Missing a Golden Retriever?
This cute guy was found out in the cold near Binkley and Mt. Vernon avenues yesterday evening wearing nothing but a black bandanna. Without tags, a microchip, or any identifying marks, the folks with Highland Park Crime Watch were unable to locate the guy’s owners.
If this sweet pup looks familiar, he’s keeping warm with Shelley. Call her at 214-770-3222.
Update: This pup has been reunited with his owners.
Has this sweet dog’s owner been found? Will they get a ticket for not having tags or microchip? It is very easy and fairly inexpensive to “chip” your dog. Animal control in our neighborhood actually carries a scanner. If your dog gets out, they can scan them right then and there and return your pet!
He was reunited with his owner last nite. Kids left door open and he got out.
@Ms. England-
Thank you for your story, this ended in a humane manner. The reality, though, of dogs and cats picked up by Highland Park DPS is … they are brought to a “kill shelter” called Medallion, and only held for three days if an owner is not located. This has been a recent topic that I want to change because I recently encountered a lost dog belonging to a family on Beverly. Fortunately I was able to locate the dog’s family, and before the HP police could take the dog off to this kill shelter (Medallion). When I asked HP DPS why thay have such a policy, there was no explantion. So, Ms. England, maybe your article will open up discussion as to “Why the current HP Town Council would allow such a policy in HP with so many dog and cat lovers????” Why hasn’t anyone, including our town manager, stopped this policy? With all the overspending of millions of HP taxpayers dollars on things we could do without, why not spend (a few dollars) on a place in our own town to hold residents’ animals instead of sending them to a kill shelter. I will even make the first donation to kick out the old policy. It’s not only sad, but disturbing, that our current Town Council and Administrators even have allowed such a policy. Maybe the 4th day could have been the day that a family and/or a child was reunited with their pet.
Too many oversights…Would anyone on the current HP Town Council please explain to the HP residents why this kill shelter policy exists? or are you too busy? Is this another failed policy like HP’s outdated 911 system that was allowed to continue for so many years?
I patiently wait for an answer. Thanks.
Sam Tamborello, with opinions expressed.
Whewww…..sure got quite.
Sam, thanks for bringing this to people’s attention. I investigated before turning a stray over to the city and then decided to hold out until I could get him into a no-kill shelter. Others may not know about HP’s “pound” policy. I wish HP had a different policy, but I don’t know of any municipality that does. Pet overpopulation is the problem. Neither HP nor most of its citizens are the cause.
@DemBones
Thanks for your reply. More residents need to be aware before calling HP DPS with a lost dog or cat. With no disrespect, DemBones, Highland Park can have a different policy. It’s a matter of making a good solid caring decision, and taking action. I’m not sure by your statement and/or the meaning of “nor most of its citizens are the cause” but I do know and believe that HP (i.e., town government) can step up to the plate and have a policy to protect the residents animals. Most animal owners that I know believe and feel that their pets are part of the family. Lets be realistic, we are not talking, nor should anyone represent, that HP Town Hall would suddenly become a massive kennel with many lost dogs and cats. How many realistically could be picked up at a given time in HP (a few?), and, given a fair and better opportunity for more time to locate the owners. DemBones, I believe HP Town Council is the problem because they set the and control the policy. I see reward signs in HP, but a sad realistic truth is that these dogs and cats could have been taken off by HP DPS and met their unfortunate fate at this “kill shelter.” Explain that to a pet owner.
Like I believe, focus in HP should take care of the basic moral and ethical foundations, instead of worrying about larger office space at town hall, and expending millions more of money that HP Town Council will have to find from the taxpayers.
Easy resolution, simply take action HP Town Hall.
Signed off, Sam Tamborello, with expressed opinions.
Wow … did not know this was the policy … in UP, too? I will say an animal control officer knocked on my door asking me if I knew who a dog she had caught on our street belonged to. It was my neighbor’s and we returned the dog to them. At least, it seems, they are making an effort instead of just “taking them in.” Also, more than 15 years ago, our Golden got out. I called UP and they told me a vets office (it seems) to go to to retrieve my dog. She wasnt there which instilled panic in us! Turns out, she was at the UP police station/building sitting by someone’s desk on a Sunday afternoon being loved on and pampered! She had been there overnight (if memory serves me right) and they had not brought her to the “shelter” (but it really was a vets office on Inwood) yet. Yes, if this (kill shelter)is the policy it does seem extreme!
@Ms. England,
It would seem given your story on this Golden Retriever, that the Park Cities People could expand on this problem and make the folks of Highland Park, Tx aware?
Been kinda quite. Also, what say you Highland Park Crime Watch?
Sam Tamborello, with expressed opinions.
Ok, Mr. Tamborello, I sat on my hands the first time you did it, but you’ve got me now. “Quite” what exactly?
From the HPCW Blue Zone Newsletter:
Did you know that Highland Park does not have an animal shelter?
The Medallion Animal Clinic is not only a full service veterinary hospital, but also functions as HP’s animal shelter. When all attempts have been exhausted to locate a pet’s owner, the animal is taken to the Medallion Animal Clinic and held until the owner claims the animal or it is adopted.
In 2010, there were a total of 32 pets (cats & dogs) taken to Medallion. Of the 32, 14 were adopted and 12 were returned to their original owner. In rare instances, animals are euthanized due to serious behavior issues, a life-threatening injury, or a severe medical condition. In 2010 there were a total of six.
Tom Shook, DVM at Medallion recently operated on an unclaimed HP black and white Border Collie at his own expense, which allowed the sweet dog to be adopted. Officers, dispatchers, Crime Watch volunteers have adopted one of these unclaimed pets. The Town of Highland Park cares deeply about animals and that shows in the effort put forth to protect and return pets to their rightful owners. In 2010, there were approximately 107 pets caught and returned to their owners before being taken to the Medallion Animal Clinic. Richard Robertson the HP Animal Control Officer has received 26 letters of commendation for his dedication and high level of service.
WE MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO RETURN YOUR BELOVED PET BACK TO YOU.
Please help us by registering your pet TODAY with the Town of Highland Park (www.hptx.org/index.aspx?page=292).
Other forms of pet identification, such as chipping or a collar with an ID tag attached or directly stitched can assist good samaritans and HPDPS in reuniting pets with their families.
@HPCW (Highland Park Crime Watch)
From what I recall…if a dog or cat is found, and HP DPS is contacted, HP DPS will tell you that the animal will be taken to Medallion. If you ask if Medallion is a “kill shelter”, HP DPS will say “yes”, and tell you the naimal will be held for three (3) days. Sadly enough, that is what happens according to the HP DPS.
What say you Chief Vinson?
Sam Tamborello, with expressed opinions.