Animal Advocates Watchdog

Re: To the Yukon Humane Society: Hunter (Smiley) did not get the chance he deserved...

Humane society’s decision compelled me to quit (Star, August 9)

Re: “Why did you order this loving dog's death?”, Star letters, July 30.

Like many animal shelters, the Mae Bachur shelter is often described as a no-kill animal shelter.
The Humane Society Yukon does occasionally euthanize animals, usually because they are terminally ill and the euthanasia is recommended by a vet. In the time that I have been involved with the humane society as a volunteer (since 2006), I personally know of two cases in which a dog was euthanized due to concerns about his or her behaviour. Both of these cases occurred in the past few months.

Usually, when the shelter has a special-needs animal, the staff went to great lengths, with the board’s support, to provide training and rehabilitation for the animal, and to find an appropriate foster or adoptive home where the animal’s needs can be met. In fact, it is the humane society’s policy to do so.

In the two recent cases that resulted in euthanasia, one dog was placed in a foster home with a competent trainer. Sadly, after months of training, her condition had worsened, so she was euthanized. The second dog, Hunter, was returned to the shelter by his adoptive owner. His owner had reportedly kicked a chew-toy out from under his mouth, and he had bitten her on the leg.

The owner had sought the advice of a local trainer, who suggested that he may have a medical condition which ought to be checked out, as his mouth bled when he chewed on his toys.The trainer noted that treatment and rehabilitation could be quite costly to the humane society, so we might consider euthanasia.

A subsequent vet exam discovered an operable tumour under Hunter’s tongue. The vet noted his fear of being examined, as well as the potential discomfort he would have during the recovery period. As Hunter was a gentle and friendly dog who appeared to be enjoying life, the shelter staff did not want to see him euthanized.

Two staff members independently sought to take Hunter into their own homes. Also, a long-time volunteer offered to foster him. As the board president had ordered the staff to proceed with euthanasia, the staff took the issue to the whole board for consideration. The board was divided, and the decision to over-ride the administrator’s choice to give Hunter a chance was quite contentious.

The arguments ranged from “he should be given a chance,” “some excellent people have offered to take him,” and “he is still enjoying life,” to “we need the space,” “he is suffering,” and “he is a liability.”

After much heated discussion, the board voted with the majority in favour of euthanizing Hunter.

Because Hunter was afraid of going to the vet, the shelter staff arranged to have him euthanized in a peaceful outdoor setting, something which was made possible by the understanding vets at the Copper Road Veterinary clinic. Hunter was surrounded by his friends when he left us, and I hope that his last moments were not fearful ones.

As a result of the board’s decision to euthanize Hunter, I felt it necessary to resign from the board.

My vision for the board is one which supports the shelter staff and the animals, and one which follows its policy to resort to euthanasia only when no other options exist. I hope that in future, the Mae Bachur shelter can once again achieve its objective of being a no-kill shelter.

The next annual general meeting of the humane society will take place on Aug. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Whitehorse Public Library.

The following is an excerpt from the Mae Bachur Shelter Policies and Procedures Manual, which was updated and adopted by board consensus in November 2009.

15. Euthenasia Policy

15.1 Only animals in the custody of the shelter can be euthanized and all euthanasia is at the discretion of the Shelter Administrator or the Board of Directors.

15.2 Humane Society Yukon believes that euthanasia is the only acceptable option for certain animals.

Euthanasia is to be used as a final option when all other avenues of reducing suffering are unattainable or unsuccessful.

Those animals who develop aggressive tendencies or suffer from severe psychological distress during prolonged confinement in a sheltering facility should be fostered or adopted out to homes that are capable of managing the animal’s specific needs.

Those animals who clearly present a potential hazard to animals and/or humans because of disease or aggression, and who have not recovered despite reasonable efforts at treatment and/or rehabilitation, may be euthanized at the discretion of the Shelter Administrator, with prior approval by the President or designated representative of the Board of Directors.

15.3 In cases where euthanasia is the only acceptable option to end the suffering of a terminally ill or injured animal, and where it is advised by a veterinarian, the Shelter Administrator may provide euthanasia without board consent, and will provide a full report as soon as possible whenever such action is taken.

In all other cases, euthanasia requires prior approval by the President or designated representative of the Board of Directors.

Rachel Westfall
Whitehorse

Messages In This Thread

To the Yukon Humane Society: Hunter (Smiley) did not get the chance he deserved...
This is OUTRAGEOUS!!
Re: To the Yukon Humane Society: Hunter (Smiley) did not get the chance he deserved...
Re: To the Yukon Humane Society: Hunter (Smiley) did not get the chance he deserved...

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