Couple claims Hobart Humane Society treated dogs inhumane
Post-Tribune (IN)
June 20, 1997
Dan and Tawny Harkins say the Hobart Humane Society violated the public's trust when it put a stray collie mix and her 11 pups to sleep after refusing to let the dogs be treated by a veterinarian.
"We thought they would care for the dogs and even find a home for them. But they failed us," steelworker Dan Harkins said.
On Wednesday they urged the Hobart City Council to reconsider a $42,000 contract the city has with the animal shelter.
While the city does not have direct control over the not-for-profit animal shelter, Mayor Linda Buzinec and the council asked Code Enforcement Officer Jerry Hicks to investigate the incident.
City Attorney John Bushemi was also asked by the council to review any statutes governing the treatment of animals.
"The city may not have direct jurisdiction over us but anything the mayor or police department asks us to do, we do," Carol Konopacki, director of the humane society, said.
Konopacki described the mother dog as vicious and said it was not released because the not-for-profit group would be liable if it bit Harkins.
"It was a feral dog," Konopacki said. "And it was euthanized on May 30 after it was found to have heartworms and still was not socialized."
Konopacki said the puppies were sick, too. Two died of natural causes.
Tawny Harkins cried as she told the council how animal control officers allegedly placed a noose around the mother dog's neck and dragged her over a lawn mower, across the yard and then threw her into the back of a van.
Tawny Harkins said she called the humane society to pick up the strays on May 18 after housing overnight in a shed near her home at 3883 Liverpool Road.
She told the council she visited the shelter the next day and when she noticed that the adult dog was injured, Harkins said, she offered to have it treated by a vet.
Her offer was refused and 11 days later the dogs were put to death.
"It seems that no one is governing the humane society and they have no one to answer to," Tawny Harkins said.
Hicks met with Konopacki Thursday to review shelter operations. He said he also plans to meet with the Harkins.
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