Fifty percent of evacuees--Ike--left without their pets.

[JanMichael]

http://network.bestfriends.org/rapidresponse/news/28980.html

The team estimates that at least 50% of the evacuees left without their pets. Despite repeated warnings from local officials of catastrophic flooding, numerous animals were left behind - chained or crated - many of whom have paid the ultimate price for their guardians’ indifference.

Outrage following Hurricane Katrina, when people were forced to evacuate without their pets, prompted the national passage of H.R. 3858: Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. This law ensures that both local and state emergency plans are to include companion animals.

Such legislation leaves no excuse for anyone leaving a pet behind during the Hurricane Ike evacuation or any other emergency situation.

“Any pet owner who willfully left their pet behind, chained up outside or left in crates, after advanced warnings of catastrophic flooding, should be charged to the fullest extent of whatever cruelty laws are on the books there in Texas,” said Paul Berry, Best Friends, CEO. “Such careless, thoughtless neglect for another life is absolutely inexcusable.”

[liberalmuse]

1. Assholes.

Too many humans are an abomination. To leave a pet in a cage or chained up to be drowned. My god, I hate these people.

[tabasco]

63. That's an insult to assholes. n/t

[roguevalley]

77. WHY!WHY!WHY! WHY DO THEY DO THIS!?!?!?!

[ellie]

135. Because deep down,

people are mean little pricks who care for no one but themselves. They are undeserving of compassion.

[emilyg]

2. Those people don't deserve pets.

:cry:

[DS1]

3. My cat would be strapped to me if I went anywhere

[gateley]

5. And if I couldn't take my cat, I wouldn't go.

We'd (hopefully) ride it out together.

[Mimosa]

31. Me too, Gately

Every time we had to evacuate from New orleans Our cats were in their cabs in the Jeep with us.

Watching the Ike evacuation on TV I saw plenty of animal welfare volunteers considerately ane efficiently kenneling and loading up cats and dogs to take them to safety for the owners. I watched video of owners visiting the sheltered pets. There was NO EXCUSE to leave animal companions behind. *sad*

[gateley]

56. I think it's wonderful that they put this (caring for the animals) into place

after Katrina. There is no excuse for people not to have taken advantage of the program. :grr:

[roguevalley]

78. I have four elderly dachshunds, one blind and ailing and the rest helpless.

HELPLESS!!!!! I would die with them before i would WALK OUT THE DOOR OF A HURRICANE CONSIDERED TOO DANGEROUS FOR ME TO STAY THROUGH AND *LEAVE THEM BEHIND*!!!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[mudesi]

92. And maybe you'd die

Hopefully, though, you'd not have other things to consider, such as children.

[Arugula Latte]

4. Goddamn these people.

:grr:

[blonndee]

6. I just cannot understand this kind of mindset,

or lack of feeling, or empathy, or whatever it is that makes these people the way they are. I can understand there might be a few rare situations when it might POSSIBLY be impossible to take your pet with you, but 50% of people with pets left them behind!?!? Inexcusable. I hope the ones who could have taken their pets with them but didn't will regret it for the rest of their days. They deserve nightmares about what they did for the rest of their lives, at the very least.

[riverdeep]

7. They are regretting it now, I bet.

The only thing I can think is that the last hurricane, I don't remember the name, also required an evacuation and that evacuation was painful. A dozen or more hours sitting in traffic for some people, and the hurricane missed them. They must have figured they're not going through that again and will take their chances.

I'm sure if they knew just how bad it was going to be, they would have done things differently. Unfortunately, the innocents payed a high price for their education.

edit: I misinterpreted this. I thought these people stayed and their pets got caught in the storm. Scrap what I said, these people are assholes, no benefit of the doubt given.

[and-justice-for-all]

8. Appalling...

I would NEVER leave my kids behind to die!

Careless, self-centered assholes!

“Any pet owner who willfully left their pet behind, chained up outside or left in crates, after advanced warnings of catastrophic flooding, should be charged to the fullest extent of whatever cruelty laws are on the books there in Texas,” YES, YES, YES!!!!!

[Roon]

116. I have my kitty kennels ready and available

in case I ever had to get out of here in a hurry.

[flvegan]

9. As an aside, Humane Society of the US moved into Galveston yesterday.

After five days of intensive work at the Humane Society of Southeast Texas (HSSET), our animal rescue team has been called to the Galveston County Animal Shelter (GCAS) to provide much-needed sheltering and rescue assistance. Galveston County was hit hardest by Hurricane Ike, and many communities are just becoming accessible to rescuers.

The HSUS came in to oversee rescue efforts, help with sheltering, and provide the resources to save hundreds of animals affected by the storm. Several members of our team will stay at HSSET until all rescue requests have been answered.

The rest are starting over again in Galveston, building a disaster response action plan from the foundation up. One of the major roadblocks in Galveston is the lack of space.

Because the shelter here is already near its maximum capacity, our team will build an extended emergency shelter on the property.

This new sheltering area will accommodate the rescued animals that we bring in.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/disasters_press_room/fieldnotes.html

Maybe FEMA should take some notes.

[napi21]

10. My flufferbutts are always with ME! I can't imagine why anyone would ever

do that, but I'm a volunteer rescuer and people do this crap all the time! I can't tell you how many excuses I've heard for leaving a lifelong pet.

"I'm moving and I don't want a ddog on my new carpet!"

