Dog Bleeding Out Denied Care: Negligence at Detroit Animal Control
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 12 Jul 2015
7.11.15 This is Major. He has a complicated story that is not easy for us to tell.
A few weeks ago, Major was involved in a bite incident. His owner complied with law enforcement that responded to the scene and was extremely compliant when an Animal Control Officer came to pick up Major for his bite hold. The ACO assured his owner that she could come get Major after 10-day bite hold if she paid impound fees and got him vaccinated and licensed.
His owner visited Major every chance she had, contacted CHAINED, Inc to help her advocate for Major and get her fence fixed. On July 7th, Major's owner was told he to go home. Major got his rabies vaccine and license and his owner paid all fees. Major got to go home. He got a bath and got to play with his dog brothers and human family.
The following day, an Investigator from Animal Control came to Major's house accompanied by a police officer. The investigator said that Major should have not been allowed to leave the building. His owner was confused but complied, putting Major into the compartment of the Animal Control vehicle, even though the compartment was still filthy from the waste of the animal last transported.
Shortly after this, Dog Aide was contacted by CHAINED for additional support for Major's owner. We were informed that Major was still being held in as if on quarantine even though his bite hold was expired. The kennel is long enough for him to lay down but he was unable to stand or move in his kennel. His kennel had diarrhea in it. We advised Major's owner to continue visiting her dog daily and be active in his care.
On 7.10.15 when she went to visit Major, his owner found him in his kennel lethargic . She was shocked at the sickening pool of blood so profuse that it had filled the bottom of the kennel and was dripping down the wall. Some of the blood had already dried. He had no water. Major's owner requested veterinary care. DAC told her that maybe he could go if she could find a veterinary hospital that would take him.
Dog Aide immediately referred her to one of our favorite veterinary hospitals. They were glad to help. We met Major at the hospital and ordered diagnostics and stabilizing care.
Major was diagnosed with canine parvovirus, a deadly virus he acquired during his 12 days at DAC. He also has an abrasion on his scrotum from urine scald, as well as a pressure sore on his elbow. Because Major had been without any medical care, we authorized aggressive treatment: IV fluids, anti-emetics, antibiotics. At first we were cautiously optimistic about his treatment. Unfortunately even with the best care, he was not treated in time. Major died shortly after 7pm on 7.11.15. We have been working alongside with CHAINED to ensure both Major and his family are supported and know their legal rights.
Our primary concerns regarding this situation are:
1. The date of the 10-day bite hold should start from the day of exposure, making the expiration of that quarantine period July 6, 2015.Michigan Department of Community Health: Rabies Protocol for Mammals who have Bitten People or Pets
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/rabies_pets_flowchart_134247_7.pdf
2. At no time during this initial holding period or when the animal was re-confiscated was his owner made aware that she had the option of having the animal housed at a boarding facility or veterinarian Section 287.322 of the Dangerous Animals Act 426 of 1988
3. Major was released with no order for the dog to be deemed dangerous. All charges and fines were paid. No warrant was issued to seize the animal a second time.
4. All animals deserve to be housed humanely according to law. They should be able to stand, turn around, have a clean place to sleep, have access to clean water, and be fed daily. These are the minimal standards owners are held to. Our Animal Control should also be held to these standards of humane sheltering.
5. Major had been at DAC for 12 days. Parvo symptoms usually begin 3-7 days post-exposure. It is highly likely he acquired parvovirus from the Detroit Animal Control and Care facility. This highlights DAC's lack of decontamination and cleaning protocols, as well as documentation (such as recording animals' food intake and fecal/urine output on daily care sheets). Had they been, his symptoms could have been treated at first onset, which could have saved his life.
6. DAC failed to get immediate medical intervention for Major. DAC made it the owner's responsibility to find a veterinary hospital. We find it unconscionable that DAC does not have an MOU with a veterinary hospital for when owned animals are being held and in undeniable medical emergency.
For those interested in learning more about humane sheltering standards, please go to http://www.sheltervet.org/.../shelter-standards-oct2011...
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