GRANTS PASS, ORE. — Charlyn Witcher is one of a handful of citizens upset with Josephine County officials over the death of Riley, a border collie mix.
The stray was found in December andwas cared for by a local family.
Through the power of social media, a permanent family was found, and funds were raised to help with any medical treatment.
But on January 10, Riley ran off. She was eventually found taken to animal control. There, she tested positive for heartworm.
“She had adoptive home in place. she had donated money for all heartworm treatment and she might have died from that, that’s a possibility,” Witcher said.
But Riley never got the treatment, she was euthanized on Friday.
Josephine County Commissioner Cheryl Walker said in a memo that a veterinarian recommended the dog not be adopted and euthanized due to her condition and age. (A full copy of that memo can be found at the bottom of this page.)
Witcher disagrees with the decision.
“She was still worth saving, she was worth that chance.”
Nearly a dozen people protested Riley’s death at the Josephine County Courthouse Monday.
A few blocks away, Ronnie Chittim stood outside animal control.
“Heartworm is treatable, it’s not an easy treatment. If someone is willing to go the extra mile, what is the problem in letting them do it” said Chittim.
The group now plans to start a petition asking the county toreevaluatetheireuthanization policies.
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