Oh my. I cannot believe a handler had that many dogs on them. Her needs were not as important as those dogs, after all she was getting paid to take care of and handle them. I wonder what actions all the breeders will be taking against the handler, once they come up with a final statement of the case.
You're speechless, I'm crying. I can't believe that. I'm in total shock and in denial. Poor Poor dogs. What a terrible way to suffer. I would've had those crates in my house with the AC on full blast no matter how late it was or how tired I was.
Oh my goodness! I'm so PARANOID about things like this. I don't care how freakin' exhausted I am after a trial/seminar/event, I make sure the dogs needs are taken care of promptly. EVEN when I'm weak and physically ill.
I don't think i've ever been so mad...:( poor dogs, i just feel sooo bad knowing that the dogs could do nothing to get out. If its hot in my car and Sevook is with me i make sure to either open the windows and turn the air on. Ugh, so mad right now.
Oh my effing goodness! What are people thinking? This person is a professional handler? Professional handlers are supposed to have properly cooled, inspected kennel facilities and usually have those giant RVs where they sleep alongside their 20 or so dogs that they are handling. You don't gamble with other people's money (especially their pets!). If the garage was so hot, why not bring them inside with the AC and take the risk of suffering a sleepless night for their safety?
I know that dogs will wait in cars at shows, and most people are good about staying with them and equipping the cars to sufficiently protect the dogs from heat. Club members will patrol the grounds at shows and remove unattended dogs from cars and fine the owners. That's tragic that this person didn't opt for a wiser decision.
Wow, I won't even let Akira in the car 10 minutes when it's over 15 degrees Celsius, I can't believe a professional let five or six dogs to fend for themselves in her van for the night!!!!!!
That's just horrible. I understand people make mistakes but some mistakes, but some are inexcusable. To me this is the same thing as driving drunk and killing a person. You may not have had the intent to go out and end another person's life, but through a lack of foresight and some poor decision making you end up killing someone. This is the same, she was too sleepy or hot to do her job the right way and now all those beautiful dogs are dead. You would think that being able to handle dogs as a living would be an awesome job, and that if you loved dogs enough to work with them 24/7 you'd put their well being ahead of yours. To me this is as bad as if she did the same thing with those kids from John and Kate plus eight. I'm not sure what kind of punishment she'll recieve, but hopefully it'll be hard for her to find another job as a handler. I wouldn't trust this lady with my stuffed koala bear!
This is way too sad, and so unavoidable...I mean, if she was too tired to bring the dogs inside, she could have at least taken them out of the van. She supposedly left a door open to help keep the van from over heating, so either way was a risk for theft.
And it said that she had "started to transfer the dogs in kennels into the garage", does that mean that she had other dogs that she was able to bring inside.
I don't see how hard it is to hold into a leash or two and show the dog where to go...It's not rocket science
I think, even with how sad this is, there is a major warning to be heeded by all dog owners
From the article, the veterinarian quote: "It only takes five minutes for heat stroke to happen," Ivan said. "If the brain heats up to about 108 degrees, you only have a few minutes to lower the temperature and restore oxygen to the brain. The blood, essentially, is boiling."
How did this even happen? These were like show dogs owned by people who hire handlers to take them to competitions and such? And they hired this incompetent boob to transport and board their dogs?
I'm sure this lady will never be able to forgive herself for this.
The owners could have hired a professional handler that is bound to follow certain requirements for housing dogs and maintaining humane and safe conditions, but they are really expensive. Leaving them out in a car overnight for so many hours just seems to go against so much common sense though, I am really puzzled by what she was thinking. She must have been extremely exhausted or...? I can't imagine. That's so unfortunate.
In the future if I ever happen to find myself with more than a couple dogs at a show, I would never take on so many dogs to handle that I wasn't able to provide the ultimate care for them at any time. They would also be with me inside.
