07/03/02 Follow-up on Animal Cruelty Report

Dee Stephens, Chief Investigator
Humane Society of Greater Dallas
Cruelty Investigation Division
(214) 343-3666 wk
(214) 325-9004 cell

The witness was at the front gate of the McCommas Landfill in Dallas when he heard a dog howling and screaming from a City of Dallas Sanitation Vehicle.  The witness followed the truck around to the "Dog Pit" where he witnessed the Sanitation Worker dumping 50 to 60 animal carcasses while at the same time burying the injured suffering rottie as it continued to howl and scream in pain.  As I have interviewed the witness, there is no doubt in my mind that the Sanitation Worker intentionally and knowingly committed this act of felony animal cruelty.  This was torture.  The witness actually climbed down into this horrific pit of decaying animals and uncovered the screaming dog in an attempt to comfort her while we were in route. 

As I arrived on scene I was met by the McCommas Landfill Manager, John Barlow.  I informed Mr. Barlow that the Dallas Police Department had been called and that they were on their way.  He stated that Dallas Animal Control had been called to identify the deceased rottie.  At that time we requested that Dallas Animal Control also verify death on the remaining animals in the pit.  Mr. Barlow agreed when DAC arrived and if they stated the dog did not come from Dallas Animal Control, then after the police had completed their part of the investigation at the scene, HSGD could transport the dog to a local vet to perform a complete Necropsy. 

Three officers from DAC arrived and we were all escorted back to the dog pit.  The witness identified the dead rottie and gave an account of what he had witnessed.  A DAC Officer stepped down into the pit with us where he began to search the legs of the rottie for alleged shave marks from the euthanasia.  Before he could complete this, a DAC Supervisor walked up and stated that this was not their dog.  ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!  I find this hard to believe as he was not close enough to make this assessment.  When informed that we were awaiting the arrival of Dallas PD, the DAC Supervisor stated that they were removing the dog from the pit and transporting it to Forney Road.  I explained to him that the Police were on their way and that this was a possible crime scene as a Felony had occurred.  He said he had orders from his supervisor to remove the dog as it was the property of the city of Dallas.  I requested that he radio his supervisor and relay my concerns.  He did and they still removed the evidence from the scene.  From that point forward the City of Dallas refused to cooperate with HSGD and continued to destroy the evidence. 

"It's not our dog, but we're taking it anyway."  Yes, I have issues with the actions they took.  As I see it, regardless of where this dog came from, the City of Dallas on Friday evening believed it to be a threat, as they removed all evidence from the original crime scene.  They cannot say they were ignorant as every step of the way they were reminded of the proper procedure of handling a crime scene dealing with Animal Cruelty.  As I was told by Cheritta Johnson of Dallas Code Compliance, all decisions were being made by Ted Benevides, Dallas City Manager.  Again, as any other investigator would, I have issues with the same agency that has committed a possible offense handling their own evidence.  As I have worked in the Dallas area for over a year, DAC has NEVER pulled an animal out of a crime scene for a Necropsy.  Every criminal report that has been filed in the City for animal cruelty in the past two years list DAC as the department called to pick up and dispose of the dead animals.  This was the most mishandled and questionable case I have ever been involved with.  So yes, be very upset by the actions of the City and let them know how corruption will not be tolerated.