As rescuers, we do everything we can to keep safe our rescued friends. Unfortunately, sometimes things don't go as planned.
The following is a story of a rescued Great Pyrenees named Pryncess. The story was featured in the Winter '09 email newsletter of the National Great Pyrenees Rescue.
January 19, 2009 - Greers Ferry, AR
Pryncess, a Great Pyrenees rescue dog, was shot and killed after she escaped over the fence at the veterinary clinic where she was being treated. Pryncess was a typical case of a rescued Great Pyrenees in the South -- sugary sweet, extremely skinny and suffering from the mange.
The Great Pyrenees Rescue Society of Houston (GPRS) saw past her current condition -- and agreed to accept her into their program to become the beautiful girl she might have become one day.
Pryncess was becoming a favorite at the vet's office -- being loved by many and enjoying the newly found attention. She bonded deeply with one of her caretakers and was good with everyone caring for her. She was being treated at the clinic for mange and other conditions caused by neglect and was awaiting transport to GPRS. Pryncess, like many Pyrs, was an escape artist. She jumped over two six-foot fences at the clinic. When the K9 unit of the police came upon her (less than 100 yards from the vet clinic), they decided to take the irreversibly cruel action of shooting Pryncess on site based on her current condition. The clinic did not even have a chance to recover her -- she was shot before they knew she was gone!
GPRS is shocked and truly saddened by Pryncess's death. The action of the police is still being investigated at the local level. Despite repeated requests to the authorities, as of Sunday night GPRS has not recovered her remains. Unfortunately, there isn't a video to show the nation the cruel and heartless act that ended the chance of this dog to have a true life.
To make a donation to the memory of Pryncess and to help other endangered Southern Pyrs like her, please visit http://www.greatpyreneesrescuesociety.org/.
