Sedalia, Missouri...

[Windancer]

The story is....the handler stopped at his parents home on the way to the show...left the van parked while he want to the hospital to visit his dad.. He took with him his girlfriend and her daughter, who was a handler helper..(someone could have been left behind if there was concern)I was told he was gone 8 hours.....Not sure because he is the only one that knows that. A group of dogs was in the house...The cresteds belong to the girlfriend..at least some of them...Niki only knows what she was told as she was not even there. I am sorry, but NOONE responsible should leave a vehicle without monitoring. That is the best preventative I know of. I can't call this an accident....can you?

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

"Bells and whistles can be helpful, but there is no replacement for checking on the dogs periodically.
True, but how periodically? A dog can die in a hot car in 15 minutes or less. So...every 5 minutes? 10? 15? Wouldn't it be better to just have someone there at all times or alarms to alert people the instant the generators or the power goes out? I honestly think all of the above are necessary."

Somehow I don't think he was checking on these poor dogs every 15 minutes or even 30. When you are talking about leaving dogs for hours, that IS negligence. Depending on alarms, generators, a/c units, is no replacement for doing the job a handler is paid to do, which is take care of the dogs while in his care .

 

[noblenewf]

When you are talking about leaving dogs for hours, that IS negligence.

I agree 100%. I don't know all of the facts...but the fact that the handler left them unattended at all is completely unacceptable. Absolutely neglectful. Without a doubt. To me, it doesn't matter if it was intentional or not. People are held accountable every day for crimes that were committed regardless of intent. He should be held accountable for this as well.

Nikki, I am so very sorry for your loss. I am sickened over this.

 

[Ocean's Edge]

the thought that keeps running through my mind is.... if it had been a child would there be any question? Lives were entrusted to someone's care, due to actions or inactions on that person's part lives were lost, whatever the reasons, whatever the mitigating circumstances, lives were lost.

And this is so hard to discuss, because there isn't anyone who's heart isn't breaking like mine for the loss, Nikki my deepest condolences, how devastating this must be for you and this doesn't seem the time or place to discuss anger and recrimination, and yet it needs to be talked about. It happens way too often.

Just this week there was a news article on an RCMP officer who left his police dog in the van while he went fishing, and the argument made by the responding officers that 'the dogs are trained to work in extreme conditions'. Yes you'd think he'd know better. You'd think an experienced handler would know better. One misguided notion, one bad decision and lives are lost. It saddens me, and it angers me. We have to talk about it, so that next time someone finds themselves between that rock and a hard place decision - whatever it may be - they make better choices.

 

[ardeagold]

"Bells and whistles can be helpful, but there is no replacement for checking on the dogs periodically.
True, but how periodically? A dog can die in a hot car in 15 minutes or less. So...every 5 minutes? 10? 15? Wouldn't it be better to just have someone there at all times or alarms to alert people the instant the generators or the power goes out? I honestly think all of the above are necessary."

Somehow I don't think he was checking on these poor dogs every 15 minutes or even 30. When you are talking about leaving dogs for hours, that IS negligence. Depending on alarms, generators, a/c units, is no replacement for doing the job a handler is paid to do, which is take care of the dogs while in his care .

That's what I said in the post before the one you quoted.

 

[newfiemomof2]

Thank you baileydog. It would be nice if the moderator changed the thread to prevention instead of beating me and my handler up for this incident. Every negative comment breaks my heart. I loved my Cody, but understand the "**it happens" on occasion. Not one of the people dissing me and my handler weren't there. I WAS.
I arrived the day after the event. All the owners who lost their dogs (3 owners of 5 dogs) have rallied in support of him.
If you weren't there, then keep your fingers silent IMHO, JFWIW

 

[ardeagold]

Niki...nobody is beating you up in the least or judging you. Why would they? You had no role in it and lost a beloved puppy.

People are concerned about the handler's judgement. As they should be. I understand that you and the other owners have rallied around him, and support him in this, but things like this are always going to cause concern in a dog lover's community. Why you all are supporting him is your business. You all have the right to do exactly that. But it doesn't mean that we'd do the same.

I know accidents happen, but this is something that could have been avoided, IMO, and it appears that dogs died and suffered because of this handler's "alleged" lack of proper precautions.

I, for one, won't mince words because we're friends....I'd be LIVID. Heck, I AM livid. Cody was a sweet, sweet, beautiful boy, and it hurts me to think he died like that. It just makes me physically sick to think about it. You're a more forgiving person than I am, perhaps, but I do blame the handler, and always will unless he's proven to be as innocent as he claims to be.

If the owners don't file a complaint...I doubt the AKC can do much, but that won't stop people from talking, and that also doesn't clear him, in my eyes.

 

[newfiemomof2]

If you contact the AKC, Donna, I will be LIVID with you and forget to be friends. I would lose him as my handler for my3 other dogs. He was investigated by the local Animal Control and they found everything to be ok and reported it to the police in the county where it happened. They believe that someone turned the generator off to break into the RV. Now please stop. I will never post to this thread again and will probably leave NN and cancel my reservation to the GTG since I have been told too much about how people hate my handler. So goodbye

 

[ardeagold]

I won't contact the AKC Niki. I would never do that. I have nothing to tell them. I wasn't there. But you know that the whole Newf community knows about this, don't you? And all of the other handlers? Unless you and the other owners filed a complaint, I don't think the AKC would do much anyway.

