Crazy for Critters

Outrage About the Texas Cop Story

Remember the Texas cop who stopped a couple for speeding because their dog was dying - and it did, while he detained them by the side of the road, making nasty comments and generally being an abusive  jerk? There's a link to the video below. I think I'd have ended up getting shot, because I'd have floored it and kept going. Here's what several blog readers had to say:

if my dog had a problem like that i wouldn't have even stopped for the PD, i would have called 911 and told them what was going on and if the PD wanted to meet there to give me a ticket or take me to jail thats fine. That cop was a f****** a******

Posted by: Ashley | August 18, 2008 at 06:46 PM

Never in my life have I ever not defended our officers in Texas, until now! Yes, they were endangering others, but why could the officer not have given them an escort to the emergency vet or something??? Yes, as in his words, "it's just a dog". Maybe so, but that dog is a living creature!!! What he did is no different than what others get arrested for when they endanger an animals life! The officer is guilty of animal crualty by letting that dog suffer and die instead of getting it to help! He should be punished to the fullest extent of the law just like a normal citizen that would've done that. When are the cops here going to get treated like us normal people when they do something wrong??? It really makes me wonder how much we can trust and depend on our officers in Texas. Learn some compassion people!!! I am so humiliated!!!

Posted by: Katherine Haby | August 19, 2008 at 05:04 AM

Please, this cop does NOT deserve to be a cop.. He has no common sence, he has proved his indifference to life, reguardless - he had not the right to make that decision - "..it is only a dog you can buy another one.."...
He is guilty & should be punished to the FULL extent of the law...
And removed from being able to effect negatively any other people placed in his charge....

Posted by: Justus | August 19, 2008 at 05:51 AM

Watch the video from the police car -

http://video.yahoo.com/network/100000054?v=3325606&l=3434132

He should be taken off the force and given a job as a bouncer at a bar where his bully attitude could be of use. What an insensitive piece of crap this man is.

Posted by: Terry | August 19, 2008 at 06:59 AM

Apparently you'll have to scroll down and click on the video. I don't know why a different video comes up on that link in my message above.

Posted by: Terry | August 19, 2008 at 07:01 AM

I was OUTRAGED over watching this video. I can't believe this happened the way it did. It was late granted he was speeding but as i heard there was'nt anyone around him for him to hit. Like the cop said what IF a family of 4 was hit by them. What family of 4? And those words over and over "It's just a damn dog"??? OMG you could tell the first time he said it, that this LOW LIFE PIECE OF CRAP does'nt have a life nor a pet. If i was anywhere near this PoS! i would kick the hell out of him. I really hope these 2 take that whole city for everything they got in court and i really hope this low life goes to jail so he can meet a ole BUBBY JOE BOY to make him there B****! Your trash you punk a@@ SOB. You think cause you wear a badge you think your all big and bad? Pfft your nothing but a puss as PUNK!

Posted by: Willie | August 19, 2008 at 03:41 PM

Upcoming Benefit

It's a gala to help animals in need: Friday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m.- 11 p.m. at the Waterstone I Grand Clubhouse, 4002 Waterstone Way, Homestead.

Proceeds from the cash bar and silent auction will benefit Furry Hearts of Homestead, a dog rescue group. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Sponsored by the Waterstone Master Association, the event will be the first held at the newly opened clubhouse. For information, call Lisa of Furry Hearts at 305-242-3001.

Keep Your Pets Safe During Storms

Don't know if Fay will amount to anything, but it's always good to review your pet-safe plans and resources before there's a real crisis. Petfinder.com has a comprehensive checklist and interesting storm-related information on its site. Check it out. And good luck with whatever happens. Hope everyone stays dry.

Another New Site

Webvet.com, which bills itself as "an interactive and comprehensive 'whole-pet' platform that addresses both the physical and emotional needs of pets.''

I particularly like the "What to expect from a pet pig'' feature. Oink!

Cool New Website

It's called Power of Paws, and even though it's sponsored by a commercial operation - Del Monte Foods - and I don't usually promote commercial enterprises, it's raising money for pet education and adoption causes, so pay a visit.

Hero Dog Guards Body of Owner Who Killed Himself

For six weeks, a Colorado German shepherd stayed with her human's body, apparently subsisting on rodents, till someone found them. Amazing. Click here for the full story and video.

Dog Dies While Cop Detains Frantic Owners

"Not our finest hour," the police chief of San Antonio, Texas, acknowledges.

YA THINK???

Couple says dog dies while they waited for ticket

© 2008 The Associated Press

Aug. 14, 2008, 2:00PM

7Comments

SAN ANTONIO — San Marcos police are investigating an officer who pulled over a speeding car, then kept the occupants waiting even though they were rushing a dying dog to an emergency veterinary clinic.

Michael Gonzalez was allegedly driving 95 mph when he and girlfriend Krystal Hernandez were pulled over after midnight Aug. 5 as they headed south on Interstate 35 toward a clinic in New Braunfels. The teacup poodle, Missy, died while the pair said they waited 20 minutes for Officer Paul Stephens to issue a ticket.

"This was not our finest hour," said San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams. "It was not handled right by our officer, but whether there was a violation of our policy that is subject to punishment, I don't know."

Williams said the department began an investigation after Gonzalez filed a complaint over the incident.

Gonzalez and Hernandez said they pleaded with Stephens to allow them to continue on and later turn themselves in to be ticketed. They also said they offered for Gonzalez to stay behind while Hernandez drove with Missy to New Braunfels.

Hernandez said Stephens responded: "Chill out, it's just a dog, you can buy another one."

The dog had started choking at home, then threw up and went limp.

Gonzalez said Stephens then talked with two other officers on the scene and didn't allow him to leave for 20 minutes. Missy was dead by then, Gonzalez said.

Williams still said Gonzalez should not have been driving so fast.

Gonzalez said he's been told the ticket will be dropped.

Go here for the comments.

More Pet Food Problems

Pedigree variety pet food recalled

By The Associated Press

Article Launched: 08/13/2008 04:25:11 PM PDT

SAN DIEGO — State public health officials have recalled a type of Pedigree pet food because of possible salmonella contamination.

The California Department of Public Health issued a statement Tuesday pulling certain bags of Pedigree Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites.

Mars Petcare US of Franklin, Tenn., which makes the pet food, says that a component that should have been held back because of positive test results was accidentally shipped to a Pedigree facility in Tracy.

It was used in about 100 bags of the food, which were shipped to Albertsons supermarkets in Southern California and to Costco stores in Northern California.

There have been no reports of illnesses resulting from the recalled pet food.

———

Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Blog is Back

I was remiss in failing to note that I would be off the air for several days. But now I'm back. First order of business: KATIE, a beautiful yellow Lab in foster care who needs a forever home. Please contact Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. And while you're there, check out the rest of their great dogs that also need someone to love them.

Found Dog in Coconut Grove

From Craig's List:

Reply to: comm-787610141@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-08-07, 9:16PM EDT


A BROWN AND WHITE SPOTTED DOG LIKE A COW PRINT CAME UP TO ME WHILE I WAS WALKING MY DOGS...HE HAS A COLLAR ON BUT NO NAME TAG..AND A WIRE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT BROKE LOOSE..ATTACHED TO HIS OR HER COLLAR...WITH A CLIP ON THE END...PLEASE CALL ASAP I FED HIM AND GAVE HIM WATER AND PUT A LITTLE BLANKET ON MY STEPS AND HE IS IN MY LOCKED NO EXITS YARD...FOR NOW..