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Straight Talk from the Heart
Razzle, Dusty, Marvin, Monroe, and Justice; Reilly, Little P, and Morgan; Maximum Punishment and Sid Vicious; these are the ten dogs confiscated by law enforcement as a result of a raid on Sunday, March 6, 2011 in Monroe County Michigan. Four of these dogs are dead.
Justice did not die peacefully or humanely. Neglected to the point of apparently starving to death, Justice was found discarded like trash along-side a dry creek bed on the property.
Maximum Punishment did not die peacefully or humanely. Forced to fight for his life in the brutal blood-sport known as dog fighting, Maximum Punishment, the declared loser of his last fight on March 6, 2011, died of wounds sustained from that fight, severely injured, bleeding, in-shock, and alone, locked in a cold, dark, steel container...
Sid Vicious did not die peacefully or humanely. He too forced to fight for his life, Sid Vicious, the declared winner in his last fight on March 6, 2011, also died of wounds sustained in that fight, severely injured, bleeding, in-shock, and alone, locked in a cold, dark, concrete cage.
Marvin, sweet, gentle-man Marvin did not die peacefully or humanely. One of the dogs Monroe SPCA found left behind by law enforcement on March 6, 2011, Marvin, chained without food or water, emaciated and suffering from severe dehydration, died in the custody of Monroe County Animal Control sometime between March 7, 2011 and April 4, 2011.
The death of any or all of these dogs may or may not have been preventable. The inhumane manner in which all four dogs died, however, was entirely preventable.
Although I did not meet Sid Vicious or Maximum Punishment, can only imagine knowing Justice, and will never again see Marvin, I speak to you on behalf of them, as well as the six surviving dogs. I do so reverently, from the heart, asking you to remember that each of them was so much more than those last remaining photos indicate, photos evidencing what they endured and succumbed to, not who they were. And I ask of you to think of them as more than just those dogs who died with broken, bloodied bodies, now to be disposed of, forgotten. I ask they be acknowledged as the victims they are no more, some who were victims of fights and brutal violence and some who were victims of neglect and callous disregard, all who were victims of lifelong, enduring suffering and incomprehensible cruel, abuse.
I ask for you to give a moments’ pause and share with me their loss, I would have these dogs remembered beyond their tragic fates. They were once living beings with individual personalities, favorite things, and simple, basic needs that none of us now will see revealed or really truly know. I cannot help but to remember, wondering as I lay awake each night, Did Sid Vicious or Maximum Punishment ever stretch and yawn while basking in the warm rays of a sunny day, or did they tremble and look for safety when thunder storm rolled through? Did Justice chained to certain death lie down that last time to die with thoughts of warmth and mother’s breast, with gnawing hunger pain? Did Marvin draw his final breath fighting cruel fate and yearning for the comfort found in a soft, warm bed, perhaps remembering our quick-formed bond, perhaps our last embrace? I will never know and cannot say, but to share on their behalf and in their memory all that I know about the individual personalities of the surviving dogs, not just breed traits or specie specifics, but actual individual character traits that make each one of the dogs unique and all of them irreplaceable.
Monroe the youngest of the five I met is a male and the biggest, a baby still. Physically appearing to have mostly American Staffordshire Terrier genes, friendly, goofy, playful, and keenly intelligent, energy to spare, not shy in the least, and wholeheartedly comical by nature, he uses his clownish tactics to draw you near and shower you with kisses. He loves to give and receive attention, calms with a soothing word or stroke, exhibits a wide range of vocals, and his preferred spot to receive petting is wherever you happen to be doing it.
 