"I'm moving and my new apartment doesn't allow pets!"

"We just don't have time for him anymore!"


I've heard hundreds of stories like that, and the AH's in TX are no different.

[tblue37]

46. My neighbor just adopted a gorgeous, sweet 1-year-old dog whose owners wanted him

put to sleep because they had just had a baby. They took him to the vet to be euthanized, but of course the vet wouldn't put down a healthy young dog with a loving, gentle personality. He kept the dog for a month, trying to find a home, but it's a big dog, and the vet wasn't having any luck.

One person at the place where my friend works knows the vet, so she sent out an email to all her coworkers telling them about this dog in need of adoption. My neighor went to the vet's office to meet the dog, and she immediately fell in love and adopted him. When she met him, he was buddying up with a couple of cats at the vet's office (that's how friendly and gentle he is).

This dog is one of the most adorable--and beautiful creatures I have ever met. I am trying to wrap my mind around the fact that people could have raised him from puppyhood for a year and then decided one day to have him killed.

I believe that many people think of their pets as furry four-legged furniture--replaceable and without feelings or rights. Just a lifestyle accessory.

[roguevalley]

80. I remember watching a vet show and SOME BITCHES had a gorgeous

young great dane who came down with diabetes. he needed insulin shots. the cow wifey whined she couldn't do it, didn't want to do the strips and shots (my co-worker did FOR A CAT FOR YEARS) and the vet offered to get it a home where it would be done. THEY REFUSED, saying they didn't want it to SUFFER WITHOUT THEM and he had to put it down because they were going to find someone who would if he didn't. THEIR STUPID FACES WERE ON THE FILM. I would pound them if I ever ran into them, the foul freaks.

[Starlight]

71. WTF: "I'm moving and my new apartment doesn't allow pets!"

So why did they choose that apartment when they have pets????? :crazy:

[Kermitt Gribble]

11. Things like this make me lose more faith in human-kind every day.

I have almost none left.

[Bluebear]

12. :nodding:

Who are the real animals in this story?

[Lorien]

27. I know just what you mean. As Gandhi said

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. I'm sickened by the indifference of so many people-even here on this board- who are indifferent to the suffering of animals. Whether pets, livestock, or the wild animals Palin and Cheney so love to slaughter (one DUer even boasted of luring a raccoon to his home with dog food then shooting it dead. There's no reason in the world for such brutality, imo) mankind's ability for compassion seems to be dwindling more every day. They'll squeal "well, humans are more important"! But that bullshit and they know it. Humans have an unlimited capacity for caring and compassion; they just CHOOSE to withhold it from anything they feel is inferior to themselves. You can bet that people who left their pets to suffer don't give a crap about Iraqis, those suffering in Darfur, anyone from states outside their own, anyone from towns outside their own, anyone from homes outside their own....you get the picture.

[mod mom]

57. Makes me think of the John Prine song "Some Humans ain't Human"

:mad:

I would no sooner leave my dogs than I would my children-they're my family!

[KathieG]

13. How do these people sleep at night? I could never leave my animals...they are my family.

[StarryNite]

103. Exactly...

they are family.

[sadbear]

14. My mother in law left two of her animals behind

when she evacuated (from Angleton, which is about 40 miles SW of Galveston) to stay with us. Yeah, she's an a-hole who doesn't deserve pets, especially since she left them outside to fend for themselves. But when I called her local animal control and SPCA, they refused to pick and shelter her pets.

[lonestarnot]

16. Did she find them?

[leftchick]

39. yes she is an asshole

why not anonymously report her?

[tblue37]

47. My brother also lives in Angleton. Apparently it didn't do too

badly during Ike, so maybe her pets were okay.

[mudesi]

15. I can't blame them

You can't just take an animal on a road trip. If you're given the choice to save your life and the life of your family or the life of your dog or cat, you choose your life. A pet can be replaced.

It may be sad, but it's true.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

17. No, a pet can't be "replaced" like a piece of furniture.

An animal is a unique, sentient being and anyone who would abandon an animal is an asshole.

[cabluedem]

148. Amen to that ! Pets are family!!!

[EFerrari]

19. A cat can go in a carrier, a dog can go on a leash.

No, you can't replace pets. They're not accessories.

[Big Blue Marble]

22. You have my friend

a very scary attitude. I hope and assume that you
do not nor do you plan to have companion animals.

When healthy bonds are made with these animals, we
assume responsibility for their lives. They look to
us with trust and love. To walk away from that takes
a heart of stone. Hope you will soften yours.


Not to mention if you read the article, it is illegal in Texas
to leave a companion animal chained in the face of a hurricane.

[Occulus]

26. There is just no replacement for Merlin

My cat. He's a Maine coon/tabby mix, and as anyone with such a cat (or any pet they love) will tell you, he is absolutely unique (and often too smart for his own good). I couldn't imagine leaving him behind for any reason, not only because he's such an incredibly cool cat, but also because I can't imagine the complete, devastating betrayal he would likely feel.

Pets depend upon us for everything important, and smarter animals- dogs, cats, and some bird breeds immediately come to mind- do figure out how to communicate distinct (but very simple) ideas to 'their humans'. We pet "owners" know when they are happy, or bored, or yes, even sad; we know when they want to play, or sleep, or go outside- Merlin even lets me or my roommate know when his litter needs to be cleaned (and yes, he has a particular cat-word for just that, and each of us besides).

