Reprehensible Brutality

"This is the worst case I've encountered of an animal being attacked by a human being. But we've had all kinds of public response, from concern and outrage to offers of adoption and help with medical expenses."
Bruce Roney, executive director, Ottawa Humane Society

Breezy, the Labrador-shepherd cross beaten with a shovel and left for dead in a Dumpster, is awaiting surgery while recovering in the care of the Ottawa Humane Society. Veterinarians say her health has improved, though she is still considered to be in critical condition.   Photograph by: Handout photo , Ottawa Humane Society

How despicably atrocious is it possible for a human to behave? If companion animals could respond they would without doubt enlighten the enquirer to a cringe-worthy degree. Yet sometimes the animals have no need of speaking to us in a language we can understand. The language of the physical condition in which they are found, their response to human interaction occasionally tells the story.

In the case of an 18-month-old Labrador-shepherd-mix female, the story can be inferred by the condition in which she was found. But inference is not even required. There were spectators to the atrocity committed upon this poor dog. "She suffered traumatic wounds and deep lacerations to her head", explained Humane Society officials who were called in to assist in the hoped-for rehabilitation of the dog named Breezy.

Residents of an Ottawa inner-city area were horrified a week ago to witness a young man kicking a dog. And beating the cowering, frightened and wounded animal with a shovel and a rake. While the man, identified as 24-year-old Steven Helfer, owner of Breezy, was committing that atrocity on the helpless animal, he threatened anyone who came near.

And once he was finished beating the limp and bleeding dog he tossed her into a dumpster that was standing nearby. Neighbours called the Humane Society and they took possession of Breezy with the intention of having her treated for extensive head and chest injuries. At first an examination indicated that she might not survive. But she has, so far.

Surgical intervention to close her face wounds has not yet been undertaken. Veterinarians simply don't yet feel it's safe to operate on her. They are concerned her brain might have swelled if she suffered a fractured skull. She needs to be a little stronger before undergoing surgery and responding well to the use of anaesthetic.

But she is now walking and eating on her own, though her condition remains critical. "We're taking it one day at a time. There are some positive signs of recovery, but the next few days will tell", said Bruce Roney of the Ottawa Humane Society. This is not, evidently, the first time the Society was called to intervene on Breezy's behalf.

A concerned neighbour had previously reported that the dog was heard on occasion crying and whimpering from inside the residence of her owner. They reported that the dog was never seen outside. Evidently an investigation had taken place, but no charges were laid at that time.

This time, the Humane Society is aiding Ottawa Police with an investigation. Breezy's owner, with whom she will never now be re-united, thank heavens, has been charged with criminal harassment, intimidation, injuring and endangering animals, wilfully causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal, and two counts of assault with a weapon.

It really is too much to hope that his legal punishment will be stiff and strict. Animal welfare and protective laws against animal abuse are desperately in need of upgrading so that the penalties involved in such horrendous instances of criminal abuse reflect the disgust and anger felt by society when such dreadful acts occur.