In Kaukauna, Wisconsin, animal advocates were outraged after a stray dog neighbors had all agreed was gentle, full of energy and got along with everyone he met, was euthanized on Monday.
The Fox Valley Humane Association is a no-kill shelter, which describes a shelter where 90 percent of the animals brought in are rehomed. The shelters only euthanize animals for behavior issues IF detrimental to the pet or to potential adopters. And this is where the dispute begins and tragically ended with Duke’s death.
According to the Fox Valley Humane Association, a stray dog named Duke had been roaming the neighborhood, and local residents had been caring for the friendly dog. A woman who had been helping Duke stated the dog was not aggressive and had no problem sharing his toys. She brought him to the shelter hoping someone would adopt him. Days later the dog was posted on their adoption page, but a few days after that, Duke’s adoption listing was gone; advocates assumed Duke had been adopted.
In fact, Duke had not been adopted, and when a community citizen called the shelter for an update, the person was told Duke had been “euthanized for behavioral issues.” The shelter stated they had evaluated the dog’s health and behavior and determined he had factors with his behavior that would have needed a specialized foster home.
The shelter stated Duke had spent nearly two weeks with them, and the dog’s aggression had escalated to the point where the team felt it was unsafe to work with him.
The shelter posted the following:
More than 500 comments from upset neighbors responded to the post about Duke’s death, especially when there had been multiple offers from the community to adopt Duke, and at the time, no one from the shelter had responded to questions about the dog’s status.
One of the heartbreaking responses:
This is completely heartbreaking and SO wrong. FVHA was FULLY aware there were multiple people that would have done the right thing for Duke and FVHA simply chose to end his life. For so many dogs without a chance, he had one and they selfishly and with a bullshit explanation took that away.
Unfortunately FVHA won’t have to answer to their heartless life ending decision. PLEASE take this as a heartbreaking reminder to donate to our TRUE no kill shelters who go above and absolutely beyond for every single soul.
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Since this heartbreaking story went viral, the Fox Valley Humane Association has reached out to the community, agreeing there will be improved communications with the people who bring in stray dogs. They also agreed the organization needs to have specialized foster homes as well as more financial support.
It is hoped that the rescue organization will make changes in the future and become more transparent about situations such as what happened with Duke.
Since the story about Duke’s tragic ending, the Fox Valley Humane Association has asked for qualified foster parents to volunteer to help the “more challenging pets” and give them all better chances of finding new homes and living long lives.
Rest in peace Duke. We are so sorry humans let you down.
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HELL WAS CREATED FOR SUBHUMANS LIKE THIS! WE WILL “DEFINITELY” REMEMBER THIS SHELTER!