The thing I don't understand is that she said she is so tired, yet she put the supposed effort to keep the van "cool". Doesn't it take just as much, if not more, energy to put electric fans in the van. And wouldn't it be easier to rest, if she supposedly got up every 2 or so hours that she said she would.
Something doesn't smell right with this story, now that I think about it some more.
Like Lindsay, I would not have taken on so many dogs if I could not handle it. She over estimated her capabilities and needed a helper on hand. She probably was exhausted after a 3 hr night drive and a full day at the show. (She probably should not have been driving either if so exhausted. Many people on the road do not realize they are beat and when to pull over. Judgment is impaired when tired.)
At the time she pulled up at 1 am it was probably a reasonable temp so she figured she would leave them rest and get up later to take them out. She was not counting on over sleeping and didn't set her alarm clock. Whatever the case she was not paying attention to the time in relation to weather. Once the sun came up it was over. MO has had a really hot week in the high 90' degrees, so am temps will soar up real quick.
Given the time discrepancies in the report, I call b.s. the part about leaving the van door open and getting up at 6 or whatever to check on them. The windows on the left side were just cracked according to the report. If you are going to leave them in open air I would think all the windows would be left open for circulation. Those battery operated clip on fans do little in searing heat. Because of theft I suspect she probably locked the van. No matter it was obviously a poor choice whatever she did do.
We can speculate all we like it does not change a thing. She has to carry that weight with her all the rest of her days.
As Kenshi points out, it will be difficult for her. I am sure she is getting so much hate mail that she is really struggling emotionally.
PS: Show folks do use their vans as a second home for dogs while on circuit. There are patrols out now out and about at some shows to make sure no dog is locked in a hot car. Some people leave vehicle running with ac on, however, that can fail too. Also, If you back the car in to a tight area, say a garage while vehicle is running with ac, you can still have carbon monoxide creep in with horrible results also.
I have no more words about this... you guys wrote them all. From what I've heard it's pretty common that people leaves their dogs in their cars when waiting to enter the show ring. Here in Sweden I've red about a couple of veterinarians who walks around in the car parks around dog shows and if they find a dog locked up in a car, when it's hot outside, they smash the windows of the cars.
If this is such a problem at dogshows, shouldn't they do something to accomodate the extra dogs? Maybe a dog tent where people can put kennels or something? Only seems logical!
The handlers need to be responsible for their dogs' safety and comfort ultimately, but it would be nice if there were more shaded areas set up to keep crates and dogs at outdoor venues. After this last weekend at the Skagit fairgrounds on some bright sunny days, I was really glad I brought my shade screen and portable fans. If I had gotten there early enough, I probably could have parked under the trees and enjoyed the shade.
It's one of those stupid things about dog shows, they have events on hot sunny days at county fairgrounds but don't usually provide gratus shade for dogs that aren't being actively judged. Just like how cosmetic chalking is not allowed by AKC but they sell the stuff at ringside.
If she was so tired...then how did she muster enough effort and energy to get herself out of the van? If I was in her situation and I was really as exhausted as this handler "supposedly" was...like completely wiped out...my brain would just "shut down" and I would so totally be asleep inside the viehicle WITH the dogs!
Yeah it would make better sense and maybe ease the issue if they provided shade for exhibitors such as multiple tents etc, but generally the kennel clubs do not. Everyone is pretty much on their own in making a set up for their dogs that will adequately keep them comfortable.
For showing some of the rings are outside and some of the small breeds are shown actually inside fairground buildings. However, inside can be worse than outside if there is no AC.... getting hotter than Hades on a summer day while everyone is packed in like sardines. Shade is much of premium and it is first come first serve if you are looking for a tree, if there are even trees around.
