Humane Society responds to story gaining national attention

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region responded after a woman’s story of her struggle to keep her dogs alive gained national attention.

Caitlin McAdam’s two dogs were accused of killing a neighbor’s cat and were taken into custody. The dogs were impounded at the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, or HSPPR.

“I didn’t know it would turn into a big court battle, possible jail time and everything else because we have more than enough proof that they didn’t do it,” said McAdam.

It is $15 a day for boarding at HSPPR. McAdam said keeping both dogs at HSPPR would have cost her almost $1,000 a month. McAdam said before the first court appearance, she was told she had to pay up or her dogs would be euthanized.

“It doesn’t matter if they are innocent or guilty, it just matters if you can pay,” said McAdam.

McAdam ended up moving her dogs to a different facility, but not without shelling out a lot of cash. She said she has paid more than $10,000 in boarding fees and attorney fees.

“We have had to take out loans, we have had to borrow money from people. We have had to find all this money so it means that bills that didn’t get paid are now catching up,” said McAdam.

HSPPR President and CEOJan McHugh-Smith said her organization does not determine the costs of boarding and impounding animals facing dangerous dog allegations. She said those fees are established through local legislation and ordinances.

Also, McHugh-Smith said a judge determines if the costs of care is appropriate in a case. A dog owner can petition in court to get those costs reduced.

“We are acting for the government, that there are laws that govern this. We didn’t do anything wrong. We are basically following the steps of the law for handling a dangerous dog case,” said McHugh-Smith.

If an agreement on cost of care cannot be reached, McHugh-Smith said it’s up to a judge to determine if a dog involved in a dangerous dog case would be destroyed.

“The judge is making the determination at the end of these cases,” said McHugh-Smith.

McAdam said she found the system to be rigid and unsympathetic to her family’s financial situation.

“They don’t allow payment plans, they don’t allow grace period. It has to be prepaid or they get put to sleep,” said McAdam.

McAdam plans to accept a plea deal Friday. As part of the plea deal, McAdam will get her dogs back and she will not face jail time.