Vet Faked Dog's Death!! OMG! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

simonandhallie · 04-29-2006, 06:13 AM

CNN article

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A couple who thought they were watching their epileptic dog being euthanized actually witnessed a simple sedation procedure concocted so the veterinary clinic could later give the canine to another owner, their lawsuit alleges.

Dana and Gary Ganyer said they cried while watching what they thought was the death of Annie, a 2-year-old German shepherd that had increasingly frequent and debilitating seizures.

But in a lawsuit filed in Bucks County last week, they contend Annie was not euthanized in February 2005 at the Mill Pond Veterinary Clinic in Milford.

Instead, the lawsuit says, the dog was given a sedative to make it appear she was dead. The clinic then gave Annie to a new owner, Gene Rizzo of Northeast Philadelphia, who cared for the dog until he had her euthanized on November 2, according to the lawsuit.

"When I heard she was still alive, I literally screamed and went into hysterics, and I was in shock for three days," Dana Ganyer said. "My nerves were totally torn up that this vet could do this."

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, accuses Mill Pond Veterinary Clinic, Mill Pond Kennels and three of its employees of fraud, negligence and defamation.

A lawyer for the veterinary clinic did not return a call Friday from The Associated Press.

In the lawsuit, the Ganyers say they were told by a former employee of the clinic that they were considered "heartless" and that a meeting was called the morning Annie was scheduled to be euthanized to devise a plan to "rescue" the dog.

The Ganyers contend they are loving owners who decided to put Annie down only after weeks of research and soul-searching.

On June 30, the Ganyers received a call from the former clinic employee, who told them Annie was still alive.

A few days later they drove to Rizzo's home. The Ganyers told Rizzo they were Annie's rightful owners, but he refused to give her back.

Rizzo said Annie had seizures every few weeks, but between them "she was perfectly normal."

Annie was euthanized after Rizzo said she lapsed into a coma-like state for two days, and his veterinarian told him the dog was "really suffering."

livingdustmops · 04-29-2006, 06:28 AM

I am not going to comment on this article because I think many facts are missing but what I am going to tell you is that where I live anyone can drop off their animal at animal control and pay $$$ to have their perfectly healthy or elderly dog euthanized and no one can do anything about it. These people for what ever reason don't want the dog adopted by anyone else. Luckily we were allowed to steal some of these Yorkies out. Was this wrong?

gutu28 · 04-29-2006, 06:28 AM

OH MY GOSH!! How awful for the first owner

livingdustmops · 04-29-2006, 06:44 AM

I wasn't going to comment but - was this dog being euthanized because its epileptic seizures were an inconvience to the couple? How would you feel if you were a vet and felt this animal could still have a quality of life? I realize the article went on to say the dog was finally put down but again, I think there is more to the story. I saw it too many times - people use the excuse it was being done in the best interest of the dog - when in fact it was done in the interest of the couple. Please don't be so quick to jump on the bandwagon here, not everyone cares about their animals on the same level.

simonandhallie · 04-29-2006, 06:52 AM

I'm not jumping on a bandwagon, I agree with you. My only concern is why didn't the vet really talk to them instead of pretending to put the dog down? Or refuse to do it? Instead he faked it on a suffering dog? That is what I don't understand. I can't imagine what I would feel if my dog was suffering, I had made that decision, gone through all the emotions and then found out it was all fake?

