May 2009 To The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Andrew P. O'Rourke Putnam County Supreme Court 20 County Center Carmel, New York 10512
Please give Margie Goudie the opportunity to rehabilitate Hunkie, the Labrador mix, currently in isolation and awaiting death at the Putnam County Humane Society for a bite attack on a Humane Society employee. Please give Hunkie a chance at life with her. Ms. Goudie is a competent dog handler who has successfully rehabilitated, with professional guidance, more than one behaviorally challenged dog she adopted from the Putnam County Humane Society. Ms. Goudie has been a dedicated volunteer at the Humane Society since 2000.
Our culture far too often turns to euthanasia as a tool of convenience rather than as an act of last resort. It will be hard work for Ms. Goudie to rehabilitate Hunkie but she should be given the opportunity to do the work. Hunkie's rehabilitation will take place in a structured, safe environment where only Ms. Goudie would handle him. The employees at the kennel she has engaged would have no interaction with Hunkie as the employees at the Humane Society have no interaction. No member of the public would be at risk, no child, no adult and no kennel employee. With regard to Ms. Goudie's exposure, it has been established that Hunkie loves her and there is low risk of him attacking her. As Ms. Goudie works with a professional behavior consultant to rehabilitate Hunkie, if Hunkie does not meet behavior milestones that demonstrate he can be rehabilitated, Ms. Goudie would agree to his euthanization. There are so many precautions and safeguards in place that it is hard to accept Hunkie not being given a chance with Ms. Goudie. And if Hunkie passes his tests along the rehabilitation road, Ms. Goudie has agreed to move to more appropriate living accommodations to better safely house Hunkie before taking him out of the kennel. When this stage of his rehabilitation is reached, he would no longer be at the same level of risk that he is perceived to be today. Ms. Goudie has already indicated her agreement to take all precautions outlined by the Putnam County Humane Society and follow a set of rules to ensure the safety of all.
Someone suggested removing Hunkie's canine teeth, saying they have personal experience with how successful that approach is in conjunction with a behavior modification program. Many of us would choose life over death if it meant only losing a few teeth.
Hunkie has a behavioral issue for which the Humane Society made no effort to resolve with a professional. The Putnam County Humane Society Mission Statement reads "We consider humane euthanasia in the animal's best interest - if an animal is behaviorally or mentally tormented to the degree that they will not allow any human contact or interaction and only after every effort has been exhausted to modify the behavior issues of the animal." It should not be acceptable to the Putnam County community and Humane Society members that the current Board of Directors chooses to ignore the full mission of the organization they were entrusted to protect. This is a violation of their obligations. Please do not let the Board of Directors set this precedent. What will the future hold for other dogs at the Humane Society under this Board of Directors if they do not uphold the full mission of the organization and the community allows it?
In addition, the Humane Society did not get a medical evaluation of Hunkie, a standard procedure in proper dog behavior evaluations. Ms. Goudie knows that a dog's behavior can be influenced by his physical or medical condition. She was ready to pay for the medical evaluation so there would be no cost borne by the Humane Society. It was pushed aside as irrelevant by the Humane Society.
Many dogs with behavior issues in a shelter improve significantly once they are out of the shelter environment. There are many, many success stories. And, most new families are not the experienced dog handler that Ms. Goudie is. Hunkie is not the danger in the hands of Ms. Goudie that he is being made out to be. Not everyone is equipped to handle dogs with certain issues but that is another reason why animal shelters should value their volunteers since it is frequently the volunteers who know and love the dogs with issues that adopt them.
