Back on the 7th December, a senior dog appeared on the Adopt-a-Pet website at the Yagoona RSPCA. She immediately caught the attention of boxer rescue who set about promoting ‘Precious’;
Precious went on to feature on the ‘Franklins Friends’ RSPCA NSW blog stating;
Precious is one of those girls that will never let a silly thing like age hold her back. She is a super happy and energetic girl who loves nothing move than a run and play with her family. Because she has all that energy, she can sometimes get so excited she accidentally knocks over the little ones. So best she go home with an energetic family with no small kids, cats and pocket pets.
When I was at the RSPCA Shelter, I would see her learning some training with the staff and volunteers and it looks like she loved it. I bet she would love her new family to keep up with the training, and hopefully learn lots of new things. She loves keeping her brain and body going at 110% all the time.
________________________________________________At the RSPCA we know every animal has a story. Our job is to create a better story, a better life.
Your gift of whatever you can afford will give animals like Franklin a happier, safer Christmas.
And it’s during Christmas that marks one of the toughest times for our animals and staff alike at the shelters. Not only must we manage an influx of animals but also conditions are extraordinarily challenging. Hot days and humidity mean our animals need more attention. So all the creature comforts we can get make a world of difference to animals in our care.
Nearly two months later, on January 22, boxer rescuers were starting to get concerned about the long stay Precious was experiencing in kennels. They began to investigate a foster or rescue situation, but found that Precious was now being deemed unsuitable for release:
Precious had developed an ear infection. She was going to be held for at least a further four weeks at least to be treated. She had now been in kennels for two months.
Fast forward to today, and this elderly dog, who had been kept in kennels since well before Christmas and who was still in kennels ,with her ongoing ear ache, is assessed as ‘untreatable’ and killed. The RSPCA sent this notice to prospective rescuers;
I’m sorry that I don’t have better news to share with you this morning. Our vets and shelter manager have just informed me that Precious was euthanased this morning after 10am.
The veterinary team have provided me with the below summary of her condition that they wanted me to share with you:
Precious has recurrent episodes of otitis externa (outer ear infection) in both ears. We have radiographic evidence of severe chronic otitis externa with thickening and evidence of mineralization of the ear canals on both sides. This means the condition will recur and will require treatment for each episode on an ongoing basis. Our visiting specialist in imaging viewed the radiographs and supported the findings.
Staff treating her ears have major problems due to her aggressive behaviour. Clinic staff were required to anaesthetise Precious in order to examine her ears.
While in RSPCA care, Precious began to exhibit unpredictable episodes of inter-dog aggression which has continued. This was observed prior to there being any evidence of the latest episode of otitis externa and is likely to be unrelated. Precious has also developed a persistent head tilt which may in some cases relate to long term changes associated with chronic otitis. However the extent of the changes observed in Precious did not support this and our senior veterinary staff considered the head tilt and the unpredictable episodes of aggression towards other dogs and people were more likely due to other independent neurological causes .
Unfortunately because of Precious’ medical and behavioural issues a decision has been made to humanely euthanase her.
The vets and clinic staff at the RSPCA do not make these decisions lightly and we greatly appreciate the interest in Precious and offers to adopt her in her current condition. Ultimately however a decision must be made that is in the best interests of the welfare of Precious and to safeguard against the possibility of her attacking other dogs or members of the community.
Again, I’m sure this is upsetting news, as it was difficult for the Shelter and vet staff to have to make this decision, but I hope the above helps explain their reasoning.
Which leaves us all wondering…
– How does an dog goes from ‘adoptable’ to ‘unsavable’ whilst in RSPCA care?
– How does a sick, senior dog spend nearly three full months in kennels, rather than being placed in a foster home?
– How can the determination of a untreatable neurological cause, be the reason for a dog with carers standing by ready to help to be killed, without any neurological tests actually being conducted?
– And how did a dog who is allegedly not ‘safe’ and who will potentially ‘attack’ other dogs, ever pass an RSPCA temperament test?
RIP Precious. We’re all sorry that the system that was meant to rescue you, treat you, and save your life – instead saw you get sick and die in a kennel.
Want to know more about treating dogs with ear infections? A vet’s recommendations for the treatment of ear infections can be found here. Spoiler alert – he doesn’t recommend killing the dog as treatment.
