There is and always will be a tendency amongst humans to oversimplify life and death. And in this- we often overlook the fact that "life" is more a matter of "quality of life", rather than just the functioning of a biological organism- born but as yet to expire. Life itself is a material, biological process- a human in medical 'brain-death', or a crippled, dying animal living out it's trembling days hiding under a shell casing in a warzone- are both 'alive'. I myself would rather die, and face the eternal question of my own mortality than endure either of those living situations. It's is an unlovely truth, but life is a thing measured by the circumstances under which it toils. Still, the person who commits to caring for a special needs animal, compensating for the problems that kept it from being a desirable pet, spits directly into the face of the callousness of the world.

please send me facts about dogs that are totured

In order to maintain some degree of consistency of logic, I would like to see just who at the ASPCA, PETA, etc., would join me in supporting the involuntary "putting to sleep" of all homeless individuals in the United States. I mean, think about the resources consumed by homeless people. What a drag. The solution to that problem? You got it. It's the blue solution. But you say, "Wait a second! Our concern isn't with those who have no home," (a blatant, bald-faced lie) "but with those that cannot be rehabilitated." Great! Again, I have a use for that solution... Prisoners. The developmentally disabled. The deformed. The "teratogenically disadvantaged." Not much hope for rehabilitating most of them, either. Blue 'em! That'll save resources. Especially in this economy we're stewing in right now, eh? What about that? Calling "No-Kill" damaging shows a blatant disregard for life and a nonunderstanding of the idea. There is a clear difference between the tenets of No-Kill and those of hoarding. One is a movement to save as many lives as possible, and the other represents a manifestation of pathology. If you cannot recognize the difference, you've no place to cast judgment. If you apply the idea of "No-Kill" to humanity, well, then you have the currently "accepted-as-norm" modus operandi of society in the US. Why are the people who kill (and let's call it what it is and not euphemize it) animals any different than those vilified for performing abortions? Baby killers, all of 'em. Does it matter whether the genus is Canis or Homo? ASPCA, PETA, HSUS, AHA, and the rest of the freaks that exist in the name of the word "humane," yet are all things BUT, truly need to check their motives and get their sorry organizations to straighten up and fly right. If you were the one watching the syringe being unnecessarily drawn up for you, you might change your thinking. If you find that idea nonpersuasive, then you're just not human. There are many choice words to describe you (which I won't mention here), but "human" definitely is not among them. Think about it. REALLY. Think about it.

Why is Ed Sayres given $500,000 of donated money every year? That is pathetic. How many spay/neuters will $500,000 buy? Since learning the ASPCA pays Ed Sayres FIVE-HUNDRED THOUSAND a year, there is NO WAY I WILL DONATE A SINGLE DOLLAR to the ASPCA. Instead, I will contribute to local shelters that have executives who work for a reasonable pay, instead of because they want to accumulate financial wealth!

Oreo did not have to die. A perfect place could have been found for her, and she could have lived a peaceful and happy life for many years to come. She was only one years old (still a puppy). Oreo's previous owner(s), ASPCA murderers, and supporters treated our loyal and faithful friend, Oreo, so badly, that without a doubt, if I had to formulate a religion it would depict the DEVIL IN HUMAN FORM!!!

These letters don't really address this specific case of Oreo. Oreo had been offered a place by a reputable sanctuary, PetsAlive. They had the space, the time and the willingness to attempt to rehabilitate Oreo. It was only pride on the part of the ASPCA that refused to allow another organization attempt to do what they understandably cannot could not deal with at this time. A case in point is the decision of Best Friends to take on the severly abused pit bulls of Michale Vick. No they did not warehouse the dogs. They are rehabilitating them. This idea that because some people are collectors and abuse animals, no one should be able to take on a difficult case, is defeatest and small.

would have been nice if ed and aspca had even returned the calls of the rescue group. It sounds like they just went with "policy"

I am not entirely sure of the specifics of how petsalive planned on keeping or rehabilitating this dog, but I can say that if I had a choice between life in a cage or death, I'd choose death without thinking twice.

Peta was caught euthanizing more than 9 out of 10 dogs one year. They do not believe in the idea of pets. Once again, Peta is showing why they should not be supported.

