Shuma the German Shepard service dog - MO gal will not return beloved pet

KCTV5. ^ | Sept. 23, 2005 | kctv

[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.

[hoboken109]

I agree..Id like to get this heartless womans phone number or email address.There are way to make people rethink their actions.

[hoboken109]

Dosen't matter in this case.It's the guys dog , he went through hard times .The least anyone can do is give the guy his dog back .Screw the letter of the law .Damn petty legal crap has ruined the country and has made common sense obsolete.

[the Deejay]

HI, Jumpin J!!

Thanks for the link!

Just as I thought....service dogs
are allowed (by law) into places
where non-service animals
are forbidden.

[Salamander]

She's shut down her email.

[she's gettin' a might too popular lately, I reckon]....;))

You can, however, leave a message in this guestbook and she may read it;

http://www.goldenrecovery.org/guestbook/guestbook.html

[JUMPIN JEHOSPOHAT]

ok sending emails out now w/correct address.

[sfimom]

Agree. I was just helping out with my knowledge of the service dog world.

Even if this dog is the most ill mannered beast alive (and that would still be better than this particular woman) it should be returned to this man who obviously loves it.

[Salamander]

http://kcm.com/shuma/

Heartbreaking video and her snail mail address.

I am still far too polite to publicly say what I really think about this "person".

[sfimom]

The more people I meet the more I like my dogs lol. Someone has that as their tagline and it is sooo true.

[Salamander]

In the video link below, he has applied for "another service dog" so Shuma apparently was indeed a service dog.

That could be the legal angle we're looking for.

If Shuma is a service dog, whoever denied her stay at wherever the owner was sheltered is in trouble, too.

Also, someone said service dogs are legally the property of the agency that provided them.

God help this man and his family.

[JUMPIN JEHOSPOHAT]

When I googled Lynn Nevills for phone# and home address the home address 210 is different then address 2801 behind her on the video clip. ??

[Salamander]

Beats me.
The website is presenting it as her current address.

Lynn Nevills
2801 Mccomas
Independence, MO 64050

I'd make a guess and say they know what they're talking about.

[Salamander]

I'll swear by that.
I see people only when I go out to shop or recreate.

The rest of my time is spent with critters and I have just enough blood pressure to keep me alive even though my whole family is genetically programmed to blow arteries for a hobby and are all taking meds for it....;))

[Salamander]

Gotta log off for a bit.
Tomorrow's Mom's birthday and I gotta go get the woman a gift.

Be back later....:)

[sfimom]

ROFL!

[Salamander]

It's twue!
It's twue!

[they hafta use the "kiddie cuff" on me, I'm so freaking systolically mellow]...;))

[Salamander]

The local Lowe's home improvement store lets dogs in for no good reason.
I've take 'Pookie The Abused One' in there for desensitization/socialization sessions.

She did really well....:)


[really gotta go now or Mom won't get anything for her birthday tomorrow!]...;))

[JUMPIN JEHOSPOHAT]

If Shuma is a service dog , oh boy, SOMEone is in deep doggie doo. [Hellooo, lynn nevells]

[Rose of Sharn]

I have a good friend in the UK who is deaf. Her dog is not a registered see/hear dog, he is a normal mutt who lets her know if the phone rings, someone comes to the door or, as has happened, if a fire starts. He was never trained. He is not a pedigree dog but a mutt. But he is adorable and I owe him BIG time for saving her life. He may not be in the same class as some "service" dog, but I regard him as such! : ) He is priceless!

[sfimom]

Actually *putting on flame suit* if he does these things consistently (as in more than 80% of the time) he could be considered(legally) an in-home service dog. If he had/has public access training (basically REALLY good obedience/manners) he could legally be used and classified as a full fledged service dog. Now I don't know the laws in the UK but in the US he'd be protected legally.

[sfimom]

Oh BTW our service dog and both our service dogs in training are mutts. Breed doesnt really matter. What matters is temperment and intelligence.