I didn't post this article to debate it, I just found it interesting and alarming all at the same time.

txshopper73 · 04-29-2006, 06:57 AM

WHAT???? Why?????

doggieluver · 04-29-2006, 07:15 AM

I feel so bad for the 1st owner I had a lab that had seizures everyday for 2 weeks put him on kinds of meds then all of a sudden they stopped he live for another 5 years. However he was never really the same and I searched my sole and I finally decided to have him put down it is the most heart breaking thing

cheryl000 · 04-29-2006, 07:22 AM

Obviously the dog was really suffering. If it was an "inconvenience" don't you think they would have just sold the dog or gave him away instead of putting it down? Wouldn't that be easier?
What if the vet SOLD the dog to the other people to make money? Our dogs are VERY valuable. This reminds me of the movie Beethoven. Should have just refused to put the dog down or told the others his opinion on it. He could have even offered to buy the dog or find the dog another home if it was a "cost of care" issue. There are other things to do than to be so underhanded. When you are paid to do a service, you have to do it. You can always refuse service though if it is against what you believe in.

alisonJ · 04-29-2006, 07:26 AM

HMMM--I find it interesting that the first owners did not ask for the remains of their dog. Wonder what's up with that?

livingdustmops · 04-29-2006, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simonandhallie

I'm not jumping on a bandwagon, I agree with you. My only concern is why didn't the vet really talk to them instead of pretending to put the dog down? Or refuse to do it? Instead he faked it on a suffering dog? That is what I don't understand. I can't imagine what I would feel if my dog was suffering, I had made that decision, gone through all the emotions and then found out it was all fake?

I didn't post this article to debate it, I just found it interesting and alarming all at the same time.

I agree about the debate - I just wanted people to think there might be another side to this we don't know about. Maybe the vet did talk to the people and say with medication this dog can live a good life. It is the original owner who said the dog was suffering and we don't know what the vet felt. Did the vet profit off of the other couple taking the dog? Did the other people breed the dog? The vet could have refused but he (maybe) knew these people would find someone else to euthanize the dog and he felt it deserved a chance to live. I haven't a clue who is right here but I just wanted people to know many people put their animals down due to costs of medicines, older, leaking bladder and some vets do it because of legal reasons but they know there is not a good reason to put the dog down. I applaud any vet who figures out a way to save an animal that they feel should live and they haven't become harden to the useless killing and they are not profiting off saving this animal. I can also tell you I will go to the ends of the earth to save an animal and have been guilty of devising plans to "rescue" a dog(s) who had time to live.

I hope you understand where I am coming from and yes I would be beyond grief if this happened to me but I can also tell you I have been with each dog we have had to put down and held them long after they were dead and felt their "living/spirit" leave their body. Each dog was then brought home for either cremation or burial.

I am sure if I didn't do rescue and see some of the things I see I would be shocked, outraged, madder than hell if I read this article because I would assume everyone cares about their animals as much as I do and would only do what is right for the dog.

browniesmom622 · 04-29-2006, 07:40 AM

im sorry but if its my dog and if i want it put down who is the vet to do that its not like it was a happy healthy puppy peeing in the house

megan_kat22 · 04-29-2006, 07:41 AM

I agree with this. The whole situation seems very sad to me. I mean think about what the dog went through.

Princess Zoe · 04-29-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

I agree about the debate - I just wanted people to think there might be another side to this we don't know about. Maybe the vet did talk to the people and say with medication this dog can live a good life. It is the original owner who said the dog was suffering and we don't know what the vet felt. Did the vet profit off of the other couple taking the dog? Did the other people breed the dog? The vet could have refused but he (maybe) knew these people would find someone else to euthanize the dog and he felt it deserved a chance to live. I haven't a clue who is right here but I just wanted people to know many people put their animals down due to costs of medicines, older, leaking bladder and some vets do it because of legal reasons but they know there is not a good reason to put the dog down. I applaud any vet who figures out a way to save an animal that they feel should live and they haven't become harden to the useless killing and they are not profiting off saving this animal. I can also tell you I will go to the ends of the earth to save an animal and have been guilty of devising plans to "rescue" a dog(s) who had time to live.

I hope you understand where I am coming from and yes I would be beyond grief if this happened to me but I can also tell you I have been with each dog we have had to put down and held them long after they were dead and felt their "living/spirit" leave their body. Each dog was then brought home for either cremation or burial.

I am sure if I didn't do rescue and see some of the things I see I would be shocked, outraged, madder than hell if I read this article because I would assume everyone cares about their animals as much as I do and would only do what is right for the dog.