Ok. This has been a debate to like years! Everyone deserves a chance to really show who they are, a chance to live! I know that if an animal is euthanized they will be going to a better place but I only accept that if they HAD A CHANCE TO SHOW THE GOOD SIDE, GIVE THEM A CHANCE FIRST! That's what I'm trying to say to everyone! It dosn't matter if there is 100 000 000 000 000+ animals on the planet, we NEED to give them a chance here! K imange this, humans are at the animal state right now being "ruled" by these more powerful aliens. Then they decide to kill some of us, and you are one of those many that are going to die. You haven't have a chance any time to do something you NEED to do despertly. But the aliens come too fast you can't excape, you are trapped, and they kill you. Your last thought is 'No! I didnt do it..." and you feel like a failer. To me this is how I see it! Not fair! Maby though the ASPCA put Oreo down because they decided that it would be the best for him. To me it sounds like they did that just because Oreo was agressive, wich is not fair! And if you think that the ASPCA gave Oreo a chance by when they helped him with fixing up his wounds, I wouldn't agree, because they killed him shortly after! But I do agree with them in saying that people should spay and nuter their pets. But 'the world that has miserably failed her.'omg! I dont agree. She got agressave because she got misled and didn't trust humans at that time!(again no chance for Oreo ;() Government people should protect ALL ANIMALS! Not just some, what's the point in that?! My say is that all mankind should and NEEDS to care for ALL ANIMALS! Here are some ways you can help: - Write to your Government person that looks after animals - Educate others about what I've said - Raise money for a 'no kill!' animal shelter - Start a no kill animal shelter (lots more too) NEVER GIVE UP! GOOD LUCK TO THOSE ARE ON MY SIDE! :)MERRY CHRISTMAS!

spca is being cruel i am 9 and i know its stupid to put them to sleep... i would take them all and let each one live its life and not ever put it to sleep.. give them a chance build more buildings for them to live in its just like MURDER....

There is always someone that will not support an idea or an effort. When we talk about keeping animals alive that were not given a true love,a secure home and a sense of peace due to the cruelty injected into their lives by ignorant ownership, it is we that say we care that actually execute the final blow. Pits thrive in a loving supportive and nurturing family. When someone has a Pit and does not see them as part of a family, but rather a fighting machine or money maker we have a far larger problem; in that, Pits have an intinctive nature to please,protect and serve their masters. So, in whatever way the Pit is trained wither it be for good or evil when the master sets the Pit to task the dog will always, not sometimes,not maybe do the thing the master has taught. WHY? Because the inheirant nature of the Pit is to be obediant and loyal to the master, even unto death. If it is in a fighting ring or in front of a fireplace these fearless, faithful and natually loving animals will always do what the master has trained them to do. Sadly, Oreo was not given the love of family and he didn't have say in the type of life he would live. I say thank you and God bless the ASPCA for attempting to revive and ingrain new and loving ways in Oreo. Unfortunatly, the hate that hate produced in him had consumed this amazing creature. Oreo now has the rest and the peace that not just he, but all Pits in evil and unloving homes long for and are waiting to receive. Again, thanks ASPCA for making the hardest,but most humane choice you could make in this situation.

Even if Pets Alive were there for Oreo, perhaps the ASPCA thought that its resources would be better spent on animals who could be rehabilitated, rather than one who was a lost cause. An agency with limited resources has to consider time and money. ASPCA may have considered the fact that other abused dogs would have benifited more and have had a better chance of adoption than Oreo if they were rehabilitated. Dogs who are abused and do manage to be rehabilitated are still potentially dangerous. I believe most aggressive dogs should be rehabilitated, and live their lives on farms if possible. However, I will not demonize the ASPCA for making the decision they did.

I am sorry to hear about Oreo's death. But for all those critics about how the ASPCA is a death monger like PETA, you need to get over it. There are literally millions of animals in the US needing good homes that would rather love on you instead of eat you. You cannot simply save all of them. How many of you adopted a pet from the pound and how many bought one from a breeder? Those of you that have purchased from a breeder are part of the problem and have no right to post. You that have adopted from the pound know this is the fate of those that cannot be adopted. I don't work with ASPCA but I am a vet tech and I can assure you that there are dogs out there that are a danger to people. And millions more than are not. I truly am sorry about Oreo and the monster that made him the way he was, but you cannot blame the ASPCA. They tried it sounds like, that's why they fixed his broken bones. If it was their intention from the beginning to euthanize Oreo, they would not have spent thousands fixing him up in the first place. Damn PETA and their deathwagons and crematoriums for the 10 animals yearly they save and thousands more a year they adopt from adoption agencies then euthanize them in the parking lot of that same agency. But ASPCA truly does help and you are all wrong to damn them. They save and adopt out millions every year through the humane societies they operate. They tried and could save this one, they can't win all of them. It would be nice if they could, but think about this, if we all did what is right by the animals, we wouldn't need the ASPCA. Spay/neuter your pets for starters. If you are one of the millions of people who do not do this and constantly donate unwanted litters to them, you are the problem.

