Posted on 09/24/2005 5:44:30 AM PDT by Former Military Chick
Shuma the German Shepard helper dog. A disabled man from Mississippi who fled after hurricane Katrina and ended up in Independence Missouri needed to put a roof over his families head. His temporary accommodations would not allow pet's.
John Wyrick gave his pet Shuma to Lynn Nevill's at the Independence Animal Shelter where he signed away his pet because he could keep his beloved pet and service dog with him, the apartment would not allow it. Desperate to put a roof over his families' head he signed his registration paper's over to Ms. Nevill. It maybe legally sound but it is morally WRONG.
He has now found a home where he can have his beloved companion and service dog. He went back to the shelter, asking for his pet back and she refused.
This story has outraged the greater Kansas City area. What type of person would do this to someone who has just lost their home and everything in it. Knowing, that his current home was temporary until he could find one that would take pets.
Yes, I know contract law. I also know that he signed away his pet to the shelter. Could he not have asked their help? I do not know that answer. They get strays all the time. Why would they force this family to sign their pet away. This part of the story is a bit fuzzy.
Getting back to this tragic story, the out pouring of help from our town, is heart warming and a reminder of all the wonderful folks out there, they are determined to reunite dog with owner.
Jeff Lund who manages Weinburg Dodge offered after seeing the news segment last night $1000.00 to Nevill if she would return the pet to the rightful owner. The owner of the dealership heard about this and doubled Mr. Lund's offer. Carol Elber's also contributed saying she had little money but this companion belongs with the his family/master. Other's in the community have offered to give Ms. Nevell a puppy, all gestures turned down. Cannot even bribe a woman to do the right thing. What a role model she is.
To add to this devastating situation, the woman, Ms. Nevill, claimed during a radio interview that Mr. Wyrick was not a Hurricane Katrina victim and that there were no records to prove it through FEMA. Well, KCTV decided that when they got involved with this story it would be through the long haul. They also did a check on the man's veracity and indeed he is a victim of the Hurricane. So, in his time of need, she takes his beloved pet and when finds a place to live that accepts pet's she chooses not to give back his service/companion dog. Then she goes out on the air waves to slander his good name.
As of last night's news cast a lawyer has offered his assistance free of charge. Oh and if you are wondering WHY she will not return Shuma, the family pet of the Wyrick family, she claims her family, in the last 3 weeks have become to attached to the dog.
You can also go to the KCTV website, where you can send an email on this story, and they will share them on the air,or call their voice mail where they will also share those messages. The community will have nothing of this and I get it as well.
There is a special place in hell for the likes of this woman. Beloved did little research on the net and he found her address and phone number. I will post the information once I ask Dave where the links are, she must be told her behavior was very un American.
Dog Dilemma Reaction
Kansas City has spoken. You want an Independence, Mo., woman to give Shuma the shepherd back to her owner. Thursday night, you met a disabled man from Mississippi who fled Hurricane Katrina and ended up in Independence, but he had to give up his dog, which is not only his pet but his helper. Chief Investigative Reporter Steve Chamraz has the latest.
Community Reacts to Dog Dilemma
Since the story about one Hurricane Katrina survivor's dog dilemma aired Thursday on "KCTV5 News at 10," there's been an outpouring of reaction to the community. Hear some of the e-mails and offers to help that KCTV5 News received in this video report.
KCTV5 News Investigation: Dog Dilemma
Hundreds of people have come to Kansas City after fleeing Hurricane Katrina and most have been welcomed with open arms. But one man who lost his home and belongings to the storm came here and lost something that can't be replaced and he blames an Independence woman.
Page where you can find the three media links regarding the Shuma the family german shepard.
I'm not sure if the man is lying or the tv station is dramatizing it for ratings, but honestly, when the real story comes out, I think the station will have egg on it's face.<<
First off I am proud of my fellow Freeper's. It is amazing when you can pool resources, my initial purpose of posting this thread, to bring this to a broader audience and to ask for good wishes and prayers as this man, who has lost everything has begun his new life. Without his beloved family companion and helper.
Having said that, this comment gave me pause.
I have given thought to the term service dog. It was the term the investigative reporter used and it was based on his interview and that the gentleman walks with a cane, to what end I do not know.