I'm not about to say they're our equals by any stretch, but there's a cognizance there, an distinct impression that these animals very well are more than they appear. Perhaps it's their close association with us over so much time, but our domesticated pets are indeed beloved members of our families, and pet "owners" who truly love their pets would definitely provide for and protect them as much as they are able in any disaster.

That includes getting them out with the rest of the family.

[Lorien]

28. That's bullshit. A pet can no more be replaced than any other

family member can. They're individuals, not "things". You have no compassion at all for anything outside of yourself. It's may be sad, but it's true.

[Hissyspit]

36. You can't just take an animal on a road trip

if you are thoughtless and uncaring and completely ignored the lessons of Katrina.

Nonsense.

A pet be replaced. Yeah, so can people.

[tkmorris]

37. Ya know, I'm fairly certain that....

Ronnie Van Zant would kick your ass if he had ever heard you say that.

[HERVEPA]

38. Schmuck!

[Indenturedebtor]

40. Yes gawd forbid that these people be inconvenienced with a hot lap

and having to stop every 4 hours so their loyal companions can piss. That would just be awful. Far better to just let them die. One does have to be comfortable after all.

[tblue37]

48. And we are not talking about a quick, merciful death, either,

but hours of terror and misery and a slow, agonizing death by drowning. If they were going to abandon them to that, it would have been better to have them mercifully euthanized.

Besdies, I don't see why you can't take a pet on a road trip. People do so all the time. Many people I know take their dogs with them on family vacations, especially when they go camping, and cats are even easier to transport than large dogs are.

[Indenturedebtor]

52. Exactly. My dog is pretty small but

I would travel 100 hours with him on my head if it meant his life. Fuckin a I'd sleep in my car for a month with him if I couldn't find a pet hotel. What is wrong with these people?

[mudesi]

62. You're making ALL KINDS of assumptions

Do all the naysayers in this thread realize the sheer reality of the fifty percent figure? Is almost everybody in this thread really saying that one out of every two people is a selfish, uncaring, horrible monster?

Or could it be that you all have no idea what circumstances forced these people to leave their pets behind?

Let's do a hypothetical: A man holds a gun to your daughter's head. He tells you to give up your dog in exchange for your daughter. What do you do? I may love my dog, but there is no choice in such a matter. I'd choose my daughter without hesitation.

Maybe they didn't own a big enough car for the pets and there was literally no room for it. They have to pack food, clothing, etc. Maybe they didn't have any other means of transportation, and had to hitch a ride with someone else. Maybe they're poor, and can only afford to take a bus out that won't allow animals on board.

It amazes me how utterly judgmental almost everybody in this thread is being.

[uppityperson]

72. Thank you. People are being very judgmental and don't know everyone's circumstances.

Quit projecting your feelings, your situations, on everyone else people. You are being very judgmental based on little knowledge of these people's situations.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

96. nope. the VERY least they could have done was to free them from chains and crates

to give them a slim chance of surviving. No matter what their circumstances were.

[roguevalley]

86. This mentality is the kind that allowed french people to go on vacation

and leave their elderly to die by the hundreds in the raging heatwave that struck france a few years ago. This is the mentality that no one who is decent should have.To assume that FIFTY PERCENT of these bastards couldn't find a place in their car for a companion that had been their family member for X amount of time reveals a DEFICIENCY in their souls. No amount of what ifs by others can make that different. Indifference to life is a republican family value, not mine and not anyone with a functioning soul.

[mudesi]

91. Some might take offense

Some might take offense at your characterizing the elderly as no different than a pet.

Not me, but some.

[roguevalley]

111. I laugh at your response just a bit. My point was the mindset, not the victim. but

then, that is the sort of diversionary remark people make when they want to change the subject. :)

[Mariana]

139. Are you really equating an evacuation with a vacation?

Seriously?

[tbyg52]

127. I don't buy any of those

I saw people on the news taking pets on buses.

If they were taking their own car, they could leave something else out to make room for the pet.

If they were riding with someone who would not let them take the pet, that just transfers the heartlessness.

And, as a poster said below, they could at least not have left them chained or crated.

[Vektor]

41. You most certainly can take an animal on a road trip. I do it all the time.

There is no "choice" between saving your family or your animal.

Your animals ARE your family (if you don't consider them so, you should not have them) and all members of the family can be put in a vehicle and evacuated.

There is no truth to the false choice you presented, and an animal cannot just be "replaced" - the same as a human cannot just be replaced. Every living thing is unique.

Why would you say such a thing?

[Ikonoklast]

44. You might be wrong, sir.

I would include my pets as part of my family, and I have the same exact responsibility toward them as I have for any other member of my family put in harms way. And every member of my family feels the exact same way about our pets.

Leaving an animal in your charge to fend for himself in the face of a disaster that was known to be coming your way shows complete and utter disregard for the responsibility pet ownership puts upon you.

It's not like no one living in a hurricane-prone area isn't aware that a disaster may happen one day. It is a refusal to accept that fact, and have a disaster/evacuation plan in place.

I can and have taken my animals on a road trip. It takes take less planning and execution than planning for the care and feeding of four humans. I have a contingency plan in place in case I need to move everyone out in a hurry; a place for each human and pet to find emergency shelter with friends and relatives.



It might be true, that you are sad to think the way you do.

