Katrina pets executed?!
Jun 13th, 2007 by Alishea
Sadly, this is my first post here on The Purrfect Pet Health blog. I am saddened about the news, but that does not deter me from informing the masses of this tragedy.
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=3265151&page=1&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312
ABC news is just one of the sources you can use to find information about this tragedy.
Several residents of the Parish of St. Bernard so tragically ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina are alleging, and filing a class action law suit against the police department there.
Imagine, the worst of the hurricane has ripped through, you’re probably stranded on your roof with your family, and beloved pets. Awaiting rescuers to take you to safety. You’re in shock, and horrified at the expanse of destruction that lays in view in all directions. Rescuers show up in boats, you begin to board, and you begin to help your family and your pets board with you. At that moment you are told that pets are not part of the rescue actions being taken, and that you must leave them behind. Now, for some families, it may have been the family pet that saved your lives. As was the case in Angel Girl, a black lab, that literally saved the lives of the Boze family. She would not let them venture outside into the flood. So, after spending the night on the roof with that family, making sure they made it to safety, they were ordered to leave her behind. Some families were ordered at gunpoint to leave their pets, even handcuffed and led away. Days after the hurricane had passed, and flood waters were receding, animal rescue teams went in along with police officers to try and remove pets from the homes. Those that had lived were taken to nearby schools, where they were suppose to be held for their owners to return and claim them. That is sadly, not what happened. Instead allegedly, the police executed the animals. Eye witness accounts and photos show holes riddled in the school’s walls, and notes scribbled on the doors to rooms with pets inside, begging police not to shoot the animals inside. Dogs were found with bullet wounds to the head, execution style throughout the schools. Pets that were like members of the family or children to families in St. Bernard Parish. This has prompted many of the families to join together and file a class action law suit against the police department there. Along with the photographic, eye witness, and human victim statements, it looks as though the case is strong. Some police officers have already been released from public service from St. Bernard Parish.
This is a tragic turn of events for those that endured the relentless tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Instead of being reunited with pets, that endured the Hurricane with them, to move on and rebuild together. They are shown pictures of, or hear stories about how their pets were executed, even how some of the officers had decided before rescue attempts were made for pets, to use them for target practice. My heart goes out to each and everyone of them, and I hope that everyone that had a hand in allowing these horrific events to occur is brought to justice. We are the guardians of animals, and we must each remember how precious their lives are, not something to be taken for granted or less than a living, feeling being.
Please, research this story, as I am, to find a way that we can all help make sure justice is served. If anyone in their research happens to find a petition or fund for this cause, please post it here in the comments.