One of the Worst Cruelty Cases W

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		They came by ferry, they carpooled, they showed how much they cared. We hope Mooie knows, somewhere, that they spoke for her... Results of the Town Hall Meeting ABC News Story here
all photos courtesy Cammie Owen for Pasado's Safe Haven
		Outraged citizens have been waiting for answers for weeks. Last night, they got a few, but not enough. Roughly 150 people converged on the Federal Way Police Department's Town Hall meeting coming from as far away as the coast of Washington. They came for one reason: to get an explanation for what has appeared to be a mind-numbing dereliction of duty on the part of two agencies, trusted to find who hurt Mooie.
		Prior to the meeting, men, women, children, senior citizens, and a few people with their dogs showed up with signs that ranged in rage from "How Could You?" to "Is THIS what we get for our tax dollars?" The signs each expressed individual anger and sadness, but they all carried one message: what happened to Mooie, will not be ignored.
		Inside, a respectful crowd waited for officials to begin. We're so proud to know amazing people who represent animals so well. There were no outbursts. No disrespectful comments. Intelligent, thoughtful people gathered on behalf of a little girl who suffered so much.
		Detective Robinson, the investigating officer, was pointedly asked many questions regarding why no search warrants were issued following the crime, enabling the gathering of critical evidence. He stated an "inspection" of the puppy owner's premises had been done, including looking for suspicious substances in the house, shed, and backyard. This contradicts what neighbors maintain, stating police were in the house for roughly "50 seconds" and spent about 15 minutes looking in the backyard. The Federal Way P.D. will not commit to this case being an animal cruelty case (they maintain this could have been an "accident") despite statements to the contrary from the veterinarian who examined her. Even Detective Robinson, the P.D.'s own officer, states that the burns are consistent with child abuse cases he's seen.
		Citizens demanded to know why the same protocols used in other violent crimes weren't used in a Felony animal cruelty case? The woman who found the puppy and brought her to the vet submitted a signed statement claiming that authorities told her to throw away a blood-soaked blanket and bandana, and "chunks" of skin and fur that had fallen off of Mooie when she took her to the vet. This same woman states that she's been "collecting pieces of Mooie" that the police hadn't recovered from her. (Residents in the neighborhood claim they have not been visited by police since the incident happened on March 10th, until Wednesday of this week. Police deny this is true.)
		The veterinary technician who held Mooie as she died, hugs Mark Steinway, Pasado's Safe Haven, left. She delivered extraordinary, moving testimony about meeting Mooie and the efforts she and Dr. Engstrom went through to anesthetize the puppy, to bring her relief from suffering. They tried calling 911 for help. They waited, seemingly forever, for King County Animal Control to respond. "We want answers," she cried. "You shouldn't allow this to happen to another animal." The vet tech explained that many other vet clinics have been calling Valley Veterinary Hospital, to offer their condolences following this case. She said when she told them about the lack of response from Animal Control, and how the puppy was cremated destroying evidence, their response was, "Well, what did you expect?"

Al Dams, King County Animal Control's Public Information Officer, right. KCAC claims that destruction of the body wasn't of consequence since they saved the collar, which, according to him, took more than a week to send for testing. As Pasado's Mark Steinway noted in testimony, "Everybody knows you've got 48 hours to have the best chance at solving a crime. If this had happened to a poodle in Bellevue (an upscale Seattle area) rather than a pitbull from a low-income street, you'd have seen a different reaction."

Walt Washington, Manager of King County Animal Control, right, defended his actions to cremate the body of Mooie. One reason is they have a refrigerator that, on any given day holds, from "1-100 bodies". They just didn't "have the room". Susan Michaels, left, Co-Founder of Pasado's Safe Haven offered, "If that's the problem, we'll buy you a bigger refrigerator for next time."
		So what will come of tonight's meeting? We believe, two things. First, we think that the ball was dropped so quickly and for so long that it's hopeless to find Mooie's killer. We pray we are wrong. What we hope at this point is that, not unlike what happened with Pasado, good will come from this. The next time the Federal Way P.D. (or any other law enforcement entity that has been watching this case) faces an animal cruelty case, they'll think twice before not searching properly and writing the case off as unimportant.
		But King County Animal Control is another matter. King County Council Chair Larry Phillips, Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council (which oversees Animal Control), has called for a "full and complete inquiry into the tragic death of Mooie". He's already gotten Animal Control's side of this story from Walt Washington. Now Chair Phillips needs to hear from us, and from you. We will deliver a history of cases where, in our opinion, animals suffered and/or died due to inaction on the part of KCAC.
Chair Phillips was not privy to the rants of unhappy citizens at the meeting, who have attempted to call KCAC, to no avail in animal abuse and neglect cases. Those of you who read this website, and have had an experience, good or bad with KCAC, need to submit your comments here. Please be factual and unemotional. Keep it to salient points that Chair Phillips can use to assess whether changes need to be made to this county agency. We will pass ALL of your e-mails on to Chair Phillips.
		Our goal: King County Animal Control must commit to using the laws we work so hard to pass. As Senator Pam Roach, left, who also testified noted, "Shouldn't there be protocols in place as for any other violent crime?" We couldn't agree more. Senator Roach, and representatives from Pasado's Safe Haven, will join Governor Christine Gregoire for the signing of our third animal cruelty bill in as many years. She, and we, know how hard it is to pass animal cruelty legislation. It is maddening to know that solid laws are in place and they are many times ignored by the governmental officials paid to protect animals. Voice your thoughts on the Mooie Blog.
--Newspaper editorial asks for what we all want: "Animal Cruelty Must Be Taken Seriously" --Read a columnists take on this case. He claims we all need to have "perspective" - after all, "One wonders where all of the caring in the world goes when violence...strikes people rather than pooches." Let him know how you feel! --Express your comments, suggestions or outrage on the Mooie Blog. Dr. Ivy Engstrom, our hero in this case, responds to KCAC claims
	Click here for Case History Click here for updates