[superduperfarleft]

54. I can, and will.

"If you're given the choice to save your life and the life of your family or the life of your dog or cat, you choose your life. A pet can be replaced."

And where was that choice required by these people?

No, a "pet" cannot be replaced. If you think so, I pray to dog that you're never given the responsibility of caring for some poor animal.

"It may be sad, but it's true."

No it's not. Not in the least. Yet another DUer who doesn't know the difference between a fact and an opinion.

[morillon]

55. I don't get this at all.

A piece of furniture can be replaced. A living creature cannot.

Pets aren't THINGS.

My dogs don't like each other, so it would be tricky to transport them, but I would do it or die trying.

[michaz]

58. Now that is some "Logic"!! Not a lot of common sense to this statement!

You cram your animal into the car and get out! If 50% of them can do it, the other 50% can too. And if you know it is coming you can always make 2 trips. There was time to see this approaching! You just do it, it is logical and a common sense thing!

[Zuiderelle]

67. WHAT? At the very least, if you're an ASSHOLE like that, take it with and then give it away.

Fuck, what a stupid line of reasoning that is.

[1corona4u]

74. Let me just add to the long list of previous comments...

bullshit.

[roguevalley]

82. I can blame them. if they can get their butts in a car, they can put a cat

or dog on their laps too. They are assholes and they don't deserve any consideration. I got kicked out of a shelter during an emergency once because I had a 22 year old dachshund in a bag hidden away beside me. I had to go out into the disaster because of her. Leave her outside and stay or go with her. I went with my little blind and deaf gretchen. That is what they should have done. NO excuses.

[mudesi]

89. Really? What if they own an old Honda Civic?

What if they have a family of 7 and have to pack clothes, water, and food? What if they had to choose between cramming 6 month old Johnny in a baby seat or Mittens in a Kitty Cage?

It's really easy to pass judgment from the comfort of your own non hurricane threatened home on a Saturday afternoon, isn't it?

[Behind the Aegis]

100. I have a Toyota Corolla.

Yet, I was able to get my partner, our dog, cat, and TWENTY-FIVE birds, our CPU unit, safe, clothes, pet supplies, food, and battery charger in my car! We were in the car for 26 fucking hours evacuating NOLA from Gustav. IT CAN BE DONE! It is called PLANNING! If you are going to have pets, then you need to plan for their needs. If you live in a hurricane area, like I do, then you need to plan ahead. We were able to get everyone and thing out in 1.5 hours.

Just as you speculate about some were poor, or this or that, I speculate that ALL of them did NOT plan to evacuate their pets and that is ABUSE! And like children, if you can't plan to care for them for the rest of their lives or until they can care for themselves, then you should have neither!

[Sebastian Doyle]

130. 25 birds in a car? With a cat?

And everyone survived?? :wow:

[roguevalley]

112. so fifty percent have old civics? we have earthquakes and volcanos and crap

here that make this kind of thing pretty fairly common. I would stay with my boys before I would abandon them in their frailty because I wanted to cram
water instead of them into the backseat. I would drink out of a ditch WITH THEM than worry about food and water which I can get some place else. By the way, I live on a peninsula with one road out that is through mountains subject to snow and rock slides. I'm toast in an emergency but I won't be alone. I have my boys. Sorry if that isn't something that really can register. Aninals aren't things. To people who can think that they can choose between stuffing a box of water in their car or their faithful elderly pets, then god have mercy on their souls. We will just have to agree to disagree on this issue.

[Zuiderelle]

132. Really? You think 50% of the people were in that situation?

I would have crammed 6 month old Johnny in a baby seat, and put the cat on his lap, or keep it on my own. There could be SOME reasons (though almost unimaginable to me) for abandoning one's pets in an evacuation, but certainly NOT so many reasons that would make up for 50% of people doing it. No way, no how, no killing our precious animals.

[Lucian]

85. You can't replace a pet.

My dog has a personality associated with him exclusively. If he were to die, I wouldn't be able to find the same personality in the same type of dog. They're like humans. No two pekingeses are the same.

[tbyg52]

126. It's not whether or not they can be replaced (BTW, they can't)

It's whether they have feelings too. They do. It's whether pet owners have accepted a responsibility. They have.

[patriotvoice]

141. Spouses and children can be replaced, too.

So long as you have a childishly narrow definition of "to replace".

On edit: typo.

[EFerrari]

18. I don't remember the venue, can it be Magnolia? There was a notice

that said the shelter would not accept pets. It looks like not everyone was in compliance with the new law.

[tammywammy]

20. The pets may not be allowed into the shelter

But they have a secondary site set up for the pets. At least they do up here.

[EFerrari]

21. That makes more sense. I didn't seen anything about that

in the crawl Ch 11 had up. I'd never be able to go to a shelter I suppose. Maybe throw a tarp over the cat carriers. :)

[spin]

24. Bush signed a law to protect pets in an evacution...

In 2006 President Bush signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act which was designed to ensure that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans met the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following major disaster or emergency.

“It’s shocking that after all the advance warnings and new legislation that people aren’t better prepared to remove their animals when a storm approaches,” Berry added. “The evidence of animals left behind cannot be denied. To see a dog who drowned at the end of a chain for no good reason is heartbreaking for animal welfare volunteers and government officials alike. Such careless, thoughtless neglect for another life is absolutely inexcusable.”

