TheMercury.com | Group advocates for saving dog from euthanasia – Manhattan Mercury (subscription)

By Bryan Richardson May 3, 2017

A sign in support of Buck, a German short-haired pointer, rests on the floor Tuesday night at City Hall. A group came to the city commission meeting to support saving the dog from euthanasia.

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About 40 people arrived Tuesday at the Manhattan City Commission meeting in support of saving a dog from euthanasia.

Nineteen people in that group from Manhattan, Junction City, Milford, Clay Center, Dwight and St. George spoke to the commission for nearly an hour on behalf of Buck, a German short-haired pointer that is 4 or 5 years old.

Buck has been in the citys T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter after biting a 2-year-old child twice last week. The shelter adopted him out last week.

Jim Fawcett of Junction City said Buck is a symbol for millions of other dogs in shelters around the country.

If I have taught (my kids) anything, its that if you believe in something strong enough, dont be afraid to stand up and be counted, he said. Theres a whole lot of people that have stood up for this dog to be counted.

Chris Soupene of Manhattan tried to adopt Buck after the incidents, but he said the shelters policy is not to adopt out dogs that have shown aggressive tendencies.

A Save Buck petition started Monday morning by Soupene on ipetitions.com had 2,630 signatures as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

According to the petition, Buck was neutered April 23 and adopted by a family with a two-yearold child April 24.

After returning the dog, the family contacted Soupene and asked him to adopt Buck since he originally gave up his spot for the family to get the dog instead.

Buck is currently under a 10-day quarantine until Friday because the dog doesnt have his rabies shots.

City manager Ron Fehr called it an unfortunate situation. He said the investigation is still ongoing, but he will make the final decision after input from city staff and shelter officials.

We understand this is a very emotional issue, Fehr said. We are continuing to investigate, compile and analyze all the facts in the case.

Those who spoke mentioned how the shelter sent Buck to a family with a small child too soon after being neutered, and he was still in pain.

They said the shelter killing Buck is the wrong solution.

Pat Collins spoke as a dog lover, but he did use an example from his job as Riley County emergency management director. In early 1990s, the county would set off all of its sirens whenever there was a tornado warning anywhere in Riley County.

Collins said the county changed that after nursing homes and hospitals complained about evacuating people for a warning that happened on the other end of the county. Policies need to be evaluated and reviewed, he said. Every once in awhile, well get extraordinary circumstances that come about that may make you change policies. In addition to speaking for Buck, many people also advocated for Emily Fawcett, owner of The Pampered Pet in Junction City.

Fawcett said she wants to take Buck into her rescue facility.

We have not been able to find any case where liability has been transferred back to a city after transferring a dog over to a rescue, she said.

Soupene said he felt somewhat responsible because he didnt adopt Buck the first time. He said hes fine with Buck getting another chance with Fawcett.

I gave him up once, he said. If this means Buck can survive by going somewhere else, Im more than willing to do that.

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TheMercury.com | Group advocates for saving dog from euthanasia - Manhattan Mercury (subscription)