If you're involved in animal rescue or are simply an animal lover, you have probably heard of "Patrick," an emaciated Pit Bull type mix who was thrown down a garbage chute and discovered barely alive by a maintenance worker in mid-March. He was rescued and treated at a veterinary hospital. I saw that Garden State Veterinary Specialists was accepting donations to help cover this dogs care. I also noted they are not a non-for-profit, but are a for-profit business. I saw the links to donate to them, but did not see any barometer of what funds were already there. I'm fully aware of the expense, dedication, and the miracle of bringing this dog back to health from the brink of death. I wanted to help, but I hesitated in donating to a for-profit business until I could find out more.
In a 40-page motion filed in state Superior Court, the Associated Humane Societies claims legal ownership of Patrick and would pay for Patrick's care. It appears to be a tug of war, but the latest update says Patrick remains at GSVS, while Judge Joseph Cassini set June 2 as the date when he would decide where Patrick would ultimately be placed.
From AHS website: The City of Newark Animal Control was contacted and ACO Arthur Skinner picked up the dog and brought him directly to the Society. The veterinary staff immediately put him on intravenous fluid.His temperature was so low that it did not even register on the thermomenter... After a brief time at the Society's Newark facility, he was ambulanced to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls -- a referral hospital with 24 hour emergency care.
The Humane Society wants Patrick to go to their animal zoo and rescue sanctuary called Popcorn Zoo. Although they call themselves a "zoo," they are also an animal sanctuary, although I did not see information specifically abuot dogs on their website. It does not appear clear to me if they intend that move to be a perminant situation, or is it for futher therapy and evaluation. The animal hospital (GSVS), and the mayor of the town (since when does a mayor get any say in the matter of a dogs placement?) both want different for Patrick.
I read here, http://www.ahscares.org/showarchive.asp?id=819 that somone (unamed) had been brought by AHS to evaluate Patrick. The information details things such as snapping at a small child, being coddled and over-protected, no socialization with other dogs, and insufficient exercise. The trainer also noted their recommendation of an anonymous foster home before a forever home. That does not sound like a zoo to me. This dog is clearly in need of behavioral modification as his health continues to improve, and that is no shock. He was not only physically abused, this dog was emotionally and mentally damaged by whatever life he had previously.
A dog is a dog. They need more than love, and like this person and others have said, they need dicipline and structure, too. They need to be treated like a dog. Is he getting what he needs to improve his behavior... Or is this poor guy the object of human emotional projections? Is it more about the humans feeling what we want to feel?
Guilt is not always a productive emotion. Feeling sorry for a dog, well, that's not the way dogs think. Patrick does not have a concept of what the word "abused" is; he knows suffering, and now he knows contentedness and joy. Dogs don't stop to consider why, they go on living in the moment. AHS claims he is being over-protected. Others feel the dog should go with the people he's already bonded with, such as workers at the veterinary facility. Yet it appears the dog is property of the humane society, not the veterinary hospital-- seems the case is pending. The humane society says Patrick has displayed "bad behavior that must be corrected before it gets worse," and that sounds important to me. It may be important to get him into a place that specializes in behavior now that his medical situation is better. Others have the concern (and rightly so) that he is getting exploited. With all the funds being raised, one would draw that conclusion that if not a "posterchild," he may even be a pawn.
Is he getting treated like a dog... or a pawn?
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