Update: Shelter, man disagree over dog’s rescue

MENANDS – The story of Daisy the dog just became even more bizarre.

Here is what is known: On Saturday morning, Albany resident Juan McKnight dropped off a 1-year-old Jack Russell terrier at the Mohawk and Hudson Humane Society.

From there, things aren’t so clear. See story.

That story followed up on a story we published earlier today with the erroneous information that the dog, Daisy, was found early Monday in a kitty crate left on the side of Sheridan Avenue between Lark and Dove streets. See that story.

Both stories have been widely read on timesunion.com, and we thought you might like to discuss Daisy’s tale here.

Note: Comments 1 through 14 were posted before we published Mr. McKnight’s claim that the humane society made the story up, perhaps for publicity.

Categories: General
Michael Huber

39 Responses

  1. MyDuffey says:

    Honestly, no doubt in my mind that the misinformation within this story came from the Humane Society. Once upon a time it was a good shelter – working with, and for, the community. Euthanasia was low. Now the place is obsessed with money and PR. Fewer animals are there but the kill rates have gone up drastically. More management than kennel staff. Money means nothing if you have no heart.

  2. animal lover says:

    I have no idea how this story got so twisted…

    I hope the people wishing to adopt Daisy but not chosen to have her will look at the other dogs at the shelter…..they have a sad story too – but their story just didn’t make the news.

    I too, like others, am sick and tired of people giving up an animal because it was inconvenient, it didn’t win in dog fights, etc.

    #29 I understand what you are saying and you were so kind to do what you did with those cats. However, day in and day out they (shelter staff) have to deal with irresponsible pet owners and horrible abuse cases and a lot of folks tell lie after lie. Shelter staff are burned out. I know I couldn’t do what they do and I thank God there are people willing to do this type of work. It must be heartbreaking most days.

    I wish everyone who gets so emotional about this Daisy story would send at least $5 to the Menands Shelter and help them out.

    In a few days it will all be forgotten and no one will care.

  3. Pat says:

    A few months ago, an elderly woman called me for help with five cats that she took in belong to a friend who have just died. She was asked to move and she could not take the animals. She called the Menands shelter and was told the she had to pay them $125. to take the animals there but she was on Social Security and did not have the money. They told that was the rule. So, she called me in tears and I advocated for her with the shelter management. I know that the care of animals costs money but here was a kind hearted woman in a tough situation and she got turned away until someone advocated for her. That is just wrong. This woman was so embarrassed by her poverty as a senior that she insisted on showing me her bank statement to ‘prove’ to me that she had no money. A shelter that says it is there to serve the community and its animals should do just that.

  4. Nadine says:

    If this story was fabricated, it would not surprise me. I know I questioned the MHRHS about their “stories” in their last appeal letter. They never responded. One story that appeared this past year was about a dog beaten with a construction helmet that the MHRHS made sound like it was in their care when the dog was at a local Veterinarian. It is not uncommon for groups to appeal when a story might make them some money- like what the HSUS did with the Vick dogs.

    The shelter’s $25.00 surrender fee is pretty much required and I was present one day this past October when a woman with a dog was turned away. Turning away local pets puzzles me when they then take dogs from the south.

  5. animal lover says:

    The Menands shelter has a Board and hopefully they will look into the way the shelter is handling surrenders and looking for contributions.

    Does anyone by any chance know whatever happened to the puppy that was abused by the construction worker mentioned in #34? I hope she/he found a good home.

  6. MMcdonald says:

    Is it Illegal for you to “put down” your own pet when it gets old.I know people used to do that and bury them in their yards.It may sound cruel but it was done for years.

  7. AKH says:


    This is true. BUT it was JUST as true in past years when the doors were open to any animal (as their mission statement still says), when no surrender fee was required, and when people weren’t hit with threats (or ‘assurances’) that their dog or cat (or a stray they found) would be euthanized if left at the shelter. Menands used to be an active, open place with many volunteers, MANY placements, and good relationships with other shelters and local rescues. It isn’t the number of unwanted animals that has changed but the management and Board. Now in order to volunteer you have to swear to a “code of secrecy” that you won’t discuss shelter operations with anyone; volunteers who ask questions are told to leave and are not allowed back on the grounds; there are 5-7 dogs available for adoption where there used to be 25 at a time. Questions have been raised (and not answered) about the ‘heartwarming’ stories in the shelter newletter and fundraising appeals, which – sadly – means it’s possible that the story of Daisy was made up by the shelter, not Mr. McKnight. I used to volunteer there but refuse to sign away my 1st Amendment rights!

  8. Dog guy says:

    It is ridiculous to criticize the shelter for this guy’s lies and dumping his dog. What all these critics seem to have forgotten is that the shelter did take in this dog and they did not charge this man a penny for doing it. They get no government funding to take care of her, they just took her in and gave her vet care, got her spayed so she wouldn’t have more babies and now they are sure to find her a great new home. This man didn’t go anywhere else because there is nowhere else for him to take the dog.
    Those of you who say the shelter used to be better obviously never go there now. It used to be a pit filled with sick animals that were put down all the time. Now they are constantly doing adoptions, the staff are friendly, the place is clean and the animals are healthy. I’ve lived here my whole life and I have never seen the place look better.

  9. Marta says:

    MHRHS is still refusing to go no-kill which is a shame. They have an unresponsive Board and Director and are not spending much money on fixing the facilities. Last year, they supposedly had a $300,000 deficit. Well, it sounds like they should be doing more fundraising. According to their own stats in print (newsletter and their webpage), last year they adopted out about 3300 animals but took in 9000. Well, what happened to the rest?

    I have been counting the numbers on the floor for months and never see more than 7-10 dogs and about 20 cats with many empty cages. Sure, if the place never looked better, it is because they have so few animals and are killing the rest. Even their 2 offsite locations are often not full.

    As for Daisy we are all thankful she got a home. I am sure the shelter made money off of her. They have a vet on staff and are required by law to spay/neuter prior to adopting and she was only there a few days. Believe me, things are not what they seem down there in Menands. Any place that kills animals then blames everyone else, should be out of business. If the community was smart, they would stop donating and demanding better for the communitie’s unwanted pets.