I can no longer afford a vet with no employment but will try to make her as confortable as possible her last days.

Also, why doesn everyone assume the AC Officer said “I’ll be the judge of that” in an argogant tone? What was the tone and exact words from the neighbor before he said it? Maybe he said it nicely. Oh, and it is the Officer’s job to determine if an animal is in disstress once they have been called out.

Also keep in mind the cat had no tag to prove she was on her property. Yes, a neighbor said she lived there, but without a tag and with the animal being covered in lice and fleas and looking in bad shape, what would you have the Officer do? Leave? Wouldn’t you be mad if he left a disstressed animal that later perished (on the hottest weekend of the year in San Diego) on the porch when he could try to help?

I have friends who work at the Crown hospital and the version I read is not what I’ve heard has been expressed. As the story goes an anonymous caller contacted animal control out of concern regarding the fact they saw what was a very ill kitty on these people’s patio. Upon delivering the kitty to the hospital, the kitty was found to be mauled with an infestation of lice and fleas, severely dehydrated, and displaying signs of anemia. The staff does their best, pumping fluids into the kitty, cleaning her up and trying to make her comfortable. Unfortunately Crown is not a 24/7 hospital and the cat was in obvious need of serious attention as the fear was the cat was going to just suffer and die at any moment.

First of all, does this sound like a well taken care of kitty? So I have to ask you at what point was Chica this pride of the owner’s household and so beloved? Can you say animal neglect? Who lets their pet get to this state?

So the hospital follows up with animal control, states Chica needs to be transferred to a full blown medical facility and to see a specialist immediately. Animal Control says “no” and instructs the hospital to euthanize Chica. So I have to ask just what was the hospital supposed to do? Just let the cat suffer and die? Then the news reports would’ve been “Local Hospital Lets Suffering Cat Suffer and Die”. They don’t know the owners; they’ve never seen this little kitty before. They’re just faced with a decision because they’ve been painted into a corner. “Do we not do as we are told and also just ignore the cat’s suffering?”

Are you kidding me?

People! They are an animal hospital; it is not their mission to destroy animals. These are passionate animal lovers; they do not callously carry out their profession. It is because of their compassion that the kitty is now in a better place, less the alternative of lice ridden, flea ridden, and dying a painful death. I have to believe it is only out of their professionalism that they have not lashed out at the public for their ignorance. There obviously isn’t any reporters interested in fair representation and to objectively look at this from a “What honestly really happened?” point of view. Why is that? Because… the media drools over a negative story like this because bad news sells, draws readers because of a human’s innate morbid curiosity, and bri ngs in advertising dollars.

Amazing that there aren’t news reports about the 100s of animals the hospital has saved or how many have been taken in by staff members because a sad excuse for a human will drop off an animal to be put down because they can’t be bothered anymore with taking care of a pet.

Now go take care of your own pets, be thankful there are people who do care, and don’t believe every news report you read in this world.

John Simko (San Diego resident)

A domesticated animal that never, over the course of its entire life,
receives even the most basic medical care can not be deemed a healthy
or happy animal based on appearance alone. However, in this
particular case the cat’s physical appearance was obviously abnormal.
Why else would a member of the public just walking by feel so compeled
to call the authorities? When a cat is infested with fleas and lice
it should be easy to see with the naked eye. Especially by anyone who
claims to care for and love the animal. These parasites are
indicators of an unhealthy animal that is not being well kept by its
owner. In fact, this cat was probably slowly dying from blood loss
day by day as the parasites fed on the host. Perhaps the owners
should have tried even a simple bath or any one of the numerous over
the counter flea medicines if they couldn’t manage enough
responsibility and common sense to take the animal to a veteranarian
for proper care. Perhaps Chica’s owners should look in the mirror to
find the real villan in this sad story?

I had two cats that lived to age 19 and they were never infested with
fleas and lice and they never suffered. Because I was a conscientious
pet owner I took them for regular visits to Crown Veterenary Clinic
where they always received excellent and professional care and love.
My cats passed away earlier this year and the doctors and staff at
Crown Veteranary Clinic made that time easier to deal with. They love
animals more then anyone else I have met. If they didn’t care so much
they would find another career rather then subject themselves to the
abuse and false claims made by the owners of this poor helpless cat
and other people who don’t know the whole truth.

I want to thank the Doctors and staff at Crown Veteranary Clinic who
always cared for my little ones as if they were caring for one of
their vey own. They did everything possible to give my cats the best
possible life and I am eternally grateful!

Matt McCaigue

My response was to the person who posted before me. Maybe if you actually read the thread and had something to contribute you would realize that.

You get what you pay for. In my area the animal control is decent and the personnel are paid decent wages. I’ve lived in other areas where the shelter hires whomever they can get for the pittance they are willing to pay. And have you ever noticed how some of these ACO’s, after donning a uniform, seem to think they control everything. A big power trip for them. I can’t imagine any veterinarian doing shelter work unless he didn’t have the gumption to develop a solid practice on his own.

This is one more argument in favor or keeping your cats indoors, lest the big bad bogeyman come and take Puss away.

one thing that would help others, however, is to keep the animal’s collar and tags on it, including an id tag.

Here’s what’s so strange about all of this - why would ANY vet put down an animal without first speaking to the owner. I don’t understand how anyone can be a VET and not be compassionate. Unfortunately, there are MDs out there because the pay is great, not because they want to save lives or help people; but vets don’t really make that kind of money - do they? Sounds like Chica is a victim of malpractice.

As heartbreaking as this story is, I also have to say it never would have happened if the cat was kept indoors. Malicious people who will do harm to someone’s pets come in all guises, don’t they?