Katrina victims say their pets were needlessly killed
12:47 p.m. Monday, June 11, 2007
It was supposed to be temporary shelter for stranded dogs, separated from their masters by the high waters of Hurricane Katrina. But those who saw what was left behind in beauregard middle and two other schools in St. Bernard's Parish say it was nothing more than a killing field.
Mark Steinway of Posada Safe Haven, an animal protection group, brought his camera to document the horrors he witnessed. He says it was clear, this was not mercy killing.
"It was a massacre," Steinway said. "It was a shooting gallery. There were so many rounds of ammunition and so many holes in the walls."
The Louisiana Attorney General's office is investigating what happened here. Two St. Bernard's Parish Sheriff's deputies have already been indicted on animal cruelty charges. Lawyers for nine pet owners are scheduled to file a suit against the sheriff's department and individual deputies, accusing them of reckless and callous disregard.
"Katrina was a crazy time, there's no doubt about it," plaintiff's attorney Randall Smith said. "But I can't imagine an excuse for cold bloodedly killing peoples' pets."
Judy Migliore lost her Gigi, a poodle who rarely left her owner's lap. She was found shot once in the head after being ordered out of her owner's arms at gunpoint during the evacuation.
"He said ma'am we can do it nicely or not nicely," Migliore said. "And he says I'm prepared to handcuff you."
A black labrador was named Angel Girl, and the night Katrina hit, she is credited with saving the Bozes family. The dog warned them not to go outside into the floodwaters.
"She got between me and that door and nudged me back," Katrina victim John Bozes said.
The family had to be rescued from the roof, but were ordered to leave Angel Girl behind. Then Bozes said he heard something terrible from a deputy.
"The statement said, man once everybody's gone, we're going to have target practice tonight," Bozes said.
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