How quickly they come to the rescue of one of their own....but throw others to the dogs. (pardon the pun)


By Jeremy Slayton

Richmond Times-Dispatch

10:34 AM EDT, August 27, 2009

RICHMOND


The experience of losing her favorite dog after accidentally leaving it in a hot car for four hours will strengthen the credibility of the Richmond SPCA's leader, say those who work closely with her.

A 16-year-old dog belonging to Robin Starr, the SPCA's chief executive officer and one of the area's most outspoken advocates for animals, died last Wednesday.

Anne Grier, chairwoman of the Richmond SPCA board of directors, said she believes the dog's death will boost Starr's position as an animal advocate.

''I think it enhances her ability to communicate and educate the public about humane issues. I think that if this can happen to her, it can happen to any of us," Grier said.

''We're all human beings. For her to speak from experience -- I know this has been extremely painful to her -- I think gives her more credibility."

However, some in the community say Starr should step down from her position. An article about the situation had drawn about 220 comments, more critical of Starr than supportive, on TimesDispatch.com by late last night.

''She doesn't have as much credibility anymore. ... She can't stand up for animals in the way that she used to," said Henrico County resident and self-proclaimed dog lover Lamont Johnson.

''I do believe that people make mistakes. Just because it was a mistake doesn't mean you don't have to pay for it. You have to accept responsibility for your mistakes."

Starr said she has no plans to resign from the position she has held since 1997. Yesterday her husband, Ed, took responsibility for the dog's death.

In a teary interview, Ed Starr recalled putting the couple's dog -- a deaf and blind cocker spaniel/poodle mix named Louie -- into the rear of his wife's Volvo station wagon last Wednesday as she prepared for her first day back at work after a 10-day vacation.

But he said he failed to tell Robin Starr he had put the dog, which they had adopted from the SPCA, in her car.

It wasn't until she left her office about noon that day -- after the dog had spent nearly four hours alone in the car -- that she discovered Louie in the back of the station wagon, showing signs of heat stroke.

According to the National Weather Service, last Wednesday's temperature in Richmond was 79 degrees at 8 a.m. and had reached 91 by noon.

On an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with the windows slightly open can reach 120 degrees within 30 minutes, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Weather service experts say the temperature could reach well above 130 with the windows shut.

She took the dog inside to the SPCA clinic, where it was stabilized and taken to the Veterinary Emergency Center in Carytown. Veterinarians worked unsuccessfully to restore kidney function in Louie, and the dog died about midnight.

''I just forgot . . . and didn't think about it until I got this frantic phone call from Robin. I knew immediately what I had done," Ed Starr recalled yesterday at the SPCA offices on Hermitage Road.

He added, "It wasn't her fault. It was mine."

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, said the incident can help raise awareness about pet safety.

''This case shows that even the most informed and attentive people on animal welfare can make mistakes, and it's a reminder to all of us to be as diligent as we can possibly be," Pacelle said. "We and the Richmond SPCA have worked hard to educate people about this type of threat to animals. I hope that this unfortunate circumstance reminds people to be very attentive to this problem."

The Starrs have not been charged with any crime. According to the Code of Virginia, it's a Class 1 misdemeanor to inflict "inhumane injury or pain on an animal" but only if the act is willful.

Ed Sayres, president and chief executive of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, expressed his support for Starr yesterday, saying the ASPCA "truly believes that this incident was a horrible and unfortunate accident."

''While some might unfortunately call for Robin's resignation as a result of this horrible accident, it is imperative that we focus on the thousands of animals' lives that she has saved through her work with the Richmond SPCA," he said.

''Louie's death serves as a tragic lesson -- animals should never be left alone in a parked vehicle, and pet parents must stay vigilant when it comes to their pets' safety."

Tamsen Kingry, the SPCA's chief operating officer, said yesterday that "the board of directors for the Richmond SPCA does not waver in their support of Robin Starr, and they will not in the future."

Starr, who had four dogs and two cats, has been a vocal advocate for the welfare of animals and has pushed the General Assembly for tougher laws to protect animals. She also has been a vocal critic of NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges in 2007.

When he was reinstated last month by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Starr said, "The action of the NFL commissioner to reinstate Michael Vick is both premature and unwise. Vick has not yet demonstrated that his remorse is sincere or that his irresponsible, cruel and criminal behaviors are likely to change. The NFL and its leadership apparently lack the integrity to require civilized behavior from their players. This would reflect poorly on any team that adds Vick to its roster."

Kingry said Louie's death is a teaching moment for pet owners, and Starr agreed.

''If this could happen to a woman who has dedicated her life to saving animals, the same tragedy could befall anyone else," Kingry said. "That's why it's so important to serve as a learning moment for folks in the community, so that the same tragedy won't befall other pet-loving families."