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Blog the Change: What the Hell is Wrong With People, 2


My Blog the Change is about the hell hole known as the Hempstead, NY, Animal "Shelter." I became aware of the cruelty at the shelter when I saw this video (below) on my local news. Even thought the video is 17 years old, it just surfaced last month. It was so disturbing, TW had to leave the room; in fact neither of my peeps had the stomach to watch it. After this video ran, I did some investigative work and here is what I found.


The woman seen in this video, Pat Horan, was actually promoted to acting shelter director instead of being fired as she should have. After the video surfaced, she was ousted from that job, which paid her over $100,000, but was reassigned to the town's "general services" sector, at the same salary.

According to a former volunteer, this wasn't an isolated  incident, abuse like this happens all the time.

The good news is that this video has inspired outrage in the community. A couple of days after it aired, more than 300 people showed up at a protest against the shelter. The protest was organized by Hope for Hempstead Shelter. At the time, I posted their link on Twitter a number of times, but it didn't generate much interest or outrage.

The "shelter" has recently barred animal rescues from entering to try to help the animals. They refuse to release the names of animals they plan to euthanize so rescues can come in and take them.

There will be another rally on Caturday, May 7, 2011 at 12 noon, also organized by Hope For Hempstead Shelter. They are currently urging people to write letters and sign their petition, which reads "We, the undersigned, call on the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter to allow volunteers to aid in finding loving homes for each shelter dog and cat, and in the training, exercise and socialization of the shelter animals. We ask that improvements be made such as better ventilation, heat and air conditioning, and larger and more modern dog runs. We would like to see this shelter expand its hours and include Sundays to allow working people to adopt or claim their lost pet. Please sign this petition. We've got to put a stop to so-called shelters such as this one.

SOME UPDATES FROM LAST YEAR'S POST
Sweet Madea
In my original What the Hell is Wrong With People blog, I wrote about Madea, who was stabbed to death with an umbrella. The good news is that the savage brute who did this was convicted and faces up to 4 years in prison for aggravated cruelty to animals. The same day as that verdict came down, another monster was convicted of setting fire to his super's cat, Tommy Two Times, out of boredom. He was cleared of second-degree arson but convicted of animal cruelty and burglary, which can put him behind bars for up to 15 years.

Patrick's emaciated but alive
I'd also like to share the story of Patrick the dog. A monster in Newark starved this lovely pit bull to near death, put it in a garbage bag and threw it down the garbage chute on St Patrick's Day, hence his new name. A maintenance worker found the bag and dog before it could go into the trash compactor. He was brought to Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls and, more good news, Patrick, is now recovering.

Lastly, Angelina Barnes, a 20-year-old woman in Oklahoma, has been charged with animal cruelty after she killed and mutilated a relative's cat, apparently using the blood for an outfit she planned to wear to a Lady Gaga concert.

What the hell is wrong with humans? And they call us animals!

Would you like to comment?

  1. I had to quit reading half way down because it breaks my heart into a million pieces. The better part is I am aware of these horrible horrible things and I try to be active in support against these atrocities. I couldn't bring myself to watch the video as I would be crying all day and night. BUT know that I DO understand and I am aware..and I do support organizations and agencies who are good stewards of our animals. xoxox

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  2. I am speechless! Humans like this should be behind bars, not working for animal shelters! There definitely needs to be some changes in Hempstead.

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  3. My eyes are leaking and so are mom's. No matter how much I try, I just can't wrap my head around how cruel humans can be. I thank Bast every day that the human who found me cared enough to find me a loving home. I wish all humans had such big hearts. It would be a much better world if everyone based all their actions on love instead of greed or cruelty.

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  4. It makes hard reading but we need to face up to these monsters so we can deal with them! You are right - animals doesn't cut it. They are just monsters, plain and simple evil people.

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  5. It iz just horrible wot monsters are out der. It skeers ma humanz when dey fink of how anipals are treat.

    Keep fightin da good fight ma pal!

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  6. Spreading awareness of such cruel and inhumane behavior is so important! If it helps you, there is a radio guy here in the Chicago area who has been blasting Pat Horan. He, too, is sickened. There is absolutely no excuse, we can't allow people like her to continue!

    Thank you for blogging the change!

    Kim Thomas from
    BtC4Animals.com
    CindyLusMuse.blogspot.com
    BarkOutLoudWeekly.com

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  7. That is exactly why I am a spay and neuter activist for humans like this, they shouldn't be allowed to reproduce. Thanks for having the courage to tackle this!

