CRUELTY TO KINDNESS
Tale of dog’s rescue lures pack of supporters to face accused abuser in court
While a rescued dog now known as Ethan wasn’t in court Thursday, he had plenty of friends there, willing to sit and stay.
About 40 animal-rights activists and other supporters showed up at a court appearance for Andre Davis, Ethan’s former owner, who is accused of abusing him. Davis is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, according to arrest records.
Chicago Police Lt. John Garrido, who rescued Ethan, also was there; he said the community was responding to a plea for support posted on Facebook Wednesday by Garrido’s nonprofit, Garrido Stray and Rescue Foundation. Ethan’s supporters stood when the defendant was called to show they wanted justice, Garrido said.
Ethan was in extremely poor health when police rescued him from a Northwest Side apartment on Aug. 26; police say he’d been abandoned there about three weeks before. The dog was taken to Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center for emergency treatment. He was emaciated, his ribs were showing, his muscles had begun to waste away and he was very cold, said Dr. Peter Sakas, one of the veterinarians at the animal hospital.
“Thankfully, due to the successful intervention/quick action by Officer [John] Garrido, Ethan was saved in the nick of time from dying a horrific painful death,” Sakas wrote in a statement to police.
Garrido said in his experience, similar cases of cruelty or neglect slip through the cracks, and he wanted to make sure everyone knew the community was keeping an eye on this case.
This was, he added, the first time his organization had urged people to come to court.
“You could tell it was definitely a surprise to the judge and everyone in the courtroom to see everyone stand up,” Garrido said.
Sakas, who has been with Niles Animal Hospital for 38 years, described the case as one of the worst he’s seen.
“Ethan was really, really, a sad situation because you could see this little guy was trying to survive,” Sakas said.
Sakas said Ethan appears to be recovering well.
Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation was formed by Garrido and his wife Anna in 2014. The foundation works with the city’s Animal Care and Control division to foster lost or abused animals in the city.
“I think with the use of social media and just educating people, I think this network is developing and growing and has a significant impact on these cases,” Garrido said.
Since logging Ethan’s progress on Facebook, Garrido said he has received about 60 offers from people who want to adopt the dog.