14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-Updated: Dog Caught in Middle of Agency Turf Battle
Reporter: Stefanie Silvey
Web Producer: Amber Griswold
Update, FRI 6 PM: The treatment of the dog, named Deacon, is fueling controversy between animal control and the humane society. He was chained in an Evansville alleyway for weeks without food, shelter or water. He was also underweight and had bloody fly infested wounds.
Animal control says they only get involved if an animal is near death and considered a "Win-Able" neglect case for the prosecution. The humane society says its an obvious case of neglect, but legally they can't get involved until animal control rules it as a case of neglect.
Once Newswatch stepped in, Deacon was taken to the humane society for treatment, and Thursday animal control officer Tony Stallings took Deacon to a veterinarian to seek a second opinion. Ripplemeier also took Deacon to the humane society's veterinarian who agreed he is 25-30 pounds underweight. He also is being treated for intestinal worms. He will be vaccinated after he gains some of his weight back in about ten days. She hopes to have him evaluated and ready for adoption within a couple of weeks.
Newswatch asked you earlier this week if you thought that Deacon's case was a case of neglect. Results showed 99% said yes and 1% said no.
Earlier: Taking care of animals, strays or even our pets, is the responsibility of both animal control and humane societies. But in Posey County, the two are at odds. And concerned residents are wondering now where to go for help.
Residents on Elm Street say they have called for weeks, some for months, with concerns over a dog they feel is neglected.
The humane society agrees, but say they have no legal authority to intervene. It's a job for animal control, a job many say isn't being done.
Deacon is a dog, which was left in the care of a friend, while his owner was incarcerated.
The caretaker told Newswatch, "He was staying here, but I've tried to get his family to come get the dog, and since he was released from jail, I've tried to get him to go get the dog."
But no one had, and neighbors are concerned about Deacon.
"I cried because I have a dog and I can't see people mistreating animals."
Deacon has bloodied ears, infested with flies, no water, food, or shelter, a chain embedded in his fur, and a living space full of feces.
Mary Ann Haste, a neighbor, brought Deacon water while Newswatch was there. She told us, "I left several messages for animal control and he has not returned my calls at all."
Animal Control Officer Tony Stallings did visit the dog's caretaker Tuesday, after Newswatch called his office. But the caretaker, says he wasn't too concerned.
She said, "He looked at Deacon and the only thing he could find wrong with him was that he had no dog house, I asked him if he would take Deacon with him and he said no."
Pyllis Ripplemeier of the Posey County Humane Society, "We have a very big difference in opinion in what is acceptable and what is not."
Ripplemeier said her calls to animal control also go unanswered.
"There seems to be a difficulty in getting communications to animal control officers when we need to speak to them."
Chief Grant Beloat of the Mt.Vernon Police Department commented, "It's a very fine line generally what has to happen is, it has to be a very, very blatant, almost to the point of the animal being deceased."
Officer Tony Stallings answers to Police Chief Grant Beloat, who agreed to look at Deacon with us.
Arrangement were made to have Deacon rescued by the Humane Society, but Chief Beloat admits, that's not normal protocol.
Chief Beloat said, "I can tell you that the animal control officer tells me that based on his experience in the past that this would not get filed as a neglect case."
When asked if he thought things needed to be changed, and that just because one thing was done in the past doesn't mean it's right, Chief Beloat replied, "That's correct."
We want to know what you think. Do you think this is a case of neglect?
Let us know your opinion on the poll, or by calling our 14 listens phone lines at 433-3400 or 1-800-956-1414.
We'll have your responses Thursday on Newswatch at Five.