While there are many who are breed, and than taught for that specific purpose to help the disabled there are those that find themselves injured and their pet CAN be train to assist having been with their master for a long time, or someone who has become ill, and the pet is able to pick up that illness and than help their owner as they face the medical disability.
I am fully aware of what is involved in having a service pet. There are all kinds, from those that live with their master's helping in every day tasks to those that take their pet's to the hospitals and nursing homes helping those ill hopefully have a speedy recovery. Both give the pet certain qualifications and one of them to remain with their master's at all times. I think some have chosen to take a apart the term service verses pet, in the end it does not matter, what Nevill has done is wrong, at least morally.
I am not sure where the hell one says that this channel will have egg on their face because they are reporting on a human interest story of a family who lost everything relocated on Missouri and in the process found themselves in none pet friendly emergency dwelling.
Poor decisions have been made, but, everything the network has reported has been verified or substantiated.
I also emailed the station and sent the link to the journalist, beloved did as well. Perhaps broader attention might way on the mind of Nevill.
This was, unfortunately, not such a decent and ethical scenario.
The Ibizans were taken from a horrible person who allowed them to breed at will and die without medical care by the local SPCA.
Rather than selflessly and humanely offer the dogs to other IH owners when things "got out of hand", the breeder just let it all go to hell, instead.
One of the dogs who died in her house is the brother of 2 of my dog's father.
He was a young, beautiful champion with a great future ahead of him.
The Ibizan Hound rescue group found out about it and personally worked to re-home the dogs once they were able to get them out of the shelter.
A couple of FReepers acted as foster parents to some of the dogs while permanent homes were found.....:)
Hey there is nothing wrong taking the side of the other but I really find little for the other side to stand up on. Accept for the signing away of the pet. Legally it would stand up in court but morally well you know where I stand on that.
Yes, I agree give the dude back his dog. Man loses dog article, yep, yet there is no happy ending.
There is always the right way to do things. Nevill has already shown she has no morals and appears that she does not know how to set a good example for her children.
Perhaps the law can work for this man in some way.
As I was reading the comments one thing came to mind, why did the temp digs help out this man and his dog. I mean, we rent property, we put a higher a deposit if they have pets. This does not even fall under that. Had someone come to me, after just losing their home, relocating and now looking for permanent digs I would have found a way to help with his pet. Either giving a pass for the three weeks or seeking out an animal hospital that would offer reduce rates for the stay of Shuma.
Somehow, that needs to be addressed. I think Texas is doing an excellent job when it came to the current hurricane and the evacuation of folks and their pets. It is an important logistical situation and MUST be addressed. I spoke to a family member who was affected by Katrina (lives in Biloxi) and she said that they had a friend die because they remained for the pets.
It is hard to imagine that there is no grace period. Even so, I doubt it would be 3 weeks. Again, I have to wonder if the folks who had the temp digs could not have found some compassion for the man and his pet as he looked for a home.
I get that there are places that do not take pets but I do not know about you but how could you look someone in the eye and say, you made it all the way here, after losing everything but I am sorry for you to stay you must get rid of the pet.
There is something wrong with that. I do know that putting a pet in the kennel is costly. Especially where he stands with FEMA and all the resources available.
So many dropped the ball in this case.
Somebody needs to make this woman an offer she can't refuse..
Last bump before bed.
Let's see what we can do to get Shuma home...I'll sleep on it for now.
They apparently somehow saw my e-mail to KCTV and sent an urgent e-mail to me asking me to contact the animal shelter where Shuma was surrendered by Mr. Wyrick.
Shelter e-mail address: indepshelter@indepmo.org
Also: newsdesk@kctv5.com
investigate@kctv5.com
If you can, please send a note to one or all of these.<<
Worth repeating and asking that folks send this out to friends and family if for no other reason than to offer prayer's and good wishes for this family as they recover from Katrina and find away to bring their family together again, it is NOT just a pet to some but a family member.
I think it is somewhere around 3000.00 but she has refused the bribe, wow what would that say to her children.
Not that her current actions are spineless and evil.
That is my understanding of the ADA as well.
Either way, as unfortunate as this situation is, the man did of his own free will forfeit his claim on the animal. Sure, the woman in question is being a butthead...but there is no law against it.
I will pray that this woman comes to her senses and does the right thing. But I cannot in good conscience badger anyone for this guy's poor judgment.