PETA kills animals so it is expected they support the ASPCA. I have been a supporter of the ASPCA for many years but I am pulling my money and membership as they are no better than the sorry jerks at PETA.

As a member AND employee of ASPCA, I've seen first hand how hard my organization tries to save ALL animals. Even the ones that other groups ignore... rodents, horses, livestock, strays, etc. But sometimes, all the love, time and compassion we put in to helping these animals just isn't enough. We've donated 3 million dollars to San diego's humane society for a pet rehabilitation program to avoid this kind of thing. We have free or low cost spay/neuter clinics in the 5 boros of NYC to cut back on pet over population because 65% of cats and dogs are euthanized each year and most of the time it's because there just isn't enough room in shelters for them. Oreo was a different case. Oreo was beyond help, unfortunately. If the people of ASPCA and Peta understand the decision, and we're the ones who actually go out and fight for the animals, then you should all calm down with your attacks. And certainly don't dismiss the whole organization because one dog who was beyond help was put down. Nobody at ASPCA makes that choice lightly... in fact, one of the main reasons we exist is to prevent unneeded death of animals. Oh, and @ Aimee... ASPCA are the ones breaking up dog fighting groups and trying to rehabilitate the animals so they can join a loving home someday. ASPCA has laws protecting all animals, including pit bulls... and honestly PETA just gets in the way sometimes with their lunacy so maybe it's a good thing they sit these fights out.

I thought you guys were suposed to give thoughs animals that live in bad situations, their second chance. You had the chance to give her to an agencey that focouses on helping animals like oreo but would you let them.NO! In my opinion a dog is a dog and theres no difference between a cocker spanile and a pit bull. She made it through being thrown off a building, i think she should have been given her second chance.

Oreo being kept in a "comfortable run" without direct contact with people or other dogs would have been torture. Companion animals need companionship, and to deny them that is a fate worse than death. I believe in and support No Kill, and am sickened by PETA's enthusiasm for euthanizing animals, but I believe that in Oreo's case it was the best option.

I am a supporter of PETA...but respectfully disagree with their support of Sayres's actions. Hankins sounds like very bad news...but what about Pets Alive. WHY NOT ALLOW THEM TO TRY? sOUNDS LIKE AN EGO ISSUE TO ME. Oreo was abused all her short life...and most likely in physical and mental pain. What possible harm would have been done in giving her to a reputable group to try to save. BEING IN A COMFORTABLE RUN IS FAR BETTER THAN BEING IN BODY BAG IN THE FREZER WHERE SAYRES PUT HER. The ASPCA ignored the pleas of Pets Alive and Rescue Ink. They would not even discuss it with Pets Alive and tossed Rescue Ink out of the building I have read. They pay Sayres almost half-a-million a year to fail to give an animal another chance? Read about the disaaster he left behind when he was in San Francisco....destroyed the no-kill program, had a disinterested attitude....and destroyed their budgeT. This in in the Nathan Winograd aticle in the Examiner.

I have an ASPCA donation flyer on my desk... Now on its way to the shredder. How uncaring to kill a dog that might have gotten a chance.

Well said Laura, Fran and MAS. Pets Alive is a hole and Oreo did not deserve to live like that anymore than she deserved to be thrown from a rooftop. Even if it was a nice place, shelters and sanctuaries are not adequate permanent homes for companion animals.

"The nice-sounding but damaging “no-kill” movement exposes its lunacy" PETA engages in 'lunatic' antics as a means of gaining publicity for its cause of the ethical treatment of some animals and has stated as much publicly. The irony of labeling a movement to prevent euthanasia of millions of animals yearly is disgusting--more of the same from PETA I guess. In this case euthanasia may have been the most humane of options except for the fact that no-kill organizations offered to attempt rehabilitation for Oreo.

