Post by Brooke on Feb 26, 2004 16:04:30 GMT -5
Protecting pups' rights
Animal rights activists try to stop a formal policy to euthanize sick and dangerous dogs
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Southampton Animal Shelter (Photo by Doug Kuntz)
Feb 23, 2004
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BY MITCHELL FREEDMAN
STAFF WRITER
February 24, 2004
The Town of Southampton is preparing to adopt a formal policy tonight that would allow the town-operated animal shelter to euthanize dogs deemed too dangerous to adopt.
But a lawyer representing several animal rights activists said he will seek a restraining order to block the town from implementing any policy that would allow for the canine killings.
Town officials said no dogs are currently facing death. But David Feldman, the attorney for the animal activists, said he has been told that up to a dozen of the shelter's nearly 40 dogs could be killed as soon as tomorrow, should the policy be implemented tonight.
In a prepared statement, Southampton Supervisor Patrick Heaney said the town would euthanize dogs only " ... as a last resort for animals that have gone through extensive behavior and temperament evaluations and are deemed far too dangerous or ill to adopt out."
Patricia Lynch, a resident who is against the new town policy, said decisions should be made on a case by case basis, and only after an animal behaviorist works with the dogs. "It should happen if a dog is beyond redemption ... but not to a third of the dogs," Lynch said.
Shelter supervisor Donald Bambrick said there is currently no formal policy on the disposal of dogs at the shelter, but expects the town board to adopt the shelter's existing general policy, where a committee of workers and outsiders reviews the behavior of each dog each week, and can decide that an animal is too dangerous to be adopted.
Since 2000, the shelter - which has 36 kennels - has adopted out 850 dogs, returned 1,300 dogs to their original owners, and euthanized about 200 dogs, Bambrick said.
Feldman said he would file papers in State Supreme Court in Central Islip today, seeking a temporary restraining order that would block Southampton from killing any dogs until a court rules on his motion that the town does not have the authority to euthanize dogs under New York State law.
He claims that, under general municipal law, towns are empowered to operate shelters and pick up stray and abandoned animals. But, he adds, there is no specific provision in state law allowing those animals to be killed.
Southampton officials say they do have the legal authority to kill dogs that would pose a safety risk if they were to be adopted out.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc. | Article licensing and reprint options
Animal rights activists try to stop a formal policy to euthanize sick and dangerous dogs
Email this story
Printer friendly format
Photos
Southampton Animal Shelter (Photo by Doug Kuntz)
Feb 23, 2004
Top Stories
Students make a pilgrimage to 'Passion'
'Hired' to achieve
Student charged in assault
DA telling witnesses to lie, Riedel's lawyer says
BY MITCHELL FREEDMAN
STAFF WRITER
February 24, 2004
The Town of Southampton is preparing to adopt a formal policy tonight that would allow the town-operated animal shelter to euthanize dogs deemed too dangerous to adopt.
But a lawyer representing several animal rights activists said he will seek a restraining order to block the town from implementing any policy that would allow for the canine killings.
Town officials said no dogs are currently facing death. But David Feldman, the attorney for the animal activists, said he has been told that up to a dozen of the shelter's nearly 40 dogs could be killed as soon as tomorrow, should the policy be implemented tonight.
In a prepared statement, Southampton Supervisor Patrick Heaney said the town would euthanize dogs only " ... as a last resort for animals that have gone through extensive behavior and temperament evaluations and are deemed far too dangerous or ill to adopt out."
Patricia Lynch, a resident who is against the new town policy, said decisions should be made on a case by case basis, and only after an animal behaviorist works with the dogs. "It should happen if a dog is beyond redemption ... but not to a third of the dogs," Lynch said.
Shelter supervisor Donald Bambrick said there is currently no formal policy on the disposal of dogs at the shelter, but expects the town board to adopt the shelter's existing general policy, where a committee of workers and outsiders reviews the behavior of each dog each week, and can decide that an animal is too dangerous to be adopted.
Since 2000, the shelter - which has 36 kennels - has adopted out 850 dogs, returned 1,300 dogs to their original owners, and euthanized about 200 dogs, Bambrick said.
Feldman said he would file papers in State Supreme Court in Central Islip today, seeking a temporary restraining order that would block Southampton from killing any dogs until a court rules on his motion that the town does not have the authority to euthanize dogs under New York State law.
He claims that, under general municipal law, towns are empowered to operate shelters and pick up stray and abandoned animals. But, he adds, there is no specific provision in state law allowing those animals to be killed.
Southampton officials say they do have the legal authority to kill dogs that would pose a safety risk if they were to be adopted out.
Copyright © 2004, Newsday, Inc. | Article licensing and reprint options