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.
Hello everyone. This was cross posted on another website to which I belong. I have emailed the news station, HSUS and will send one to the Independence shelter.
As someone with paralegal training I can tell you that a contract is void under various circumstances. One of those circumstances signing a contract under duress which apparently is what this poor man did. If he went to court the chances are very good he would win his dog back from the heartless woman who took advantage of him.
Also it appears that it wasn't an apartment that denied him permission to keep his dog with him, it was his own relatives for whatever reasons didn't want to take the dog in forcing him to surrender Shuma. I hope they fight with him for the return of the dog.
The fact that he trained the dog as a service dog rather than a professional having done it shouldn't make the dog any less a service dog.
This awful woman is teaching her children it's okay to lie and cheat and steal along with breaking an already pretty emotional broken human being. Sadly they will probably grow up to be the type of uncaring selfish person she is.
This whole sad story may also cause people to mistrust animal shelters; espcially in times of crisis such as hurricane Katrina.
Well, welcome to *here* and God bless you for giving us all valid legal information *and* a lot more hope!
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.
I have a website and forum dedicated to this.
http://www.kcm.com/shuma
It has video and a mailing address for Lynn Nevills.
Write her and ask her to find it in her heart to return Shuma to her owner.
Bookmark 245
Weird. Asinine.
(And who is it who actually wrote "Shepard" in an article? The spelling is ShepHERD - it means they HERD SHEEP. "Pet" peeve of mine, but this is particularly agregious in a publication. Sorry, as a GS lover this irks me like crazy!)
Just sent an e-mail to the shelter.
Thanks for posting the address.
Help needed. None of the posts about Shuma will open for me
at Yahoo Katrina Pets - Lost & Found Message Board
http://messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=l&tid=hvkatrint03f0&sid=37138446&mid=1000000
Thanks in advance for any/all suggestions.
If I click 'properties' on a post and open in a new window I can read the posts...gotta be a better way, huh?
Problem fixed :)
Recipient:CARES@juno.com
Reason: CARES@juno.com Account Inactive
just a BUMP
Shuma bump....
Dog Dilemma Resolved
http://kctv.com/Global/category.asp?C=70755
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