I can totally understand your point of view. We definately need some more facts before really knowing what happened. If the couple was really torn up about having their dog put down, but felt that it was the best thing because he was suffering.... Then I think the Vet did a really horrible thing. If the couple found their dog to be an inconvenience, then I think the Vet was only trying to help the dog. Maybe both cases are true. The couple was trying to do what was best and the Vet was trying to do what was best. Who knows.... what a crazy case.

judyeve · 02-13-2007, 10:05 AM

I had to have a cat euthanized. The vet set up an appointment during which we met and discussed the cat, the options, my reasons, and ONLY when he was satisfied did he agree to euthanize him.

I thought this was a remarkable vet (Animal Kind in Brooklyn, NY) and was totally impressed with their care and integrity. They even sent me a sympathy card for my cat. They're very pricey, so I use a similar type of vet which was highly recommended to me.

Judy

solarflashlight · 02-13-2007, 10:37 AM

If anyone wants to know more about what really happened to this Dog Annie let me know. I worked there during that time and was taking care of Annie while they were looking for a home for her. I had no idea she was stolen.
And the owners did request the ashes and you will not beleive what happened then. No news reports will tell you what I know......By the way I do not work there any longer. This incident made me sick and I could not morally work there any more after that. I quit shortly after.

04-29-2006, 06:13 AM	#1
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	Vet Faked Dog's Death!! OMG! CNN article ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (AP) -- A couple who thought they were watching their epileptic dog being euthanized actually witnessed a simple sedation procedure concocted so the veterinary clinic could later give the canine to another owner, their lawsuit alleges. Dana and Gary Ganyer said they cried while watching what they thought was the death of Annie, a 2-year-old German shepherd that had increasingly frequent and debilitating seizures. But in a lawsuit filed in Bucks County last week, they contend Annie was not euthanized in February 2005 at the Mill Pond Veterinary Clinic in Milford. Instead, the lawsuit says, the dog was given a sedative to make it appear she was dead. The clinic then gave Annie to a new owner, Gene Rizzo of Northeast Philadelphia, who cared for the dog until he had her euthanized on November 2, according to the lawsuit. "When I heard she was still alive, I literally screamed and went into hysterics, and I was in shock for three days," Dana Ganyer said. "My nerves were totally torn up that this vet could do this." The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, accuses Mill Pond Veterinary Clinic, Mill Pond Kennels and three of its employees of fraud, negligence and defamation. A lawyer for the veterinary clinic did not return a call Friday from The Associated Press. In the lawsuit, the Ganyers say they were told by a former employee of the clinic that they were considered "heartless" and that a meeting was called the morning Annie was scheduled to be euthanized to devise a plan to "rescue" the dog. The Ganyers contend they are loving owners who decided to put Annie down only after weeks of research and soul-searching. On June 30, the Ganyers received a call from the former clinic employee, who told them Annie was still alive. A few days later they drove to Rizzo's home. The Ganyers told Rizzo they were Annie's rightful owners, but he refused to give her back. Rizzo said Annie had seizures every few weeks, but between them "she was perfectly normal." Annie was euthanized after Rizzo said she lapsed into a coma-like state for two days, and his veterinarian told him the dog was "really suffering."

04-29-2006, 06:28 AM	#2
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	I am not going to comment on this article because I think many facts are missing but what I am going to tell you is that where I live anyone can drop off their animal at animal control and pay $$$ to have their perfectly healthy or elderly dog euthanized and no one can do anything about it. These people for what ever reason don't want the dog adopted by anyone else. Luckily we were allowed to steal some of these Yorkies out. Was this wrong? __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

04-29-2006, 06:28 AM	#3
gutu28 Lovin' the Cali kisses! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 2,990	OH MY GOSH!! How awful for the first owner __________________ Larissa and Cali Let's go Georgia Bulldogs!

