The killing of George Floyd, an African American, by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25th triggered waves of rage and grief that are still crashing on the shores of our collective consciousness.
Tragically, a few outliers caring nothing about social justice threaten to hijack our national dialogue. Peaceful protests have repeatedly been infiltrated by wild factions whose only intent is to pillage and plunder, leaving a trail of scorched earth behind them. But it’s not just livelihoods, potential employers and coveted goods that have landed in harm’s way.
The Vermillion County Animal Regulations and Adoption Center in Danville, Illinois was broken into last Monday night. Vandals destroyed property and released animals from their kennels. One dog was stolen. There have been no leads or arrests in the case thus far.
“It’s so sad that someone would do this and take time and resources away from what really matters: our animals,” the shelter wrote in a Facebook post. The rescue plans to repair the damages “and come back stronger as a team, shelter and community working together for one cause: saving lives.”
In the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, rioters demolished a doggie day care facility. Since 2017, Mr. Speck’s Playhouse had been a trusted staple for community pet parents. Violence against her business left owner Christina Calautti of Encino bereaved and bewildered:
“Seeing our street on fire, people robbing small businesses, and vandalizing every property on our street has left us broken,” Calautti wrote on nextdoor.com We will do our absolute best to rebuild and make this the safe place we have always made it.” A GoFundMe page has been created.
A yet unsubstantiated report out of East Memphis, Tennessee, claims that a pit bull puppy was snatched from a rescue yard, then strangled. The puppy can clearly be seen being swung around by the scruff of its neck as WATN Local 24 news cameras were rolling. Some animal activists assert that this same puppy was later found hanging from a fence, a cord wrapped around its neck. However, other reports have surfaced offering photographs of a similar-looking dog seen on the streets of Memphis days afterward.
The Facebook group “Justice for Dogs” and The Kris Kelly Foundation are offering rewards for information that would identify the man. To date, more than 100,000 people have signed a change.org petition to pressure local police and the DA’s office to further investigate the incident.
But in the wake of melees and out from the rubble, a better humanity is growing. People of all colors have come forward to erase neighborhood graffiti and sweep up shattered storefronts. Police are taking knees along with protesters or marching side by side with them — no batons or shields in sight. People are listening to each other about what really matters.
Community leaders, individuals and groups — including many animal advocates — are banding together to promote healing at the flashpoint of our most recent civic unrest. Pets & People Together is currently accepting donations to help low-income families in South Minneapolis give their animal companions what they need most: a happy, healthy home with their forever human parents.
Driving home from my local grocery store today, I passed a rainbow of bright, young faces. One held up a placard that read: “I am willing to fight for someone I don’t know.”
I wholeheartedly agree. I am also willing to fight for and defend those providing services for animal companions who rely on us to be their only voice.