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/09/18/best-friends-many-pets-left-behind-to-die-in-texas/

It's possible that many of the people who left their pets behind may have made the decision to evacuate at the last moment. If they waited too long, the opportunity to drop the animals off may have ended. No excuse. When a storm that big approaches and the government tells you to leave, just leave as quickly as possible.

[EFerrari]

25. They should charge the assholes who left their dogs chained up to die

as far as I'm concerned.

[tbyg52]

128. I believe that animal abuse in Texas is a felony.

(Believe it or not, we do have *some* laws that make sense.... ;) )

[tammywammy]

29. Um, right

But while they may not be sheltered with the evacuatee, they are housing pets that were evacuated in a separate location.

[spin]

69. I wonder if anyone knows how well the animal evacuation...

program actually worked?

[Mariana]

23. Disgusting. They should

At least put the animals down quickly and painlessly, rather than leaving them to die what will probably be miserable, terrifying, slow and painful deaths.

[chatnoir]

30. These ppl are disgusting, this should be a crime!

To abandon your animals to a hurricane, leaving them crated or chained to drown to death? How hard is it to load your cat or dog in the car with you? You wouldn't leave your kids behind so why your animals?

These assholes deserve to be charged. I'm ashamed to be human.

[AtomicKitten]

32. I cannot wrap my head around this.

There is no fucking way on earth I'd even consider leaving without my guys.

Leaving their animals chained or crated was their death sentence. These people are either fucking morons or heartless bastards.

I wish them the karmic equivalent of their cruelty.

[readmoreoften]

33. Stop pissing on the evacuees. They don't love their pets less than anyone else.

How many large dogs per person did they let on the evacuation buses? Many people reporting being told they could not take their pets. Many people have reported that others DID NOT EVACUATE because they loved their pets too much.

Stop DEHUMANIZING and DEMONIZING the goddamn evacuees and the dead. STOP.

[alarimer]

45. I agree with you.

It is more important for them to save their own lives than their pets. And most of them must have thought they couldn't bring them into shelters or wherever.

[JanMichael]

49. I did not write the article. Posting an article for discussion is not

dehumanizing nor demonizing anyone.

This problem needs to be addressed in the US, not just swept under a rug.

[tblue37]

51. In Cuba, they evacuate the people, their pets, their livestock--

and their refrigerators! If Cuba can do it, why can't we? Easy answer: because in this country we don't have a public policy that cares about people or animals. Our public policy cares only about those with money and power. Such an attitude is pervasive, too. Even people who are not given consideration in terms of that attitude often share that attitude.

[demodonkey]

60. Yeah, and Cuba has single payer healthcare too. Oh, but USA is the "greatest" country.

Yeah, right.

:puke:

[uppityperson]

75. Posting the article is fine, but the replies here? Shame

Yes, this needs to be addressed. Why were pets left?

Saying these people are assholes who don't deserve pets because an anonymous poster "knows" they would never ever do this is basing that demonizing opinion on lack of facts. I feel very sorry for anyone forced into a situation where this is their last choice.

Good lord most evacuees loved their pets. So WHY did this happen? Rather than saying nasty things about them, how about more posters asking WHY?

[JanMichael]

76. I agree with that.

however, change and radical ideas (like evacuations of animals and people) usually begin with outrage.

[uppityperson]

79. Express outrage at WHY, rather than assuming and at whom.

[JanMichael]

81. Sorry. It doesn't work that way for most people, and you should

know that at your age.

Anger is first directed toward a perceived "perpetrator," (can't think of a better word) then on through the stages until a solution is found.

Really--why are you so shocked at the anger on this thread? I am shocked at the number of replies, but not at the level of anger.

[uppityperson]

83. I do know, shocked at the assumptions by people, not the anger.

[tblue37]

50. a full 50% of evacuees were not riding in buses, I guarantee it. Most would have had

cars. those who didn't might have had problems becuase of the need to use buses, but people with cars could surely have taken their pets.

I think they were mainly thinking, "Yeah, yeah, yeah--big storm. Evacuate. I doubt it!" When they decided to evacuate after all, they still didn't really believe it was all that necessary, figuring it was another Rita, so they were just going through the motions. They assumed they'd be back the next day, no problem.

But even if I were just going through the emotions in an evacuation, I would go through the motions with my pets. If it was enough of a possible threat for me to save my own ass, I'd definitely save theirs, too.

[superduperfarleft]

53. I'll gladly piss all over them for this. Piss piss piss.

Anyone who willfully abandoned their animal companion to evacuate should be condemned as if they'd left their own human children behind, I don't care what their reasons were.

Animal companions, even brutally abused ones, still have such trust in their human guardians, that the only kind of person who could violate that trust has to be a complete fucking sociopath. And before you try to justify this, try working in animal rescue and see the widespread indifference people have towards domesticated animals, and see if your attitude is a bit different towards jerks who treat these creatures like fashion accessories to be disposed of when they're no longer convenient.

[readmoreoften]

117. Then don't criticize them for STAYING. Many people died with and for their pets.

You can't have it both ways: they're stupid for not evacuating and cruel for evacuating.

[superduperfarleft]

119. I'm not talking about the people who stayed.

And if someone stayed specifically to protect their companion animals, then I truly admire them.

But it's the people who abandoned their companion animals for whom I have nothing but contempt.

