Victor survived long enough to be rescued. He did not survive what came before.
Earlier this month, Tulsa police went into two properties connected to a group calling itself Mercy Sakes 2nd Chance Dog Rescue. At a property on South Memorial Drive, investigators reported finding about 19 dead dogs, some of them decomposing, alongside living animals. At a second home in east Tulsa, they found more dogs, starving. In total, 35 surviving dogs went to the Humane Society of Tulsa, and 27 were so malnourished they needed a careful refeeding plan. Victor was one of the dogs carried out. He died about 30 hours later. The Humane Society's president said he was starved and emaciated.
According to local reporting, this "rescue" was operating without the state license required for any facility housing more than 10 animals. It was never inspected. Nobody was checking. The rescue's founder now faces 59 felony counts of animal cruelty, and its adoption coordinator faces 44.
I'm Eric, and I run I Love Every Dog. I believe in rescue with my whole heart, which is exactly why this case makes me so angry. People handed these dogs over believing they were safe. The word "rescue" should mean something.
Tulsa Animal Services has said it will review city ordinances to catch situations like this sooner. That review is happening now, and I'm asking Mayor Monroe Nichols and the Tulsa City Council to make it count. Require every rescue and foster-based group operating in Tulsa to register with the city, submit to regular welfare inspections, and report animal intake, deaths, and outcomes.
I'm also asking Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler to pursue every one of these felony counts in full. Do not let this case be pleaded down. If there is a conviction, seek a ban on owning or caring for animals.
Victor deserved a second chance. The 35 dogs still fighting deserve to know it won't happen to anyone else. Please sign and share.
