Another Wonderful Deed by the Hays County Police

Missy died en route to an emergency vet clinic in New Braunfels, Texas

“I really don’t care about your damn dog!” statement made by San Marcos police officer Paul Stephens

At about midnight on August 5, 2008 Michael Gonzalez and Krystal Hernandez were racing their choking tea- cup poodle Missy to the New Braunfels animal emergency clinic when they were pulled over and detained by San Marcos police officer Paul Stephens.

Because Michael Gonzalez was visibly upset officer Stephens actually asked him “what are you on?” Then proceeded to want to know what was wrong with the man! Obviously Officer Stephens has never loved a dog. The final blow is when Stephens callously says, “It’s just a dog. You can buy another one. Relax.”

Officer Stephens not only had no understanding or compassion for the plight of the dog but his cold, callous attitude came over loud and clear on the raw video tape of the scene.

This attitude that animals are just property—and nothing more—is so prevalent in this good ol’ boy state of Texas. This is the same Hays County police department that so kindly checked on the dog chained up for the rest of its life with no chance of parole. These cops have no place representing the public who pays their salaries. At the very least, they certainly need to take a few courses on how to be compassionate.

For handling this situation in this manner officer Stephens received an oral reprimand from Police Chief Howard Williams.

The Houston Chronicle story makes it sound like poor officer Stephens is now the victim because he has received death threats. The San Marcos Mayor, Susan Narvaiz, steps up to the plate and states that the threats against the officer are “extremely unfortunate.” “Without question, the situation was not handled very well by Officer Stephens. But the characterization of the story has led to death threats against the officer and his family,” Narvaiz said.

And to top it all off the department pulls the Iraq war vet card, as if this will somehow raise Stephen’s reputation in the public eye. No dice. Not for me. The video footage does not lie, this officer is cold, cruel, and harsh.

I for one do not blame Gonzalez and Hernandez for filing a complaint against the San Marcos Police Department. This situation should never have happened.

The comments posted below the Houston Chronicle story appear to side with this officer’s handling of the situation. It is apparent to me that none of these people watched the raw video footage of the event and heard the way officer Stephens addressed Mr. Gonzalez.

Here’s one comment posted below the story:

It is just a dog. And an irritating poodle to boot. I nominated the officer for Peace Officer of the Year.

I only hope that this department will treat humans and their pets more kindly in the future.

Read more and watch the raw video from the traffic stop

Stop Chaining in Your Community!

Great Pyrenees Kept in Chains for over 3 Years!

This story comes straight from my heart, this beautiful Great Pyrenees has been bound in chains 24/7 for over 3 years. I discovered him back in June 2008 when I was doing a pet sit in this area. He hardly has shelter from the elements, if he strains at his chain he can barely fit under this carport. He sleeps in this tiny little spot of the carport, right in front of the owner’s truck.

After some research and speaking with neighbors about the dog, I called the local Hays County (Texas) Sheriff’s office and reported this incident. It appears to be a violation of the Texas Legislature HB 1411 passed in September of 2007. (The portion I am referring to prohibits a dog from being chained between the hours of 10 PM and 6 AM.) In addition, the collar appears to be a choke collar and the law clearly states this is prohibited.

When the officers arrived at the location I happened to be across the street walking my little charges. The deputies did not inspect the collar, they did not inspect the condition of the dog and they did not check if the animal was infested with fleas or had up-to-date rabies shots. Instead, they knocked on the door and began a lively and very friendly discussion with the owner. The owner, a sixtyish man, yucked it all up and soon the two deputies were joining him in the chuckles. All the while this poor animal was ignored. His condition not noted. And the owner getting away with it.

When I later spoke with this deputy, whose name is Yoeman, of the Hays County Sheriff’s office he informed me that the owner loves his dog, provides food and water for the dog, and that the dog is a watch dog. He also proceeded to inform me that these types of dogs are always outside and do not need shelter. I immediately informed him that the law does not exclude a Great Pyrenees from this type of torture. Deputy Yoeman then turned me over to another deputy who then informed me that three conditions have to be met before this becomes a violation. I was shocked the Sheriff’s Department was so ill informed about Texas laws, the very laws they are supposed to be enforcing.

I then proceeded to call the Hays County Animal Control officer, named Hall, with the same type of results. Total indifference and a complete lack of understanding about what the actual law states. The good ol’ boy network here in Texas is difficult to crack. These guys have no qualms about keeping a backyard “dawg” chained up for its entire life.

My only hope for this poor animal is the Texas Federation of Animal Care Services .

I will keep you posted. In the meantime please read this page about the plight of this poor dog and all others like him.

Please be their voice, if you witness this type of cruelty in your community do not sit by silently and do nothing. Help make positive changes in the laws by taking action.

Here is are some great web sites for more information:
http://www.unchainyourdog.org/index.html
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/home.html

Is There Anyone Out There Who Will Help Me?

Is there anyone out there who can help me?
You see I am living my life tied to a tree.
I’d like to have a family, someone who would love me.
Instead, I am tied to this tree.
I would love to be free…but I am tied to this tree.
I am not happy—can’t you see?
I would love to have someone who cared about me.
Instead, I am tied to this tree.
I am here 24/7 with no one who cares about me.
I have water that is true, you can see the yellow bucket that’s your clue.
But what is water? What is food? When life is lived at the end of a chain tied to a tree?
I am a Great Pyrenees, a proud breed, a working type but this is what has been given to me: living my life at the end of a chain tied to a tree.
I know that there are no laws to protect me. I guess people can do what they want to me. As long as I have water you see, they say it’s okay to keep a dog chained to a tree.
As long as I have water you see, it’s okay to neglect a dog chained to a tree.
As long as I have water you see, it’s okay that a dog dies chained to a tree.
I am a Great Pyrenees and I live a short life, and mine is being spent at the end of a chain tied to a tree.
Why did this happen to me?
I don’t know, I must have done something wrong.
But I sure wish I could be free, to have someone just care about me, I only ask that just one time I could be free from this tree.
Would you please come by and take a look at me? Help spread the word? Perhaps someone will do something for me? Perhaps someone will rescue me? I sure don’t want to die at the end of this chain tied to a tree.

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