[readmoreoften]

123. Then take it up with the many people on this thread and elsewhere who ridicule those who stayed

and respond contemptuously in threads with titles like "I Just Don't Get Why Those People Stayed".

Now if only people will start to care about homeless animals as much as the ones they've taken the time to get to know....

[michaz]

59. If they left their pets in crates and tied up then they do love them less.

Turning them loose would have been much smarter and certainly more considerate.

[tabasco]

66. OK.

So, I'm going to chain you up as this hurricane hits, but I "love" you.

What kind of stupid fucking statement is that!?

[mike_c]

68. evacuees who ABANDONED their responsibilities deserve pissing on...

...IMO. Companion animals are not just amusing playthings, like toys and televisions. We're as responsible for our pets as we are for our children. Would you argue in favor of evacuees who abandoned their kids? Well, THAT'S the level of contempt I have for someone who abandons their companion animals to a frightened and miserable death.

[readmoreoften]

118. Fine. Then bring it up when people talk about how stupid the people are who stayed behind.

Not everyone who has 6 golden retrievers and 3 kids can also afford to pay for 2 truckloads of people to drive 17 hours with 48 hours notice not to mention that they'll have nowhere to put them when they arrive at the motel they're going to live at for 2 months. They'll end up in the quick-kill shelter in Austin.

What makes you think that 50% of people are "monsters"? Maybe those people will cry for the rest of their lives over the choice they had to make. Other people died to stay and care for their pets. Are some people monsters? Sure. Including some who had enough money to take their pets with them and left neighbors behind because they didn't want "poor, scary people" in the car with their kids. Did this happen too? I'm sure.

[mike_c]

129. I don't have issues with people who stayed to protect their pets....

I don't think I could possibly leave mine, so I can completely relate. As you say, some will probably be consumed by guilt. I certainly would.

[BlooInBloo]

84. It's just all of the DU crazies. They truly think (mere) animals are more important than people.

[Lucian]

87. "Mere animals"?

:eyes:

FYI, I don't think they're more important than humans. I think they're just as equally important. That doesn't make me crazy. It makes me compassionate.

[BlooInBloo]

90. No, it makes one crazy and deeply immoral.

[Lucian]

93. Holy crap...

:wtf:

How does feeling compassion for animals make one crazy?

[superduperfarleft]

121. Ignore him.

Some trolls are clearly tolerated around here.

[superduperfarleft]

120. And one of DU's most famous trolls chimes in.... n/t

[Mimosa]

145. Domesticated animals trust US therefore we are RESPONSIBLE for them

BlooinBloo, go away. This topic is out of your pay grade. LOL

[tannybogus]

34. I'm having nightmares about a picture.

I was flipping through pictures of the aftermath of Ike, and in the middle of the shots was a picture

of one of those animals left locked in a corral. It was like being punched in the face and stomach.

I want to punch the owners. I see it all the time now.

[Cetacea]

35. Fucking pig bastards.

When you buy a "pet" it is not a novelty item. You have a responsibility to feed and protect them as you would a child. By purchasing a "pet' you are at once making the animal dependent on you.

Animals and children are innocent. These fucks should go to prison.

[marshall]

42. Why not just let them run loose?

If they are going to leave them behind, why chain them or enclose them in crates where they have absolutely no chance of foraging for any food and could drown if water rises? Better to just set them loose where they would at least have a fighting chance.

I'm not saying I would do this--I would take my cat or dog with me. But if for some reason I had to leave them behind I certainly wouldn't leave them in a certain death trap.

[malaise]

43. That's awful

Human beings are way too cruel

[chatnoir]

61. Not only callous, cruel and inhumane but criminal as well

And should be treated as such.

From the OP link:

What those guardians did when they left their chained dogs behind was not only inexcusable, they actually broke the law. H.B. 1411 passed during the last Texas legislative session and became effective 9/1/07. The new law specifically prohibits guardians from leaving dogs tethered outside between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or in extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes.

[arthritisR_US]

64. fucking assholes...god I hate people. n/t

[AngryAmish]

65. Has anyone thought for a minute that this is total bullshit?

This is a fund raising newsletter. It is in their monetary interest to get people ginned up and angry to donate money. Many people here are falling for it.

This 50% "estimate" is by the very people who will benefit if you send them cash. This "estimate" is probably as accurate as the national intelligence "estimate" before the Iraq war.

[JanMichael]

70. and if you looked at the website

you would note that this is a pretty reputable, well established rescue organization that mobilizes volunteers for rescues all over the US and some other parts of the world. They are also the ones that got Michael Vick's pit bulls, and are being featured on a National Geographic special right now.

[AngryAmish]

94. If they didn't want/need money why are they asking for it?

[JanMichael]

104. excuse me, but how did you decide from reading my post

that I was stating "they don't want or need money?"

I wrote that this is a reputable, well established rescue operation. Of course they are asking for donations--how do you think they afford their operation?

Of course they need/want donations. However, I don't think they are in the habit of lying to get people to donate.

[readmoreoften]

122. They don't even know how many people left, so how do they know how many pets were left behind???

1) Most people WILL NOT abandon their animals. There is NO WAY 50% of Texans abandoned their dogs. NO WAY. How many of these animals were homeless to begin with? I will feed any animal who comes to my door but I cannot 'own' it or take it in.

