ASPCA Euthanizes Oreo, the Dog Who Survived Being Thrown From a Rooftop

Oreo, a one-year-old pit-bull mix who this past summer survived being thrown from a New York City rooftop, has been euthanized. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) released a somber statement that Oreo was put down on Friday, November 13.

"It was a difficult decision to make, and one that was based on the welfare of Oreo," Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, the ASPCA's National Programs and Science Advisor, tells Paw Nation.

The abuse that Oreo suffered in her short life, it seems, was insurmountable. On June 18, Oreo was beaten by her owner, 19-year-old Fabian Henderson, who threw her from a six-story building, as reported in the New York Daily News. "Neighbors reported hearing the sounds of the dog being beaten for at least 20-30 minutes -- and the dog whimpering as a consequence," the ASPCA said in its statement.

Oreo miraculously survived the brutal plunge, suffering "multiple fractures in her front legs as well as ligament damage, bruised lungs, a fractured rib, liver injury and internal bleeding," reported the New York Times. The skin around Oreo's stomach and armpits was also infected, said the New York Post, suggesting additional abuse. (Henderson was arrested and ultimately pleaded guilty to felony animal-abuse charges, and will be sentenced on December 1, according to the New York Times.)

At the ASPCA, Oreo recovered from her physical injuries, only to "begin showing signs of extreme aggression -- with little provocation or warning," says the ASPCA. "We did a lot of work trying to desensitize her to a variety of stimuli as well as being used to handled by, and being in the presence of, people," says Dr. Zawistowski. "She became very reactive when presented with a variety of stimuli common in foster care or sanctuary situations: the presence of other dogs, people and needing to be touched to provide basic care." An ASPCA video provided to Paw Nation shows Oreo barking and lunging at passing dogs, turning to snap at her handler and baring her teeth and snarling at the camera.

"When we make these decisions, it's not based on a single evaluation or incident. It's based on looking at the trajectory of how the dog has been doing while in our care and during our rehabilitative processes," says Dr. Zawistowski. Oreo, he says, was so reactive that it "results in her being constantly aroused in a non-positive way, that over time becomes more and more deteriorating for her physical and psychological capacity."

"We have done everything humanly possible to save Oreo's life," Ed Sayres, President and CEO of the ASCPA, said in a statement. "Yet as a result of the abuse she suffered at the hands of Mr. Henderson, or for other reasons we may never know, she has come to a place where she can no longer be around people or other animals. We make this decision, and others like it, with a heavy heart and a complete understanding that, had she been treated with love and respect, Oreo's fate would be much different."

On Friday afternoon, Dr. Zawistowski described the procedure that awaited Oreo. "[The ASPCA] will use the same methods that any veterinarian would use for a beloved family companion," he explains. "It is absolutely not painful," he says. "We desire that her last moments will be calm moments with a kind hand touching her."

Tags: dog abuse, dog thrown from roof, DogThrownFromRoof, oreo the dog