Terry Hock said the officers found a substance in the backyard of the owners house that could have caused the burns on the dog but they didn't know what it was.

Today, we contacted the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office to ask for their help. They have always been extremely responsive to animal cruelty issues and in fact testify on behalf of animal cruelty bills before the legislature assuring a successful conclusion.

Dan Satterberg, Chief of Staff of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office contacted the Federal Way Chief of Police today. Following their phone call, our Humane Investigator met with Federal Way Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick who insisted that they originally had a "seasoned" homicide detective speak with the alleged person of interest inside his home and "because he let them in" they presumed that all evidence was destroyed if indeed there was evidence to begin with." We're appalled. How can a law enforcement entity "assume" there is no evidence?

The Chief of Police has told the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office that they've passed this case to KCAC and it's up to THEM to get the search warrant.

WHEN WILL PASSING THE BUCK END?

It's imperative that police, KCAC, or WHICHEVER ENTITY TAKES REPONSIBILITY FOR THIS CASE see what's in the cupboards, under the bed, in the drain, in the backyard of this house. This is not only a Felony animal cruelty case but it's also a potential felony drug case, as well.

Enough screw-ups
First KCAC cremated the body. (KCAC told Dr. Ingstrom, the vet who examined and euthanized Mooie, that they would perform a necropsy on her. They never did. Dr. Ingrstrom is furious. And so are we.)
Now, the Federal Way P.D. is "assuming" there is no evidence because someone let them inside for an interview? Only moments ago our Humane Investigator was told that "even if they found evidence of this chemical it wouldn't prove anything".

THIS is diligent police work?

Their response to Pasado's
When we ask the tough questions of the Federal Way P.D., their response to us is that "we're taking on an adversarial position". We never assume such a position until people aren't doing their job.

What you need to do NOW:
E-mail all of the local media and ask them investigate this case. If you have a connection with "60 Minutes" or "Dateline", please forward this webpage (and the photos).
Media only: Please call 425-269-3621 (DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER UNLESS YOU ARE MEDIA)

Talking Points:

-Tell them your name and where you live (what city and state - we want them to know that the country, and possibly the world, is watching this case)
-Ask them to seek answers from the Federal Way Police Chief and KCAC as to why the potential suspect's backyard isn't being tested when Federal Way P.D. Lt. Hock suspected chemical stains were present?
-Ask them to find out why the P.D. or KCAC aren't conducting a warranted search inside the house, inside a shed under the carport, inside their vehicles?
-Why are they wasting time when evidence can be destroyed?
-Find out why a felony case (possibly a double felony case involving both animal cruelty and meth-amphetamine production) was referred to an animal control entity and not pursued by them?
-Ask them to find out why King County Animal Control doesn't have a protocol for handling evidence in Felony animal cruelty cases.

Send the smae e-mail to each of the following: (Despite being accused of being "adversarial" we still, as always, ask that you be polite when you write. Demand to know answers but do not use unprofessional or incendiary language. Remember, you're representing this little puppy - you are her voice.)

Federal Way Police Chief Ann Kirkpatrick
Walt Washington, Manager of King County Animal Services and Programs
Ron Simms, King County Executive (Walt Washington's boss)

Tacoma News-Tribune
matt.misterek@thenewstribune.com
newstips@thenewstribune.com
rob.carson@thenewstribune.com
Rob.Tucker@mail.tribnet.com

The Seattle Times
dboardman@seattletimes.com (managing news editor)
jsullivan@seattletimes.com
sgreen@seattletimes.com
ltakiuno@seattletimes.com
fruley@seattletimes.com

The King County Journal Newspapers
mike.archbold@kingcountyjournal.com
chris.winters@kingcountyjournal.com
jamie.swift@kingcountyjournal.com

The Federal Way Mirror

Rita Morgan (Pasado's National Coordinator who is monitoring all communications on this tragic issue)

And if you haven't done what we've asked below, please do ASAP! THANK YOU!


When Animal Control, those charged with protecting defenseless animals, deliberately destroy vital evidence related to the most egregious act of animal cruelty possible, we have to ask ourselves �Who is watching the watchers?�

The following questions need to be asked, and answered: (Talking Points)
� Why would King County Animal Services cremate the remains of a puppy tortured to death with acid? Surely they know full-well that information gleaned from necropsy and toxicology reports are the corner-stone of any prosecutor�s case against a perpetrator?
� Why shouldn�t we expect a professional and appropriate protocol for handling physical evidence in animal cruelty cases? Would authorities discard such evidence in a human-related case?
�When a Vet Clinic regrets ever having turned over an animal's body to the "proper authorities", is it time to question the authorities' ability to do its job?
�Do we want the person capable of such a hideous act of cruelty freely roaming the streets of our cities and towns among our pets and children?