2) I'm surprised they have such GREAT PET censuses in Galveston. THEY KNOW HOW MANY PETS PEOPLE LEFT BY PERCENTAGE, BUT NOT HOW MANY PEOPLE LEFT.

3) I'm surprised they're not questioning how many PETS survived while their deceased owners STAYED BEHIND BECAUSE OF THEM. Oh wait, right, no one died.

All this is is self-righteous bullshit. Most people would not abandon their pets. Many people put their pets before their kids, and I'd venture to say that most people put their pets before their neighbors. And most of those people are not vegetarians.

It's wrong to leave your pets behind and there are a lot of stupid people out there, but 50% is a made up number.

[lastliberalintexas]

137. Thanks to you and Angry Amish

I've been avoiding DU, and I see I should have stayed away longer. The first fucking thread about Ike that I can find, and it's not even discussing the plight of SE Texans, but some made up guestimate about abandoned "pets" intended to elicit funds from the reader. I personally know 3 people who stayed because of their animals, but thankfully they are all safe- humans and pets. Those people have been called any number of names by the luminaries of this site for staying despite mandatory evac orders, and had anything happened to them, many of the same people on this thread would be singing a different tune. I don't doubt that *some* pets were left, but even then I will not judge, since I don't know their humans' circumstances. Fuck, how do we know their human actually evacuated and isn't at the bottom of the Gulf now? This article is infuriating on so many levels.

Since they are apparently so damn quick at it, perhaps the Humane Society and SPCA can also give us an accurate count of the dead and a list of the missing humans. It'd be nice of someone could.

[JVS]

144. Nothing loosens the purse strings like suffering animals

[1corona4u]

73. And they should all be prosecuted for animal abuse.

[tblue37]

88. Look at these pictures!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Z6OyJfBKnXk/SNWeozzRH3I/AAAAAAAAFBA/mvcuRjxkN3c/s320/Richard+
Richard Crook celebrates with a dog he rescued at Crystal Beach on September 18; photo by Eric Gay/AP

Who would leave this beautiful dog behind?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Z6OyJfBKnXk/SNWldhjvfHI/AAAAAAAAFCI/cMuYfTezNJs/s320/A+cat+looks
A cat looks down from a a tree in Galveston's flooded West end; photo by LM Otero/AP

Poor, scared kitty!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Z6OyJfBKnXk/SNWhFwzPTqI/AAAAAAAAFBg/1Z96CntZIG0/s320/lionchurchAP
Shackle the lioness who rode out the hurricane at the First Baptist Church in Crystal Beach, Texas; AP photo

At least this lioness had a place to stay dry and safe.

[Sebastian Doyle]

98. So the lion was a Baptist?

Who knew? :shrug:

[dgibby]

101. Gives new meaning to feeding the Christians to the lions. nt

:evilgrin:

[eowyn_of_rohan]

95. human trash

[Hidden Stillness]

97. This is Evil, and a Sin

One thing I am really sick of, and disgusted to find it on a "liberal/Democratic" website, is the claim that these people "loved" their animals, (from the pro-abuse crowd, however small it may or may not be here), when there is no evidence, of any kind, of any such thing. How do you know that these animals were not permanently chained up outside and ignored all their lives, (so they can "protect" the "precious" humans who neglect and chain them), when that is the apparent case, and nothing else is? (Waiting for the animal haters to attack the stupid presumption that animal lovers think of animals and humans as the same, have no morals, are crazy, all the rest of dickie-two-inch's "you aren't giving ME all of the attention every moment" crowd, since they are all so "fair," and do not want to "assume," whatever. Don't wait.)

Of course, this fails to answer why there are so many people who abandon their animals, when they are merely moving to another home. I will never forget the dog I saw at a house where the people had moved and left the dog there--a family member knew the people, for the animal hating assholes who will pretend I don't know the facts of the situation--running around, panicking, coming to the front of the house at every sound, as if it were this sickening "family," come back, and it never was. The Humane Society rescued the dog. There are many cases of this type every year, involving all animals. The lovely human "family" moves away, and abandons the animals. There are people who think of animals as absolutely nothing, no feelings, and I am sick of this evil cruelty being excused, whenever it is.

[dgibby]

99. I live in a hurricane prone area

SC lowcountry. I'm retired, living on a fixed income, and have several pets. In order to accommodate them in the event of a mandatory evacuation, I used part of an equity loan to purchase a used van. I also used some of that money to purchase kennels for them, and I keep an emergency fund available in order to pay for enough gas to get them and myself to safety. This is a NO-BRAINER! To all you posters on this thread who advocate/defend leaving animals behind: Sorry, get your own ride 'cause my van is full!:puke: :grr:

[Behind the Aegis]

102. KUDOS TO YOU!

Preparation is what it is all about. Thank you for showing, no matter one's limitations, a plan is what you need to get everyone, including one's self to safety.

GO COCKS!

(USC -- BA, '91; M.Edu. '94)

[mudesi]

105. Hypothetical question

Say on your way out of the danger zone, you find a homeless person in need of a ride, or a child that has been separated from her parents.

Your van is completely full, and there is literally no room for you to put an extra person in there unless you take one of your pets out. Do you strand a human being who doesn't have the means to evacuate, or do you sacrifice one of your animals?

[JanMichael]

106. silly question designed to make a person feel bad for making

choices. Really, beyond ridiculous that you should even ask such a question of the poster.

Hypothetical answer from the OP:

I would put the kid or the HP on the floor, and stick a dog in their lap.