And what has your handler got to do with you? We support your loss of Cody. And don't leave people who care about YOU and your dogs, because of our concerns about him. You two aren't interchangeable you know.

 

[Windancer]

Oh Niki....I think you must be in shock....I would be...But like others have said....If Macho had been on that van I would be moving heaven and earth to see that this opportunity never comes to this person again..No opologies...and you have to know, Niki, AKC all ready knows about it....from the Sedalia show.. None of us would do anything to hurt you....but other un involved people have all ready talked to AKC, Judges and others. And you must know...one of the owners is not as nice as you are...She is LIVID as I would be. This incident happened in Buckner, and my information is that when reported to the police, they refused to do anything because this handler's father is chief of Police in the town. The handler then continued on to Sedalia where he had the dogs creamated without consulting owners..I know this handler did a good job for you, NIki, but he may not anymore if judges won't use him.. You just need to tell yourself that this isn't over....and not because of anything done by NNers...We feel your pain...believe me.

 

[Cascadians]

I for one am very glad for this thread. Us newbies need to know about real life and what happens even to "professionals." We need to know about reality so we can advocate for our Newfs. We need to know what to avoid to protect our furbears.

I am a nice person with a lot of compassion but when it comes to my Orka I am mama bear. If this had happened to my baby I would literally have killed this handler, ripped him to shreds with my own hands in fury and grief and rage. The handler has no idea how attached some ppl are to their dogs. Mine is not only a beloved 'pet' but essential to my functioning. No words to describe what he means to me. Cannot even read the rainbow bridge threads because I actually get pneumonia from crying so hard and it triggers severe breathing attacks.

It is really hard to stay civilized on a thread like this. Totally aware that $#!+ happens and that's why living creatures need 24/7 babysitters when put in artificial situations like an enclosed vehicle out in the summer. Just common sense.

So Niki you have to understand emotions are going to be on fire in a thread like this and it is not a personal attack against you, just a gut wrenching vehemence that this never happen again and ppl's determination to stop it in any way they can.

This cannot be swept under the rug. It actually happened.

I would like to see some Lessons Learned posts from experienced show ppl, how they are going to change how they approach transporting dogs.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I think we are all having a difficult time with you defending this handler, Nikki. Most of us would be livid and find another handler ASAP. We are not just responding to this thread directly to you, but in general to the whole situation and all the other dogs involved. It doesn't make sense that someone would shut off a generator to break into a van.

 

[newfvo]

I would lose him as my handler for my3 other dogs.

This says it all.

What an incredibly sad world we live in where dog shows and winning take presidence over common sense and the life and well being of our faithful companions. At the end of the day what does a CH in front of a name or a national ranking really mean if you don't have your dog or your dog in the same mental and physical condition that it started in? It's just a dog show people! How sad that we loose sight of that at the expense of our dogs.

 

[Jeannie]

This says it all.

What an incredibly sad world we live in where dog shows and winning take presidence over common sense and the life and well being of our faithful companions. At the end of the day what does a CH in front of a name or a national ranking really mean if you don't have your dog or your dog in the same mental and physical condition that it started in? It's just a dog show people! How sad that we loose sight of that at the expense of our dogs.

Well said Susan. When I read that I thought "Showing and getting points if more important than the health of the dogs."

 

[newfvo]

Look, at some point we all get bit by the dog show bug. The more winning you do the deeper you get sucked in. It can become very difficult to walk away or not turn your head when you see things or hear things that deep down you know aren't in the best interest of the dog. More than one dog show monster has been created by this need to be a part of the dog show world. I have been there myself. But at the end of the day we each need to think about what is truly important in life, what truly makes us happy and the true cost of that happiness.

 

[mareserinitatis]

I can understand that it can be difficult to show a dog due to other constraints (family, job, etc.), thus making a handler necessary. However, after an incident like this, I'd be far more likely to find a different handler. I'd have a hard time leaving my dog unchecked for 8 hours, even without her being in a camper of some sort. As much as I would like to give the handler the benefit of the doubt, I have to say that this does strike me as extreme negligence.

 

[lotus]

IMHO( which is about 1/2 cent) RIGHT NOW......just be supportive and loving ....whatever we feel in our hearts and minds..support her.
Support doesn't mean we condone, agree, it just means i'm here for you.
Give her time to mourn....we all do in different ways. Being angry is natural also. Second guessing is natural Later we can say..."Girl, you know that sh** was F***ed up
Those owners/handler are probably walking around in dazes, lets give them a chance to see through the haze and start thinking with clear head before
say something we can NEVER take back.
Never keep silent when something is tragic and preventable but there is a time and place for everything....but right now Niki just breath find someone who loves you and put your head on that shoulder.
This too shall pass

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Well said Susan. When I read that I thought "Showing and getting points if more important than the health of the dogs."

I wish this was like Facebook where I could click on "Like". Maybe we need a "Love"????

I am glad to know the few people I do have that I know show AKC, that generally they handle their own dogs, and if a handler does do it, the dog is only with the handler for the showing and not left in their care.

 

[blstarke]

Amen

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Never mind....it wasn't worth my time....