I want to make everyone aware that the HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY still has that plea for funds up on their web-site for MONEY to help the 300 PIT BULL TERRIER'S SEIZED IN LIBERTY COUNTY and they are dead, they have been dead since last week! They want our money, that's all, only around 68 of the 300 are still alive and the others(MANY OF THEM PUPPIES) were PROBABLY slaughtered there at the HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY and the truth is that the VETERINARIAN that testified that any of them over the age of 6 months should be killed worked for the HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY and they are not saying that. They lie to us for the sake of money. They only save the cute and cuddly animals for publicity and that is what I have come to believe about them! I will never support any organizations that KILL like they do. I will not be supporting HHS, HSPCA, or PETA ever again, because they are National ORGANIZATION'S and it's all about the money not the lives of the innocent!!!!!

They do not tell the truth about the DEAD ANIMAL'S SLAUGHTERED LAST WEEK because they want more MONEY!!
I wish to make everyone aware of the dirty dealings of these organizations and don't try to tell me that they do more good than bad, because it's simply not true. They are not NO KILL and so most large animals are PROBABLY killed there, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE IN HOMING THEM. These animals MAY NOT HAVE BEEN sick with disease, these animals MAY NOT HAVE BEEN all viscous only because they were all of the Pit Bull Breed they were killed, that is my own opinion and I told them that I will always have that opinion about them.
Don't blame the ruling on the poor JUDGE he was advised by the HHS VETERINARIAN that testified in the trial...So know that they are the culprit behind the deaths of the innocent and the animals are always the innocent victims.
If you don't care, okay, but know that an injustice has been carried out in Houston and that the latest news on the web-site is a lie, AND ON OTHER WEB-SITES TOO, that's the only point I want to get across to you. They sure don't need any money now on behalf of these animals because 68 puppies are not there in Houston any more and will be sold at public auction and the rest of them are dead and were killed last week, they are using the name of the 300 seized to make money off of the unknowing and they should be called down on it. The Houston Humane Society keeps Pit Bull Terriers for three days and then they kill them and the Houston SPCA have the same policy and why, because they do not want to be LIABLE when homing them, so I refuse to be quiet about any that contributes to this breed's overwhelming problems and the organizations mentioned do contribute to the problems greatly.

Ms. Foronda, thank you for continuing to bring this to light. The American Pit Bull Terrier community is a passionate one, and sometimes we disagree on a lot of things. However, one thing we all agree on is that releasing 60 un-altered Pit Bull puppies to the highest bidder is not acceptable.

If funds are needed to spay and neuter the puppies, rehabilitate them, and find them responsible and thoroughly screened homes, you can count on us.

-Laura

What I would like to see is a fund collected so that a rescue org would be able to purchase the remaining pups at the auction!! If anyone know of an org who would do this, I am first in line to donate!! I find it so hard to believe that a judge, who should be very intelligent, would allow any pup, especially pit pups to be sold at auction without being altered first!! Where is his common sense??!! I can only imagine the type of people who may show up to obtain a pup!! And I dont even want to imagine the type of lives the little helpless pups will be subjected to!! Please let us know what we can do to change this ruling!!!! PLEASE HELP US HELP THEM!!

Does anyone know of any organized effort being made by any humane organization to show up to the auction to bid on these puppies (did anyone see the episode of Animal Cops Houston where they SPCA folks showed up at a Premarin horse auction to outbid people with less than admirable intentions for those horses??). If there is--please post it here.

Putting pit bull puppies up for auction unaltered? That doesn't sound like a good way to ensure their safety from a potentially dangerous situation...and a repeat of what their parents went through, but I guess money is more important.
(Sense my frustration and sarcasm here)

The Houston Humane Society and the Houston SPCA are independent, local organizations without affiliation or financial connection to any national organizations. As local organizations relying only private contributions from individuals, organizations, and companies, they have very limited budgets which they apply to help the greatest number of animals that they can.