Ms. Goudie knows and loves Hunkie. She has not had any problems with him and believes with all her heart that there is hope for Hunkie, hope for him having a life worth living with her. Ms. Goudie is committed to working under the guidance of a professional behavior consultant and trainer with Hunkie. She is prepared to accept euthanasia if he does not meet the benchmarks set by the behavior consultant. A shelter or a community could not ask for a more responsible and competent owner of a shelter dog or any dog. Hunkie is a happy dog with Margie Goudie and he loves her. He has been put in this situation by humans and his life is such an incredible price to pay for our mistakes. Please let Hunkie have a chance, just a chance, at life with Margie.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
May 2009 To The Honorable Supreme Court Justice Andrew P. O'Rourke Putnam County Supreme Court 20 County Center Carmel, New York 10512
Please give Margie Goudie the opportunity to rehabilitate Hunkie, the Labrador mix, currently in isolation and awaiting death at the Putnam County Humane Society for a bite attack on a Humane Society employee. Please give Hunkie a chance at life with her. Ms. Goudie is a competent dog handler who has successfully rehabilitated, with professional guidance, more than one behaviorally challenged dog she adopted from the Putnam County Humane Society. Ms. Goudie has been a dedicated volunteer at the Humane Society since 2000.
Our culture far too often turns to euthanasia as a tool of convenience rather than as an act of last resort. It will be hard work for Ms. Goudie to rehabilitate Hunkie but she should be given the opportunity to do the work. Hunkie's rehabilitation will take place in a structured, safe environment where only Ms. Goudie would handle him. The employees at the kennel she has engaged would have no interaction with Hunkie as the employees at the Humane Society have no interaction. No member of the public would be at risk, no child, no adult and no kennel employee. With regard to Ms. Goudie's exposure, it has been established that Hunkie loves her and there is low risk of him attacking her. As Ms. Goudie works with a professional behavior consultant to rehabilitate Hunkie, if Hunkie does not meet behavior milestones that demonstrate he can be rehabilitated, Ms. Goudie would agree to his euthanization. There are so many precautions and safeguards in place that it is hard to accept Hunkie not being given a chance with Ms. Goudie. And if Hunkie passes his tests along the rehabilitation road, Ms. Goudie has agreed to move to more appropriate living accommodations to better safely house Hunkie before taking him out of the kennel. When this stage of his rehabilitation is reached, he would no longer be at the same level of risk that he is perceived to be today. Ms. Goudie has already indicated her agreement to take all precautions outlined by the Putnam County Humane Society and follow a set of rules to ensure the safety of all.
Someone suggested removing Hunkie's canine teeth, saying they have personal experience with how successful that approach is in conjunction with a behavior modification program. Many of us would choose life over death if it meant only losing a few teeth.
Hunkie has a behavioral issue for which the Humane Society made no effort to resolve with a professional. The Putnam County Humane Society Mission Statement reads "We consider humane euthanasia in the animal's best interest - if an animal is behaviorally or mentally tormented to the degree that they will not allow any human contact or interaction and only after every effort has been exhausted to modify the behavior issues of the animal." It should not be acceptable to the Putnam County community and Humane Society members that the current Board of Directors chooses to ignore the full mission of the organization they were entrusted to protect. This is a violation of their obligations. Please do not let the Board of Directors set this precedent. What will the future hold for other dogs at the Humane Society under this Board of Directors if they do not uphold the full mission of the organization and the community allows it?
In addition, the Humane Society did not get a medical evaluation of Hunkie, a standard procedure in proper dog behavior evaluations. Ms. Goudie knows that a dog's behavior can be influenced by his physical or medical condition. She was ready to pay for the medical evaluation so there would be no cost borne by the Humane Society. It was pushed aside as irrelevant by the Humane Society.
Many dogs with behavior issues in a shelter improve significantly once they are out of the shelter environment. There are many, many success stories. And, most new families are not the experienced dog handler that Ms. Goudie is. Hunkie is not the danger in the hands of Ms. Goudie that he is being made out to be. Not everyone is equipped to handle dogs with certain issues but that is another reason why animal shelters should value their volunteers since it is frequently the volunteers who know and love the dogs with issues that adopt them.
