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by kitkat3478 on 31 July 2017 - 21:07
Funny how different vets view same dog
There I'd a video in actual story
Hope the link works for any interested
http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/deputy-sues-pbc-sheriffs-office-claims-he-was-demoted-after-complaining-of-k9-mistreatment
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy is suing his department, claiming he was taken out of the K9 unit after complaining about "mistreatment" of the dogs. PBSO says his allegations are completely false.
Sid Garcia, a lawyer for Deputy Justin Rigney, shared video with Contact 5 which he says first set off alarm bells. The video was sent to Rigney by another deputy because he was proud of the K9's training.
But, according to Garcia, Rigney saw something very different in that video.
"You can clearly see the ribs on this dog," says Garcia.
Rigney's wife, Alison Rigney, a K9 trainer and former animal abuse investigators, say that same video, brought her to tears.
You could see all the ribs, the hip bones, the spine was clearly visible. It was clearly not being fed or cared," says Alison Rigney.
Garcia says that same day, Rigney and his wife were at the PBSO K9 training facility and took pictures of another dog they felt looked too skinny.
"It was very very thin, almost emaciated. I could see all the bones and there was no muscle or fat left on the dog itself," says Alison Rigney.
In the lawsuit, Rigney says he was also contacted by a K9 vendor, who called to complain about a dog that was returned to him by PBSO, stating it was skinnier than when he first handed the dog over.
As a K9 trainer/deputy himself, Rigney claims the dogs are trained on a food based system. But what he witnessed, he felt, was equal to starvation.
"Instead of regular feedings, they were feeding them during the training process. So reward for doing the right thing but that's not enough to fuel these animals," said Garcia.
Alison Rigney says, "It was almost cruel to me to see them feeding him one piece of kibble at a time when he deserved to be fed much more for the job he was doing in the video."
In the lawsuit, Rigney claimed he went to his supervisors and complained, telling them he felt the dogs were malnourished, and needed to be fed more.
PBSO opened an internal review the day of that meeting. Contact 5 obtained a copy of that internal review. Multiple deputies in the K9 unit were interviewed, and none expressed concern over the dog's weight, according to PBSO.
Also in the review, Michele Tucker, of Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists, says she found all the K9s were "bright and healthy as well as active during her assessment." Another memo, from a veterinarian at Forest Hill Animal Hospital, explains "that the K-9s present body conditions are to be expected for immature dogs during a vigorous training schedule."
A PBSO spokesperson says the review was closed, finding no evidence of malnourishment.
Rigney's attorney claims that's only the beginning.
Records show Rigney was placed on administrative leave on May 30, a week after meeting with supervisors. In a letter to his captain, Rigney wrote he was "charged with disrespecting a superior."
Garcia says, his understanding, is that the "alleged disrespect" came "from the meeting where he expressed concerns to his sergeant."
"He was trying to make it clear he had a legitimate concern about how these animals were being treated," says Garcia."There was no disrespect."
Rigney claims he was also told to place his K9 Zeke into PBSO custody, while on leave, and that when he went to pick up the dog at a later date, the dog's cage was not clean, and there was fecal matter in his water.
A PBSO spokesperson did confirm there was an open investigation related to Rigney's administrative leave, but because it is still ongoing, could not provide specifics. She did stress that "K9 Zeke was handled properly."
Records show Rigney, when he returned from administrative leave in June, was then re-assigned, taken out of the K9 unit and put on road patrol. Rigney was also stripped of his corporal title.
A PBSO spokesperson confirmed that Rigney "was re-assigned due to the internal review (into his allegations), which is a management prerogative."
"We believe some people were angry at him for making this report and they took it out on his career," says Garcia. Garcia says under the Whistle Blower Act, you cannot be punished for reporting something you feel is wrong.
Alison Rigney believes nothing has changed when it comes to the treatment of the dogs, "Clearly the pictures speak for themselves."
PBSO provided a statement to Contact 5 in response to the lawsuit, saying "the sheriff has a reputation in the community of being an animal lover, and in fact is involved in insuring that dogs are being treated humanely. He is active with the Big Dog Ranch Rescue. The Sheriff would never allow the mistreatment of any of his K9 unit dogs and has insured they are in the best of health. This deputy's allegations are totally false."
Contact 5 took the photos and video of the K9s provided to us to a third party vet, not associated with the Sheriff's Office. They did not want to be identified but said they felt the "dogs look emaciated," and "are below where they should be in terms of weight."
There I'd a video in actual story
Hope the link works for any interested
http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/deputy-sues-pbc-sheriffs-office-claims-he-was-demoted-after-complaining-of-k9-mistreatment
PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. - A Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy is suing his department, claiming he was taken out of the K9 unit after complaining about "mistreatment" of the dogs. PBSO says his allegations are completely false.
