During a woman’s hospitalization, she was assured by the medical team that an animal shelter would protect her dog. On the contrary, she discovered that her canine best friend had been placed for adoption while she was away.
Denise McCurrie was led to the hospital after having a nervous breakdown, where she stayed for almost two weeks. With no one else to look after the 6-year-old Schnauzer named Roscoe, a New York animal shelter stepped in.
Roscoe is an emotional support dog for McCurrie, who suffers from depression and anxiety. Roscoe has been a member of her family since he was a pup. McCurrie contacted 911 one day while having a mental breakdown. She lives alone, so when the medical team arrived, she requested that Roscoe be cared for.
They took the dog to the city’s animal care center, which has been engaged in several controversial cases involving mistreatment and killing. At the moment, it was McCurrie’s only alternative. McCurrie called the center numerous times during Roscoe’s hospital stay to assure her safety. They eventually revealed some distressing information to her.
A few days later, McCurrie learned that Roscoe had been adopted by one of the animal care center’s rescue groups and had already been given a new name. Staff informed her that surely she would not be getting her dog back. McCurrie alleges they didn’t give her a good explanation.
McCurrie had repeatedly contacted the animal control hotline to confirm that Roscoe was her dog. However, he was sent to a shelter after three days because he lacked tags and a microchip. Yet, under state law, unidentified canines must be held in a pound for five days by authorities.
Officers who initially took up Roscoe reported he was in bad shape. However, when vets examined the dog, they confirmed that he is healthy except for an ear infection, which McCurrie’s vet was already treating. Officials also claim that when they picked up the dog, there was a guy at McCurrie’s house, although she swears that no one else lives there.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal is among those who have come out in support of McCurrie. McCurrie said she would go to any length to reclaim her dog, including paying fees and making house visits. She spends her days making phone calls in an attempt to resolve this situation.
There are still many unanswered questions around this issue, but it is evident that McCurrie loves her dog. Everything will hopefully be settled shortly, but the most important thing is that Roscoe is safe.
All photos courtesy of Denise McCurrie Facebook