Ms. Goudie knows and loves Hunkie. She has not had any problems with him and believes with all her heart that there is hope for Hunkie, hope for him having a life worth living with her. Ms. Goudie is committed to working under the guidance of a professional behavior consultant and trainer with Hunkie. She is prepared to accept euthanasia if he does not meet the benchmarks set by the behavior consultant. A shelter or a community could not ask for a more responsible and competent owner of a shelter dog or any dog. Hunkie is a happy dog with Margie Goudie and he loves her. He has been put in this situation by humans and his life is such an incredible price to pay for our mistakes. Please let Hunkie have a chance, just a chance, at life with Margie.
We signed the "PLEASE GIVE HUNKIE A CHANCE AT LIFE" petition!
# 550:
6:25 am PDT, Jul 29,Maria Papadopoulou, Greece
# 549:
8:55 am PDT, Jul 27,Annmarie Devine, Ireland
# 548:
7:04 pm PDT, Jul 18,Eileen Hayes, California
Animals can not articulate their needs and sometimes, acting outin fear and with poor treatment experience,they exhibit undesireable behaviors. We need to respond with loving attention and behavior modification training to help them adapt. Hunkie should be given a chance; his life should not be taken from him.
# 547:
6:53 pm PDT, Jul 14,Lorie Dees, Alabama
# 546:
9:10 am PDT, Jul 14,Valerie Hayes, Georgia
This dog has someone willing to rehabilitate him. Don't kill him. That would be spiteful. It will also undermine any credibility that your organization may have left.
# 545:
12:24 pm PDT, Jul 5,Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin
# 544:
11:59 pm PDT, Jun 15,Ari Kolman, Canada
Let Hunkie live! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO KILL HIM!!! I’m sickened and disgusted! I’m sickened and disgusted! I’m sickened and disgusted! I’m sickened and disgusted! I’m sickened and disgusted!
# 543:
6:18 pm PDT, Jun 15,Josh Logan, Nevada
# 542:
10:55 am PDT, Jun 15,Arthur Lopatin, New York
I am an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, and have one dog adopted from PCHS who came to us w/issues which we have successfully dealt with. I also trained and adopted another shelter dog as part of my ABC training. This dog had been labeled by two trainers -- erroneously, in my opinion -- as aggressive. As with children and other helpless creatures, it's very easy to misuse scientific-sounding labels, out of laziness, ignorance or ego. None of us is perfect and we need to think long and hard before taking a life.
# 541:
7:04 pm PDT, Jun 14,Florence Stanley, Australia
# 540:
1:26 pm PDT, Jun 14,Julia Tawyea', Pennsylvania
# 539:
4:47 pm PDT, Jun 11,Name not displayed, Japan
# 538:
9:22 am PDT, Jun 11,Sophie Szeferowicz, France
# 537:
3:44 pm PDT, Jun 7,Enrique MŞ Suárez Fernández, Spain
# 536:
1:46 pm PDT, Jun 5,Theresa Quinones, Florida
Let Hunkie live!
# 535:
2:48 am PDT, Jun 5,Gail Dair, Australia
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 534:
8:06 pm PDT, Jun 4,Tracy MacKenzie, New York
This has sooooo been blown out of proportion. Hunkie will be fine with Margie. Good Greif!
# 533:
7:53 am PDT, Jun 4,Jolanda Koster, Netherlands
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 532:
8:42 pm PDT, Jun 2,Enrique MŞ. Suárez Fernández, Spain
# 531:
11:01 am PDT, Jun 1,Erika Armoa Martínez, Paraguay
# 530:
12:09 am PDT, Jun 1,Martin Watt, New York
This story confuses and depresses me to no end. The public relations damage to all local Humane Societies should be enough reason to end this macabre dance of death and ineptitude. I get the sense of something personal going on here. A grown up needs to step in here, and find a way to treat the dog humanely.
