More Information On The Wicomico County Humane Society

"Dr. Mr. Albero,

I was recently (a few months ago) included in an article about the Humane Society written by Joe Gidjunis of the Daily Times. Although we like Joe and found him to be a nice person, it was more than obvious that his article had been subject to severe censorship. Needless to say, the article was very disappointing. Linda Lugo was given the last word and the article ended with her false account of what really happened in our case and casting a shadow on our reputation as "responsible animal owners."

I can tell you that we own a rabbit and two dogs, one of which was rescued locally. We spend hundreds of dollars a year on a modest income to care for our animals in vet bills and grooming. Our dogs live as family pets, sleeping indoors every night, receive heartworm and flea preventatives on schedule, never suffer a cold or hot day outside and are never subjected to abuse or neglect. Even our bunny lives indoors and runs free and interacts with our children daily.

What I find interesting about the comments written in the blogs is how many Lugo supporters use the defense of "responsible ownership," turning the table and making the complaints look like what is really happening is everyone else's fault but the Humane Society's. I can tell you that I personally was blatantly lied to by Linda Lugo herself as well as several of the other employees at the Humane Society, namely Tom (I wish I knew his last name). My interactions with Lugo were completely downhill from there. She is the rudest person I've ever had to deal with. She made several empty promises that to this day have yet to be filled. Her ability to spew lies says enough about her character.

We took our complaint to several different levels, Comegy's included. Our complaint went no where. We have gotten no closure in the matter. I guess we never will. I can only hope that the community's awareness be raised for the corruption taking place at the Humane Society. The average citizen has no idea. As avid animal lovers and supporters of rescue, I would never attempt to bash the Humane Society as an organization. We wish only that all animals that enter the doors be found loving homes. I can only hope that someday it will be run by someone with respect, compassion and a little more "people" skills than the current director. It's very sad to think about the people and funds she has lost with her poor attitude (read the blogs, there are a few!).

On one last note, I read another blog entry that discusses in detail the treatment of ringworm and other such common puppy issues. I have information about a case dealing with a litter of abandoned puppies. The litter was not caught all at once. The first half of the litter was turned into the Humane Society, under Linda Lugo's watchful eye. They were "humanely euthanized" for reasons (given by the Humane Society staff themselves) being ringworm. Interestingly enough, this was after another employee tried to lie about the puppies by saying they were nursing with their mother (note: the puppies were abandoned!). Later, Lugo tried to say that the puppies all had Parvo. At this point, it's important to discuss the second half of the litter. Though it took a few days to catch them all, the rest of the puppies were caught by a good Samaritan. One had died in the woods, most likely from anemia due to the fleas. The others were taken to the vet, treated for fleas, were taken home by the good Samaritan (who also footed the vet bill for the remaining four puppies). She kept them for a few weeks while they recovered and found them all loving homes where they still reside (she kept one "Lucky" puppy). Even more interesting, her vet informed her that if the puppies had Parvo, they would have long been dead, and since they were all together, feasting on the same thing, the litter as a whole would have perished.

My point in telling you all of this, we personally know of 4 cases (including our own) where the employees at the Humane Society have mishandled animals. We know of allegations (from others) that animals are walking out of those doors for money being pocketed by...... well, you can imagine the scandal if that were found to be true. It is my hope that there is an investigation surrounding the Humane Society. For the sake of the animals losing their lives unnecessarily, we hope there is change brought to the Wicomico County Humane Society.

Thanks for your efforts to bring the corruption and lies at the Humane Society into the light for the public to see.
Sincerely,
Rae Murphy"

Dear Rae:

First of all, thank you for sending in this message. It should be known to everyone reading this particular article that I did get permission to publish it, including Rae Murphy's name at the end. It's VERY important people put their name to messages like this for credibility. Keep them coming Folks.