Interview with a Rushville Shelter Volunteer

11/28/07 - I just spent about an hour on the phone with a volunteer at the Rushville Shelter who backs up everything that has been reported.

The volunteer, Linda, who has worked there for three years along with the Jamie (Jamie was a volunteer for 3 years before being hired full time approximately 6 months ago) told me about when Gabby was found. A deceased cat was brought into the shelter to be disposed of and when Jamie took the cat to the freezer, a large freezer walk-in style, she saw Gabby poke her head up. The dog had been tossed in a 'barrel' with the bodies of other dogs.

She removed the puppy and informed her administrator and was told to take the puppy to the a vet's to be euthanized again. Then she appealed to the mayor himself. He told her to take the puppy to a vet's and he would take of of the bill to euthanize the puppy. She found this unconscionable.

She took the puppy to a Dr. Jackman after bathing and trying to warm her. By the time the vet could see the puppy it was at least two hours later and even then the dog was ill and her legs were swollen and she smelled like 'death'. At the time, Dr. Jackman was supportive and helpful even giving her some shampoo to help remove the death scent from the puppy.

Now, as the 'shit hits the fan' it seems he is back-peddling and saying that the dog's temperature was inconsistent with having been in a freezer (remember that the dog had been bathed and it was at least two hours since the puppy was removed from the freezer) and that the dog had never been administered a lethal injection.

Linda also relayed to me a previous incident which happened, she believes, in August/September. This time is was a border collie (see a comment posted below from the petition regarding the border collie that was euthed three times) that was euthanized. The dog was found the next day in the freezer still alive and euthanized again. It took three injections before this poor dog was properly (well, not properly but at least efficiently enough) euthanized.

She also confirmed that the animals there were euthanized by a cardiac injection rather than the hepatic injection as Dr. Phillips said they were trained to do in his comments.

At the time Jamie spoke with a Dr. Hills (Mills?) who was appalled at the situation.

When the Mayor was informed, he request 'unofficial' reports to be filed on this incident and another one as well. Unofficial! What he did do was to deliver to the shelter administrator a scale and stethoscope so that dogs could at least be checked for any heart sounds after euthanization so this wouldn't happen again.

Considering his actions, it's kind of difficult for him to deny any knowledge at all now. Oh, and incidentally, both the scale and stethoscope still sit in almost the exact spot where they were placed upon delivery. Makes you wonder how many other dogs suffered this horrendous fate.

And earlier today the chief of police along with two officers impounded Jamie's computer from the shelter. There was also a closed door meeting with the Mayor and the local newspaper along with some others. No telling hat exactly what went on but it was said to be an 'ambush' for Jamie.

Linda also related numerous other incidences at the shelter of neglect and unsanitary conditions. There are photos to back up much of this and paperwork as well.

This is not a witch hunt unless you count what Jamie is now dealing with! The current mayor will be out of office come January along with most if not all his appointees. Jaime has no interest in the administration position which may be opening up at the shelter and nothing at all to gain from going public with this. All she wanted was that these issues be looked into and fixed and now she is facing a hell of her own.

Comments are welcome and can be left on the blog - Euthanized Dog Found Four Days Later Alive in Freezer - Petition