August 12, 2013

• When Military Service Dogs are Killed

  I'm going out on a limb here. I know only what has been presented because this is, so far, a word-of-mouth love story. A tragedy. We only want those who did the wrong thing to acknowledge the life lost and acknowledge their wrong doing. No one is asking anything else, at least not as far as I know. This isn't a smear campaign, but as long as this continues along the path it is currently following, those who are hurt get hurt deeper by what at least appears to be an attitude of either cover-up or minimization.

  This is Sampson. He was rescued and adopted during the Coast Guard's efforts in Hurricane Katrina. He was the official station canine for USCG Station Tybee Island in Georgia.

  

  While doing a PT run in a national park, Sampson was struck by a Waste Management truck that was "speeding recklessly" on a posted 15mph road. Sampson had been running alongside his shipmates. The driver of the truck did not stop, he kept going. Is it possible he didn't realize what he'd done? I can't imagine being so out of it that you don't realize you're driving alongside a group of military servicemen and women who were likely jogging in formation - with a dog, no less. But perhaps that goes with the definition of reckless. It certainly seems to support it. At any rate, the driver kept going and Sampson died later that night from his egregious wounds.

  Of course Waste Management was contacted regarding the incident. Their response was less than satisfactory, and was in fact hurtful. They denied responsibility, reportedly deleted online questions or comments (Facebook page here), blocked those who were repeated "offenders" on their page, and in all ways have wiped their hands and refused to even look into the possibility that the United States Coast Guard might have been aware of and clearly seen the bright green truck marked "Waste Management" which ran over their beloved shipmate.

  Then, in an even more heartbreaking strike, Sampson was declared, by a representative of Waste Management, to have been "just a pet." So why bother making a stink, right? He's just a pet. Besides the fact that he wasn't just a pet (he was an official member of USCG Station Tybee Island and was in all ways a part of the Coastie family), what the hell does that "just" signify?

  Because words have meaning.

  Just. As in, only. He was only a pet. I suppose that means that to the Waste Management representative, pets are not valuable lives worth taking pause for. The driver sure didn't. Sampson didn't even get the respect of a stop. He was a drive-by. A hit and run. And the representative of the company is treating him the same way. He isn't giving Sampson the respect of life, not even a pause for the possibility of responsibility. Not even an ear for it. Even his mourners are silenced, promptly hushed for asking questions or for needing just a modicum of dignity or respect from those who were responsible.

  This isn't right. We want people to know about this. It's been almost a year since this occurred (September 27th, 2012), and still no resolution!! Only continued cover up and ignorance.

   

  I can only end this with the loving words of those who lost him. Fair winds and following seas, BM2 Sampson D-Dawg! Your duty watch is complete, big boy.

  

   

   

  UPDATE: I see reports that Waste Management has expressed that they were "saddened" by the event. That was the only official action taken. So I update to say they aren't covering up. Exactly. They just don't give a damn.

   

  Link to original story, and you can also find information from the official USCG Station Tybee Island's FB group page (in their short timeline you can verify Sampson and his death etc). I did my best to verify this prior to writing. Due diligence.

  • 12:41 pm
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