Urgent!! Video taped animal cruelty at Miami-Dade Animal Services!
Demand change now!

To all concerned citizens:

On October 22, 2010, thirty cats were allegedly killed at Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS) using a cruel and illegal method known as “heartstick”. According to MDAS's Standard Operating Procedure manual, "an intracardiac injection should be done only if an animal is unconscious", and is to be used as a method of last resort. None of the cats in the alleged incident were sedated or anesthetized, suffering an agonizing death.

The alleged incident was exposed by a former MDAS employee, Grace Avila, and was also recorded by the surveillance camera in the euthanasia room. WSVN-TV Investigative reporter, Carmel Cafiero, aired a report on the alleged incident which included interviews with Grace Avila and Dr. Sara Pizano, Director of Animal Services. Grace was dismissed by the shelter on January 10th, 2011. (SEE LINKS BELOW FOR VIDEO AND PRESS RELEASE)

Dr. Pizano's response to the alleged incident was to demote the technician in question and to ensure that the camera in the euthanasia room no longer records. The reason: "I'm not willing to give the public or the media any ammunition to really create any more negative impressions about this shelter.” In other words, she is not willing to let the public or the media see what is REALLY happening behind closed doors.

Dr. Pizano's statement that she “can only be sure two cats were killed” via this cruel and illegal method, speaks volumes about her. ONE animal killed via this method is TOO many.

If you are outraged by this incident and by Dr. Pizano's response, please contact the city officials below via both email and telephone, requesting the removal of Dr. Pizano. NOW. An email template and a phone script have been included below the contact information for your convenience.

Alex Munoz, Assistant County Manager

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office phone: 305-375-2911

George M. Burgess, County Manager

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office phone: 305-375-5311

Jose Diaz, District 12 Commissioner

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Office phone: 305-599-1200

PHONE SCRIPT: *Please use this phone script and change it accordingly. We ask that you be polite and NOT use profanity or threats. Please stick to demanding the removal of Dr. Pizano and building a new shelter. A live assistant will be answering each of the phone lines.

"Hello. Could you please tell (___________) that Miami-Dade needs a new animal shelter and new management? The current conditions at the shelter are (deplorable/horrifying/unacceptable.) The shelter management refuses to work with the public to change them."

EMAIL TEMPLATE: *Please use this email template and change it accordingly. We ask that you NOT use profanity or threats in your email.

"To Whom it May Concern: I am writing to request the removal of Dr. Sara Pizano as Director of Miami Dade Animal Services in light of Carmel Cafiero's recent “heartstick” report and the other alleged problems at the shelter.

Prior to the report, there was no proof of animal abuse at the shelter, only allegations. Dr. Pizano's response to this situation is completely unacceptable. Not only was the technician involved not terminated, she will no longer allow the camera to record to avoid any further embarrassment to MDAS. These are not the actions of someone concerned about the welfare of the shelter animals, but only about the shelter's image.

To have the audacity to say that she “can only be sure two cats were killed” via this cruel and illegal method, speaks volumes about Dr. Pizano. ONE animal killed via this method is too many.

Please show Miami residents and the rest of the world that you care about the welfare of our animals and the conditions of our shelter by taking the first step and removing Dr. Pizano."

To view the video tape and news report:

www.wsvn.com/features/articles/carmelcase/MI90897/

To view the press release:

www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/12/2012464/m...s-whistleblower.html

ALSO: We also strongly urge you to take part in the peaceful protest against MDAS on February 15th.

Please click here to rsvp: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117836471622099

Source: www.myspace.com/moonwarriors