[FEL-L] Were Bexar County Pit Bulls Buried Alive?

[Laura Morin]

who's dogs were they? Why was she housing them? 

Laura 



> [Original Message]
> From: Brian <tiger1 at tigerlink.org>
> To: <undisclosed-recipients:>
> Date: 10/2/2007 4:22:00 PM
> Subject: [FEL-L] Were Bexar County Pit Bulls Buried Alive?
>
> The problem here is that she also has exotics, tigers included and the
> same killing business antics seem to apply with them too.
>
>
> http://www.sanantoniolightning.com/francis.html
>
>
> FIGHTING DOGS EUTHANIZED
> Were Bexar County Pit Bulls Buried Alive?
> 90-100 Dogs Killed At Local Animal Sanctuary
> SAL Political Snitch
>
> Almost daily, headlines scream of dog attacks, sport fighting rings, cat
> maimings and cruelty to animals in general.
>
> Case in point.
>
> The debate over the fate of the many times vicious, sometimes killer
> dogs -- pit bulls -- is far from over, and likely won't be settled soon;
> but the animals continue to generate strong feelings on all sides of the
> issue.
>
> Now, there are new facets to the story that are not known.
>
> Disturbing news.
>
> * * *
>
> On Monday, popular WAOI AM talk show host Joe "Pags" Pagliarulo
> suggested the extermination of pit bulls, following yet another attack
> last Friday that injured two little girls.
>
> Those dogs will be euthanized, and their owner has been arrested. (Click
> for NEWS 12 report.) <http://www.ksat.com/news/14248184/detail.html>
>
> The San Antonio animal sanctuary Wild Animal Orphanage
> <http://www.animalsanctuaryus.org/index0.html> (WAO) here in Bexar
> County, agrees that many pit bulls should be "put down" for public
> safety purposes, "especially when children are injured," says Carol
> Asvestats, president of the organization.
>
> In January 2005, the facility located at Leslie and Talley Road, with
> the help of the SPCA, quietly killed as many as 90-100 pit bulls housed
> on the charity's property.
>
> Kathryn Bice, executive director of the Humane Society/SPCA in Bexar
> County was quoted in the Express-News as saying "older, vicious dogs
> likely will be euthanized."
>
> But there is a problem.
>
> Accountability.
>
> * * *
>
> The following is based on insider information obtained by the Lightning.
>
> The killings were done in secret, with the aid and finances of the SPCA.
> It was common knowledge to the WAO's friends and employees that the pit
> bulls were housed at the Talley Road property, and buried there.
>
> At one point, according to eyewitnesses, husband Ron Asvestas (in charge
> of back-up animal care) became highly concerned of helicopter traffic
> flying over the property -- fearing either the media or the previous
> owners had received word of the dogs' location.
>
> The choppers were actually photographing an unrelated story.
>
> Carol and Ron had reason to worry, sources tell the Lightning, because
> while some WAO workers say they were "bullied" into secrecy, it didn't
> stop the couple from telling friends and others the location of the pit
> bull remains.
>
> On "Killing Day," one witness reported, the workers responsible for
> injecting the animals with lethal poison were very upset and
> depressed by the end of the day.
>
> Barely before the animals' bodies were cold, they were thrown into a pit
> located on the Talley Road property, the sources say.
>
> In fact, so quickly were they disposed of that several employees
> whispered that at least some of the animals may have been buried alive.
>
> Asvestas denied that ugly thought in an interview with the Lightning,
> but then said she wasn't present.
>
> * * *
>
> What were the animals' lives worth?
>
> According to the WAO's 2005 board meeting minutes, the charity put in a
> request for $1400 from the SPCA, for the care of these animals while
> they were temporarily housed at the WAO's property. Carol Asvestas now
> admits it "may have been" $5,000.
>
> There are other discrepancies in the financials of the institution.
>
> This is the same property the Texas Commission of Enviornmental Quality
> is currently investigating for other animal burial pits.
>
> Oddly, the WAO refuses to provide a list of euthenized animals over the
> last seven years.
>
> Other problems with the operation have been disclosed to the Lightning.
>
> * * *
>
> It comes down to accountability.
>
> Whether an irresponsible pet owner, or trusted animal protectorate,
> accountability is required. We will pursue that goal in this series.
>
> All persons and organizations mentioned in this story are offered free
> space to respond.
>
> * * *
>
> More to follow.
>
> - Developing -
>
>
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