Monroe Dusty
Dusty, also young, a female, gracefully tall, of mixed-descent, and appearing to be a Pit bull-type Terrier mixed most-likely with Labrador Retriever, her friendly, outgoing, inquisitive nature quickly allows her to overcome initial caution. She is curious, thoughtful, slightly serious, and somewhat playful, has warm, intelligent, dark amber eyes, a soft, light caramel-colored coat and is beautiful to look at. She too, loves to give and receive attention, freely shares kisses, calms when spoken to or touched, shows concern for and seems to understand that Razzle looks to her for assurance and counts on her for guidance, and she doesn’t mind a bit to have her sides or belly rubbed.
Razzle, also young, another baby, female, most likely Dusty and Justice’s litter-mate, her eyes intense, striking and intelligent, unforgettably a plea, giving away her frantic desperation for help, she looks to Dusty for direction and assurance and seems to follow her lead. She is the most engaging and energetic of the five dogs, having a soft, silky reddish-gold coat that dazzles in the sun. She too is gracefully long-legged and beautiful to look at. Like the others, she likes to give and receive attention, but prefers to measure her kisses rather than shower them. She very much likes to be touched, favoring the stroking of her head, not necessarily needing you to do anything other than placing your hand upon her, she does all the work moving herself about just so.
Razzle also indicated trust and a developed bond with a neighbor, calming immediately upon his approach (This neighbor would be the witness to Monroe’s beating. He reported the beating and was told it would be followed up-on and tried on numerous occasions by phone calls to MCAC and Central Dispatch to get help to Razzle and the other dogs).
 
Razzle Marvin
Marvin, a mature male, brindle, handsome, the smallest and most fearful of the dogs, unable to fully stand, in-part because of his acute physical condition, in-part because this is what broken, abused, frightened dogs do to avoid being noticed and to indicate complete submission in case they do get noticed – it is how dogs like this try to stay alive. At first hiding from view, courageous even in his shattered state, he took his first step toward me. In utter terror and slowly crawling, wanting to trust, sensing my intent, he came forward. I called upon faith to keep my rage at bay as I sat on the ground, in silence and stillness, my back to him, I waited for Marvin to complete these healing first steps until finally, low-to-the ground, shaking, urinating, tail-tucked, head-down, back-side first he placed his quivering, frail body against me and hope was alive.
For me my hope for a better future for him, to help him heal, to ensure that he suffer no more and never again. His hope perhaps nothing more than a gentle touch, a soothing voice, no threat and no violence, just this moment - this touch - just hope itself.
I have not yet met Reilly, Little P, and Morgan, but I hope to and I so I work for them too. Knowing they too are in peril, they too are locked away from each other and from people who offer them help and hope. Not the recipients of compassionate care and humane treatment, not in safety, not in comfort, but banished in a dark, dank steel and concrete cage. It is beyond maddening that these surviving dogs, victims of violent crime, unique and individual beings, in need of help have been locked-up in a solitary confinement for more than a month now. The rules they must adhere to day-in and day-out: no outside visitors, no physical exercise, no mental stimulation, no protection from diseases or parasites, no outdoor access, no nurturing, petting, playing, or romping -- no justice – no hope - just expect to die.
  
Morgan Reilly (we think) Little P
Why is this? For what reason can this be? Shall this then be the standard Monroe County provides to animals within its protective custody? And shall we then measure the worth of these animals’ lives by whether they are Pit bull or Pomeranian? Shall we dismiss their needs and ignore their call? Only this standard of care, these rules, then death, is this really what we want or all we have to offer in Monroe County?
For me and for all members of Monroe SPCA this is not okay and it doesn’t make sense. If you feel the same way, I ask you to get involved, speak up, and take action on behalf of these dogs and on behalf of all animals in need in Monroe County.
One final note, my promise, whispered in Marvin’s ear as I kissed his nose and stroked his neck and was forced to walk away. I promise you, I will give my every effort, all that I have to give to see you safe and protected. I will work, advocate, and speak for you, even fight for you – for your future – for your life. I will do the same for your companions and for all kinds like you. Do not despair I whispered to him, I do not abandon you. I will see you soon, sweet, gentle-man Marvin.
How sweet would be that coming embrace – that fulfilled promise that now will never be.
Trina Stillwagon
Animal Advocate
President, Monroe SPCA |
