“An accident waiting to happen” – Volunteer says Grand Rivers Humane Society needs reform

Akita, shown for breed. Not the actual dog involved in the incident.

A Grand Rivers Humane Society volunteer recently contacted AnneLandmanBlog with information about a traumatic and horrifying incident that occurred at a July 13, 2024 dog adoption event at Lincoln Park held by Grand Rivers Humane Society (GRHS), under the supervision of the organization’s president, Nan McNeese. The incident involved a vicious dog fight that ended with two dogs who were in Grand Rivers’ care being euthanized. The volunteer took several steps to try to address the incident after it occurred, and since then has put considerable thought into proactive measures that GRHS could have taken at the event, and that the organization can take in the future, to prevent similar incidents from happening.

The volunteer wants to remain anonymous, but desperately wants to shed light on the situation in hopes that Grand Rivers Human will make changes that will better protect the dogs and people attending such events.

Following is the volunteer’s description of the incident and suggestions to increase safety:

“I’m writing today about an incident that occurred on 13-July-2024 at Lincoln Park when two dogs, a pit bull and an Akita got into a vicious dog fight resulting in euthanasia of both dogs at Mesa County Animal Control. The incident occurred at an outdoor dog adoption event sponsored by Grand Rivers Humane Society (GRHS), under the supervision of Nanette McNees (President) who was in attendance when the fight occurred.

It is my belief that Nan’s system design for the event led to the dog fight. In my opinion it was an accident waiting to happen, and could happen again unless major changes are made.

I was present at the event as a GRHS volunteer when the dog fight occurred. GRHS happens to have a lot of pit bulls at their events, and are allowed outside of crates, encouraged to be walked, or sat with, by volunteers. Visitors describe the events – normally held outside by a nearby Chow Down pet store – as being “tense”.

Both dogs were outside of their crates, approximately 30 yards apart, on feeble cloth leashes, under care of new volunteers with scant training in handling “fighting” breed dogs.

Pit Bull, shown for breed. Not the actual dog involved in the incident.

After the dogs were separated, Nan ordered them to a nearby emergency vet clinic. Dogs were bleeding with glaring wounds. The white Pittie was blood-spotted and looked like an Appaloosa horse.

At the clinic the dogs were turned away and ordered to Mesa County Animal Control, where they were euthanized.

Tensions at Lincoln Park were very high; the scene had extreme energy (much like what is presented on the news after a school shooting). Nan did not employ any crisis management, and refused to talk to the volunteer who had care of the pit bull, berating the volunteer at one point, leading to exchange of harsh words.

What I observed as core problems regarding the event design, a.k.a. “Nan’s system”:

• • Lack of crisis management on Nan’s part;
  • Poor or meager volunteer training;
  • No job shadowing (not even an hour) with new volunteers;
  • Volunteers encouraged to walk the dogs, or sit with them, leashed at all times, and spread apart (although this is not always possible especially if the event is held near Chow Down pet store in Grand Junction;
  • “Fighting” breeds allowed outside of crates;
  • Flimsy cloth leashes as opposed to no-pull harnesses;
  • Akita, known to have caused problems at previous events, should have remained in a crate;
  • Akita said to have been “vibing” the pit bull from a distance, approx. 30 yards;
  • Nan refusing to talk with volunteer who was sitting with leashed pit bull when fight occurred, instead blame-shifting onto this volunteer;
  • Lack of empathy, actually NO empathy, for those who witnessed the dog fight and were clearly stressed out;
  • Nan’s prideful, arrogant style of supervision, also reported on Google Reviews by others who have had dealings with her

Following this tragedy, I spoke or wrote to:

Nan McNeese, President of Grand Rivers Humane Society, shown here in 2022 (Screenshot: KJCT 8 News)

— Mesa County Animal Control

— Pet Animals Care Facilities Act (PACFA) – a licensing and inspection program dedicated to protecting the health and well-being of pet animals in facilities throughout Colorado.

— Colorado Department of Agriculture, which enforces the Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act (PACFA), which licenses and inspects pet animal care facilities in Colorado, Inspection & Consumer Services Division “Carrie,” intake complaints and follow up, 303.869.9146

— Within days following dog deaths:

— Filed complaint with Humane Society of USA; got no response;

— Filed a phone complaint with national shelter hotline (to which I was referred by someone at the Grand Junction non-emergency police number)

— Made numerous calls to Pit Bull rescue organizations to learn what is proper and safe for pit bull rescue adoption events; also, to learn about inbred breed behaviors.

In summary:

I was the volunteer sitting with leashed [Dog #1, the pit bull, who was] peacefully laying at my feet, when she suddenly bolted, knocking me out of the chair onto the grass, the chair flying the other way.  As I hit the ground I looked back and saw the Akita standing stiff legged outside of a crate, approximately 30 yards away. The rest is the story, and my petition for Nan to be held accountable.

I would like to see all of these issues addressed by proper authorities, and Nan and her staff replaced with humane and better educated individuals, because [the current situation] is still an accident waiting to happen.”

Both dogs and people can develop post-traumatic stress syndrome or other mental health issues after being involved in or witnessing such an attack, like anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fear of dogs and/or depression.

It appears a few sensible changes made by the adoption event organizer could go a long way towards preventing such tragedies and increasing the safety of the dogs, volunteers, event attendees and onlookers.