Sid Garcia, a lawyer for Deputy Justin Rigney, shared video with Contact 5 which he says first set off alarm bells. The video was sent to Rigney by another deputy because he was proud of the K9's training.
But, according to Garcia, Rigney saw something very different in that video.
"You can clearly see the ribs on this dog," says Garcia.
Rigney's wife, Alison Rigney, a K9 trainer and former animal abuse investigators, say that same video, brought her to tears.
You could see all the ribs, the hip bones, the spine was clearly visible. It was clearly not being fed or cared," says Alison Rigney.
Garcia says that same day, Rigney and his wife were at the PBSO K9 training facility and took pictures of another dog they felt looked too skinny.
"It was very very thin, almost emaciated. I could see all the bones and there was no muscle or fat left on the dog itself," says Alison Rigney.
In the lawsuit, Rigney says he was also contacted by a K9 vendor, who called to complain about a dog that was returned to him by PBSO, stating it was skinnier than when he first handed the dog over.
As a K9 trainer/deputy himself, Rigney claims the dogs are trained on a food based system. But what he witnessed, he felt, was equal to starvation.
"Instead of regular feedings, they were feeding them during the training process. So reward for doing the right thing but that's not enough to fuel these animals," said Garcia.
Alison Rigney says, "It was almost cruel to me to see them feeding him one piece of kibble at a time when he deserved to be fed much more for the job he was doing in the video."
In the lawsuit, Rigney claimed he went to his supervisors and complained, telling them he felt the dogs were malnourished, and needed to be fed more.
PBSO opened an internal review the day of that meeting. Contact 5 obtained a copy of that internal review. Multiple deputies in the K9 unit were interviewed, and none expressed concern over the dog's weight, according to PBSO.
Also in the review, Michele Tucker, of Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists, says she found all the K9s were "bright and healthy as well as active during her assessment." Another memo, from a veterinarian at Forest Hill Animal Hospital, explains "that the K-9s present body conditions are to be expected for immature dogs during a vigorous training schedule."
A PBSO spokesperson says the review was closed, finding no evidence of malnourishment.
Rigney's attorney claims that's only the beginning.
Records show Rigney was placed on administrative leave on May 30, a week after meeting with supervisors. In a letter to his captain, Rigney wrote he was "charged with disrespecting a superior."
Garcia says, his understanding, is that the "alleged disrespect" came "from the meeting where he expressed concerns to his sergeant."
"He was trying to make it clear he had a legitimate concern about how these animals were being treated," says Garcia."There was no disrespect."
Rigney claims he was also told to place his K9 Zeke into PBSO custody, while on leave, and that when he went to pick up the dog at a later date, the dog's cage was not clean, and there was fecal matter in his water.
A PBSO spokesperson did confirm there was an open investigation related to Rigney's administrative leave, but because it is still ongoing, could not provide specifics. She did stress that "K9 Zeke was handled properly."
Records show Rigney, when he returned from administrative leave in June, was then re-assigned, taken out of the K9 unit and put on road patrol. Rigney was also stripped of his corporal title.
A PBSO spokesperson confirmed that Rigney "was re-assigned due to the internal review (into his allegations), which is a management prerogative."
"We believe some people were angry at him for making this report and they took it out on his career," says Garcia. Garcia says under the Whistle Blower Act, you cannot be punished for reporting something you feel is wrong.
Alison Rigney believes nothing has changed when it comes to the treatment of the dogs, "Clearly the pictures speak for themselves."
PBSO provided a statement to Contact 5 in response to the lawsuit, saying "the sheriff has a reputation in the community of being an animal lover, and in fact is involved in insuring that dogs are being treated humanely. He is active with the Big Dog Ranch Rescue. The Sheriff would never allow the mistreatment of any of his K9 unit dogs and has insured they are in the best of health. This deputy's allegations are totally false."
Contact 5 took the photos and video of the K9s provided to us to a third party vet, not associated with the Sheriff's Office. They did not want to be identified but said they felt the "dogs look emaciated," and "are below where they should be in terms of weight."
by kitkat3478 on 31 July 2017 - 21:07
by kitkat3478 on 31 July 2017 - 21:07
This dog is emaciate d
The vets that said it's not should be ashamed of themselves..png)
they sacrificing thedog to keep their jobs
by SitasMom on 01 August 2017 - 18:08
Kitkat, I agree, this dog is emaciated!
Looks like an untreated EPI dog.
Looks like an untreated EPI dog.
by Gustav on 02 August 2017 - 10:08
If many of today's people were able to view marine training they would call it abusive....trust me. Fortunately, I trust the military with policies and procedures tested over hundreds of thousands of recruits than I trust people who often judge abuse based on emotion, their preferences, and oftentimes personal agendas.
by Swarnendu on 02 August 2017 - 10:08
What could be the reasons behind underfeeding police dogs, or devise a training schedule bordering abuse for marines, when they already have the "it" in them?