In our experience, this is not the first time that King County Animal Services has undermined an animal cruelty case by bungling the handling of evidence. We have witnessed their inaction in the other animal cruelty and animal neglect cases and we think, with your help, it�s time to bring attention to this problem. Let�s make this the last time King County Animal Services are allowed to shirk their duty.

Using the talking points above, please file a complaint, using polite language, against King County Animal Services by contacting Walt Washington, Manager of King County Animal Services and Programs at walt.washington@metrokc.gov.

Then write to their boss Ron Simms, King County Executive, at exec.sims@metrokc.gov and the King County Council at http://www.metrokc.gov/comments/council_comment.cfm asking that they insist the King County Animal Services vigorously investigate animal cruelty cases and take the appropriate and necessary measures to secure evidence related to animal cruelty cases.

Ron Simms has been a true friend to the animals in the past. He was a strong advocate for Ordinance 123, one of the most progressive spay and neuter programs in the country, and we�re sure that he�ll want to know your concerns on this matter.

Let�s do this for a little puppy named Mooie, and for all the poor creatures that depend on us to do the right thing.

(cont. below)

[nifer]

HISTORY OF CASE: One of the Worst Cruelty Cases We've Ever Encountered...

Federal Way, Washington
Pasado�s Safe Haven has offered a $10,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for immersing a four-month-old puppy in acid (acid was also placed inside the puppy�s mouth). Veterinarians were forced to euthanize the puppy.


THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST CRIMES WE HAVE EVER INVESTIGATED AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!

(The puppy was found by a Good Samaritan and taken to Valley Animal Hospital in Auburn, Washington where the puppy was euthanized.)

REWARD FLYERS POSTED ON THURSDAY, 3/16 at NOON

The e-mail call as been put out to Pasado supporters to assist us in plastering our reward posters in the 28900 28th Pl. S. block of Federal Way, WA, the area where the puppy lived and was tortured. If you can help print more flyers or post them, call Larry Brothers, Pasado's Safe Haven's Humane Investigator at 425-269-3621. (If you can post them after you get off of work on your own, then copy this poster here at a local office store/copy store on neo-bright paper. Do NOT post on utility post as this is against the law.)

Some background � and how we�re going to need your help next � fighting the @#%^&@#% police and animal control!


PASADO�S CONTACTED BY DISTRAUGHT VETS TUESDAY

Valley Animal Hospital vets, who euthanized the puppy, called Pasado�s Safe Haven for help prior to the news release of the case. Mark Steinway (co-founder of Pasado�s Safe Haven) and Larry Brothers (Humane Investigator) attempted to call King County Animal Control repeatedly, leaving multiple messages, in an attempt to assure that the body of the puppy was not cremated. Pasado�s routinely offers full funding for all veterinary medical necropsies and toxicology reports for law enforcement and prosecutors. Our sources today tell us the body WAS cremated, destroying all evidence.

OUTRAGE AT LAW ENFORCEMENT - ANSWERS SOUGHT

Although intentional animal cruelty is a Felony in Washington State, according to Pasado�s sources, King County Animal Control and the Federal Way Police Department cremated the body of the puppy before a necropsy (animal autopsy) or toxicology tests could be conducted. �The law enforcement entities, responsible for investigating such an egregious crime, simply threw away the evidence,� says Larry Brothers, Humane Investigator for Pasado�s Safe Haven (a Monroe, Washington-based animal welfare agency). �Pasado�s passed the third animal cruelty law in three years in Washington State this last legislative session. What good are the laws if the investigators, paid to do their job, choose not to use them?�

WHAT'S NEXT - HOW YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Pasado�s Safe Haven will formally request that the investigating entities search the premises of the owner of the pit-bull puppy (who claims to have nothing to do with the crime). Although the owner may very well be innocent of this vicious act, criminal investigations always start with the family. According to King County Journal Newspapers, Federal Way police Lt. Terry Hock said the officers found a substance in the backyard of the owner's house that might have caused the burns on the dog, but they didn't know what it was.

Once we've posted flyers all day on Thursday, we will update this website and let you know who to call and how express your outrage! Watch our website for what to do next!

[red98vett]

I was and still feel sick over what happened to that poor dog....there needs to be this kind of outrage over puppy mills and the treatment of dogs living in misery..... not just one incident. But I'm glad it got media attention....People can be so disgustingly cruel....makes you embarrassed to be Human sometimes they way people can treat defensless animals.

[ytsirk27]

jesus...WTF..i am just so upset ans mad im beyond thought and words. ..