Better make it a winter "sport" instead At least our dogs would like that much better to be in the show ring when it's freezing cold outside instead of like it is now, about 90 degrees in the shade. I don't think we will go to any exhibitions during the hot summer. I'm not that found of the idea of having our dogs outside all day long when it's as hot as it is right now here in the west parts of Sweden, approximately 90 degrees.
what I have seen on the 2 dogshows i visited, for many of these professional handlers the dogs are just "work that has to be done" as are for some breeders ...and that they arent in love with them like we are... she miscalculated, took the risk, overworked herself just for profit...and it terribly went wrong...
for a breeder the dogs are at least valuable, so they take care of them properly in physical things...sorry i hate dog shows and the whole business around
poor dogs...
at least this tragedy will rise the attendance on this topic
"for a breeder the dogs are at least valuable, so they take care of them properly in physical things...sorry i hate dog shows and the whole business around"
Lisa, there is a Bred by Exhibitor class in AKC which is just for the breeders who are also choosing to handle their own dogs, often times dogs that are loved house pets.
Beth I just love the UGA house. All it needs is a little motor to push it as a cart and it’s good to go (LOL).
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I’d say there are all types of folks that show. Many love their dogs and have them in their home with a set up that accommodates all comfortably. About professional handlers, I can’t say I know any personally or much about them on an individual basis.
Dog shows and breeders ringside are a quirky thing that has to be taken with a grain of salt. From what I have seen I would say showing has its ups and downs. It seems it is not always fun for people even those very well seasoned, so sometimes I scratch my head wondering why they do it.
As Lisa suggests the handler miscalculated and overworked herself, sadly to the jeopardy of the dogs.
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Based on observation unless you know someone, most folks at a show and sometimes within the breed will not give you the time of day. It is a very closed type of thing. In fact so much so that I think AKC may be actually losing people not interested in conformation. That is why I think agility and the companion sports have picked up so much for the general public. There is a lot of interest in that area, so the organization has opened its doors to categories for pet dogs regardless of breed for Agility, Rally and Obedience and that is earth shaking for a club that has been seen as so stuffy and exclusive catering only to pure breeds.
I still feel rescue has so much to offer in regard to finding a wonderful dog and helping to find a better life for another. It certainly has a different type of gratification to showing. The rewards of finding a awesome home for dog is 10 fold. It is amazing the friends you make both two and four footed : )
The area of assistance dogs is also REALLY rewarding. The individuals that receive hearing and assistance animals generally have a heart of gold. They give it their all and it makes it worth the effort to train and place.
Comments
Poor doggies...
Yeah, I would be pretty pissed...
...this is scary stuff.
I know that dogs will wait in cars at shows, and most people are good about staying with them and equipping the cars to sufficiently protect the dogs from heat. Club members will patrol the grounds at shows and remove unattended dogs from cars and fine the owners. That's tragic that this person didn't opt for a wiser decision.
And it said that she had "started to transfer the dogs in kennels into the garage", does that mean that she had other dogs that she was able to bring inside.
I don't see how hard it is to hold into a leash or two and show the dog where to go...It's not rocket science
The akita owner said it best - "The dogs’ safety should be paramount."
Its a tragedy.
From the article, the veterinarian quote:
"It only takes five minutes for heat stroke to happen," Ivan said. "If the brain heats up to about 108 degrees, you only have a few minutes to lower the temperature and restore oxygen to the brain. The blood, essentially, is boiling."
This website has great tips as well: http://mydogiscool.com/
I don't think she is from the AKC professional handlers program.
I won't leave the dog(s) in the car at all for any length of time regardless of season. The theft factor is way too high.
Snf
I'm sure this lady will never be able to forgive herself for this.
In the future if I ever happen to find myself with more than a couple dogs at a show, I would never take on so many dogs to handle that I wasn't able to provide the ultimate care for them at any time. They would also be with me inside.
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Exhausted my ass. I bet she was off doing some thing else & forgot or thought "They'll be fine..." ~
Where was this? I know it wouldn't get that hot at night here. Then again, it's dry here, so temperature gets cold quickly once the sun is gone...
Something doesn't smell right with this story, now that I think about it some more.