I want to make this brief, because so many points that I think are important, have already been stated by so many., What troubles me is this: why did not the ASPCA hand over Oreo to other caring and reputable groups who so readily offered their assistance? I believe that the ASPCA did everything humanly possible and exhausted every avenue to help Oreo, but why choose to put him down when others were willing to take him in? Why not give Oreo another chance or chances at rehabilitation? What did the ASPCA have to lose? – The decision to euthanize was in the process of being made – why go through with it if helping hands were reaching out? – I’m stumped by this! Maybe Oreo needed more time – much more time -- maybe Oreo would have benefited from a different environment and additional expertise of others – even a slim chance is better than death – once again, what did the ASPCA have to lose? If this question could only be answered, it would help me understand better.

Peta, while doing good work in some areas, are known pit bull phobics. So, I stopped supporting them. I have rescued three pits and found them loving homes. THey are great companions. Even playing gently with my cats. Peta is not to be honored about their opinions about pits. And now, sadly, ASPCA, has lost my trust also. No more money for you from me.

ok im like only 14 but it tears my heart out to watch animals on animal planet being abused. i hate those people who think that it is ok to starve animals an hit them. i have a little chiuaua that was abuse and i resuced him from being put down for being so shy now he is still a little timid but he is alot better than he had benn and he has gained some weight. thank you for informing people about neglect to animals and thanks for making a diffrence for the lives of animals that are abuse and neglected.

I have just been made aware of this poor dog, Oreo, by reading my local no kill shelters web page. My heart bleeds for Oreo, people failed her when it was not necessary. There are shelters out there that do rehabilitate abused dogs and they could have helped Oreo. I am a huge supporter of Best Friends and Animal Ark, I am a proud owner of a rescued Pit Bull and will always have one in my life. ASPCA has made me think twice now on donating to them. I do not donate to the Humane Society any longer and I absolutly will not donate to PETA, thier ignorance towards Pit Bulls is unbelievable. If people would take the time to educate themselves on this breed and find out what a loyal, loving breed they are would help save a lot of them. I am not sure what happened to the owner who did this to Oreo, but I would like to see him pay for what he did. I think it is so sad that we do not have stronger laws on animal abuse, I feel the person that did this needs to go away for years....not just a penalty or a couple of months, but years. I feel a person who could do this to animal could easily hurt a child or another person.

RIP, Oreo. Thank goodness merciful action was taken on your behalf. Those who are so enraged at the ASPCA would do better to focus that anger at the dog's abuser and the neighbors who listened as the dog cried for a half hour while she was being abused and did nothing. Thanks to the ASPCA for making the difficult decision to give Oreo a peaceful release from a life of suffering and pain.

What would have been the public's reaction if ASPCA had relinquished Oreo to a group that wanted her, when she badly injured or even killed someone?

Baloney!!!! I will no longer support either PETA or the ASPCA! Pets Alive should have been allowed to take Oreo- PERIOD!!!! The rest is just politics as usual and I refuse to listen to anymore. My donations will now go to the small animal groups and sanctuaries who are not motivated by greed or politics!

To be honest, I'm a little shocked at the vindictive language of PETA's open letter to the editor. Condemning a bad decision does not translate automatically to a mud slinging match. It only reaffirms my faith not to support big organizations and keep my support to smaller grassroot movements for animal rights and kindness to them.

I am done with the ASPCA until Edwin Sayres and people like him are gone...You are a disgrace as animal "rescuers". Oreo was great as a cash cow for the ASPCA when she first came in - but now you can't seem to sweep her unjustified kilkling under the rug as soon as possible. Shame on you - no more money from me for the ASPCA. (Gee, between the ASPCA killing Oreo, and HSUS supporting a dog killer, and PETA just being run by lunatics, I am saving a TON of money to give to REAL animal advocates!!)

I am not surprised by PETA's support of the ASPCA's decision to kill Oreo, but I am shocked by their bringing up old FALSE accusations against Camille Hankins. Camille was running a sanctuary but was low on funds and so turned to PETA, her then-friend, for help. PETA responded in the only way it knew how - by deciding to quickly kill as many animals as possible. They could only do this by falsifying conditions at the sanctuary. I am good friends with Camille, and she cares more about animals, and works harder on saving them, than anyone I've ever met. I've also been to her house, and she is a very fastidious person. She would never, in 10,000 years, let any animal live in the conditions PETA falsely claims she did. As so many articles today point out, PETA does NOT spend their money saving animals. They do other good work, but saving pit bulls is not on their list.

