Maria Sanchez dedicates much of her time toward helping the dogs who are incarcerated at the San Bernardino, Calif. City Animal Control. Sanchez took it upon herself to go to the facility to take photos of the dogs who were not yet listed on the facility's website.
Recently, however, the shelter supervisor asked that Sanchez not return to the facility to continue her charitable work.
According to Sanchez, she has been banned because of a photo that she took of a dog who was badly injured, but not being treated. The dog, a pit bull, had a blue rope deeply embedded in her neck.
Sanchez alleges that the dog had been suffering, at the facility, for six days with the rope buried in her flesh.
Angered by what she witnessed at the facility, Sanchez took to Facebook where she posted the video, and photos, of the injured dog. The feedback from those who viewed the graphic images went viral.
Angry animal advocates phoned the facility, voicing their displeasure over the dog's treatment.
One day later, Ryan Long, the animal shelter kennel supervisor, wrote to Sanchez and let her know that she was not welcome to return.
Long described Sanchez's photos and videos as "derogatory in nature," and stated that they tore down the shelter staff's morale and reputation.
The upside is that after Sanchez went public with those photos, the rope which had been cutting into the dog's neck for so long, was finally removed.
The downside is that without Maria Sanchez's help, many other dogs will not have the chance to be seen and therefore, saved.
Shelter information:
City of San Bernardino Animal Control, 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, CA (909) 384-1304
To email the San Bernardino City shelter supervisor, Ryan Long: long_ry@sbcity.org
Note: I reached out to Mr. Long two days ago requesting his statement on this situation. As of publication, there has been no response.
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