I think the best action anyone can take is voicing their concerns and disapproval directly to Liberty County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Fitzgerald.

Also, for those of you that live in Liberty County, Judge Fitzgerald will be running for Judge of Liberty County in the upcoming elections. You can voice your disapproval with your vote. And for those of you that don't live in Liberty County, if you have friends that live there make them aware of this issue, and you can also help to campaign against him (I have no idea who his opponent is, but I am sure you could find out by calling Liberty County).

The Houston SPCA may be a local organization; however Ms. Patti Mercer, Director of the HSPCA puts that money in her pocket. She makes more than the Mayor of Houston so don't cry "we need money for the animals to me" when it goes in her pocket NOT to help the greatest number of animals! She is all about the numbers and how good that looks because she sends the strays to BARC to die so they aren't on her books.

What a hypocrit!
How can you put pit bull puppies on auction and allow them to go to anyone that has the money for them, but slaughter all the others that are 6 months or older?

There is no way to know how these puppies will be raised especially when they were born for fighting purposes. Don't you think those in that industry that lost alot of money from the seizer will be there with cash in hand?

I am appalled that there is no common sense - but then again - that's the american way!

According to the Houston Chronicle article on the 24th of August 2006, Mayor White "has opted to accept only $173,772 of his salary." According to Charity Navigator, Ms. Mercer receives a salary of $130,000 a year (as of the end of 2003), out of an approximately $4 million budget for the entire organization. Unless you know of a very large increase in salary over the last couple of years and a half, Ms. Mercer does not make more than the mayor of Houston.

Well, let's all whip out our check books then since Ms. Mercer ONLY makes what, $150,000 now with pay increases since 2003? Say what you will, but the bottom line is that so many animals could be helped with some of that salary. If the rest of can get by, save lives, pay vet bills for fosters and donate thousands a year to various animal charities on much much less than 6 figures, then so can the head of a "not for profit" organization.

I cannot believe that these pups will be up for auction. That is so ridiculous to me. What is the point in that?? What will that accomplish-it sounds like an easy way out. I agree that we need to find an organization that would be willing to get the pups from the auction.

I was told Patricia Mercer, HSPCA President, telephoned Liberty County and demanded the Pitt Bulls seized should go to her shelter and not the Houston Humane Society because they are not capable housing & caring for them.
Who does she think she is? Obviously she hasn't seen the HHS facility.
Thank goodness she doesn't have any pull in Liberty County or every dog would be dead by now. She will do anything for money & publicity.
Does anyone have knowledge about this?

I was told the same thing. (Second hand.) Why don't you ask Ron, as above. He is obviously "closer" to Mercer than the rest of us, demonstrated by his continued efforts at damage control.

Maybe he is one of the board members who, for years, have been protecting the suggested dubious managment practices, seemly dishonest public policies and suspect money handling .

Who knows? Not me. Ask Ron - the current or soon-to-be SPCA board member.

I just reread the first comment where it is mentioned that the Humane Society is still soliciting for monetary funds to help with the Pit Bulls. Even though I know the older pits have already been euthanized, I am hoping that the funds collected, or still being collected, will go towards buying the little pups at auction!! With this end in mind, I went to the website ready to donate, but I could not find any info on it. Can someone tell me if they are still looking for $$?? If so, I need to know how to donate to help the little helpless pups!! Please help!!

BRAVO Glenda :) Couldn't have said it better myself. Yes, it does appear that "Ron" wants us to believe that Patti and the HSPCA is a wonderful organization. GRANTED, they are providing a service and, unfortunately, a service that we continue to need; however, don't pee on my leg and then tell me it's raining.

Yes Patti Mercer makes about 130-140k a year PLUS the shelter provides her with a car. And while she's raking in that salary, her employees are below the poverty mark because of their salaries. Now, the SPCA, by order of Jorge Ortega, examine litters of puppies and kittnes that come into the shelter. they are to inspect them and pick the healthiest 2 then put the rest to sleep. They are instructed to do that to help the spread of deadly illnesses.