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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, 16 September, 2015
CONTACT: Jessica Aiwuyor | 478-696-2061 | jessica@fitzgibbonmedia.com
See petition here
A Care2 petition demanding OC Animal Care release a pet husky to a sanctuary has gathered over 55,000 signatures
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A Care2 petition is demanding Orange County Animal Care (OCAC) release a pet husky and registered service dog, Karma, to the custody of Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, despite the fact a judge has ordered the dog to be euthanized because she may be considered part wolf. The petition has over 55,000 signatures.
VIEW THE CARE2 PETITION HERE.
The Care2 petition was started by Donna Cruzan, Vice President of Wolf Mountain Sanctuary, which is based in Lucerne Valley. The petition targets multiple decision makers, including Orange County CEO Frank Kim and OC Community Resources Director Steve Kim. Cruzan says Karma was taken from her owners after they were detained during a domestic dispute. Police need a warrant to take personal property, which includes dogs, but OCAC seized Karma from her home after she was left in an apartment alone after the dispute.
Now, a judge has ordered the dog to be killed because she may be considered a wolfdog — a hybrid between a wolf and a domesticated dog. Cruzan says Wolf Mountain Sanctuary is permitted to take wolfdogs from shelters and find them homes, but OCAC refuses to release Karma to their custody.
“Ultimately, all dogs come from wolves. This dog has such low content that it should not matter,” Cruzan told Care2. “This dog has never harmed humans and should not be executed due to gross misrepresentation by Orange County Animal Care when our sanctuary is willing to take her in and care for her.”
Karma has undergone a DNA test to determine whether or not she’s a wolfdog, which are legal in California, provided owners obtain a permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A test performed by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California – Davis found Karma to have .15% wolf genetic makeup. Cruzan says a domesticated dog of any mix or purebred will have up to a .09% wolf genetic makeup, putting Karma on the low end of the spectrum. Now, she hopes public pressure will urge OCAC to return the dog to her family or the custody of the sanctuary before it’s too late.
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Care2 (www.Care2.com) is a community of 30 million standing together for good. People are making world-changing impact with Care2, starting petitions and supporting each other’s campaigns to help individuals, animals and the environment. A pioneer of online advocacy since 1998, Care2 is a B Corporation, or social enterprise, using the power of business as a force for good.