# 529:
12:01 pm PDT, May 29,Connie Golembeski, New York
This should not have even been an issue. If a shelter worker wants to care for, love and be reponsible for Hunkie, then who better ? SAVE HUNKIE !!!
# 528:
5:25 pm PDT, May 28,D Lamb, United Kingdom
# 527:
2:18 pm PDT, May 28,Maryann Raineri, New York
Hunkie, the Putnam County Humane Society shelter dog, is in the middle of a lawsuit to save his life. Apparently he bit two volunteer workers; however, it is not clear from the news articles if he bit the same person twice or two different people, and how severe was the bite.
I feel there are more options for this dog, other than adoption or being put to sleep. There are animal sanctuaries across the United States that take in dogs like Hunkie. One of them is "Best Friends Sanctuary" in Utah. There are people like Cesar Milan, the "Dog Whisperer", who make a living rehabilitating dogs like Hunkie. I read he was recently on Long Island for North Shore Animal Adoption day. Has anyone tried to contact someone like him? Also, there has got to be some sort of legal remedy available that would release the Putnam shelter from responsibility, should the dog bite another person. If there is not, I would think one could be created and approved. In this age of lawsuits and malpractice suits, one can understand how the Putnam shelter is afraid of being sued if Hunkie bites another person. Having said that, I find it very sad that the Putnam County Humane Society, a shelter dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of helpless animals, cannot find a way to compromise to save this dog's life.
Maryann Raineri
# 526:
5:21 pm PDT, May 27,Roxanne Ganley, Florida
# 525:
4:18 pm PDT, May 27,Barbara Fuchs, New York
I thought that the purpose of a shelter is to protect animals and rehabilitate not to kill them? I don't get it.....Why are we allowing people to run this place who allow these abused animals to be killed so readily?
# 524:
8:14 am PDT, May 27,Gudrun Dennis, Florida
# 523:
3:19 am PDT, May 27,Michele De Bruin, South Africa
# 522:
2:50 pm PDT, May 26,Jackie Schueck, Pennsylvania
# 521:
7:54 am PDT, May 26,Taryn Dow, New York
# 520:
8:28 am PDT, May 25,Leslie Blue, New York
# 519:
12:56 am PDT, May 23,Amy Gonzales, Antigua And Barbuda
# 518:
3:40 pm PDT, May 22,Susan Marden, Maine
# 517:
2:06 pm PDT, May 22,Kathy Satkowski, Pennsylvania
Please let Ms. Goudie save Hunkie
# 516:
7:36 am PDT, May 22,Elisabeth Karcher, France
# 515:
7:36 am PDT, May 22,Eric Duprat, France
# 514:
7:35 am PDT, May 22,Annie Bertrand, France
# 513:
7:34 am PDT, May 22,Andrée HUSSARD, France
# 512:
6:25 am PDT, May 22,Arnaud Hussard, France
# 511:
12:17 pm PDT, May 21,Zofia Chlopek, Poland
# 510:
2:37 am PDT, May 21,Alexandra Susini, France
# 509:
5:22 pm PDT, May 20,Luz Elena Chávez, Mexico
Please give this dog poor a chance.
# 508:
5:15 pm PDT, May 20,Name not displayed, New York
Let Hunkie live!!!
# 507:
9:55 pm PDT, May 19,Wina Prayogo, Singapore
please give her another chance to life, like human can make mistake because of their imperfection but they still deserve another chance! so does dog
# 506:
2:52 pm PDT, May 19,Mireille Azouzou, France
For more impact, add a personal comment here
# 505:
1:52 pm PDT, May 19,Jennifer Spires, Ohio
# 504:
3:11 am PDT, May 18,Genevičve Pieroni, France
# 503:
1:44 am PDT, May 18,Jean-damien SUSINI, France
# 502:
6:17 pm PDT, May 17,Janis Ciofalo, Pennsylvania
# 501:
12:07 pm PDT, May 17,Maya Puerta, France
For more impact, add a personal comment here