Animal abuse is condemnable, and more so when it happens at a place where it is the least supposed to happen. But it does happen at 
animal shelters, one painful example being the recent traumatizing treatment of a sick dog in North Carolina.
As Fixinc reported, the heartless treatment of a male Shih Tzu dog took place on July 12 in Person County’s shelter, NC, where an employee of the shelter shot cold hose water at the sick dog afflicted by parvo and having bloody diarrhea. Instead of getting timely treatment by a vet, the employee thought it better to remove the “stink”. This treatment did for the dog what the sickness would take longer to do – lead him to death by loss of body temperature.
By the time the dog was taken to a vet, following a rescuer’s call, it had lost all its body warmth and ultimately lost its life after a few hours of lying in a half-dead state. His death has raised the big question of why many of these shelters – ideally, places of security and comfort – are far from coming true to their purpose, i.e., saving lives of otherwise helpless creatures.
The victim of this fatal treatment was named “Justice” by his rescuers while he was still alive and struggling for his life at the vet’s clinic. Now that is what animal rights advocates are demanding for him – justice.
An online petition has been launched at Change.org asking animal cruelty investigator Michael Fuqua to Fire and bring charges of animal cruelty to adoption agent/volunteer coordinator Kay Farrell of the concerned shelter.
Thank you, Ernest, for covering this horrific story.
We should expect employees at animal shelters/animal controls/pounds, etc., to show caring and compassion for all animals at their facilities. When this fails, we need to make sure the abusive employees are held responsible. This case should be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions taken.
ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ANIMAL ABUSE ….ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE VERY “SHELTERS” THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO PROTECT THEM!!
I don’t understand this story. I feel like it easily could be someone over reacting although the dog should have been looked at sooner you do need ti wash the horrible contagious bloody poop off the dog because it is highly contagious a very sick parvo dog can have a low temp just due to the sickness/low blood sugar/sepsis not weather it is wet or not, could this just be a case of an employee doing what they were taught to do? Many parvo dogs die with or without treatment ,most shelters euth parvo due to the cost ,contagion, suffering, I’m not saying this was right, It almost seems like a diffrent employee over reacted then again I don’t know….I work in a animal hosp and I’ve seen things happen where people way over exaggerate a sad situation usually a new not fully educated employee will see something new and scary that is upsetting and way over exaggerate the story….just saying I hope they look into it though
What does “shelter” mean? Sadly, for some animals this may be their last home! Don’t they deserve a bit of dignity and love? This facility should be ashamed of how this little dog was treated~~he deserved so much more! We will not tolerate animal abuse in shelters, on the street, in homes, not anywhere!
Thank you again Ernest for writing such a touching article! If it touches one person then it was well worth it!
Animal “shelters” are indeed not what Webster had in mind when he described “shelter” in his dictionary. Time and time again we are faced with the reality that the employees of such shelters are the worst of the worse animal abusers. The only organizations that I feel to be worthy of the term “shelter” are those rescue organizations run by volunteers, and only on a No-Kill basis. Unfortunately, the majority of animal “shelters” are not in this category. One can only hope that in time those responsible for the care of our lost and forgotten animals will be mindful of all their needs, and act accordingly.
Shelter!! Really!! This is so sad. How can an employee of an animal shelter have so little compassion. This breaks my heart! SHAME!
Thank you Ernest for bringing attention to this matter. Justice did not cross Rainbow Bridge without knowing love. I spoke with his rescuer and he was surrounded by love for the last 11 hours of his short life. I am so thankful to the rescuer. And now, we all must help Justice. We all must take a stand and let this shelter know we will NOT allow things like this to happen. We want appropiate measures taken, we want this souless woman removed from her job and banned from ever working in a shelter or with animals again! We want cruelty charges! We want justice for Justice!
I can only imagine the pain, fear, and despair this poor baby was experiencing. As a human with many friends and family members that love me, I cannot begin to fathom the depths of these emotions; yet here is a creature, an emotional soul, without a voice, lying on the cold,wet ground literally scared and freezing to death. Dying by the very hand God hoped would be used to save this creature. What is wrong with humans any more? This is one of those images that will forever be seered into my mind. It’s one of those pictures that we as animal advocates refer to when we compare horror stories. Run at the bridge sweet baby. Pain and fear no longer exist in your world. Only happiness, love, and freedom. Someday, dear soul, we will meet and I promise to give you the human touch you so desperately longed for and needed.
Ms Farrell has had many complaints over the last 6 yrs I have been working with this shelter. There are a few people at this shelter that care and are good to work with in rescue. Ms Farrell is not one of them.
One thing noted in this blog is that Justice died two hours later after being rescued. Justice was rescued on 7/12 and taking immediately to the vet. He passed away the next day, 7/13 He did know that somebody cared for him the last 24 hours that he lived. The only good thing that can come out of this is that Ms Farrell be removed from her postion at this shelter. Lets pull together and make this happen.
I just visited the website for Person County animal control. There is picture of this monster with the below description
“Kay Farrell is the Shelter Attendant, Adoption Agent and Volunteer Coordinator for the Person County Animal Shelter. She has a Bachelors in Psychology in course work with animals. Kay is also a Drive by Investigator of the United States Equine Rescue League, and part of the Emergency Management Animals and Disasters. She is a member of the County Animal Response Team. Kay is certified in the following: Euthanasia, Rabies Vaccinator, Animal First Aid and CPR, EMT-Basic, and Small Animal Nutritional Consultant. Serving Person County since 2004. Animal interests are dogs, cats, poultry, horses, goats, parrots, reptiles, and rabbits. ”
After reading the horrible thing she has done, the only thing that she is capable of is cruelty. Who knows what other monstrosities she has done behind closed doors. I am a volunteer for a rescue and fully understand the stress with overpopulation however a person who can be this heartless should not be allowed anywhere near any type of animal. Why have she not yet been removed?