05/17/2018
HUDSON: 18-19346 – MALE COCKER SPANIEL
SEAACA SHELTER – DOWNEY, CALIF.
RESCUED BY: Heart Bandits LA
SAFE *** OUT OF QUARANTINE ***
It has been brought to my attention that there has been some inaccurate information circulating regarding the rescue, treatment, and plan for the above dog. In the interest of clarity, the following factual information is what has occurred and includes the immediate and future plans being put in place for his continued care when he is released from bite quarantine at the Long Beach Shelter on Saturday, May 19th.
1. Hudson was originally impounded at the SEAACA Shelter in Downey, Calif.
2. On April 28th, 2018 Heart Bandits LA had a volunteer at the shelter to evaluate a supposedly aggressive American Eskimo Dog that was kenneled at the shelter with Hudson the Cocker Spaniel.
3. Per the shelter, the volunteer was told that there was NO rescue interest in either dog and the volunteer was given the impression by shelter staff that the cocker spaniel was urgent and needed immediate rescue.
4. Hudson seemed fine at the shelter and volunteer was told that the dog was already neutered, which later turned out to be false.
5. Volunteer pulled Hudson that day and had to wait until Monday to pull the American Eskimo.
6. Hudson received a complimentary professional grooming immediately and it was then that the behavior issues with him first surfaced.
7. Hudson went to his foster home.
8. On Monday April 30th he was taken to the vet by his foster for evaluation of his medical issues.
9. He was diagnosed and treated for bilateral eye allergic irritation, bilateral ear infection, as well as skin irritation.
10. He received an allergy shot and prescribed antibiotics which were administered without incident over the course of several days and his medical issues healed.
11. The foster was going out of town so Hudson was taken to a second vet for neutering and medical boarding while she was out of town, as the first vet did not do medical boarding.
12. While at this second veterinary evaluation/appointment Hudson became fearful when being muzzled and bit the foster.
13. After being bitten by Hudson, the foster passed out at the veterinary office and the veterinary office called animal control for Hudson.
14. Long Beach Animal Control removed Hudson from the veterinary office and impounded him at the Long Beach Shelter for biting. The foster, nor the rescue, had any say in this.
15. Heart Bandits LA will claim Hudson on Saturday, May 19th, when his quarantine period has expired, which has ALWAYS been the plan.
16. He will be temporarily boarded at a boarding facility recommended by persons within the Cocker Spaniel rescue community.
17. Hudson is going to need to work with a trainer -- recommendations from the rescue community would be appreciated.
18. At NO point was Hudson in danger of being euthanized by Heart Bandits LA.
Heart Bandits LA does not shy away from dogs deemed aggressive or fearful. Hudson will get the help he needs. We continue to seek the counsel of members of the Cocker Spaniel community. Working together, as a rescue community, is how Hudson will recover. He was pulled without any pledges and rescue will now incur a significant expense retaining a trainer to work with him. Any pledges and donations would be greatly appreciated. If there is a reputable Cocker Spaniel-experienced rescue that is interested in taking on Hudson, Heart Bandits LA will consider that. But only if this rescue can provide for all his needs over the course of time.
