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In what can only be described as pure irony, Robin Starr, CEO of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Richmond, Virginia has accidently killed her own dog.
According to the AP, on Wednesday, August 19 Starr's husband Ed put "Louie", their blind and deaf 16 year old dog in the backseat of his wife's car before she went to work that morning. Mrs Starr did not realize Louie was in the car until lunchtime. It was too late. Louie died of kidney failure on that 91 degree day.
As if that's not bad enough, Starr had the audacity to judge the NFL and Michael Vick's "remorse" for his previous involvement in a dogfighting ring upon Vick's release from prison. On July 27th, Mrs. Starr released the following statement on the Richmond SPCA website:
"The action of the NFL commissioner to reinstate Michael Vick is both premature and unwise. Vick has not yet demonstrated that his remorse is sincere or that his irresponsible, cruel and criminal behaviors are likely to change. The NFL and its leadership apparently lack the integrity to require civilized behavior from their players. This would reflect poorly on any team that adds Vick to its roster."
That karma will get you.
Today, the very same website for the Richmond SPCA has on it the following statement from its Board:
"The Board of the Richmond SPCA fully supports our CEO Robin Starr during this time of great personal loss. Robin has been a staunch and unwavering advocate for animal welfare and her efforts have been instrumental in improving the plight of animals since she joined the Richmond SPCA in 1997. We expect Robin to continue her lifesaving work as CEO of the Richmond SPCA for many years to come. We can only hope that this unfortunate accident will help other pet owners avoid similar tragedies in the future with their beloved pets. We urge pet owners to be alert any time you place your pet in a car and let others know you have done so. Make sure there are reminders so that your pet cannot be missed (examples include placing his or her leash on the passenger seat or attaching it to a handbag or the driver’s door handle, etc.)."
Comments
Um.. How do you miss a dog in the backseat?
It's not exactly a purse or a jacket.
It's the equivalent of "forgetting" your baby in the car. For god's sake they both move and make noise, which is all suspiciously a little hard to miss.
What Next ? The Whole world is going 2 crap !
The SPCA is not an animal-rights organization. It's an animal-welfare one.
Also, you cannot compare this person with Michael Vick. Vick intentionally killed dogs.
My heart goes out to her... unless you have lived through a tragic accident like this..do not judge.. No one on this earth loves animals more than I do.. I have saved countless dogs and cats from highways and abuse, as anyone who knows me will tell you, but in 1999, my 10 year old poodle Gabrielle, jumped into a car we were unloading and hid in the backseat, wanting to go with us everywhere we went... we left in the other car, and it was the middle of July in Florida..my guilt haunts me to this day that I did not double-check that she was in the house...my heart breaks for Robin..
Obviously she should be fired.
This was not intentional cruelty, or even ignorant neglect. This was a horrible, tragic accident that has no doubt broken the hearts of these people. Her husband put the dog in the car while she was getting ready because sometimes she took the dog with her to work - an elderly, blind, deaf dog would not necessarily make noise or get up during the ride - anyone with an old dog knows they can be very quiet and docile. Nobody gets a blind, deaf dog to the age of 16 because they are neglectful - it takes love and commitment. I just hope the people will be able to forgive themselves - it's a tremendously sad story. I have a 12 year old dog - it would tear my heart out if I unintentionally caused his death.
Please..
What this person did and what Michael Vick did are in no way comparable. Who pays you for this crappy journalism?
This writer is not equipped to discuss serious animal welfare issues. What a ridiculous article.
Robin Starr is not an animal rights activist. She is the head of an animal welfare organization. "Animal rights" and "Animal welfare" are not synonymous. Comparing this incident to M. Vick's intentional electrocution and hanging of dogs is just really stupid. I'm sure Ms. Starr feels terrible about what happened. Even so, this seems like more than a "tragic accident." If she was accustomed to bringing the dog to work, and considering the dog's age and condition, you'd think there would have been some communication about the dog between husband and wife before she left for work. Seems like they were too preoccupied with themselves to think about their special needs dog, and that is most definitely a form of neglect.
Who is this nut case author Thomas McCall? He compares an accidental death with the intentional deaths Michael Vick perpetrated against his own dogs? Vick's dogs were purposely killed with his permission and active participation.
I in no way am saying what Starr did and what Vick did are equal. Vick's actions at the time were idiotic, Starr's accidental obviously. What is tragic is that Starr publicly judged someone who has paid their debt to society.
Come on, the more likely story is she was probably forgotten that she brought the dog in the first place. But instead of admitting as such (which would probably force her to resign), she asked her husband to take the blame. Why would you put a dog in your spouse's car unless she asked you to? I believe she didn't mean it and it was a terrible accident; but I don't believe her story ... not one bit.
great story. love the irony.
obviously not the same as Vick but the point is this hooker was throwing stones and forget we all live in glass houses at the end of the day. a little humble pie for her at the least. vick isn't going to ever fight dogs again. move on and get behind the good he will do. however I don't even like dogs so Im hardly effected be the whole thing.
considering he grew up around it and nobody treated it as a big deal. gotta walk a mile in a mans shoes before u can know why...
I can't wait to see u on the field vick. I can't belive they (the gov) took u away from me for two years over some mangy dogs. welcome to America, land of the free???
John,
It was a small dog who, at age 16, much like my 15 yr old dog, most likely slept very deeply and quietly. That's how the driver could have missed knowing it was there.
Huge thanks to all of the earlier readers for setting the record straight that this sad event has NOTHING in common with organized dog fighting and the prolonged, intentional forms of brutality inflicted by people like Mr. Vick.
People who call this event "ironic" do not know the meaning of the word "irony." Keep trying.
Andrea A.
To reiterate, the SPCA is a welfare organization. Regardless, if she was unaware that the dog was in the back seat, she was not at fault and so did not kill her dog. Your headline is misleading and irresponsible, not to mention hurtful.
This writer is not equipped to discuss serious animal welfare issues. What a ridiculous article.
Cover up. She forgot.
The irony of this story is not the comparison of Mr. Vick's actions vs. those of Ms Starr. It is Starr's criticissm of the the NFL for giving Vick a pass on his behavior and Starr getting a pass from PETA. At the very least, if she is truly remorseful for her actions,she should resign her position in the interest of her organization.
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