***UPDATE – RESCUED BY PIBBLES and MORE ANIMAL RESCUE. TREASURE AND HER PUPPIES ARE SAFE***
We see so many horrors coming out of the NYC shelter system that it’s hard to believe we could be shocked by anything AC&C does. But today they have in fact shocked us. Today we learned that they plan on killing 9 puppies, without ever putting them on the euth list. Nine tiny little lives. Nine precious puppies that are not sick and have no behavior issues. How can they get away with this?!
AC&C states on their website:
After AC&C has explored adoption, foster, and placement with New Hope partners animals may be humanely euthanized with an injection of sodium pentobarbital in accordance with AC&C’s policy for any of the following reasons:
- Medical or surgical conditions that require treatment beyond AC&C’s or New Hope partner’s resources;
- Behavioral conditions that require modification or management beyond AC&C’s or New Hope partners’ resources
Yesterday, Manhattan ACC sent out a plea to rescue groups: “Mom-to-be needs placement ASAP!” The subject of the email was Treasure, a 1.5 year old pregnant pit bull who had come in to the Manhattan shelter the previous week. Treasure, and her partner Onyx (presumably the father of her puppies), were brought in as strays on April 10th. At the time, the shelter noted that Treasure might be pregnant. Two days later on April 12th, they noted that she was lactating. On April 14th, they performed an x-ray and confirmed that she is indeed pregnant and carrying at least 9 puppies.
So what has changed in the past 24 hours? Yesterday they sent out a plea to rescues to save this mom and her unborn pups. Today they say they will kill the puppies before releasing her to a rescue group. Not only will this kill her puppies, but it will also endanger Treasure’s life.
Some of you may remember the story of Ginger, a dog Manhattan AC&C almost killed in April 2011. Ginger was spayed when she was at full term. All 8 of her puppies were murdered. As a result of the surgery, Ginger bled profusely, nearly hemorrhaging to death. And Ginger would have died, had the Mayors Alliance not stepped in and paid for an emergency surgery that cost thousands of dollars. (read more here: https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=212226258803917 )
You see, performing a late-term spay on a pregnant dog is a very risky procedure. And, it’s one that any ethical vet will not agree to. Late-term spay is a major surgery that often involves significant blood loss and increased anesthetic risk (since it is a longer surgery than a regular spay).
Treasure is far enough along that her puppies are viable– meaning they could survive outside the womb right. She is far enough along that this surgery may kill her along with the 9 lives she is carrying. Is the Mayor’s Alliance going to bail AC&C out again if they nearly kill Treasure in their attempt to kill her puppies?
This is what newborn puppies look like.
AC&C doesn’t “count” them as lives… they don’t factor into their “statistics.” Treasure’s puppies are scheduled to be killed tomorrow. They will be ripped from her womb and placed into medical waste like trash. They will never experience the warm and comfort of their mother. But they will certainly experience the cruelty and cold malice of the ACC.
Responsible rescue groups are willing to take Treasure and her unborn pups. There is no need for AC&C to put Treasure’s life in jeopardy and kill her puppies.
If you are as outraged as we are, then speak up. Email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected].
“A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.” Albert Camus
