Cut the crap, Hendel!

When this photo appeared on the ACS Pet Harbor web site it set off a flurry of emails to ACS for obvious reasons. Who in their right mind would think it was ok to post a photograph of a frightened puppy cowering in a mess of their own feces?  The emails from rescues started before 9AM demanding a new photo and information on the dog. 

FINALLY, at 6:00PM after repeated attempts for an answer from someone at ACS the following response was sent out:

RE: Feces Puppy Still in Cyberspace!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 6:00 PM

From: "Elizabeth Brown"

 

Unfortunately, this puppy was euthanized earlier today due to behavioral and medical concerns.

 

Elizabeth Ann Brown
Senior Management Analyst - Live Release
City of San Antonio
Animal Care Services Department
O: 210-207-6655
C: 210-508-8953
Do your part to save lives! Please sterilize your pets.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.

 

Behavioral concerns?  What kind of behavioral concerns does a 3 month old puppy have?  And why wasn't rescue contacted when they realized this puppy was sick?  Why did no one answer the numerous emails sent to ACS employees throughout the day?  Actually, someone did answer an email.  ACS Director Gary Hendel sent the following email to a concerned citizen at 3:42PM.  Unfortunately, he was either lying or grossly misinformed about what was going on in his kennels at ACS.  Not only was another picture NOT taken or uploaded, but the puppy was already dead. 

 

 

From: Gary Hendel
Date: March 22, 2011 3:42:13 PM CDT
To: Brenda
Subject: RE: Puppy in Feces

Hi Brenda.

This photo was taken as the dog exited our animal care truck and we realize it's not the best.  A new photo has been uploaded.  Please be aware that we didn't put the animal in this condition.  It was picked up frightened and hungry and as soon as we got to the shelter the puppy was cleaned and given food and a warm bed.  We cared for this puppy as if it were our own.... because it is.

Gary


What is it going to take for them to get their proverbial shit together over there at ACS?  These are not isolated incidents anymore.  This kind of thing happens on a daily basis.  The right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing and the left hand just doesn't care.