Euthanization After Death

By Amy Fernandez

This week’s mainstream dog news put German Shepherds in the spotlight, specifically Bella, the nine-year-old pet of a recently deceased Indiana woman. As a responsible owner, her will included provisions for him. And it has ignited that perennial powder keg of social media. Since the story broke, Connie Lay has been labeled as heartless, cruel, selfish, and criminal because, according to her instructions, Bella was scheduled to be euthanized yesterday afternoon.

As usual, mainstream media omitted some pertinent details.  Lay’s will outlined multiple options for Bella, entrusting that decision to a close friend who arranged to have him cremated, and buried with his owner. That’s when it hit the internet. Within hours legions of outraged dog lovers were burning up the web with accusations of animal abuse. That explosion temporarily halted the plan and prompted a public explanation of the situation. Multiple sources quoted her attorney, Doug Denmure, saying that euthanasia was the most practical decision under the circumstances. Part of his statement flew around the world within minutes. Lay’s will also suggested sending Bella to the Best Friends no kill shelter – provided that funds were available to ship him and  cover his lifetime care at their facility in Kenab, Utah.

Currently, he’s being housed at PAWS Humane Center in Lawrenceburg. Needless to say they are also feeling the heat, which prompted their statement emphasizing that Bella was the property of Lay’s estate and PAWS had no legal authority to decide his fate. Their only role was to care for him until Lay’s will was finalized, adding that the estate would be responsible and handling his euthanasia. Rather than quelling the mob reaction, it triggered a backlash demand for action akin to a hostage rescue.  Essentially, in the past 24 hours social media has promoted consequences ranging from criminal charges to assassination for everyone involved in this case.

Oddly, this avalanche of self-righteous indignation included almost no discussion of the reason for Lay’s unusual instructions – which specifically prohibited the placing of Bella for adoption. Contrary to this media vilification, Bella’s owner seemed to love him and she knew her dog pretty well. Typically, he was good as gold with her. However, he was a 105-pound dominant, protective German Shepherd with a dicey track for aggressive behavior. The decision, outlined in her will, was the result of a detailed behavioral log she kept for the year preceding her death.  Her attorney garnered more bad press when he added that a veterinarian concurred with the decision to euthanize Bella. To underscore the dog’s history of aggression, he said that Lay considered him potentially dangerous and didn’t trust him around other people, especially children.  “She died at her home and the dog was in there. No one could enter the house because they were concerned the dog would attack.”

He also confirmed that Lay’s estate made euthanasia the only financially feasible choice. Although Bella is apparently in good health, he is nine and his care is destined to become more costly. Even so, this story will trigger sufficient donations to cover his expenses, and  generously feather the Best Friends nest.  Best Friends is considered the country’s largest animal sanctuary/no kill shelter. In other words, it’s the end of the line for many animals.  Bella had major issues, but he was also accustomed to the lifestyle and personal attention of a housepet, not a kennel inmate. Social media will celebrate this victory. Bella’s reaction is another story.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Dec 19 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.