Fatal dog attack could ignite debate for rules for animal rescue facilities
The gray-area world of dog rescue facilities doesn’t have many rules or regulations.
But Thursday’s attack that ended with the death of a 71-year-old volunteer at 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida, an Oakland Park rescue, might spark new debate.
Michele Lazarow, a Hallandale Beach commissioner and animal advocate, strongly opposes government oversight and said it’s not necessary.
“This was an anomaly,” Lazarow said.
“As a lawmaker I wouldn’t create an entire policy because there were one or two instances. There has to be a significant issue. That doesn’t seem to be the case here.”
Ana Campos, a Fort Lauderdale private investigator and animal activist, strongly favors government oversight and said it’s “100%” necessary. Campos said she’s been in touch with friends who intend to reach out to legislators to get the regulation ball rolling.
“There is the good, the bad, and the ugly of rescues,” she said.
Cherie Wachter, vice president of marketing for the Humane Society of Broward County, said many rescues do a good job. Having a volunteer killed is rare.
“You really don’t hear of situations like this happening,” she said.
There are differences among an animal rescue facility, an animal shelter, and an animal adoption facility. An animal shelter is usually run by the county or city and subject to its rules, and an animal adoption facility gets inspected by the county and is subject to those rules.
Animal rescues in Florida must register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services if they are operating as a charitable organization, according to spokesperson Erin Moffet. Beyond that, there’s no government oversight, regulation, or inspection, according to those in the animal business.
Campos, who has investigated numerous dog rescues and testifies in court as an expert witness, said some rescues don’t have qualified workers or volunteers handling the dogs.
“It is the wild, wild west,” she said. “Animal rescues need to be regulated. Nobody should ever die in animal rescue. That’s negligence.”
Training for workers and volunteers is up to each facility.
“Every rescue develops their own standard operating procedures and protocols,” said Deven Soto, board member of Good Karma Pet Rescue in Pompano Beach, adding, “If protocols are followed, no one should get hurt.”
Michelle Reichler, director of Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation, said they don’t always know the background of dogs they accept so they’re careful about who handles a particular dog. She said they’ve had dogs thrown over their fence, tied to their fence, left in garbage bags, and shoved into bird cages. Beyond that, sometimes people lie about whether an animal was a fighting dog, neglected or aggressive, so the rescue is careful about allowing volunteers handle certain dogs.
“If we know a particular dog is potentially aggressive it’s only going to be handled by our trained dog manager, those kinds of special volunteers and behaviorists,” she said.
The mixed-breed dog that attacked volunteer Pam Robb at 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida on Thursday has been placed in the care of the Broward County Animal Care and Adoption Center. A spokesperson didn’t return a call or an email Friday inquiring about the dog’s fate.
Robb was working with the dog when it became aggressive, a Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman said. A second woman witnessed the attack and tried to help. She had minor injuries.
The dog was a large mixedbreed rescue that recently was taken to the center at 345 E. Commercial Blvd. from the Everglades.
The founder of the 100+ rescue group declined to be interviewed on Friday, saying she was too emotional to talk.
Without more oversight, dog rescue facilities are on the honor system regarding which dogs they accept and who handles those dogs. And sometimes it’s a tough call.
“To be a responsible rescuer you want to only rescue the dogs you are capable of responsibly taking care of,” Soto said, “and it’s a fine line when you rescue not to get in over your head.”