AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Reward, Looking for this dog...

Dear Sarahvch
Thanks for letting everyone know - I had also noticed/wondered about him in the past. While hesitant to ask, I guess I'm just not quite clear on why he was put down.

I feel so sad and sorry for your disappointment and loss. Take care
-Jean

So very sorry to hear that you dog was put down. Was it a mistake or was he sick?

Oh my gosh I am so sorry to hear about this!! There must have been some real confusion because I got very different info from others associated with Saga about what happened to him. What a bummer, I am so so sorry.

Pretty pathetic that a dog that everyone spots daily can't locate him in time and he is put down by SAGA that knows you are looking for him. Sorry but just don't get it.

Unfortunately I think it was just a timing issue - I think Saga and supporters, in an effort to try to convince the Town to halt the random terrible suffering of strays being poisoned with strychnine, had rounded up certain stray dogs that already had health issues to be put down humanely. I believe that had already happened before the search began for this guy, and then maybe a case of "mistaken identity" confused matters more for a while thereafter . . .

I'm not in the mood to bite my tongue here. What is pathetic is the fact that irresponsible dog owners continue to allow their dogs to stray putting themselves and others in danger. What is pathetic is that owners continue to refuse to neuter and spay their dogs. What is pathetic is that there are a lot of people on this message board and on this island who are full of opinions about how and what should be done but not actually willing to get their hands dirty by volunteering to help. What is pathetic is that people who work with animals because they love animals are forced to go through the heartbreak of euthanasing dog after dog because there are just too many dogs and not enough adopters.

I am so sad that this story has not had a happy ending, but SAGA continue to do a very difficult job under even more difficult circumstances. Please remember that they are just picking up the pieces, they didn't create the problem. The only way the problem will be solved is when the community rally around SAGA and help to ensure that dogs are responsibly kept, neutered and spayed.

So sorry to hear about what happened to the dog. My heart goes out to to person who really wanted this dog. Is there a place in Belize that will can get a grant to save the dogs other then Saga. Like I mean someone who is willing to try and save all the strays until they can be adopted by loving families. Any dog that is born on AC should have a micro chip placed in the dog so the Vet's can recognize who owns the dog. The microchip costs like $22.00 Belizean dollars for the life of the chip. The Gov. should give a rebate to anybody who is willing to get there dog microchipped so we can stop the dogs from getting euthanized.

Is there a kennel on AC at all. I would open a kennel if I was there and would get all the dogs microchipped so that if the dog was caught wondering and SAGA picked them up they could scan the dogs neck for the number and find out who is the owner. And what is SAGA?

Thank you all for the the kind words. I do have to say that I believe SAGA did the right thing. I spoke with Laurie who had my email and showed it to me in her office. She told me she was so sorry and I could tell she really meant it. She told me that they were trying to prove to the town council (not sure I have that right) that they could help get dogs off the street in a humane way so they did not have to die a painful horrible death. Strychnine poisoning is awful, do a little research online and you will be horrified at what a painful way to die it is. They are trying to convince the town that this is a better way but it does cost money.
We know he was picked up neutered and released due to lack of space. When the notice came out about the eradification he was picked up and euthanized to save him from an awful, painful death. During my search before I got word to SAGA he was put to sleep. SAGA went above and beyond to help get this dog to me and did everything they could. He was put to sleep before my email made it through the channels. Laurie did not respond to my email because of lack of time. She also did not know me and did not know if I would understand the situation that they have to humanly euthanize some dogs to save the majority. I agree with the poster above that said this is a situation that they did not create. Everyone needs to get involved. Everyone needs to spay and neuter their dogs. I have two dogs a shelter mutt who is neutered and a pure breed yorkie that cost me a small fortune who is also spayed. SAGA has a low cost spay and neuter program and if you are looking for a cause to save animals there is a good place to donate. I am sure they have no problem if you specify monies donated go to spay and neuter cats and dogs whose owners can't afford it. We must educate those that have animals that are not neutered the benefits of doing so (there are many!!!).
Again thank you all for the kind words and help during my search.

jon - did you say you have never been to bz? i am not sure who you think has the kind of money you are talking about to do any of those things - not the gov't, not the locals. did you note that people on the other thread were saying some kids do not have money for notebooks for school, and you think they have $22 bz for a chip in their dog?

please,everyone: re-read what colly said. SAGA is not the bad guy here. i also know she went out several times and had to collect up those dogs all by herself, because no one was helping her.

the dogs are always there, yet until now no one did anything. seems it is human nature to not do anything until pushed to the limit, or it is too late.

It makes more sense to try and support the system already in place on the island (the local humane society - SAGA).

I can only hope that my upcoming comments on my experiences will be received in the spirit that it is given - to assist SAGA in getting more support from the community.

I have volunteered my time there on numerous occasions and struggle with the organization's leadership / culture. With the exception of the Vets (Heather included) the paid employees display a lack of responsiveness (to customers and the vet), seem very unorganized, and, overall appear to have a lack of concern about the animals. This has been disturbing and frustrating to me. While the facility itself is bare bones and space is limited, this doesn't seem to be the primary issue. Maybe there is burnout?

While I can only guess what the root issues are, I am committed to the animal issues on the island and will continue to look for other ways to help.