Coweta County, GA - The photo of the broken-down dog immediately touched the hearts of those that viewed it. The beautiful, yet sad face of the dog labeled "Old Yeller" was taken at the Coweta County Animal Control.
The Georgia Humane Society (GHS) learned about Old Yeller on Sunday morning, they made the decision to pull the dog from the Coweta County Animal Control and take him into their organization as one of their sanctuary pets - in other words, offer the dog, whom they were told was 15 yrs-old, a permanent, safe and loving place to live.
When the president of GHS phoned the county animal shelter on Monday morning, she was informed that Old Yeller had died. Shockingly, a short time later, she was phoned again, and informed that the dog was actually alive.
In explanation of the strange exchange, it is surmised that shelter officials saw the dog not moving in the kennel and assumed that he was dead. When someone actually checked, they discovered that he was indeed alive.
After jumping through the hoops necessary to remove Old Yeller from the animal control facility, GHS president, Michelle, went to the shelter to retrieve the beleagured dog. She had been told that he had no injuries, but that he was "old and dying" and that the shelter would not help to pay for any medical that he might need.
So frail was the dog, that he was unable to walk - his face showed his obvious pain. Old Yeller, renamed "JoJo" by GHS, was immediately transported to a veterinarian. The findings were shocking and heart-breaking.
The dog was not 15 yrs of age as the animal control officers had indicated - instead, he was estimated to be between 5-7 years of age. Upon examination, it ws determined that all four of his legs were broken and he was suffering from Tetanus (Lock jaw). His body was covered with pressure sores from laying and not being able to move and due to the Tetanus, he was unable to open his mouth, so he had not eaten in days.
So horrific were his wounds and so great was his suffering, that Michelle and the veterinarian made the painful decision to end JoJo's suffering humanely - surrounded by loving hands, the broken dog passed gently and peacefully - finally out of pain and no longer suffering.
So many aspects of this story are disturbing and downright torturous. It was speculated that JoJo had been hit by a car because he was found lying beneath a house when animal control was initially called. No one is certain, but there is supposition that it was his own owners that called animal control to take him in. No one knows how long the injured dog lamented under the house.
Knowing that the dog was most likely injured by a vehicle, it is even more disturbing that he was allowed to suffer so greatly at the Coweta County animal shelter. The shelter has a veterinarian on staff - why was JoJo not examined? Why was the injured dog not treated or humanely euthanized? Why was he allowed to suffer for so long?
The kind individuals at the Georgia Humane Society are devastated by the loss of this beautiful dog, but they are also outraged. What type of a system, in a "developed" nation such as the United States, allows abuses like this to happen under government (taxpayer) funded organizations? Why is there no oversight to prevent abuses of this sort?
Please take a moment and write to the state officials in Georgia and let them know that you have had enough of this backwards mentality. The United States is a progressive country, yet animal welfare is almost medieval in portions of the nation.
Contact information (Please be professional and straight-forward in your correspondence):
- Coweta County Administrators (Board of Commissioners): Administration Office, Coweta County Administration Building, 22 East Broad Street, Newnan, GA 30263, (770) 254-2601
- U.S. Representative District 8, Lynn West Moreland,1501 E. Hwy 34 Ste B, Newnan, GA 30265
- U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss, 416 Russell Senate Office Bldg, Washington D.C. 20510
- U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, 200 Russell Senate Office Bldg, Washington D.C. 20510
- State Senator – District 28 Mitch Seabaugh, 322-B Legislative Office Bldg, Atlanta, GA 30334
JoJo (Old Yeller) need not die in vain. Change must happen, but change can not and will not happen in animal shelters if people do not speak up and voice their anger and offer their solutions.
Rest In Peace JoJo - there are no words for what you had to endure during your last days on this earth. Blessings to the kind people at the Georgia Humane Society that took JoJo from the animal care facility, offering him love in his final moments.
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Comments
This is absolutely sickening. What kind of animal control is this. I have cross posted this story and hopefully lots of letters will be sent so JoJo doesn't die in vain and this never happens to another dogs. Is there an email address where letters can also be sent?
I can't stop crying, yet I'm absolutely furious over those jerks at the pound. Would someone please file an official formal complaint against the vet at the pound? Please? That is criminal negligence and is against every oath that "doctor" took as a DVM. Maybe then they will pay a little more attention to incoming animals.
Btw, I'm the one on the Facebook page from Minnesota who was condemned by so many for asking that he be transferred to me to spend his last days.
I had another dog like this I lost just 3 weeks ago. His name was Clint. He had been dumped out in the country and left to fend for himself.
The rescuers involved said he was vicious and were going to kill him. I insisted and they brought him to me. I examined him and found two broken teeth. He spent the last 5 years of his life healthy, respected and loved.
The lesson? Stop jumping to the needle so quickly and have a little faith in what love can accomplish.
Thanks, Penny. But it breaks my heart.
This is terrible. R.I.P. JoJo, free from pain now sweetie xx
That was heartbreaking to read.
Penny, thought I'd add that Clint turned out to be the gentlest and most loving dog I've had out of the hundreds who have paddled through my life.
Also, I just followed your first link in the article and then went to the left side of that web page and found the district attorneys page. Then I filed a complaint against that ound's veterinary using their contact button.
Maybe you could ask others to do the same? That is criminal negligence for a vet to allow that to happen under their direct care. Thank you.
What kind of people live in that town!? Idiots from the center of the Earth. Poor Jo, I'm in tears right now. Let's be good to our best friends please in every possible way.
Have a safe trip Jo, sorry we missed you down here, we didn't see you. Goodbye Angel.
Please do not blame the people that live in Coweta, but DO blame these stupid "dog owners" and the involved workers of the Coweta AC facility. I know Michelle (she volunteers, WITH HER BUSY SCHEDULE!) to build fences for chained dogs with our group and I will support any effort she has made towards bringing to light this abusive and neglectful situation. Please find her org. on FB and please call and write letters to the parties listed above
What I would like to know is if they where taking care of the animals correctly then why it not noticed that he was never standing and never eating or drinking? This is so very sad. Something should be done about this. It is upsetting that this is how they treat animals when they are the ones that are there to protect them.. I feel so bad for him and Im glad that someone stepped up to help him even if it was to put him to sleep. At least he for that few moments knew what a loving hand and touch was. RIP JoJo and may someone be punished for this.
If this was a person that let this dog lie like they did they would be charged. Everyone at this shelter should be charged. It is o.k. just because it is a shelter? We pay for this and it is not o.k. not at all.
I know JoJo is in heaven, but he should not have had to suffer while on Earth.......
Didn't anyone examine JoJo when he entered the shelter? I can't believe the negligence of the shelter employees involved. This is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!
awww, JoJo......i'm so very sorry u were not taken care of as u should have been when u were alive. sad that u were in so much pain for so long............................u're in a better place now, sweet boy. bless u
dru
RIP JoJo, be happy and pain free at the Rainbow Bridge. Something has to be done in order for our animals to be treated humanely! These are loving, loyal and trusting animals. In order to work for/with/around animals you MUST love and care for them and prove so! Why must these innocent creatures of God endure so much suffering at the hands of cruel, heartless humans? There is no love that's more loyal, pure and forgiving than that of a dog. RIP JoJo - my tears fall for your suffering.
Once again the REAL monsters are those that walk on two legs. The owners should be charged with animal cruelity and the "shelter" with neligence.
Someone or maybe a FEW need to Lose Their JOBS.
there is a long aveunue now that must be traveled...that humane society of the united states needs to be contacted as well as OSHA and the ASPCA they are who can and will alter the runnings of this kill factory....people when takin in an animal please make sur eu r taking it to a nokill or low kill shelter..these facilities tend to the animal and their needs..if u take to animal control the animal is given 5-10 days to make it out
What in the world are people thinking? This is an animal that all he wanted it to be loved, like every ohter animal in this world, the owners should be held responsable for this gross misjustice of such a sweet and loving animal. I'm sorry that he could not be saved but he is in a better place with no pain, and running around with ohter friends and enjoy the good life. JOJO may you rest in peace with God and all the other animals that are living in his house.
@ Alicia V: I am one of the "idiots" that reside in "that town". The focus is on those responsible for the care of the dog; not the town residents. The shelter is under the care of the State Prison; yes Inmates work with civilians. I blame the owner of the dog and the Vet that claimed to have examined him but obviously did not. The truth is that a lot of animal shelters all over the country house the pet for the legal amount of time, then euthanize. They are not there to rescue or find homes; and that is unfortunate and disgusting. It is also the epitomy of the way in which our society thinks, "its someone else's fault, but not my own". Ghandi said it best: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated " RIP JoJo; I'm sorry we failed you.
Justice035....If you live in that town, be proactive and get the dog shelter into the hands of some decent human beings to operate it. Some one has to do something and it starts at the local level. helps other dogs to be treated with kindness and respect.
The people to contact who can make a difference are the county Commissioners and the General Assembly rep and senator. Also it is important to include the GA Dept of Agriculture Animal Protection division. They are supposed to oversee and license these facilities. Unfortunately under Tommy Irvin's long tenure they are working with scant resources, not able to adequetely perform the job they are tasked with. Gary Black has promised to provide more funding to this department if he is elected. Coweta is not the only animal control facility in the state were this sort of thing occurs - far from it!
I too wrote the DA (email)...maybe if we flood them with emails maybe someone will respond and DO something!!
I too wrote the DA. I encourage all of you to do the same. FLOOD them with emails!!!
Shockingly this is probably not a story that is isolated to the Georgia animal control facility alone. We see the same sort of things in our own community. We are told that it is due to lack of funds yet we know the budget is large so where is the money going. And if you are paying a vet why at least are they not seeing all of the animals and making determinations of care, etc. I bet the vet never even so much as looked at Jo Jo.
This all began on Facebook where about 50 people gathered trying to get JoJo out of that shelter. We thought he was old, thought he just needed some dignity and care to make his passing easier. Turned out, as you read, he was only 5 or 6 years old. Several of us called that "shelter" to speak to whoever was in charge. We were laughed at, hung up on. Continued
I was told by the WARDEN that I needed to worry about myself, and quit worrying about a dog. I ask you, if that is his sentiments, should he be in charge of Coweta's animal "shelter". I was told repeatedly by several people, that no on in Coweta county has a problem with how they treat the animals there. Is that the case? Are the citizens of Coweta County ok with this sort of treatment for a suffering animal? When asked if a police report had been filed, they really started to laugh.
Where is the email address to email these bastards and let them know how sickening this is?
Such a heartbreaking story. I am so sorry that this poor dog suffered and no one cared enough to check on him. Obviously, some or all of the workers in this facility lack compassion toward animals. Please don't blame the folks that live in the area, instead, send your thoughts to those who can do something about this situation.
According to the vet, the dog's legs were broken approx. 1 month ago, probably because he got hit by a car. Then tetanus set in--it can take several weeks for a dog to develop systemic tetanus. Most of the symptoms this dog had were directly due to the tetanus--not being able to get up and walk, not being able to eat, head spasms, pressure sores on his body. Tetanus is a treatable condition--if he had seen a vet in time, he might have made a full recovery. After he was well, then the old breaks in his legs could have been assessed and dealt with. This dog did not have to die. In fact, if the vet who saw him had treated him--even in his extreme condition--there's a chance he might have made it. It takes several weeks for a dog to recover from tetanus (if treated). Untreated, it's nearly always fatal.
I LOVE YOU OLD YELLER AKA JOJO, RIP AND BE HAPPY NOW THAT YOU ARE PAINFREE AT HEAVENLY FATHER'S AND JESUS CHRIST'S SIDES. YOUR IN GOOD HANDS NOW.
I have been following this story on Facebook since Saturday and I am sickened by the gross negligence and utter inhumane treatment of Old Yeller by both his owners Coweta County Animal Control. I sincerely hope that there will be serious reprocussions for both parties. Simply by looking at that poor dog in a photograph it was OBVIOUS that he was in severe pain needed to be examined immediately.
However, I am in awe by the number of compassionate people that pulled together to rescue him and provide him with some dignity and love during his final moments on this earth. He passed on in loving hands and I know that he will never be forgotten.
There are no words to describe the cowards who work at Coweta County Animal Control. Not one of them cared enough to even give JoJo a blanket to lay on. They thought he was 15 years old. He hadn't eaten or drank. He had four broken limbs. And not even a blanket to protect him from the cement. I feel very badly for the animals in Georgia.
The poor Babe was in a road accident - and a 'trained vet' did not examine him - when any dog is brought in - SURELY IT IS EXAMINED!!!! My old dog Rocks lived to be 17and a half and when the time came to make the decision I found it painful enough but this sweet boy was in agony, lonely from the time he entered that HellHole. May he Be on their consience 4Ever - What u Sow onto others - you reap!! RIP my Beautiful one
Somebody should go to jail for this.
The owners need to be held responsible along with that shelter. What a horrible case of inhumanity. God bless his little heart, and I know he is in a much better place.
Here is an email address for the general Coweta County government, hopefully it will get to someone in charge:
cowetainfo@coweta.ga.us
This is appalling, Poor JOJO may he rest in peace, I hope his owners, and the vet at the shelter get whats coming to them. Karma look out..This should not have happened.. who lets their dog stay under a house for close to a month not checking on them. They should NEVER have another pet ever. And the Vet should check ALL animals who comes in the shelter. Iam so freaking mad right now, they are getting emails from me..
This is appalling, Poor JOJO may he rest in peace, I hope his owners, and the vet at the shelter get whats coming to them. Karma look out..This should not have happened.. who lets their dog stay under a house for close to a month not checking on them. They should NEVER have another pet ever. And the Vet should check ALL animals who comes in the shelter. Iam so freaking mad right now, they are getting emails from me..
The Coweta Animal Control says that this dog walked into pound, ate and drank at the pound, and that their vet did examine him and said he was 15 yrs. old. I just called them because I wanted to complain. Now, what is the truth here. I am tempted to disbelieve the pound but the discrepancy here is so huge between the 2 sides. Also, I'm sorry, but this dog looks 15.
Legal action needs to be taken. If anyone treated an animal like this they would be charged with animal cruelty yet an animal shelter is going to get away with treating Jo Jo like this and thinking it is funny!! How long has this been going on?! Jo Jo is merely the first victim you are hearing about. So sad....
@ Carolyn Simpson, No offense intended but you would look much older if you had 4 broken legs, couldn't eat or drink, and had lots of open sores. He was probably also depressed and scared, not to mention the pain.
RIP Old Yeller. Enjoy rainbow bridge.
This is horrific!! How did the shelter's vet NOT examine this poor dog?! It is heart breaking! Poor Jo Jo could not speak for himself and all the humans around him didn't either - except the caring hearts of GHS and Michelle. I work with a few rescues and have seen dogs in the worst of worst conditions, but to leave a suffering dog lay there and think it's "old and dying" is disgusting! If they had examined Jo Jo they would have known he needed help!! What idiots!!
R.I.P. Jo Jo - may justice be served!!
When Animal Control was called, was he considered a stray or an owner surrender? If the owned by someone than they should be responsible for his lack of care & concern if his injuries were a month old. No matter what his age is, he was left to die under a house! The owners would know his true age! Animal Control definately dropped the ball here!!! I'm sure this is one of many cases that need to addressed that this system is NOT working! We need laws in place to protect animals better than what we have now! No more animals should suffer due to any excuse or reason to cover up the obvious lack of compassion! Hire only people who have the animals best interest not who runs the best numbers! Both can be achieved!!!
Just letting everyone know another animal was PTS because it was ignored at Coweta animal shelter. It was starved and was pulled but upon examination, it's organs were shutting down.
This type of shelter must be stopped. Please don't forget this story.
Thank you for this article...we need to be reminded and speak out!
I just can't believe that those jerks allowed this poor dog to suffer like this! It is so heartbreaking and disgusting! It makes me sick to my stomach. What is wrong with these people?!
To everyone referring to the Coweta Animal Control as a "shelter", this is NOT a shelter by any means. This is an Animal Control Facility. Think about the words and consider their meanings carefully. Please do not refer to this place as a Shelter, because it is NOT. SHAMEFUL. Kudos to Michelle and the Georgia Humane Soc. for everything that they do, and for Penny who keeps us in the know!
I cannot believe that these people work at an animal shelter, a vet no less, and this dog suffers this way because no one gave a damn enough to even see what was wrong with him. His owners too, are the scum of the earth. This shelter needs to be shut down and responsible INTELLIGENT management be put in place but not before the ones who work there and saw what was going on with this dog face charges.
What a sad story. Hope those people that work there are very proud of themselves. they don't give a damn about those animals. i see how they treat people in those places so forget about the animals. hope the same happens to them someday and they can lay and suffer in pain. Bastards.
Thanks for the email address Penny. Mail sent and forwarded to everyone I now.
Can you register this at Change.org? The officials and addresses will automatically be emailed each time someone signs the petition.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the ways its animals are treated” – Gandhi
That's what I going to write on each one of the letters!
....and I really hope some one starts checking on this shelters. They are supposed to help for God's sake!!!!
I know all about Coweta and the guy who gives himself the title of Major Orr. They used to gas the dogs and cats a couple years ago. Even when there was rescue lined up and on the way to pick up the cats and dogs, he would for spite stick them in the gas chamber and kill them. Now, they inject, but I've heard with no sedation for the cats and the kittens are injected in the heart or ab and left on the table to die an agonizing death. The workers there all need to be fired.
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