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  8. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I signed the petition.

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  9. CK, That's video is so Terrible, Horrible, Bad !
    I know some shelter they do kill them but I didn't expect they are enjoy to kill the kitties and I couldn't believe they can laugh about that !
    I'm serious feel disgusted them ! All of them.
    But I do agree with you and Brain, This video hit the roof ! We all should know by now, why we have to do neuter !

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  10. Sadly, I am aware of all of these stories and can only hope we can continue to shine the light of truth on them until changes are made. Thank you for sharing this with us.

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  11. These people should be behind bars, not being paid a six-figure salary. Thanks for sharing the story and for blogging the change.

    Amy from
    BtC4Animals.com and
    GoPetFriendly.com

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  12. Unbelievable for creatures like this to be allowed to handle defenseless animals. And their attitudes are even worse. All three would be standing in line at a soup kitchen if I were in charge. Where do I sign???

    I'm blessed to be able to work with a great shelter in Sacramento, CA. They aren't perfect--yet--but working on it...

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  13. when you mentioned how awful the video is I just couldn't bring myself to watch it. Thank you for telling us all about this. It breaks my heart

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  14. Good post CK. That is horrible. That woman should be lockeed up somewhere and the key lost. Brian is right - people like that should be spayed and neutered. I was happy to sign the petition.

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  15. I couldn't watch. I usually force myself to watch difficult videos and read awful, heartbreaking stories, because that's how you learn what is really going on. It's educational, in a sense, and it motivates you to make a difference and get the message out there.

    But this time, i couldn't. i started the video, but as soon as they started in to "loop" the cat, I gasped and started flailing wildly for the pause button with my eyes closed.

    How anyone could consider this an animal shelter, even in the loosest sense, is beyond me.

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  16. CK - I saw the video on Facebook, and I was furious! It is appalling that the shelter employees act in such a rude and callous manner when faced with euthanizing a helpless animal.

    I am glad that horrible woman was removed from her position as acting director, but they really need to open that place up and do a peer review. Have reputable shelter volunteers come in to see all the activities and make recommendations for improvement.

    Regarding your update from last year. I'm glad that Madea's killer was found and arrested, as well as the other sick individuals you mentioned. I can only say that I am glad that there are people out there who are fighting to put these criminals behind bars!

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  17. My mom called the Vet the next day after the first pill and asked was there something she should know about side effects. He said that yes (mom heard him paging thru his PDR and he said that some kitties did vocalize. That happens if, when they are halving the pill a bit more than half..even a few grains, gets into the kitty. But it passes after a couple of days. When they are careful about splitting that wee tiny pill..I don't call out.

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  18. Creates a sickening sadness beyond words. Very hard not to lose all faith in human'kind'. Bless you for your work and efforts. XOX

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  19. OH NOES! No Baseball wiv my anipals? But it's only steroids given by m bean...gimme a break...

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  20. I used to enjoy reading the pet blogs and keeping up with all of the shenanigans our fur babies are getting themselves into, but anymore I am just sickened. I watched your video on Youtube and one of the screens said something about a kitty being boiled to death..right now i am sick to my stomach and may need to take a break from the pet blogosphere.

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  21. The title of your post says it all. :(

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  22. Katherine VelasquezApril 27, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    Wow....you can tell that the security guard or whatever the hell he is , is really mentally disturbed and seems little slow. By what it seems with his and the woman's mannerisms acting very unusual for adults probably due to a lack of educ...ation along with probably some kind of developmental trauma, they seem to have psychopathological tendencies. A lot of dangerous and mentally disturbed people such as serial killers begin with enjoying the pain and torture of things weaker then themselves. These people are sick in every way. I cannot believe these people were hired and were allowed to care for any kind of living beings. People who begin with enjoying death and torture end up looking for bigger things to hurt to fill whatever void they have inside. These people are dangerous.

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  23. I, too, couldn't bring myself to watch the video, I've seen too much. I am horrified by what 'inhumane' humans do to these poor helpless creatures. There truly is evil in this world.

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  24. Who in the hell do these people think they are!! Just because they have positions in animal shelters DOES NOT absolutly under any circumstances give them the right to mistreat animals. These people should feel sympathy for these animals. They see everyday their pain and their fear. They also know that some will be euthanized. Where is their heart? It truly disgusts me that these people think that the animals lives are a game to them. This makes me so angry and at the same time it breaks my heart. What more can we the people do to help these animals? We speak out,but it still happens. What can I do to help?

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