04-29-2006, 06:44 AM	#4
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	I wasn't going to comment but - was this dog being euthanized because its epileptic seizures were an inconvience to the couple? How would you feel if you were a vet and felt this animal could still have a quality of life? I realize the article went on to say the dog was finally put down but again, I think there is more to the story. I saw it too many times - people use the excuse it was being done in the best interest of the dog - when in fact it was done in the interest of the couple. Please don't be so quick to jump on the bandwagon here, not everyone cares about their animals on the same level. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

04-29-2006, 06:57 AM	#6
txshopper73 Donating YT 14K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 14,226 Blog Entries: 1	WHAT???? Why????? __________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley

04-29-2006, 06:52 AM	#5
simonandhallie *I Love My Monkeys!* Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Falling Waters, WV Posts: 11,166	I'm not jumping on a bandwagon, I agree with you. My only concern is why didn't the vet really talk to them instead of pretending to put the dog down? Or refuse to do it? Instead he faked it on a suffering dog? That is what I don't understand. I can't imagine what I would feel if my dog was suffering, I had made that decision, gone through all the emotions and then found out it was all fake? I didn't post this article to debate it, I just found it interesting and alarming all at the same time.

04-29-2006, 07:15 AM	#7
doggieluver My Heart, My Life, My Dogs Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: El Paso,TX Posts: 759	I feel so bad for the 1st owner I had a lab that had seizures everyday for 2 weeks put him on kinds of meds then all of a sudden they stopped he live for another 5 years. However he was never really the same and I searched my sole and I finally decided to have him put down it is the most heart breaking thing __________________ Jessi and my 4 's SugarBear's Taz Gizmo's Gidget

04-29-2006, 07:22 AM	#8
cheryl000 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: none Posts: 1,495	Obviously the dog was really suffering. If it was an "inconvenience" don't you think they would have just sold the dog or gave him away instead of putting it down? Wouldn't that be easier? What if the vet SOLD the dog to the other people to make money? Our dogs are VERY valuable. This reminds me of the movie Beethoven. Should have just refused to put the dog down or told the others his opinion on it. He could have even offered to buy the dog or find the dog another home if it was a "cost of care" issue. There are other things to do than to be so underhanded. When you are paid to do a service, you have to do it. You can always refuse service though if it is against what you believe in.

04-29-2006, 07:26 AM	#9
alisonJ YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 1,840	HMMM--I find it interesting that the first owners did not ask for the remains of their dog. Wonder what's up with that? __________________ Alison--Edith Jones's mother www.edithjonesproject.com

04-29-2006, 07:40 AM	#11
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	im sorry but if its my dog and if i want it put down who is the vet to do that its not like it was a happy healthy puppy peeing in the house __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

04-29-2006, 07:41 AM	#12
megan_kat22 I love my boys! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 1,913	I agree with this. The whole situation seems very sad to me. I mean think about what the dog went through. __________________ -Megan, Tucker & Tripp "My little dogs- heartbeats at my feet" www.dropshots.com/megan_kat22

02-13-2007, 10:05 AM	#14
judyeve Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 1,729	I had to have a cat euthanized. The vet set up an appointment during which we met and discussed the cat, the options, my reasons, and ONLY when he was satisfied did he agree to euthanize him. I thought this was a remarkable vet (Animal Kind in Brooklyn, NY) and was totally impressed with their care and integrity. They even sent me a sympathy card for my cat. They're very pricey, so I use a similar type of vet which was highly recommended to me. Judy

02-13-2007, 10:37 AM	#15
solarflashlight YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: somewhere Posts: 5	If anyone wants to know more about what really happened to this Dog Annie let me know. I worked there during that time and was taking care of Annie while they were looking for a home for her. I had no idea she was stolen. And the owners did request the ashes and you will not beleive what happened then. No news reports will tell you what I know......By the way I do not work there any longer. This incident made me sick and I could not morally work there any more after that. I quit shortly after.