VIRGINIA BEACH
When Christopher Selby found out that Rico, his year-old pit bull, had been shot in the head by robbers, he said his first concern was for the dog.
His second was whether Rico would regain use of his left eye, which had been injured in the April 19 shooting.
His third was how he would pay for the veterinary bills, which totaled almost $1,000.
That's when the city offered to help, with Animal Control paying the sum.
The decision has drawn mixed reviews.
"I do not think that's the city's responsibility," said John Moss, chairman of the Virginia Beach Taxpayer Alliance. "I'm sure the city thinks that they're doing something that looks compassionate... but the city at the same time has a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers."
"I'm just concerned about the policy precedent that we may have set," he added.
Don Bovenzi, a 69-year-old retired Beach resident, said he generally opposes government handouts but felt Rico's case was unique.
"I kind of have a soft spot for dogs," he said. "I felt it was an extraordinary circumstance."
The shooting occurred when two men entered GFY Clothing, a screen printing shop on South Birdneck Road, and threatened the employees. When the men saw the pit bull, one shot him with a .45-caliber handgun, said shop owner Chuck Smellinger, 34.
That's when Rico attacked the shooter, buying the shop's employees a few seconds to escape, he said.
"I know for a fact he saved our lives," Smellinger said.
Rico survived after receiving extensive medical care including stitches, wound treatment, X-rays, anesthesia, pain medication and antibiotics, said Selby and Wayne Gilbert, an Animal Control spokesman.
The bullet entered near the canine's left eye and exited through his chest, hitting one of his back legs. He was in the hospital for two days, said Selby, a 31-year-old songwriter and motorcycle salesman.
The bills came to $990.48, which Animal Control paid from the $22,000 it sets aside in its annual budget to treat sick or injured animals, Gilbert said.
Police had not made any arrests in the shooting as of Friday afternoon.
If the person is caught and convicted, Animal Control hopes to include the medical bills as part of the sentence, Gilbert said.
Animal Control usually tries to recoup the costs of veterinary care from an animal's owner. But Selby will not be asked to repay the city, Gilbert said.
"Our policy is not to normally pay for veterinary care if somebody can't afford to pay for it, but we will try to help them through some avenue... point them in the right direction," he said. "With Rico, we paid for this because we felt like he was a victim of an unusual circumstance."
Selby and GFY Clothing held a party and fundraiser for Rico last Saturday at Chicho's Pizza at the Oceanfront. The dog has received $260, Selby said.
The money will go for Rico's ongoing veterinary treatment, particularly for his eye, which has not fully healed, Selby said, adding that he's grateful for the help he's received.
"I'm glad that my tax money was doing something good," said Beach resident Bonnie Owens, 48. Rico "put his life at risk to protect the ones he knows, that he loves. That's what our dogs do.... Tell them to give Rico some treats for me."
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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Paying the vet bill
The vet money should have at least been in the form of a loan or ask the vet to accept payments, which is something I did years ago when my dog broke his leg. That too required surgery, a plate and pins, and multiple nights of care at the vet. My total cost was also $1000, and that was more than 10 years ago!! I made regular payments until it was paid off.
It's wrong to pay it at taxpayers expense, especially sense that was a business and the dog owner has a job.
Thankful
We should all be thankful that animal control was able to help this dog. Too many times we hear sad stories involving animals. This story although its very sad what happened to this dog, there is a happy ending. I certainly have no problems with my tax dollars being spent this way.
What I dont understand
is how this guy can be a business owner and not have the money to cover his vet bills but has enough to money to pay for several employee's. If money is that tight then maybe he should let some of those employee's go and man the counter himself 7 days a week.
re: For all you generous folks...
jimmyf wrote:
>>>Otherwise, please remember that not only is this dog someone's pet, but it is also EVIDENCE in a criminal case.<<<
Prosecuting attorney:
"Could you tell us if the men that shot you are in the room?"
Witness:
"Grrrrr...WOOF..WOOF...HOWWL...WOOF..."
Not setting a precidence
This was an unusual circumstance and many pet owners would be willing to add a dollar to the fund. Adds up fast. I never knew it existed! Is there a box at the SPCA or somewhere other location to give? Box at a vet's office?
Vet Bills
I'm real sorry for the dog. Let the guy with a "soft heart" or PETA pay for the bills...not my taxes. This is stupid and reckless. The next time you wonder why people are upset with the city, remember this.
They PAID for his Dog?!?!?
This is a big turnaround for the City Of Virginia Beach.
In the past the VBPD would have locked the guy up who owned the dog...and probably shot the Pit-Bull themselves for attacking someone.
