I am absolutely flabbergasted over learning a family's pet dog ''Indy'' had been put down at the Henderson County Animal Shelter on Tuesday, the day after Christmas 2016. Indy was a healthy, robust, 12 yr old boxer mix who cherished and loved her family and they returned those feelings 10 fold. Jake Jarvis, and daughter Kaylee are devastated by the fact that Indy will never greet them, with wags and joyful barks ever again. Please read the story below and sign Indy's petition so this never happens again.
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. -- A family is grieving after their dog was euthanized at the Henderson County Animal shelter, prompting the County Manager to impose a measure that might help prevent similar cases.
"She was micro-chipped," says Jake Jarvis. "I don't understand how you could put a family member to sleep without making sure. Contacting me for one thing."
"We've got all this construction going on and she got out on Thursday right before Christmas," he explained, taking us on a short but agonizing walk outside their home.
"We buried her yesterday," he says, standing at his dog Indy's grave next to his daughter Kaylee. "We have a newborn who's nine months old and that was her first word was Indy."
Indy was a boxer mix and was found an eighth of a mile from home, though Jake was not allowed to rush to the shelter to get her.
"The animal control officer from Henderson County Sheriff told me that I couldn't pick up until Tuesday when they reopened," Jarvis recalls. "He assured me she was fine and told me there was no way I could get her before Christmas."
Because of work, Jake couldn't make it to the shelter before closing Tuesday.
On Wednesday, he was told Indy was put to sleep.
"After losing this one, I realize what she meant to all of us," Jarvis says.
The shelter keeps pets for 72 hours before putting them down.
"I've issued an order that we will make a second opportunity," says County Manager Steve Wyatt,. "Do everything we can to notify the owner but eventually if that owner does not come forward, we have capacity issues. I'm not trying to be cold we try to be very compassionate."
It's too late for the Jarvis family.
"She was a family member, bottom line," Jake says.
Meanwhile, little Kaylee clings to Indy's collar for comfort.
"Whenever I carry it, so it can keep me happy," she tells News 13. "And if I don't have it makes me sad."
So perhaps it's too soon to appreciate the grave marker that will always remind them of a Christmas past.
"My wife got that," Jake explains. "It says 'No longer by my side, but forever in my heart.'"
