Hunting dog seized in Reno is doing fine; owner says baggage handler over-reacted
The hunting dog that a baggage handler refused to load aboard a plane in Reno because of her concerns about his health is back with his owner in Texas and doing fine, animal control officers say.
The dog’s owner, who has not been publicly identified, will not face charges, said animal control officers in Corpus Christi. Officers there checked on the dog, a pointer named Tex, and talked to his owner last week, according to the Corpus Christi Caller.
The owner told them he thought the baggage handler had over-reacted.
Lynn Jones refused to put the dog on an airplane bound for Texas on Nov. 12 because he appeared emaciated, had cuts and sores on his body and paws and seemed listless.
Her supervisor at Reno-Tahoe International Airport fired her, but her employer, Saint Louis-based Airport Terminal Services, rehired her last week after reviewing the incident.
The dog was seized and turned over to Washoe County animal control and treated by a Reno veterinarian. Four days later, Tex was shipped back to Texas, according to the Reno Gazette Journal
The Reno veterinarian who treated Tex said his wounds and weary state could have been explained by a hard day of hunting.
“I was told he was (bird) hunting near Gerlach for a week, and what I saw was consistent with a dog that has been worked very hard,” Dr. Diana Lucreer said. “These dogs get almost psychotic when they are out there working; they will run and run through anything. His paws were cut up, and he had cuts on his body.”
The dog was checked by another veterinarian upon his return to Corpus Christi.
Posted by jwoestendiek December 12th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: airport terminal services, animal control, animal welfare, animals, baggage handler, checked, corpus christi, dog, dogs, fired, hunter, hunting, hunting dog, lethargic, load, lynn jones, nevada, pets, pointer, refused, rehired, reno, sores, tex, texas, treated, veterinarian, washoe county
Comments
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time December 12, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I still believe that the baggage handler did the right thing. Courageous lady that.
Comment from lee
Time December 12, 2011 at 4:28 pm
If you know nothing about hunting dogs then you should not express your opinion. It just makes you look stupid.
Comment from planes48
Time December 13, 2011 at 1:38 am
I agree with Lee. These dogs love to run and run forever. My German Shorthair Pointer has to be told to stop.They are not your normal house dog. Great buddies though!
Comment from evodevo
Time December 13, 2011 at 10:42 am
Bird dogs, as used/trained by most handlers, ARE abused. The baggage handler was right. However, most people are not used to seeing a dog that looks like a concentration camp victim – which is how a lot of working bird dogs are kept/trained. Even the vet agreed. I know/knew trainers, owners, and the dog living conditions, and they were abused, by any humane standards. Most are kept on a diet that is high protein and ultimately injurious to their health. Their BMI is kept to the point of an anorexic, which is NOT healthy. I have owned weimaraners and German short hairs, and you don’t have to keep them like most bird dog people do for them to hunt effectively in the field.
Comment from donna warner
Time December 12, 2011 at 11:41 am
I THINK SHE DID THE RIGHT THING I THINK THE OWNER SHOULD BE BROUGHT UP ON ANIMAL CRUELTY CHARGES. HE SHOULD NEVER HAD GOTTEN THE DOG IN THE TERRIBLE SHAPE IT WAS IN! HE WAS WRONG!