At the time she pulled up at 1 am it was probably a reasonable temp so she figured she would leave them rest and get up later to take them out. She was not counting on over sleeping and didn't set her alarm clock. Whatever the case she was not paying attention to the time in relation to weather. Once the sun came up it was over. MO has had a really hot week in the high 90' degrees, so am temps will soar up real quick.
Given the time discrepancies in the report, I call b.s. the part about leaving the van door open and getting up at 6 or whatever to check on them. The windows on the left side were just cracked according to the report. If you are going to leave them in open air I would think all the windows would be left open for circulation. Those battery operated clip on fans do little in searing heat. Because of theft I suspect she probably locked the van. No matter it was obviously a poor choice whatever she did do.
We can speculate all we like it does not change a thing. She has to carry that weight with her all the rest of her days.
As Kenshi points out, it will be difficult for her. I am sure she is getting so much hate mail that she is really struggling emotionally.
PS: Show folks do use their vans as a second home for dogs while on circuit. There are patrols out now out and about at some shows to make sure no dog is locked in a hot car. Some people leave vehicle running with ac on, however, that can fail too. Also, If you back the car in to a tight area, say a garage while vehicle is running with ac, you can still have carbon monoxide creep in with horrible results also.
It is tragic all the way around....
Snf
It's one of those stupid things about dog shows, they have events on hot sunny days at county fairgrounds but don't usually provide gratus shade for dogs that aren't being actively judged. Just like how cosmetic chalking is not allowed by AKC but they sell the stuff at ringside.
If she was so tired...then how did she muster enough effort and energy to get herself out of the van? If I was in her situation and I was really as exhausted as this handler "supposedly" was...like completely wiped out...my brain would just "shut down" and I would so totally be asleep inside the viehicle WITH the dogs!
Yeah it would make better sense and maybe ease the issue if they provided shade for exhibitors such as multiple tents etc, but generally the kennel clubs do not. Everyone is pretty much on their own in making a set up for their dogs that will adequately keep them comfortable.
For showing some of the rings are outside and some of the small breeds are shown actually inside fairground buildings. However, inside can be worse than outside if there is no AC.... getting hotter than Hades on a summer day while everyone is packed in like sardines. Shade is much of premium and it is first come first serve if you are looking for a tree, if there are even trees around.
Snf
for a breeder the dogs are at least valuable, so they take care of them properly in physical things...sorry i hate dog shows and the whole business around
poor dogs...
at least this tragedy will rise the attendance on this topic
Lisa, there is a Bred by Exhibitor class in AKC which is just for the breeders who are also choosing to handle their own dogs, often times dogs that are loved house pets.
___
I’d say there are all types of folks that show. Many love their dogs and have them in their home with a set up that accommodates all comfortably. About professional handlers, I can’t say I know any personally or much about them on an individual basis.
Dog shows and breeders ringside are a quirky thing that has to be taken with a grain of salt. From what I have seen I would say showing has its ups and downs. It seems it is not always fun for people even those very well seasoned, so sometimes I scratch my head wondering why they do it.
As Lisa suggests the handler miscalculated and overworked herself, sadly to the jeopardy of the dogs.
___
Based on observation unless you know someone, most folks at a show and sometimes within the breed will not give you the time of day. It is a very closed type of thing. In fact so much so that I think AKC may be actually losing people not interested in conformation. That is why I think agility and the companion sports have picked up so much for the general public. There is a lot of interest in that area, so the organization has opened its doors to categories for pet dogs regardless of breed for Agility, Rally and Obedience and that is earth shaking for a club that has been seen as so stuffy and exclusive catering only to pure breeds.
I still feel rescue has so much to offer in regard to finding a wonderful dog and helping to find a better life for another. It certainly has a different type of gratification to showing. The rewards of finding a awesome home for dog is 10 fold. It is amazing the friends you make both two and four footed : )
The area of assistance dogs is also REALLY rewarding. The individuals that receive hearing and assistance animals generally have a heart of gold. They give it their all and it makes it worth the effort to train and place.
Just my long 2 cents for what it's worth
Snf