I think we are all missing a HUGE point here. Everyone on this post and the hundreds of others regarding the Oreo situation are animals lovers. We may have different views on specific issues, but clearly we are all passionate about the same thing - animals! Let's not let the love for all creatures turn into hatred for our fellow humans. This is a sad, unfortunate situation, but clearly it is result of larger issues - which is what we all need to be focusing on, rather than continuing the finger-pointing and blame.

I am a member of PETA but I don't agree with with all of their policies regarding the other animals. PETA is against no-kill shelters and I totally support them monetarilly and philosophically. PETA wants no more pitbulls and I oppose that also. Too much politics and not enough compassion. If any dog can be rehabilitated by another group the dog should go there. Playing God with their lives is unaccepatable.

FRAN......i am not a rescue but have taken in, not one, but several dogs with aggression issues, some with very BAD aggression issues and I know that given the right enviroment, care, handling, patience, and training, THEY CAN BE REHABILITATED!! And I am not even a behaviour expert!!!!! So be calling rescue people crazy because I can assure you the majority of those who were fighting for Oreo were animal lovers NOT only rescues. I put her on the Rainbow Bridge page because I felt so many of us tried so hard to save her, and she needed to be loved as much as my own pets.....Oreo deserved a chance with Pets Alive or Best Friends or whatever ....so I will never believe any ASPCA or whatever about putting an aggressive dog down and I do think that those who put that needle in her have no respect from me. I would never hold that kind of job and would probably would have walked out ...I have walked out of better jobs, why not from killing a dog????

Only too well, we understand the decision. We adopted a part pit stray when she was just a pup. A couple of yrs out of puppyhood and she became a Jekyll & Hyde, able to cuddle in our laps but then ripping big holes in any of our other dogs, all without any warning or obvious reason. And she wouldn't stop once she began mauling. She bit anything & everything, including us. We faced the same agonizing decision - we couldn't find her another home (and keep a clear conscience), she was absolutely unpredictable, she was deadly, but she could be so sweet. More than once, we came close to putting her down. We ended up buying a stout wire muzzle and she wore that every single day for about nine years. It didn't stop the aggression but it did stop the wounds, but it was also a hard thing to do, to watch this normally happy dog have to lug this muzzle around all the time, taking it off only for short periods while she ate. And she still managed to do some mauling when we accidentally left her muzzle off too long. Ultimately, her body turned on her when she was 12 and her auto-immune system went haywire. She died peacefully one morning, with no help from us. And what learned from her tells us that we should ask that others realize that this had to have been an agonizing decision. There is no easy answer, and I can't say - even some years later - that our muzzling solution was any better.

Not surprised at the PETA stance, just waiting for HSUS to come out in support of the ASPCA. These three groups have done good but they have lost their way. They've gone to politics and sales and begging for donations but don't seem to care much for animals!

Such a predictable letter from the killing fields of PETA, to the ASPCA under the directorship of yet another animal murderer, Ed Sayres. Yes, we all know PETA chooses to kill it's animals rather than put any effort into re-homing them. This is a matter on public record. PETA must be overjoyed that they have a new ally with whom they can share their fear and ignorance of any breed remotely related to the American Staffordshire or pitbull. Perhaps Mr. Sayre's will join PETA in their most ardent support of BSL. Both organizations are the killing fields of endless numbers of destitute animals in need of compassion. Amazingly, they make their money under the pretense of saving the lives and dignity of the very animals they end up killing in huge numbers. This letter doesn't surprise anyone. Written from one mansion to another. What an outrage to see your all your public funding goes into real estate rather than saving the lives of the very animals you claim to rescue and protect. Neither organization will ever see a dime from me.

Candi, thank you for your comments in support of Camille Hankins. Typical PETA tactics, unfortunately. In this whole sad situation, I do find some levity in PETA using the term "lunacy" in regards to the no-kill movement, considering PETA's reputation in much of the animal rescue world. PETA is so hypocritical.

Very intelligent and articulate argument by Carmel. So where did you get your degree from Einstein?! Typically people who say stupid things like "take your meds" contribute nothing to discussions and do absolutely nothing to help animals.

The real tragedy is how many wonderful, perfectly adoptable pitbulls are put to sleep EVERY SINGLE day in New York City. Healthy, young pitbulls with PERFECT behavior assessments are euthanized on a regular basis due to the fact that there is no place to house them and absolutely no one cares. I'm glad the public has taken interest in Oreo's case...a sad, complicated case...but what about all of the others put to death for absolutely no reason at all? When will the media start reporting on these animals?

