ignorance.

i went to BARCS this morning to give the shelter dogs baths before their photo shoot with the orioles at camden yards this afternoon. we bathed them on the back side of the shelter, in the garage on the "animal control" side of things. i witnessed an animal control officer bring a dog in and i had a flashback to a moment from several years ago.

i am a full-time death investigator in baltimore city. i'm approaching my 5-year anniversary here at the medical examiner's office. baltimore city is a tough place full of ignorant people that simply don't know any better. i responded to a house call for a gentleman that had obviously been deceased for several days, if not a week. as soon as i walked in the door i am greeted by a pathetic looking white pit bull in a crate. i asked if anyone has taken him out, given him food or water. immediately the police say "i ain't messin' with that thing, that's a PIT BULL!!" i grab a leash and find a bowl to give him some water. his legs are so weak and cramped from being in that crate for close to a week his legs gave out as soon as i opened the door. he thirstily drank the water and i took him outside for his first bathroom break in days. this poor pooch was obviously house-trained because the crate was spotless inside. i walked him around the block and tried to comfort him until animal control arrived to pick him up. EMS, police, neighbors and family had been inside that residence for 2 hours before i arrived. i don't understand how people could look at this poor animal suffering and refuse to do anything for it just because it is a pibble. absolutely disgusting. i think that is the moment when it really hit me that these dogs, innocent dogs, need my help the most.

and whenever i get sad or hear about a dog i know from the shelter that didn't make it out, i think about the ONE dog i was able to save and that there is one less pit bull that was a victim in all of this. and that is this guy right here. mister corbin dallas.