Since February 2, 2023, Ark Valley Humane Society’s world has been turned upside down.
Our mission has always been to ensure the welfare of companion animals through compassion and care. Through every program we run, every partnership we collaborate on, every hour our volunteers give, and every day our staff members dedicate – the core of what we do is spent caring for, treating, and spending time with each animal that comes through our shelter doors in hopes to give them a better life.
But as with all situations in our lives, it is not a perfect world.
We as an organization have spent countless hours on assessments; inquiries and communication with experts in canine behavioral studies; input from governing state programs; animal shelters and staffers regionally and statewide with years of experience, and with input from our community. We have also tried to be completely transparent with our community on updates, and actions we have taken and why.
After receiving a letter of support from the Veterinary Behavior Center in Boulder, Colorado, with recommendation from two veterinarians, and with the support of the AVHS board of directors, AVHS has decided to move forward with humane euthanasia due to several factors.
From the moment Echo came through our doors and we accepted him, we have cared for him as best we could. We have treated him with the respect, compassion and care that all of the animals coming through our shelter deserve. For AVHS, our main priority in this decision is keeping the public safe. Given his background of aggressive behavior and circumstances of biting history that were not corrected in the past, we see the presence of this type of behavior as an insurmountable risk to any community. We have also considered what Echo’s quality of life would be like if he was returned into society given his previous behaviors. It would not be a life of enrichment for a dog of his size to be kept inside at all times without exercise and other forms of stimulation.
As an organization, we see the happiest of times with animals, and we also experience pain and extreme heartbreak with animals. This case is the latter. Whether you have been supportive of AVHS’s decisions in this situation, or have disagreed – we value our community and all animal supporters in our valley. We are all on the same team in wanting to help animals.
Thank you for your understanding. If you would like to share your thoughts, we are here to accept that feedback. Please reach out to me by email at avanleuken@ark-valley.org.
Amber van Leuken
Executive Director
About Ark-Valley Humane Society
Founded in 1991, Ark-Valley Humane Society advocates for the welfare of all animals through compassion and care. With an Asilomar Live Release Rate of 98%, Ark-Valley Humane Society is dedicated to providing each animal with the care they deserve and the hope for a second chance. Over 1,833 animals were helped in 2022 through our programs & services. Our vision for the future is a safe and humane world for all companion animals.
I believe Amber and her staff for years allowed the perception that AVHS was a no kill shelter. It’s why it’s not clearly stated in the contract that the owners of Echo signed, extremely misleading, and is probably absent on their website. It’s sounds like a lot of the public is finding out for the first time due to the mismanagement of this case. I believe the owners were told they could have their beloved Echo back if he wasn’t adopted so more training of staff is needed. For Amber not to recognize and publicly acknowledge that she will review their contracts is disappointing.
Ms. Van Leuken,
Your first action was to get a legal assessment of liability to AVHS for any action taken. The follow up endorsements are basic CYA actions. Live with your decisions, we’re not stupid.
Tom Golson
Salida
Absolutely. The toolbox of deliberate deception used by cowards. To further risk the reputation of AVHS by killing a dog that could have had a promising future abroad, in Vancouver per se. This utter disregard of viable options reflects an egotistic agenda only. The fear mongering of people, children getting hurt by “Godzilla” Echo – is yet another reflection of naive, small minded and oblivious minds who know nothing, are stuck in ignorance and manipulated by the very strategy VanLeuken chose to doom this dog.
Cover your ass (British: cover your arse), abbreviated CYA, is an activity done by an individual to protect themselves from possible subsequent criticism, legal penalties, or other repercussions, usually in a work-related or bureaucratic context. In one sense, it may be rightful steps to protect oneself properly while in a difficult situation, such as what steps to take to protect oneself after being fired.[1] But, in a different sense, according to The New York Times’ language expert William Safire, it describes “the bureaucratic technique of averting future accusations of policy error or wrongdoing by deflecting responsibility in advance”.[2] It often involves diffusing responsibility for one’s actions as a form of insurance against possible future negative repercussions.[2] It can denote a type of institutional risk-averse mentality which works against accountability and responsibility, often characterized by excessive paperwork and documentation,[3] which can be harmful to the institution’s overall effectiveness.[4] The activity, sometimes seen as instinctive,[5] is generally unnecessary towards accomplishing the goals of the organization, but helpful to protect a particular individual’s career within it, and it can be seen as a type of institutional corruption working against individual initiative.[6]
I stand with Amber, the AVHS staff, and the AVHS board. Those who criticize are simply wrong. So easy to criticize. I believe that AVHS lawyers represent the Shelter pro bono. And until you’ve done a job that pays you in joy and heartache, with little pay, you shouldn’t judge those who do.
Judith Kittleman
Very well prepared PR spin. Not only have you betrayed a family and a young dog, you have not been transparent by sieving out public comments on your FB, and controlling public insight and feedback with your bias.
Your shelter staff and Board of Directors lack the expertise and knowledge to deal with and assess dogs like Echo.
Numerous renowned behaviorists offered help. Yet, your pride did not allow intervention. Cleverly using the “community safety” as your argument, Vancouver where James Tsai rehabs dogs with severe dysfunction way beyond the “threat” that Echo posed- is not here or down the street. The liability is your only concern. You used it to manipulate the outcome.
Any liability concerns could have been successfully resolved. Furthermore, to drug a dog into delirium while in your “care” at AVHS is neither humane nor appropriate. But that’s the care you do behind closed doors. Yet you predict how his future would be, of course emphasizing on any negativity you can come up with. You have no clue what his future could have been. Death is not the solution. It’s premature oppression and a travesty in this case. Rehabilitation would have been well possible. How did AVHS exercise Echo? What was your protocol in appropriate enrichment?? Trazadone?? “ Trazodone is commonly used to sedate dogs that have anxiety or fear of the groomer or at the veterinary hospital. Trazodone is frequently prescribed to dogs following a surgical procedure where the owners are concerned about keeping their dogs calm and relaxed during the post-operative period.”.
Your shelter staff is neither capable nor educated to care for a dog like Echo, who with the right people could have had a great future. You influenced external “resources” as you cowardly couldn’t make any statements prior but a closing PR spin to try to save face. Your statements are misleading and dishonest. It’s the typical PR propaganda when public pressure rises. You failed Echo. You had one thing on your mind. To win. You in no way possess the skills nor the compassion to be in this position. Shame on you.