On a recent snowy, very cold November afternoon, a dog was brought to the WAIF animal shelter in Coupeville. Chill, so named by shelter staff for obvious reasons, was half-frozen and could barely walk. His teeth showed years of neglect, and his dirty, dull coat seemed pasted to his painfully thin body. It was clear that this dog hadn’t wandered away temporarily from a warm home, but was rather an older dog that always lived outside, regardless of the weather.
As Chill waited for someone to call about him, he experienced more and more difficulty moving around, and was clearly in pain. In spite of his discomfort, he was affectionate and grateful for the attention and kindness shown to him by shelter staff, volunteers and visitors. X-rays were taken, showing a fractured shoulder and signs of cancer that had metastasized to his lungs. Because Chill’s physical problems were long past medical treatment, he was humanely released from his body after the mandatory waiting period expired. He died in the company of strangers who cared more about him than the people who had neglected him for years and who never even bothered to call and report him missing.
Further investigation revealed that Chill had been a source of concern for quite some time by neighbors and people who came to the house where he’d apparently been left outside for years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Animal Control had been called on several occasions by various people, but other than notices left on the doorstep of an empty house, no action was taken to help Chill or to remove him from the premises.
To the people who not only allowed this gentle old dog to live outside without benefit of comfort or human contact, but indulged in unbelievable neglect, forcing him to die by inches in a cage: You deserve to be prosecuted and sentenced to spend time – years perhaps — in a cage … outside. Shame on you.
To Animal Control who hid behind ineffective county ordinances and did nothing to help Chill: You see this kind of neglect every day, and based on your experiences, you should be actively working to change county laws regarding animal neglect so that dogs like Chill will be protected by the law.
To county officials who write laws and ordinances regarding animal welfare: You need to revisit what constitutes grounds for neglect, and then work with Animal Control to revise existing laws to protect animals like Chill.
To anyone reading this letter who keeps a dog outside 24/7 instead of welcoming him or her as a member of the family: Buy a stuffed animal and find a real home for your dog. Dogs are social creatures that depend on humans to provide comfort, security, human contact and love.
To the women and small child (kissed oh so gently by this wonderful, big dog) who came to meet Chill while he was at the shelter and were willing to adopt him and welcome him into their home and hearts: Thank you for caring about him. Please know that he didn’t leave his body without feeling that someone wanted him.
To WAIF shelter staff and volunteers who did what they could to make Chill comfortable while he was at the shelter: Thank you for your kindness and concern.
There are lessons to be learned from every experience, and I hope that what Chill taught by sadly unfortunate example is a lesson that will be learned by everyone who cares for and about animals.
Ardeth De Vries
Coupeville
