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| Dog Found Alive Among Euthanized Dogs at City of Dallas Landfill |
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| The witness was at the front gate of the McCommas Landfill in Dallas when he heard a dog howling and screaming from a City of Dallas Sanitation Vehicle. The witness followed the truck around to the "Dog Pit" where he witnessed the Sanitation Worker dumping 50 to 60 animal carcasses while at the same time burying the injured suffering rottie as it continued to howl and scream in pain. As I have interviewed the witness, there is no doubt in my mind that the Sanitation Worker intentionally and knowingly committed this act of felony animal cruelty. This was torture. The witness actually climbed down into this horrific pit of decaying animals and uncovered the screaming dog in an attempt to comfort her while we were in route. As I arrived on scene I was met by the McCommas Landfill Manager, John Barlow. I informed Mr. Barlow that the Dallas Police Department had been called and that they were on their way. He stated that Dallas Animal Control had been called to identify the deceased rottie. At that time we requested that Dallas Animal Control also verify death on the remaining animals in the pit. Mr. Barlow agreed when DAC arrived and if they stated the dog did not come from Dallas Animal Control, then after the police had completed their part of the investigation at the scene, HSGD could transport the dog to a local vet to perform a complete Necropsy. Three officers from DAC arrived and we were all escorted back to the dog pit. The witness identified the dead rottie and gave an account of what he had witnessed. A DAC Officer stepped down into the pit with us where he began to search the legs of the rottie for alleged shave marks from the euthanasia. Before he could complete this, a DAC Supervisor walked up and stated that this was not their dog. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! I find this hard to believe as he was not close enough to make this assessment. When informed that we were awaiting the arrival of Dallas PD, the DAC Supervisor stated that they were removing the dog from the pit and transporting it to Forney Road. I explained to him that the Police were on their way and that this was a possible crime scene as a Felony had occurred. He said he had orders from his supervisor to remove the dog as it was the property of the city of Dallas. I requested that he radio his supervisor and relay my concerns. He did and they still removed the evidence from the scene. From that point forward the City of Dallas refused to cooperate with HSGD and continued to destroy the evidence. "It's not our dog, but we're taking it anyway." Yes, I have issues with the actions they took. As I see it, regardless of where this dog came from, the City of Dallas on Friday evening believed it to be a threat, as they removed all evidence from the original crime scene. They cannot say they were ignorant as every step of the way they were reminded of the proper procedure of handling a crime scene dealing with Animal Cruelty. As I was told by Cheritta Johnson of Dallas Code Compliance, all decisions were being made by Ted Benividas, Dallas City Manager. Again, as any other investigator would, I have issues with the same agency that has committed a possible offense handling their own evidence. As I have worked in the Dallas area for over a year, DAC has NEVER pulled an animal out of a crime scene for a Necropsy. Every criminal report that has been filed in the City for animal cruelty in the past two years list DAC as the department called to pick up and dispose of the dead animals. This was the most mishandled and questionable case I have ever been involved with. So yes, be very upset by the actions of the City and let them know how corruption will not be tolerated. Dee Stephens, Chief Investigator Humane Society of Greater Dallas Cruelty Investigation Division |
| The following is an account by Dee Stephens, Cruelty Investigator for the Humane Society of Greater Dallas, of the events that occurred. Directly following this account is a photograph of the landfill. Please be advised that this picture is very graphic and very upsetting. |
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| Please contact the Mayor of Dallas and the City Council Members and let them know how you feel about the mishandling of this crime. |
| Mayor Laura Miller City of Dallas 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5EN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4054 Fax: (214) 670-0646 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/mayor_mail_form.htm Mayor Pro Tem Donald W. Hill City of Dallas Council District 5 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5EN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-0777 Fax: (214) 670-3409 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD05_Mail_Form.htm Deputy Mayor Pro Tem John Loza City of Dallas Council District 2 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5EN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4048 Fax: (214) 670-3409 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD02_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Dr. Elba Garc�a City of Dallas Council District 1 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4052 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD01_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Mark Housewright City of Dallas Council District 3 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4199 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD03_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Dr. Maxine Thornton-Reese City of Dallas Council District 4 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-0781 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD04_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Ed Oakley City of Dallas Council District 6 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-0776 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD06_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Leo V. Chaney, Jr. City of Dallas Council District 7 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4689 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD07_Mail_Form.htm James L. Fantroy Council District 8 City of Dallas 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4066 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD08_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Mary Poss City of Dallas Council District 9 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4069 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD09_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Alan Walne City of Dallas Council District 10 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4068 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD10_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Lois Finkelman City of Dallas Council District 11 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-7817 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD11_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Sandy Greyson City of Dallas Council District 12 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-4067 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD12_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Mitchell Rasansky City of Dallas Council District 13 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FN Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-3816 Fax: (214) 670-5117 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD13_Mail_Form.htm Councilmember Veletta Forsythe Lill City of Dallas Council District 14 1500 Marilla Street, Room 5FS Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 Phone: (214) 670-5415 Fax: (214) 670-5115 http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/CD14_Mail_Form.htm To send an e-mail to mayor and all council members at one time: http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/forms/mcc/MCC_Mail_Form.htm Mayor and City Council City of Dallas 1500 Marilla Street, 5th Floor Dallas, Texas 75201-6390 |
| Also, please go to Channel 4 at http://www.kdfwfox4.com and go to the yellow vertical bar and click on "Viewer's Voice". Please email them, thank them for covering this story and urge them to continue to investigate and cover this situation. (They did 2 broadcasts.) |
| From the witness's account, there is no doubt that the dog, who has been named Mariah, was conscious and suffering. This poor dog is the black dog on the left. |
| For additional information, contact: Tom Collinsworth at [email protected] Donations Needed The investigation is costing a great deal of time and money for the Humane Society of Greater Dallas. Donations to help this investigation proceed until changes are made in the corruption in Dallas Animal Control can be made to Humane Society of Greater Dallas at the address below. Dee Stephens, Chief Investigator Humane Society of Greater Dallas Cruelty Investigation Division 8521 Ferndale Road Dallas, Texas 75238 E-mail: [email protected] (214) 343-3666 wk |
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| The City of Dallas removed evidence from the crime scene, destroyed evidence and refused to cooperate with the HSUS of Greater Dallas. Please write officials and let them know that you are appalled at the actions of the City of Dallas. |
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