Completely unacceptable situation… Precious should have been released to the rescue group who had foster care and medical treatment lined up for her. Being kept in a kennel environment did not allow Precious the time she needed to recover what started off as a minor infection. If it was uncovered that she had a serious medical condition (which at this stage I’m afraid I don’t believe) there are numerous families and foster carers eager to take on and love “special needs” dogs and cats. Precious should have been released to rescue who were waiting on the sidelines for months to meet the needs of this girl, and they went to the ends of earth and back to assure the RSPCA that they would take full responsibility to rehabilitate Precious both medically and training wise, this girl was never given the chance.
Unreal – just read the above – sounds like a “Justification” to me – no sorrow attached and just completely unacceptable and well rehearsed.
I hope you sleep well at night RSPCA staff – and if you do its because you don’t have a heart – well not one that ticks like normal people.
You did this dog an injustice cause it was too hard for you to deal with in the 3 months she has been there. You could have surrendered this to a Rescue group that understands Boxers that knows how to deal with her medical issues – but NO you didn’t and this morning at 10am you made sure nobody helped her – I am absolutely disgusted in you and everything you stand for – I will NEVER support you in anything again there are 100’s more Rescue groups out there who will get my hard earned cash cause they don’t kill animals unnecessarily
Of course she was showing signs of agression she was stressed in a shelter for 2 months – totally unacceptable. I have dogs that require ongoing treatment I am not going to kill them it is not difficult to manage.
THE PRECIOUS RULING
In Australia a person has the basic right to a second opinion if they are not happy with the treatment or diagnosis given by a health professional. Animals do not have that basic right.
A ruling needs to be made that any animal in a shelter or protection facility be given the basic right of a second opinion from an independent vet when sought by a party outside the shelter/ facility.
Based on the independent veterinary advice a decision can then be made regarding the animal’s welfare.
If the independent veterinary advice rules in favour of the shelter/ facility decision then so be it. If the independent vet believes the animal can be rehabilitated the animal then needs to be handed into the care of a professional vet or trainer who is then fully responsible for the animal’s care and rehabilitation.
Please let the voiceless have a voice.
~~~~ To the world they are just one animal but to the animal you may just be the world. ~~~~
Omg, I get reoccurring ear infections and the pain from it sometimes makes me cranky. I will stay away from you or I might end up copping a green dream. How can you put an animal down because of such a minor thing? Shame on you.
I’ve been following Precious’ story on Facebook for quite some time and am totally saddened and sickened by the RSPCA’s actions in this case. So many people offered assistance with Precious and not one of those offers of assistance was taken on.
It comes down to the RSPCA putting money before lives. Poor Precious!
Precious is just another statistic among the thousands of dogs that are killed each year by the NSW RSPCA, dogs who “fail” their temp test and or have medical issues.
The big difference with Precious was that she had many many people with years of experience and expertise willing and wanting to help her-give her a second chance at life.
The other issue is that we simply don’t believe what the RSPCA say as they have no accountability at all, no independent source that can be called upon. RIP Precious.
Unacceptable and totally disgusted at the lack of care for this senior girl. These so called ‘guardians’ have let this dog down! To leave a dog with these medical complications to survive in a pen for 3 months is tantamount to setting this dog up to fail! Where are your foster carers? Why wasn’t this dog adopted out when she was considered ‘adoptable’? Those making the decisions at this RSPCA have betrayed this Precious girl and she has paid dearly with her life! No ammount of justification in the form of a medical report will convince the public that YOU did the right thing for Precious! You took the easy road…….the lazy option, completely irresponsible and negligent in your role as WELFARE! Wake the hell up RSPCA… it has become quite apparent to me that the RSPCA have lost their way and they will receive NO FINANCIAL support from me and anyone I know.
RSPCA the meaning royal society for protection of animals seems to be forgotten & euthansia has taken over. Precious was old & most likey being in the cold dank kennels contibuted to her ear infection. My question is WHY was she left in the kennels for nearly 3 months WHEN others had offered to foster etc.
RSPCA you should be ashamed.you need to move with the times people are willing to help & foster these animals but you choose the easy way & kill them you are no better than the lost dogs home in melbourne!!!!!!!!!
POPPYCOCK!!!!!!!!! More lies, tragically it is going on in so many pounds and shelters. Perfectly healthy, treatable, behaviourally saveable dogs and cats being killed yet marked off as killed for aggression or disease. How convenient, after all who checks, are there vet reports with each euthanasia to back up the reasons???………..the lies and spin continue.
In other news, ‘Shiloh’ the pitbull, shot multiple times by police in the USA (as her unconscious homeless owner lay in the street and she protected him), now with permanent vision and audiatory problems, is available for adoption. Read more: http://for-the-pits.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/star-shot-by-police-ready-for-adoption.html
How can ear infections make a dog unsaveable, but not multiple gunshots? The mind boggles.