Dog owner cited for negligence after failing to euthanize German shepherd
Penny Eims, Dog News Examiner
July 27, 2011

"Bethel Park, PA - Joe Dolinar's German shepherd lived a life of solitude and misery.

The dog, a German shepherd, was kept outside at all times - in the rain, cold, and most recently, in the sweltering heat.

The dog had a rudimentary, wooden box for shelter - but that box provided no respite from the flies that bit his ears to bloody stumps.

Nor did it provide relief from the oppressive heat.

It goes without saying, a life such as this is nothing more than a miserable existence.

Dolinar's neighbors apparently complained to local humane officers about the condition of the dog. The bloodied ear stumps and multiple pressure wounds caught their attention.

Especially when the heat index recently soared to a miserable 105 degrees.

This is where things get a bit strange.

Rather than ordering Dolinar to surrender his dog so that he would stand a chance at getting treatment from a rescue organization, the humane officers ordered Dolinar to euthanize his dog - to "end his suffering".

When Dolinar failed to euthanize his dog - ironically, because he "didn't want to say good-bye", he was cited for negligence.

As Dolinar ignored the order of the humane officers, the shepherd continued to decline physically.

Bethel Park Police then got involved - once again, not removing this dog from his life of misery, but instead - ensuring that the dog's owner kept the appointment to have the dog euthanized.

Dolinar has been issued a $750 citation - the dog, apparently, has been euthanized.

Granted, humane euthanasia was likely a relief for this poor dog's life of misery, but why was he never provided with the chance to be removed from his neglectful owner?

Why did "humane" officers wait until the dog was near death to take action? Were there not enough signs of neglect to remove him from his life of horror?

Why did the owner care about saying good-bye to his dog whom he never cared enough about to treat with dignity and respect in the first place?

Too many questions, no good answers.

To this dog who suffered a miserable life, may you Rest in Peace - far from the sad life that you were forced to endure."
http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/dog-owner-cited-for-negligence-after-failing-to-euthanize-german-shepherd#ixzz1TS2ZBLFQ