An animal shelter has responded after a woman said that after she consulted with it to make the tough call to put her dog down, she later saw it alive and up for adoption.
Kristie Pereira came forward earlier this month claiming her dog Beau - who she adopted in 2022 from a local group in Maryland, Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation (LDCRF) - was alive, well and up for adoption again despite allegedly being led to believe he'd been put down.
And now the rescue center are refusing to give him back to her.
Severe health issues
The 32-year-old told the Associated Press within weeks of adopting the two-month-old pup, it became clear something was wrong - a vet later ascertaining Beau may have a problem with his liver and so she was sent home with liver enzymes.
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However, when his condition worsened, three vets allegedly all agreed he must have a severe neurological problem - left unable to lift his hind legs or control his bowels.
In order to cement their findings, they needed to perform tests which Pereira said she was quoted for as costing as much as $12,000.
After being told there was 'a very slim chance of finding was is wrong' even with the tests and 'an even smaller chance of it being something [they could] fix,' she claims the subject of euthanasia was brought up in discussion.
Pereira alleges she was given 'support and encouragement' and told 'sometimes that's the best thing to do' by employees at Lost Dog & Cat Rescue and so took Beau to Montgomery County Animal Services to have him put down, adding she was reportedly told she couldn't be with him when it happened.
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But a year later she saw Beau on Lost Dog & Cat Rescue services' website, the shelter having since spoken out and provided an extensive timeline of its version of events.
What happened to Beau after Kristie thought he had been put down
As per a release on its website, the shelter reports on December 10, 2022, the dog - since named Amos Hart - was adopted from the rescue shelter.
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On March 16, 2023, it says it was updated about his 'failing health' - indeed, 'a neurological condition that would impact his quality of life'.
The shelter claims when euthanasia was being discussed as an option, it 'advised [Pereira] to be with Amos through [it] [...] [advising] how important it is to be with your pet for their peaceful passage' and if not, offered to take Amos 'back'.
However, it wasn't until April 12 when it allegedly heard any update - 'an unsolicited email from Montgomery County Animal Services (MCAS) stating that Amos Hart was surrendered to them for euthanasia'.
"LDCRF was not knowledgeable nor informed about the former adopter’s independent decision to euthanize Amos Hart nor her selection of a county shelter to do so after surrendering him," the shelter adds.
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So, on April 18, the shelter picked up the dog, reporting MCAS 'state they did not witness any neurological signs while in their care (3/26/2023 to 4/18/2023)'.
The pup was reported as having 'a hepatic insufficiency and required a special diet and medication (enulose)' and when being neutered, the shelter was told by a vet he also had a 'possible liver shunt' - and was given certain medication and placed on special food.
The 'liver shunt' was confirmed via an ultrasound and CT scan on July 28, a GoFundMe was started by a volunteer at the shelter to pay for the pup's surgery and he underwent the procedure on September 20, 2023.
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By April 2023, Amos was reported as 'doing great' and 'cleared all follow ups with VRA and BRVA (bloodwork checks)' before being 'placed up for adoption on 4/5/24'.
Why the rescue shelter won't give Beau back
LDCRF's statement adds: "We cannot speak to the interactions or agreements made between the former adopter and other shelters or vets.
"And, although we are thankful for it, we cannot speak to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter’s (MCAS) decision not to euthanize Amos Hart as requested by its former owner."
It stressed it 'does not rehome pets with previous owners who surrendered them for euthanasia' adding it's 'terribly at odds' with its 'core mission' to 'save adoptable pets from euthanasia'.
Despite noting 'with all due respect' it 'assumes previous owners have exhausted all options and considerations before making the difficult, but permanent, decision to relinquish their rights and surrender their pets' it says it 'cannot speak' to Pereira's 'decision to select a municipal shelter' as it allegedly advised her 'against choosing a place that would not allow her to be present'.
It resolves: "Lastly, we reject the false claim that our rescue has ever faulted the former owner for not pursuing extensive testing. We would not and do not judge others so cavalierly.
"Pet medical decisions are emotionally charged and involve delicate financial deliberations for which we have only empathy and understanding.
"And, as shown by this case, not all forecasted medical outcomes can be predicted with certainty."
UNILAD has contacted Pereira and the Montgomery County Animal Services for comment.
Topics: Animals, Dogs, US News, Animal Cruelty
Poppy Bilderbeck