Uncle Carl
06-29-2006, 12:56 PM
This is kinda weird..
A North Dumfries couple have been charged with animal neglect for not seeking surgery for their dog after it was hit by a car.
After an investigation by the Cambridge and District Humane Society, the couple were ordered to surrender their pet and appear in provincial court next month.
Daniel and Margarida Carvalho's Shih Tzu suffered a fractured jaw when he was hit by a car on May 30.
The dog, named Nicky, was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic.
Doctors confirmed the dog had a fractured lower jaw and recommended either surgery or euthanasia.
"They gave him a needle for pain, and then they gave us an ultimatum -- we have to kill him or do surgery, which would cost $2,000," Margarida Carvalho said in an interview yesterday.
The 1 1/2-year-old dog was eating and acting normally soon after the accident, so they decided to hold off on taking action, she said.
The couple now face two counts of causing unnecessary pain and suffering by failing to obtain medical attention, and neglecting and failing to provide adequate care for their dog.
They have been ordered to appear in court on July 6. The maximum possible penalties are six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and a two-year ban on animal ownership.
"I'm not guilty of anything," Carvalho said in an interview. "We always loved that animal like he was a child.
She said Nicky seemed to be improving and was not in apparent pain.
"We already spent over $500, and they wanted $2,000 more," she said. "It was a big decision because we're not rich, and he was doing OK."
The investigation began after a veterinarian alerted the humane society.
"The vet phoned in because they had recommended medical treatment for the injury and it wasn't followed through," said Jamie Frye, the humane society's inspector who investigated the case.
"They felt that the dog was suffering from a painful condition and that needed to be looked after."
On June 6, Frye visited the Carvalhos and examined Nicky. He found that although the dog was eating, he would yelp in pain when the injured area was touched.
The humane society issued an order for the Carvalhos to seek another examination and treatment. Carvalho said she got a third opinion but the options remained the same.
The humane society then got a court-signed search warrant for the dog. But when Frye arrived at the Carvalhos' door, they willingly surrendered Nicky. The dog was taken to a Cambridge veterinary clinic.
The next day, Carvalho said, she tried to visit Nicky but instead was asked to sign papers giving up ownership of her pet. Not knowing what else to do, she signed.
"It's been very upsetting for us," she said.
The next day, Nicky was taken to the University of Guelph for surgery on his jaw, paid for by the humane society. His stitches were removed this week, and he is recovering, Frye said. Nicky will stay at the humane society for four to six weeks before he is ready for new owners.
Criminal charges against an animal owner are rare. Frye said only two cases led to criminal charges of neglect in 2005, which both involved owners hoarding cats. Nicky's is the only case so far in 2006.
"We weigh each case on its own merits and proceed with criminal charges if we see it fit as a deterrent to this type of thing happening on a continual basis," said Frye.So you have to either pay the $2000 for your pet's surgery, or put it to sleep? Does this seem legit? I'm not sure what to think.
A North Dumfries couple have been charged with animal neglect for not seeking surgery for their dog after it was hit by a car.
After an investigation by the Cambridge and District Humane Society, the couple were ordered to surrender their pet and appear in provincial court next month.
Daniel and Margarida Carvalho's Shih Tzu suffered a fractured jaw when he was hit by a car on May 30.
The dog, named Nicky, was taken to an emergency veterinary clinic.
Doctors confirmed the dog had a fractured lower jaw and recommended either surgery or euthanasia.
"They gave him a needle for pain, and then they gave us an ultimatum -- we have to kill him or do surgery, which would cost $2,000," Margarida Carvalho said in an interview yesterday.
The 1 1/2-year-old dog was eating and acting normally soon after the accident, so they decided to hold off on taking action, she said.
The couple now face two counts of causing unnecessary pain and suffering by failing to obtain medical attention, and neglecting and failing to provide adequate care for their dog.
They have been ordered to appear in court on July 6. The maximum possible penalties are six months in jail, a $2,000 fine and a two-year ban on animal ownership.
"I'm not guilty of anything," Carvalho said in an interview. "We always loved that animal like he was a child.
She said Nicky seemed to be improving and was not in apparent pain.
"We already spent over $500, and they wanted $2,000 more," she said. "It was a big decision because we're not rich, and he was doing OK."
The investigation began after a veterinarian alerted the humane society.
"The vet phoned in because they had recommended medical treatment for the injury and it wasn't followed through," said Jamie Frye, the humane society's inspector who investigated the case.
"They felt that the dog was suffering from a painful condition and that needed to be looked after."
On June 6, Frye visited the Carvalhos and examined Nicky. He found that although the dog was eating, he would yelp in pain when the injured area was touched.
The humane society issued an order for the Carvalhos to seek another examination and treatment. Carvalho said she got a third opinion but the options remained the same.
The humane society then got a court-signed search warrant for the dog. But when Frye arrived at the Carvalhos' door, they willingly surrendered Nicky. The dog was taken to a Cambridge veterinary clinic.
The next day, Carvalho said, she tried to visit Nicky but instead was asked to sign papers giving up ownership of her pet. Not knowing what else to do, she signed.
"It's been very upsetting for us," she said.
The next day, Nicky was taken to the University of Guelph for surgery on his jaw, paid for by the humane society. His stitches were removed this week, and he is recovering, Frye said. Nicky will stay at the humane society for four to six weeks before he is ready for new owners.
Criminal charges against an animal owner are rare. Frye said only two cases led to criminal charges of neglect in 2005, which both involved owners hoarding cats. Nicky's is the only case so far in 2006.
"We weigh each case on its own merits and proceed with criminal charges if we see it fit as a deterrent to this type of thing happening on a continual basis," said Frye.So you have to either pay the $2000 for your pet's surgery, or put it to sleep? Does this seem legit? I'm not sure what to think.