The dog is a hero who saved lives. Don't forget that in most parts of the country most officers believe that dogs who serve in the K-9 units are full-fledged officers, some even receive retirements and have their vet bills taken care of once they retire, just like regular officers. I DOUBT very seriously that this happens here. (but I hope that I might be pleasantly surprised)
My guess is that someone in a decision-making position in the VBPD-Animal control is originally from up north or out west, where people treat animals (and other humans) with quite a bit more respect than the right-winged lunatics who seem to have taken up residence here in Virginia Beach, and they decided to bestow upon this hero (and that is what this dog is) what he deserves.
$900 bucks is a drop in the freakin' bucket. Anyone who has a problem with this needs to get a life.
Missed the point didn't we?
How much would it be worth to you if that dog saved your life & that of your co-workers??? Most large cities have "victim funds". Seems to me this man was a victim & if he chooses to use his funds for his dogs vet bills, so be it. I'd rather the city spent money on a dog that saved lives than on a pedestrian bridge for people too sad to use a crosswalk.
Crime Victim
If this were a human, would we me asking this question? I doubt it! First of all they didn't ask the city to pay the bill, second they have done a fund raiser to pay these bills. The city has a fund to help crime victim pay for medicaid expenses, why is this dog any different? The city needs to stop spending money on everything the people don't want or need and start spending it on important things. The "not in my house" attitude in Virginia Beach is appauling. I wonder if tourist read our local papers and listen to the same news I do?
Government Spending
I agree that if donations were taken then more than enough money would have been raised. However, funds are set aside for things like this - uncommon circumstances. At least I can feel like my taxes are going toward something worth while! Not being wasted away on things like building ..and moving..that stupid logo on Mt Trashmore!! And the city will pass on the bills it paid to the man that shot the dog if the catch him. I'm sure they will try a little harder now to find him now- I have never known the govenrnment to get jipped out of almost $1,000!
Wow....
I'm appalled. Some Virginia Beach citizens are truly vicious and evil.
This is the same thieving city
that wasted $9000 of my money for a speech writer for the mayor, who apparently can't make up his own mind what to say. I do everything I can to not pay taxes to Virginia Beach, and I won't feel bad about it until the money they don't get from me exceeds the money they steal from us. I can now add another $900 to that $9000, which means I can avoid paying a lot more taxes to the city thieves. You will continue to be robbed until you get smart enought to vote the incumbents out; until then, you get what you allow to happen to you.
I agree with invabeach....
Set up a fund anywhere, Petsmart, SPCA or any street corner and this bill will be paid! I'll gladly donate and I'm sure VB will pull it together for this dog and a yearly membership to any doggy fitness club...
For all you generous folks...
If you would like to donate the money to help offset the cost of medical care, visit the Friends of Virginia Beach Animal Control website and make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation and help them out yourself...
Otherwise, please remember that not only is this dog someone's pet, but it is also EVIDENCE in a criminal case. When the perps are caught (and police are probably closer than they would like to think) the bill for the dogs care will be dropped into their lap.
Of course, if it was your dog, you'd be applauding Animal Control. I'd say that $900 to actually HELP a citizen (who owns a business, employs people and pays taxes) is a more tangible benefit than most other city expenditures.
It's fashionable government
and it stinks. It's the slippery slope of our entitlement mentality and will be the death of this country. Next step will be mandatory participation in government health care for ALL dogs.
The rational thing to do in this and every case like it:
Have the local newspaper actually perform a service. Publish the bank account info that one of us would have surely set up to pay for this hero's misfortune. I'd bet that the money taken in there would far exceed anything the government takes from us and gives to this cause.
That's the real issue here. When the government steps in, it takes from the people the opportunity to shine.
Lets start a fund
I say the city should not pay.
Set up a fund for the dog, all you need is 900 people to donate $1 each.
Count me in and I bet you get 899 more plus.
Geesh
They've set aside money already to pay for things like this. $22K! That means they're supposed to spend it on what they think is an injured animal. So, a dog gets shot...I think that warrants an injured animal...I think that warrants a donation. I don't see the problem. Not unless we wait til the end of the fiscal year then issue out the $22K to animals we deem necessary. That means we the taxpayers must meet and then vote on which animals should get reimbursed...so, who's in???
VET BILL
I wonder how soft the spot would be if Mr. Don Bovenz was handed the vet bill ? Easy to have a soft spot when someone else is paying.
Don't think I'd worry about it
I really don't think I'd worry about a policy precedent. It's not like there's tons of pets shot during robbery attempts every year.