An Oasis In the Olympics
BY: Rita Morgan, Guest Writer 11/16/2009
“The Man Who Saved Snaps” Shares the Vision Of His Sanctuary,
and His Love For The Dogs Society Has Deemed Beyond Hope
Olympic Animal Sanctuary Founder Steve Markwell returned to King County this week with an entourage of four-legged companions in tow. His visit to the Seattle Humane Society drew a large crowd to meet the man who saved Snaps and to hear more about his philosophy and goals for saving “Dogs You’d Rather See Dead,” and raised more than $2,500 for Olympic Animal Sanctuary.
Unfortunately, Snaps was not among the parade of pooches who made their appearance at Mr. Markwell’s lecture. The dog deemed “dangerous” by King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC) is not permitted within the county borders as part of an agreement worked out with Mr. Markwell that allowed Snaps to be released to the Olympic Animal Sanctuary. Many of us have followed the saga of Snaps since the story of his teenage owner’s violent attack on two SeaTac women hit the media last summer. After being repeatedly punched and kicked by his owner, Snaps was then forced to attack two women who stopped to try to save him from the abuse. The teenage girl who abused Snaps was later arrested, and Snaps was confined at KCACC under miserable conditions for nearly three months. (Read the entire story here.)
Happily, Mr. Markwell reports that Snaps has not only adapted to his new surroundings at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary, but is thriving. Snaps now has a canine roomate, and Mr. Markwell describes him as your typical “big, dopey dog.” This is a far cry from the assessment made by KCACC, which had insisted that Snaps was irredeemably vicious and should be killed. Indeed, Snaps seemed certain to be killed, until Mr. Markwell intervened to save him at the behest of hundreds of concerned citizens and, in particular, co-founder of KCACC Exposed Kim Sgro and King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert.
Mr. Markwell reports that from the first day, Snaps was a loving, happy dog who embraced his new life. In fact, on a visit to the Olympic Animal Sanctuary less than a week after Snaps’s arrival, KCACC Exposed co-founder Claire Davis observed a very happy, well adjusted dog – and joined Mr. Markwell in cuddling with Snaps, walking him on a leash, playing fetch, and romping with him at the ocean.
Snaps, romping with Mr. Marwell in the ocean near Olympic Animal Sanctuary, just a few days after being released from KCACC.
“All Snaps has to do for me to live at this sanctuary is be happy,” Mr. Markwell said at the time, indicating that his goal is to allow the dogs at his sanctuary to “just be dogs.” “I’ve tested him in every way I can think of, and he hasn’t shown any aggression. If I hadn’t known his history, I would say he is a very adoptable dog.” Nevertheless, given his history, Snaps will spend the rest of his life at Olympic Animal Sanctuary, and will never be adopted.
Snaps’s rescue is a powerful testament to Markwell’s philosophy and behavior management techniques. He views animals as sentient beings — not property, not disposable — and deserving of rights.
During his presentation at Seattle Humane Society, Mr. Markwell explained his philosophy that dogs are not morally culpable for their actions, because they do not understand right from wrong. Dogs bite and hunt. These are natural behaviors that humans have historically benefitted from as both species have co-evolved. Mr. Markwell pointed out that most of the rest of the world still view dogs in these roles –where dogs continue to be encouraged to protect and hunt. However, in western society where most of the dogs are companions, we punish that natural instinct by killing or ostracizing dogs that exhibit behaviors for which we have selectively bred for centuries.
It’s little wonder that Mr. Markwell is a strong supporter of the No-Kill movement, which he sees as not just a “nice idea,” but a moral imperative for society to save every dog we can. It starts with an honest and immediate assessment of a dog once in the shelter system and under the correct conditions. Only then can it be determined if a dog is ready for adoption, foster or training and then matched with the right human family. This is a departure from the approach of most shelters, which adopt only those dogs that exhibit the “right” behavior, and kill the rest.
Instead of viewing dog bites or “bad behavior” as a death sentence, Mr. Markwell believes that we need to step up and take responsibility for these animals in a humane and enlightened manner. It’s more work to see the world in shades of gray and change legislation and policy to match reality, but that’s what it will take to save good dogs like Snaps and Rogue. Even in a No Kill shelter, or a No Kill community, most accept the fact that aggressive dogs must be killed. But Mr. Markwell has a different vision, which would save vicious dogs and rehabilitate them whenever possible – to truly realize the No Kill vision of euthanizing only those animals who are suffering from medical conditions with a poor prognosis of recovery.
Mr. Markwell with Rogue, who removed from a home after he was suspected of killing another dog. The Autistic child to whom Rogue belonged threatened to kill himself after it was apparent that Rogue would be put down. Mr. Markwell stepped in and saved both lives.
Mr. Markwell expounded upon this vision during his presentation. He elaborated upon his vision of building a regional rehab center in Western Washington will start to take shape in the coming months when he embarks on a capital campaign. When completed, it will become an important part of the community, partner-based solution to the senseless killing of millions of animals. Abandoned and abused dogs – dogs like Snaps who are currently considered unadoptable – will have a place to heal and realize their full potential as balanced and loving members of a family. If they could not be made save for adoption, these dogs would be sent to sanctuaries where they can live out their days in peace. To follow and support Mr. Markwell’s efforts, check the Olympic Animal Sanctuary website.