We all know their is a farm or sanctuary that would have taken Oreo in. Somebody at ASPCA must enjoyed the power of making decisions of deciding who lives/dies--if aspca can't rehabilitate a dog, they should give it away to a professional that is willing--unless their hell-bent on killing.

As someone who survived being mauled by a dog I adopted from a rescue group who knew the dog had issues and assured me he had been rehabilitated, I can first handily say the ASPCA absolutely did the right thing by having Oreo put down. These people who run these rescue group might have good intentions, but many are amateurs who have no professional experience with these animals. That dog I adopted could have killed me. I spent 3 days in the hospital. He could have killed a child, but I guess that would have been OK by the sound of some of the nuts who have posted on this site.

PETA is a freakish organization full of zealots who don't believe ANYBODY should have pets, AND they are NOT no-kill!!! PETA hates pit bulls especially! No one should give them ANY $$$!!!! I am a vegetarian because of the way they treat "farm" animals, but PETA stinks to high heaven of disgusting HYPOCRISY!!!! petakillsanimals.com See for yourself!

For all those throwing around Pets Alive, not so fast! http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=3068497&page=1 There are THOUSANDS of pits out there killed every week. This is just one dog, given every chance. All those with homes for Oreo need to go to their LOCAL shelter and adopt an ADOPTABLE dog.

What about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary? Dogs like Oreo are exactly the cases that they take on. Why did no one give them a chance to work with her? The decision to euthanize was far too premature.

This is by far the WORST example of support that they could have shown. Wrong ASPCA wrong yet again....

PETA supports the killing of an animal that didn't need to be killed? SHOCKING! JUST SHOCKING. Um....Peta killed 95% of the animals in their care last year. They adopted a total of 7. They are part of the big three money sucking frauds in animal welfare. I'm sure HSUS will be the next to step up. Don't take the side of death.

Unfortunately this is a sad truth that some of us in animal welfare have to deal with on a daily basis. These animals that have been failed by us the human race. I feel horrible that Oreo had to be euthanized but unfortunately some of the animals on this earth have endured such extreme abuse there is no other alternative but to release them from their pain of living here with us. The best for them is to cross the Rainbow Bridge and find peace and happiness that they have not had the pleasure to encounter on this earth. The decision is a difficult but the best interest of the suffering animals have to be considered. No one should throw stones until you are in the position of making the decisions on the plight of the suffering ones that are encountered after others abuse and throw them away!

Has anyone considered that the only reason Pets Alive was interested in Oreo was that she was a high-profile case, and it was a way for them to raise money? That's exactly what they're doing right now on their website. They're calling the ASPCA murderers & encouraging ASPCA supporters to donate to them instead. It is interesting to me that Pets Alive has never been interested in taking any of the ASPCA's severe behavior cases before this. It seems like they're only interested in the "famous" ones. Call me cynical, but a lot of rescues are hurting financially right now, and aren't above hurling unfounded accusations at the ASPCA, who does so much to help animals not just in NYC but all over the country.

ASPCA failed the animals they are charged to protect, and now PETA is just as guilty. ASPCA should hang their heads in shame.

While all you no-kill people are crying over one dog, who most likely would have seriously hurt someone, thousands are in need of help, and all you can do is sit in the safety of your homes and do nothing, but complain and complain. So one dog had to be put down. I work on saving elephants in zoos and circuses and the brutality they have to go through every day, and I would bet my money on it that a lot of you who are so outraged about this one damaged animal take your silly families to gawk at elephants in zoos and circuses, never stopping once to think of they injustice they go through. Stop being such babies and grown up. Life isn't fair all the time. Why don't you do something more constructive other than complaining. Oh, the biggest joke here is I don't hear anyone really outraged at the guy who beat and threw this dog off the roof. He's the one you should be going after, but then again I am addressing a bunch of cowards. Tomorrow I make a donation to the ASPCA, for all the good work they have done and the thousands and THOUSANDS of animals they have saved. I still can't believe how stupid you people are, so righteous and yet so empty.

Fancy a group like PETA known for their anti-pitbull, pro-euthanasia stance would come forward and support the cowards at the ASPCA. How dare you, you ignorant, blood thirstry hypocrites? And how dare you spread lies about Ms. Hankins who is an amazing human being and animal rights activist. PETA has become the cancer of the animal rights movement as the ASPCA has become the cancer of the animal welfare movement. We all know what needs to be done to cancers. Ingrid Newkirk, PETA and the ASPCA - you have no business working with animals. You are hypocritical murderers who are a plague to the animal rights community who actually cares about the individual lives of all animals. Go home and count your money and leave the animal rights work to grassroots organizations who actually care about animals.