In the eye's of the law, he did sign away his beloved pet. But here is the question, it wasn't as if he had a choice at that moment in time. He was unable to find a roof for his family.
Did he have additional resources that we are not told about, I do not know. But, it seems that events after Katrina provided hardship for this family in many ways, not that they are worse than any other person's troubles from the event but each feel that they are the only one's in the world dealing with what is in front of them.
Perhaps it would have great had the temp digs owner allow them to retain the pup while they located a permanent home. Hind sight is 20/20 but I feel confident I would have made that exception. Another thought, asking for help from a local vet/kennel. I imagine that money was the issue, moving, losing everything and looking for a home. Additional bills perhaps weighed heavy on the man? It is just a thought.
I am tickled with the way that Texas handled this issue, making arrangements for those who are pet owner's as well. My cousin who lives in Biloxi, said, one of her friends died remaining with her pet's, there were just alternatives and it cost her, her life. For some, the pet's are a member of the family. So, taking on this logistical nightmare I am sure improved the number's of those who evacuated, I hope other states will consider the same plans in their future emergency planning.
You have given a thoughtful comment, and I appreciate that, actually your comment's are always of such a nature so thank you.
That's the part where I disagree. He did have a choice. If he wanted the animal held so he could reclaim it later, he could have taken the animal to a kennel without giving it up. But instead, he chose to give up the animal and is now somehow surprised that the shelter to which he signed over the animal is not acting like a kennel.
Personally, I do not like dishonesty...but if I were forced into a situation in which arbitrary or unreasonable rules were in place that would jeopardize the safety and security of any member of my family (human or critter), I would lie like a Clinton under oath. And I mean lie, deceive, leave the toilet seat up, the works.
No man gets between me and my loved ones without my permission. None.
A contract signed under duress can be legally nullified.
He needs a good, nasty lawyer.
Back in '93 I signed separation papers *only* because I was given a choice to either sign and be given $400 a month to feed myself and my beloved dogs *or* not sign and get nothing.
Because of the fear of not being able to feed the dogs, I signed.
Later I found out that I could retroactively contest the separation, especially since the notary public would attest to the "under duress" factor because I was crying and pleading during the signing.
I chose not to contest after the fact because God had since given me a man who did not beat and abuse either myself or my dogs and I was simply glad to have that blessing.
Again, I really believe that "mitigating circumstances" could be used against her successfully.
Mean, mean, just plain mean!!!
FWIW, the LA shelters are implementing a "30 day hold" on all Katrina rescues before they're available for adoption specifically for the sake of occurrences like this.
*They* want to make absolutely sure that the owners have ample opportunity to find and reclaim their pets.
This shelter is a stiff-necked, "letter of the law" nest of petty tyrants, IMO.
There's always the possiblity that he did not fully comprehend the finality of the "signing over".
A lot of the rescue groups have animals "signed over" to them in LA under the conditions that the signing over is temporary until the owner can provide a home again.
He may have felt that his situation was utterly hopeless and did the selfless thing by finding refuge for his dog...not knowing that a home would be available so soon.
Whatever the case may be, he should get his dog back.
Anything less than that result is morally reprehensible.
In every rescue situation in which I have participated (as a recipient of the rescued animal), "signing over" is clearly defined as abandonment and revocation of all rights to said animal. Anything other than that is misrepresentation.
One does not "sign over" whatever one intends to keep. You may grant temporary custody, but signing over is revocation of claim.
A lot of the rescue groups have animals "signed over" to them in LA under the conditions that the signing over is temporary until the owner can provide a home again.
What are the names of these rescue groups? They function like none with which I have ever interacted.
Some people just walk around with beurecratic blinders on. They see themselves as cogs in the machine, no more, no less. Then there are people like this woman, who seem to relish their little power trips and the hold that they have over emotionally distraught people. From what I've heard she's at the very least unethical. I suggest an investigation into her shelter might be in order. And a lawsuit that will bleed her dry.
I will have to make some phone calls to see how this is done here in Kansas, this case has peaked my interest on how the system works here.
I have to say, he looks old enough to know the ramification's of what he had done. But, in trying to have some compassion, his back was to the wall and he was running out of solutions. Now I do not know why he chose to come here after the Hurricane. But, if he new and without friends and perhaps limited in funds what were his solution until he could move into his permanent digs.
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