[chachi]

This is an outrage! How could anyone do that to a poor innocent puppy. They would have to be an animal

[YorkieShadow]

Oh My Gosh that poor poor puppy.

[Baileys_Momma]

I live very close by where this incident took place and when it was on the news last week I just sat in front of the TV and sobbed. I can't beleive anyone would do this to any animal. My hear was just breaking for that poor puppy who was suffering through the whole thing......I cry now just thinking about it.

[Francie]

Originally Posted by red98vett

I was and still feel sick over what happened to that poor dog....there needs to be this kind of outrage over puppy mills and the treatment of dogs living in misery..... not just one incident. But I'm glad it got media attention....People can be so disgustingly cruel....makes you embarrassed to be Human sometimes they way people can treat defensless animals.

I'm sick to my stomach...its so hard to even listen to these stories...so many...each one worse and worse...I hope whoever did this burns in Hell...


Francie

[Lexi Rae]

you know, i just cant understand how the freakin laws are. this just makes
me furious... right now i would like to get ahold of those m/f's who did this and
and hang them upside down and beat the living s--t out of them , then
shoot them in their knee caps and poke their mother effin eyes out.
then, chop their toes off real real slow and pull their finger nails off..
you can see how outraged i am .... sick sick sick individuals....their mother should be shot. thats all i have to say....im totally pissed off right now..

[nifer]

this is a horrible thing, but i hope this outrages people enough to want to take action against crimes like this.

[nifer]

150 Rally In Protest For Mooie...
and to "speak" on her behalf.

They came by ferry, they carpooled, they showed how much they cared. We hope Mooie knows, somewhere, that they spoke for her...

Results of the Town Hall Meeting

Outraged citizens have been waiting for answers for weeks. Last night, they got a few, but not enough.
Roughly 150 people converged on the Federal Way Police Department's Town Hall meeting coming from as far away as the coast of Washington. They came for one reason: to get an explanation for what has appeared to be a mind-numbing dereliction of duty on the part of two agencies, trusted to find who hurt Mooie.

Prior to the meeting, men, women, children, senior citizens, and a few people with their dogs showed up with signs that ranged in rage from "How Could You?" to "Is THIS what we get for our tax dollars?" The signs each expressed individual anger and sadness, but they all carried one message: what happened to Mooie, will not be ignored.


Inside, a respectful crowd waited for officials to begin. We're so proud to know amazing people who represent animals so well. There were no outbursts. No disrespectful comments. Intelligent, thoughtful people gathered on behalf of a little girl who suffered so much.

Detective Robinson, the investigating officer, was pointedly asked many questions regarding why no search warrants were issued following the crime, enabling the gathering of critical evidence. He stated an "inspection" of the puppy owner's premises had been done, including looking for suspicious substances in the house, shed, and backyard. This contradicts what neighbors maintain, stating police were in the house for roughly "50 seconds" and spent about 15 minutes looking in the backyard.
The Federal Way P.D. will not commit to this case being an animal cruelty case (they maintain this could have been an "accident") despite statements to the contrary from the veterinarian who examined her. Even Detective Robinson, the P.D.'s own officer, states that the burns are consistent with child abuse cases he's seen.

Citizens demanded to know why the same protocols used in other violent crimes weren't used in a Felony animal cruelty case? The woman who found the puppy and brought her to the vet submitted a signed statement claiming that authorities told her to throw away a blood-soaked blanket and bandana, and "chunks" of skin and fur that had fallen off of Mooie when she took her to the vet.

This same woman states that she's been "collecting pieces of Mooie" that the police hadn't recovered from her. (Residents in the neighborhood claim they have not been visited by police since the incident happened on March 10th, until Wednesday of this week. Police deny this is true.)

The veterinary technician who held Mooie as she died, hugs Mark Steinway, Pasado's Safe Haven, left. She delivered extraordinary, moving testimony about meeting Mooie and the efforts she and Dr. Engstrom went through to anesthetize the puppy, to bring her relief from suffering. They tried calling 911 for help. They waited, seemingly forever, for King County Animal Control to respond. "We want answers," she cried. "You shouldn't allow this to happen to another animal."

The vet tech explained that many other vet clinics have been calling Valley Veterinary Hospital, to offer their condolences following this case. She said when she told them about the lack of response from Animal Control, and how the puppy was cremated destroying evidence, their response was, "Well, what did you expect?"

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/CRUEL...Puppy_Acid.htm

[MeganS]

Someone did that for "Current Events" in social studies today. Everyone kind of *gasped* however, I flipped out and my teacher had to tell me to calm down lol.

I can't believe that someone could do something like this to a poor innocent puppy! Its rediculous! arg. I feel sooo bad for him...

[txshopper73]

W T F ??????