Just wandering....
by Reliya on 02 August 2017 - 11:08
The Marines, like all the other branches, aren't really abusive. If you can't handle getting yelled at, you shouldn't join. It's in the post orders that the instructors can't touch recruits or even curse at recruits. Any instructor that does can be reported and court martialed.
Not saying it doesn't happen. But it's not supposed to.
Not saying it doesn't happen. But it's not supposed to.
by Reliya on 02 August 2017 - 11:08
I've witnessed this being abused, too. A female recruit (USAF) was being trained by a male instructor. She was just slightly in the incorrect spot, so he asked her permission to adjust her to the correct position. She consented. He placed his hands on her shoulder and moved her to the correct position. He was later reported by this female recruit. I don't remember the guy's name, but I remember he was a Technical Sergeant (E-6) and removed from that squadron.
by kitkat3478 on 02 August 2017 - 14:08
Well I have no personal agenda as far as this dog is concerned,
I don't t know how "any" eyes can see anything but a starved dog
As far as Marine training is concerned , I have seen shows on the way recruits get "the treatment"
They signed up for that I cried watching young kids struggle to make it thru the initial program They",wanted that self discipline for themselves for their lives
You have to give anyone of them that make it thru a great deal of credit
Difference is they understand why they being treated that way they signed up for it
Seems these dogs are being trained like the border patrol dogs were left starving to bring out that"edge', that the ego craves
Some not all k9 officers use their dogs to be more obnoxious
And I ain t. Saying ALL
I happen to be friends with a couple k9 handlers and trainers that are very decent guys who actually care about the well being of the dogs.
I understand the concept of training and reward
Nodog should have to perform for its meal
I don't t know how "any" eyes can see anything but a starved dog
As far as Marine training is concerned , I have seen shows on the way recruits get "the treatment"
They signed up for that I cried watching young kids struggle to make it thru the initial program They",wanted that self discipline for themselves for their lives
You have to give anyone of them that make it thru a great deal of credit
Difference is they understand why they being treated that way they signed up for it
Seems these dogs are being trained like the border patrol dogs were left starving to bring out that"edge', that the ego craves
Some not all k9 officers use their dogs to be more obnoxious
And I ain t. Saying ALL
I happen to be friends with a couple k9 handlers and trainers that are very decent guys who actually care about the well being of the dogs.
I understand the concept of training and reward
Nodog should have to perform for its meal
by ShirosOhana on 02 August 2017 - 16:08
Something similar happened in my hometown a couple years ago. It was never brought the new's attention but I worked that the clinic the dog was brought to.
A 4yro male GSD was brought in by his handler who had been on vacation for a week and was left in the care of the PD kennels,
He brought the dog in who had lashes, cuts and open sores on his back and rear end. The dogs handler told us when he left the dog was in perfect condition, eating and drinking normal, normal behavior etc. And when he got back he found the dog in the back of his kennel, scared.
When we did the initial exam on the dog he was very timid, made no eye contact with anyone. The marks on his body made It very clear he was beat with either a leather leash or a belt or something of that nature. The dogs handler was crying when we told him what happen. So he goes back to the PD and tells them what happen, and the gentleman over the kennels comes and talk to the vet, and our vet explains what she thinks happens and they go to tell her that the dog was misbehaving and it was the only way to correct the dogs behavior. We didn't hear anything for a couple days until the handler came in to get the vet to fill out a report on what she found. A couple months later the dog was "retired" and the handler fought tooth and nail to adopt that dog. He eventually was able to adopt him but he said the dog was never the same.
It was an extremely heartbreaking situation.
A 4yro male GSD was brought in by his handler who had been on vacation for a week and was left in the care of the PD kennels,
He brought the dog in who had lashes, cuts and open sores on his back and rear end. The dogs handler told us when he left the dog was in perfect condition, eating and drinking normal, normal behavior etc. And when he got back he found the dog in the back of his kennel, scared.
When we did the initial exam on the dog he was very timid, made no eye contact with anyone. The marks on his body made It very clear he was beat with either a leather leash or a belt or something of that nature. The dogs handler was crying when we told him what happen. So he goes back to the PD and tells them what happen, and the gentleman over the kennels comes and talk to the vet, and our vet explains what she thinks happens and they go to tell her that the dog was misbehaving and it was the only way to correct the dogs behavior. We didn't hear anything for a couple days until the handler came in to get the vet to fill out a report on what she found. A couple months later the dog was "retired" and the handler fought tooth and nail to adopt that dog. He eventually was able to adopt him but he said the dog was never the same.
It was an extremely heartbreaking situation.
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