There, do you feel better?

[mudesi]

107. It's tough to admit humans should take priority

It's not a silly question, it's a question designed to expose reality.

No matter how much people love their pets, no matter how much people say their pets are no different than members of their family, no matter how many times I hear people describe how they'd go above and beyond and risk their own lives to save their pets, the truth of the matter is that given a choice between saving a human life and saving an animal's life, the human life always takes priority.

Every single poster in this thread expressing such outrage over this has very most probably not been faced with a situation where it was human life versus animal life. And I'm willing to make a bet that most of them eat meat as well, which makes them hypocrites, too.

[JanMichael]

109. so, in your opinion, Cuba can evacuate pets, and farm animals, but

Americans are just really too goddamned stupid, so we should just lay off and not worry about it.

[Skittles]

134. give it up

you can't win when you argue with an asshole

[uppityperson]

142. I think you 2 are arguing different things. Here is what I see.

1) Human lives take priority over animals when it comes down to the end line, down and dirty and most people agree with this (however, my, uppity speaking, think people would still argue about that)

2) Cuba was able to evacuate pets and farm animals and why the HELL can't this happen in the USA? WTF is wrong with this system, with this society, to make this not a priority!


So (me speaking again), it seems you guys are arguing different topics, somewhat related, but different. If you are having fun, carry on, but I can see a different argument from each of you and each of you is saying an important thing.

[dgibby]

143. not if the person was George Bush or Dick Cheney or McCain

[queenjane]

108. The only person for whom I'd sacrifice one of my animals

Is my elderly mother. And she would fight mightily against me doing so, because she believes, as I do, that they're our "children" and we owe them all care and protection.

While I love certain individual humans desparately, "people"--for the very reasons we're having this discussion--mean little to me. My pets would stay in the van.

[dgibby]

110. No

but I might tie them (the people) to the top of the van. btw, YOU wouldn't want to ride with me, anyway-I'm one of those southerners you dissed yesterday in another thread-did you stick around long enough to read my reply to you or just drop in long enough to disrupt like now? Ya'll come back, now, ya'll hear? Bless your heart.

[Name removed]

133. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[readmoreoften]

125. No one is advocating leaving pets behind. But some of us are calling BULLSHIT on the premise.

1) A good portion of the people in this thread would call you selfish and irresponsible in another thread for taking out an equity loan on a van.
2) Another portion would call you an asshole for buying a gas-guzzler and say you're responsible for the war.

This thread exists so that people can get their rocks off on how 'people suck'. There is no evidence that 50% of people left their pets behind because no one knows how many people evacuated, how many people died protecting their pets, or anything else.

I'm sure there were some assholes who left their pets behind to die.
I'm sure a lot of people who stayed refused to do so because of their pets.
I'm sure some people who took their pets will end up putting them in shelters in Austin because the motels won't accept them.

Any thread that exists to solely demonize people is bullshit.
Any thread that exists solely to demonize a city of people who just lost everything is tacky.

[dgibby]

140. Well, to clarify

The equity loan ws taken out mainly for house repairs. I did use part of it to pay off the van, which was at a MUCH higher interest rate, and the van is not a gas guzzler. True, it doesn't get 40mpg, but it's reasonable. I am not denigrating people who were victims of circumstances beyond their control. (for instance, the people who got stranded on Galveston Island because the flood tide came earlier than expected). My problem is with the people who left 3 dogs in a padlocked, fenced, flooded yard and the woman who left 2 puppies in crates ON THE FLOOR, then cried on camera when she came back to find them drowned. WTF was she thinking? I have the same problem with parents who CHOOSE not to leave. My personal opinion is that they should be charged with child endangerment, and the children (if they happen to be so lucky as to survive) should be removed from the home by child protective services. The point of my post is to be prepared and to be responsible. If that gets me flamed, oh freakin well.

[tannybogus]

113. Look at picture #37 in this gallery!! This is why I want to punch people!! Graphic

http://www.chron.com/news/photogallery/Devastation_on_the_Bolivar_Peninsula.html

Now tell me that what they did was OK, and that it is just a horse!

[Sebastian Doyle]

131. Ironic that there's a cow in the very next picture, still very much alive

It's terrible about the horse, but it's not like you can throw him in the back seat like you could a dog or a cat. Maybe the people didn't have a horse trailer? Too bad he couldn't have made it up to where ever the cow was :(

[flvegan]

114. Threads like this are great for pinpointing DU's finest assholes.

[Mimosa]

146. Yes! Now i know who...

...to place on IGNORE.

[Roon]

115. .

:cry:

[TahitiNut]

124. Funny how I got attacked for saying Texas has a high per capita rate of assholes ...

... and then we find that rate seems to be about 50%. Yes ... they're assholes.

:shrug:

[lastliberalintexas]

138. Funny that these people can supposedly say with great accuracy how many "pets"

were abandoned, but we can't get any answers about missing or dead humans. But then, I guess some people believe every fucking thing they read, especially if it disparages poor Texans who may not have had good options on September 12.

I only hope one day to be as perfect as some on this thread. :cry:

[Whisp]

136. that is so horrible - how can people be so cruel?

it's like leaving your kids behind ferchrissakes.

[endthewar]

147. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this 50% number is inflated

Do you really think that half of all pet owners left their pets behind? Seriously??? :eyes: