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Oreo when she first arrived at ASPCA. Photo: ASPCA
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) humanely euthanized Oreo - the dog they rescued from an extreme case of cruelty.
President and CEO of the ASPCA, Ed Sayres released a statement today explaining how his organization came to the difficult decision to euthanize the one-year-old Pit bull mix named Oreo they rescued earlier this year.
Animal welfare groups have been protesting the heartbreaking decision since rumors surfaced earlier this week.
“Oreo has come to a place where she can no longer be around people or other animals. We make this decision – and others like it – with a heavy heart and complete understanding that had she been treated with love and respect, Oreo’s fate would be much different,” said Sayres.
On June 18th, Oreo was thrown off a 6th floor rooftop in Brooklyn, NY by her 19-year-old owner Fabian Henderson. The dog broke her two front paws and fractured a rib. Neighbors said they heard Henderson beating Oreo for 20-30 minutes before the final assault.
The ASPCA performed reconstructive surgery on her front legs and nursed the dog back to health. Her owner pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to felony charges of animal cruelty and will be sentenced on December 1, 2009.
Today’s press release was issued to let people know how hard the ASPCA tried to rehabilitate Oreo and help them understand the details surrounding her case.
Sayres said, “After arriving at the ASPCA’s facility, Oreo began to recuperate from her injuries, only to begin showing signs of extreme aggression - with little provocation or warning.”
Over the next several months the ASPCA had Oreo evaluated by two veterinary behaviorists that both concluded she was not able to overcome the experiences of her horrific abuse. The situation at the ASPCA shelter became so bad, Oreo was confined to an isolated area and employees that had contact with her were told to “refrain from making sustained eye contact.”
Finally the group decided that it was cruel to keep Oreo living under these circumstances. So at 3:30 P.M. (Eastern Time) on Friday, November 13, 2009 – Oreo’s life was ended.
The ASPCA is worried their decision will make people think they failed Oreo. I hope it makes people realize that pets experience pain and fear just as humans do and that sometimes even if they receive the best treatment and kindness, the damage done to them cannot be fixed.
Click here to read more on how the ASPCA worked to save Oreo.
Comments
Please don't candy coat this horrific story. This dog was brutally murdered, before he was euthanized. His owner killed him and his spirit. These dogs are very loving and faithful.
This was a wrong decison on the part of the ASPCA simply becasue of the sensational story of Oreo's rescue. The ASPCA came to Oreo's rescue as a good Samaritan and then decided it was too tough. Now, every judge, animal control officer, department of health official, city prosecutor etc. will have the moral justification to kill any pit bull or dog they want simply by quoting the ASPCA. More dogs will die now, and Oreo never hurt a flea. Sayres ought to be fired immediately.
this is a definite snow job and i hope people dont believe this terrible travisty you people have done.
You are an apologist for shelter killing. A No Kill rescue group, Pets Alive, offered to save the dog but the ASPCA refused. They even killed the dog right away to avoid the controversy. Three insiders have now come forward to say that the claims of Oreo's aggression are being exaggerated. Instead of defending a dog killer, why not ask tough questions? Otherwise, you are no "Pet Rescue Examiner" you are a "Pet Killer Apologist Examiner." If you don't love dogs, go write about something else. Shame, shame, shame.
Vetmom1: you are wrong. His owner injured him. The ASPCA added the ultimate insult to that injury by killing him.
This story is shamefully one-sided. Oreo could have been spared if the ASPCA had accepted an offer by Pets Alive in Middletown, N.Y., to take care of her for the rest of her life. To bring this dog back to health and then kill her is sadistic. The ASPCA should be held accountable for its actions.
Even the tile shows a callousness on your reporting. Oreo has not "died." He was "killed." You don't even try to hide your pro-shelter killing bias.
"Humanely euthanized"? You've got to be kidding! Shame, shame, shame on the ASPCA, and shame, shame, shame on the ASPCA shill who wrote this article. A rescue organization was willing to take Oreo, the ASPCA arrogantly murdered her instead, and the author now defends this indefensible position. Truly sickening. The next time I see one of those heart-tugging ASPCA ads on TV, it will remind me of Oreo's murder carried out by a bunch of heartless, unethical phonies. I hope the Oreo story brings the ASPCA a lot of well-deserved bad press, so that her execution will not have been in vain.
"Humanely euthanized"? You've got to be kidding! Shame, shame, shame on the ASPCA, and shame, shame, shame on the ASPCA shill who wrote this article. A rescue organization was willing to take Oreo, the ASPCA arrogantly murdered her instead, and the author now defends this indefensible position. Truly sickening. The next time I see one of those heart-tugging ASPCA ads on TV, it will remind me of Oreo's murder carried out by a bunch of heartless, unethical phonies. I hope the Oreo story brings the ASPCA a lot of well-deserved bad press, so that her execution will not have been in vain.
Following the same logic, it would be right to kill mentally ill people. Oh, I just remember, your third world country, USA, do kill them.
Hmmm, who were the nazi?
I agree if someone was willing to take the dog, why wouldn't the ASPCA allow them to have the dog? You know these shelters that euthanize pets are playing God. God told us to take care of the animals and if you read Genesis they were here before us humans. The shelter I volunteer at from time to time will euthanize cats because of over population rather then allow some organization called Alley Cat Allies have them fixed and turn them out in a field. We are talking about feral cats that may just dig in someone's garden. Think about we are getting over populated with people in some area of the world how would people like it if we euthanized them
Humanily euthanized??!!! Seriously, are you taking a salary from the ASPCA? Oreo was murdered, plain and simple. I can't believe you actually can print this kind of nonsense and under a "pet rescue" blog. The ASPCA is murdering animals they are charged to protect and you are somehow attempting to make is sound okay. Sayres should be fired and you may want to examine your journalistic bias.
Wait a minute and think about it! How long do you think it would have been before some well-meaning rescuer sued the ASPCA for adopting out a dog with known aggression? Nobody wants to "kill" dogs or cats for the fun of it, especial ASPCA staff or HSUS staff who invest their very souls and spend millions of dollars on promoting the welfare of animals. As I read about Oreo, my first thought was that he was in pain and acting out because of that. I don't believe for a minute that he was being aggressive because he was still in fear. Dogs live in the moment. He might have been aggresive toward the depraved person who hurt him, but not against the people who treated him gently and kindly. Could the ASPCA have waited a little longer to see if whatever was making him act out would get better even though he was so aggressive they could no long administer medications and physical therapy? Why? And for how much longer would you have forced Oreo to suffer? Get real!
Oreo did not "die" as the wimpy Daily News states -- she was deliberately and secretly KILLED. Wake up Daily News -- this dog deserved, more than most, a chance to heal psychologically away from the concrete and metal of the ASPCA and the heartless, unenlightened, savage egotism of Edwin Sayres. This creature would NOT allow a group as well known and respected as Pets Alive to try and help Oreo. MY GOD, Sayres expected Oreo to be a sweet little doggie after how long??? FOUR short months, most of which was full of surgeries, rehab, etc. She needed more time -- and then after Pets Alive had tried, then it would have been the right route to let her go. This buffoon, this money-hungry, image buffoon KILLLED her. Would anyone expect an bused child to recover after FOUR months post trauma??? Call Sayres and let him know what you think of him: 212-876-7700 (X4603.
Sharon Seltzer Shame Shame Shame -- what kind of reporting on animals are you doing. Was your head buried in kitty poop? What is wrong with you??? Why don't you quit and let someone who is ethical and honest write this column. You are a disgrace and a boot licking coward. I am so disgusted by your article and defense of the miserable behavior of the ASPCA under Edwin the Awful. Please, retire, go away, get your soul examined. You make me want to vomit.
Oreo had a chance with offerings by several rescue groups. Pets Alive, a rescue with a great track record for rehabilitating abused animals, was especially determined and pleaded with the ASPCA to take the dog, yet the ASPCA went ahead and killed Oreo regardless. Why is this? It raises so many questions. The ASPCA’s decisions – to not answer calls, to lock out prominent rescue reps, to cover up, to lie to the public and then kill a dog – go against the very ethical groundwork that animal welfare is built on. Sadly, the ASPCA isn’t an animal welfare group — they are private law enforcement with nobody to hold them accountable. Comparing them to Blackwater would be extreme, but there are parallels. What is truly unfortunate is that animals suffer because a lot of the population has blind faith in thinking this “reputable” organization can do no wrong. Oreo’s demise is a clear example that strongly refutes the misconception of ASPCA infallibility. Support smaller orgs, not the ASPCA.
Vetmon1 has is correct. This precious soul died during her brutal attack and all effort was made to save her. Oreo is out of pain...those of you who wanted her to continue living are selfish.
No-kill shelters sound perfect in theory but many animals suffer mentally and emotionally locked in cages for long periods of time. People...every single animal cannot be saved and in cases such as these, euthanasia is the most loving action.
To those of you who think Oreo should have been turned over to another rescue group...do you work in rescue? Do you volunteer at a shelter? Do you actually have ANY experience from which to make your statements?
Sharon, thanks for letting us all know of Oreo's fate.
The idea that Oreo died during her attack is Orwellian double speak. She was alive when the ASPCA took her in and was alive up until the time they killed her. And they killed her even though a sanctuary offered her lifetime care. To read a thorough analysis of the ASPCA's wanton killing of Oreo go to the San Francisco Animal Shelter Examiner. He has an article called "The Meaning of Oreo" which goes beyond this blind regurgitation of the ASPCA's self-serving rhetoric. Pet Rescue examiner? How about patsy for dog killing examiner.
Sharon, the Phoenix Pet Anti-Welfare Examiner, thinks Oreo was better dead than fed. Amazing. Look at the photos of Pets Alive which offered to care for Oreo: walks in the woods, outdoor kennels, lifetime care, and a heavy emphasis on socialization and rehabilitation. Stop accepting killing is acceptable. And yes, I work in a shelter.
The Pet Death Examiner thinks Oreo's killing was kindness. Oy!
I contribute monthly to the ASPCA because I think they do very important and, for the most part, good and humane work. My 1st reaction after reading about Oreo was that I was going to pull my funding but then I realized that would only hurt the animals they actually do help.
Instead, I want to deliver a message loud and clear to Mr. Sayres and his apologist and anyone else who participated in this terrible killing. Not every dog has to be adopted to live with a family. Many dogs may have to live out their lives in
sanctuaries but what is wrong with that? It makes me sick that the people at the ASPCA decided they could take Oreo's life from him. Pets Alive offered to keep him for the rest of his life!
I will keep donating to the ASPCA because I want to help the animals they rescue and support. However, I do not want to hear about another instance like this one. Everyone connected to this travesty should be ashamed of themselves and vow to not let it happen ever again.
Phoenix Pet Welfare Examiner, Vetmon1 is not correct - not even close. This precious soul survived her brutal attack and spent months in the custody of the ASPCA recovering. All effort was made to collect donations for her right up until the day she was killed for what can only be described as Ed Sayer's selfish reasons. Oreo had a place to go.
For 35 years I have worked in rescue, volunteered at various shelters AND rehabilitated many aggressive dogs. My current dog was listed as irretrievably aggressive and I was her last chance. Today she is a balanced, loving, hard-working certified therapy dog who works with seniors, children and cancer patients.
Everything I've read about Oreo tells me that she could have been rehabilitated. We need to stop the killing.
On the No Kill Nation page on Facebook there is a picture of Oreo taken minutes before she was euthanized. If Oreo was indeed so people aggressive that killing her was the only option...
Why is there no catch pole in the picture?
Why is she unmuzzled and lying calmly in the arms of 3 people?
Why is she allowing herself to be body hugged by a man in a manner that no irretrievably aggressive dog would allow?
Why is she smiling through soft brown eyes, showing no fear or aggression whatsoever?!
Believe the lies if you want, but this dog was killed (not euthanized) for reasons that only make sense to Ed Sayers and his apologists.
Wow, you people are terrible.
you think your tough throwing a dog, i hope u get thrown off a building
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