Smiley freed -- details below

UPDATE -- NOV. 2009. OAK HARBOR HAS RESCINDED BSL! THANK YOU OAK HARBOR FOR SEEING THE LIGHT AND DOING THE RIGHT THING! GOOD DOGS LIKE SMILEY (WHO WASN'T EVEN A PIT BULL) WILL NO LONGER GET CAUGHT IN THE INHUMANE WEB OF BSL.

Smiley's BLOG

Smiley is finally home! Read details here and see photos

After everything we went through trying to work with WAIF and the legal system, it took civil disobedience for Smiley to almost gain the life he deserves. God bless whoever set him free. He was spotted on Whidbey Island, however, and returned to WAIF. But one board member at WAIF took a leadership role in coming up with a plan so Smiley could be transferred from WAIF to another rescue (read details above and see photos of a very happy Smiley!)

We hope WAIF will continue to find humane solutions for all the animals in its care. We encourage WAIF to work hard to implement reforms.

WAIF and other so-called humane shelters can do amazing things if the cultural mindset of "humane killing" and warehousing ends. Read How We Did It! -- a step-by-step guide to greatness undertaken by the Nevada Humane Society. Download it and share it with your local "shelter" (animal control facility) or "humane" shelter that says it can't do more.

We still believe in "Happy Endings." Pray for dogs like Smiley who deserve every chance to live and be loved. Thank you Rescuepup (send them donations!) and WAIF board member Pamela Hill-Keeva.

Email us anytime at PIT

(update -- 2010 -- WAIF HAS ONCE AGAIN CLOSED ITS MEETINGS TO THE PUBLIC. update 2011 -- WAIF declined to advertise its annual meeting to the public, the only meeting left that was still open to the public. It would not release its annual report even to Oak Harbor city officials after citizens requested a copy through a Public Records Act request. And Oak Harbor pays WAIF to do sheltering there.)

(update -- Feb. 10, 2009)

We commend WAIF for posting dates of future board meetings on its website calendar. Meetings are scheduled at the Freeland Library in downtown Freeland on Whidbey Island and will reportedly be open to the public. Email waifed@whidbey.net to confirm. This is an important, positive move by WAIF.

History of Smiley's Blog

After trying unsuccessfully to adopt Smiley for over a year (along with 21 others), we asked an attorney to help us get a promised hearing with the Board of Directors. Once we involved an attorney, WAIF suddenly decided Smiley was too dangerous to live (he was adoptable until then).

We were forced into court to seek a Temporary Restraining Order and then an injunction to keep him alive. While the court ruled that WAIF could do whatever it wants with its "property," we hope WAIF will consider its moral responsibility to the animals it "owns" as well as to donors, volunteers, taxpayers, and concerned citizens. Time will tell.

Below is background and legal documents filed in connection with Smiley's case. While the legal system failed to help animals like Smiley, the human heart prevailed. Whoever freed Smiley from his cell at WAIF in the middle of the night on February 6, 2009, will forever be remembered by us as angels for the animals. And bless the "Lady in the Park" for giving him a month of love, which no doubt helped him hang onto hope.

We tried to work through WAIF and use the legal system to free Smiley and bring attention to the treatment WAIF gives dogs it designates (rightly or wrongly) as pitbulls or pit/mixes. Smiley was caged for two years without any training, fostering, or intervention. His adoption was restricted solely because he was believed to be a pit/mix.

We request that WAIF, the Oak Harbor City Council, and the media take a little time to view these videos created by loving, intelligent people. Watch them for Smiley:

Love Builds Bridges
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuyNNdELsDA

I'm Sorry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snBD9k-3388

Still Sorry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uvQrnlJasg

and this one...especially for the news media

"PIT BULL VICIOUSLY ATTACKS BABY"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL1trl1FMUw

Click to read
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
(Plea to the judge to save Smiley's life)

On February 6, 2009, the Hon. Superior Court Judge Vickie Churchill denied the Plaintiffs' Motion for a Preliminary Injunction. However, she did grant Plaintiffs' motion for a stay of execution, thereby allowing the Plaintiffs to seek reconsideration and/or appeal.

After seeing the 2.5 min. video from nationally respected trainer Christine Dahl (viewable below at #5), the judge did note that it "strongly indicates" that Smiley is "receptive to and would benefit from training."

The judge said her legal ruling was a "difficult decision."

The judge made a legal ruling. Who can make the moral one?

Supporting Declarations of witnesses and experts are in the box below

Earlier filings:

Smiley was given a bit more time due to a Temporary Restraining Order based on these pleadings.

Click here to read the amended complaint filed with the court in preparation for the Jan. 29 hearing.

Here is the blog we started to try and help Smiley (and other dogs trapped in his situation)

msbmoran.com