It makes me terribly sad, but I do agree with the essence of PETA's argument: if we as a society acted responsibly towards animals in the first place, we would not be faced with the overwhelming number of abused and unwanted animals. People work tirelessly to rehabilitate and find homes for the animals who can be helped. If blame belongs to anyone, it certainly isn't with the people at the ASPCA who tried to help Oreo. It belongs to Oreo's abuser and those of us who sat here writing comments on this article, rather than putting our money and our actions where we so easly put our mouths (or fingers in this case).

To all you "no-kill" people attacking the ASPCA: a nearby animal shelter that I rescue from as much as possible has to put down sweet, affectionate PUPPIES all the time. Find homes for all of these, and all the others around the country, and then come and tell me about how other options existed for Oreo. Okay? http://www.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?animal=dog&shelterid=NC345 FWIW, I adopted a pit bull mix from there recently and have come to adore pits. They get new ones all the time, so step right up, critics of PETA and the ASPCA.

Historically Pit Bull terriers are the only animals PETA does not defend. How ironic that an animal rights group would choose this stance on any creature. Their stance on Oreo does not surprise me.

No kill at what cost??? Sometimes euthanasia is the most humane option.

PETA you forgot to mention in your letter to the editor that another rescue, Pets Alive offered to take Oreo and work with her. Pets Alive had success in the past with aggressive dogs and they deserved a chance to work with Oreo. But more than anything Oreo deserved a chance with Pets Alive.

I am saddened that any animal should have to endure the cruelty that Oreo survived. I am not sure what the best alternative for her would have been, but feel that humane euthansia is sometimes a painful but necessary solution to this problem. I am sure it is not an easy decision or job and feel that the blame shouldnot be on the people making these tough decision but on the people who create these problems. I also agree that the laws protecting animals should be stronger and the consequences MUCH tougher. I also feel strongly about a need for mandaded spaying and neutering of pets to control the overwhelming number of animals that turn up in animals shelters without a home.

Well Fran thanl God there is someone watching out for Circus, zoo animals and whatever else you stand up for. Don't bash us because we care and we fight for what we believe in. If it were that easy to take a dog into the home all of the time I can assure you 99.9% would. And if you know the whole story that is not the issue here. It's about RESCUE groups offering to take Oreo and full responsibility for her and being denied. This is not a circus so maybe you should tend to matters of the circus, like the clowns.

I am a long-time supporter of ASPCA and am struggling with their decision about Oreo. PETA advocates for the extinction of Pit Bulls as a breed--yes, that is policy with them-- so I'm not surprised that they side with ASPCA in this instance. I don't know why PETA would say that Cesar Millan's techniques would not have been effective with Oreo; Cesar specializes in rehabilitating aggressive dogs. On what basis does PETA make that claim? Best Friends would seem to have been another good alternative for Oreo where she might have lived out her natural life and perhaps also learned that humans aren't all monsters. While I'm sure this was a heartbreaking decision for ASPCA, I just don't believe that all possible options for Oreo had been exhausted. As for me, yes, I have had rescued Pit Bulls, currently have a rescued Pit Bull, and always will have a rescued Pit Bull in my life. Rest in peace, dear Oreo.

ASPCA, I will no longer support you. I've sent hundreds of dollars to you in the past several years. You should've given another no-kill shelter or sanctuary an opportunity to help Oreo. Instead, your arrogance clouded your judgement. Shame on you!

This is absolutelly stupid... kill Oreo was about arrogance,arrogance and arrogance... Pets Alive was there , a real choice for Oreo! but no.. Peta you are losing your point.

I'm familiar with PETA's stance on no-kill and euthanasia. However, I do not believe that every option and alternative had been explored for Oreo. I do not believe she was granted sufficient time to recover before this dreadfully final decision was made. When an animal has competent, eager adopters begging for an opportunity to rehabilitate her in the proper setting, it behooves ASPCA (or any shelter in similar situations) to set aside its ego and let someone else try. We have seen miraculous turn-arounds with other abused animals. Ultimately, the same fate may have awaited Oreo, but I think the outrage exists because others also believe the decision was premature and inappropriate.