On March 4, without warning, without cause, and without due process, Southeastern Guide dogs forcibly took the 9-1/2 year old guide dog of Rev. Susan Blake, an Episcopal priest for the diocese of Orlando. When Rev. Blake appealed the decision, Southeastern did not give Rev. Blake an opportunity to speak for herself, present her veterinary records TO DISPUTE THEIR exaggerated, UNFOUNDED CLAIMS, nor offer her an opportunity to remedy Southeastern’s perceived shortcomings. Instead, the same group of Southeastern Staff that made the original REPREHENSIBLE decision met to deny her appeal.
“The representative showed up unannounced, said Didi looked like she was about four pounds overweight, grabbed the leash from my hands, loaded her in the car and drove away,” says Rev. Blake through her tears. Rev. Blake begged the representative not to take her away but the Southeastern staffer would only say, “You breached your contract!”
Since then Southeastern Guide dogs has made sensationally exaggerated claims about the health of Rev. Blake’s Guide dog that are not supported by her recent veterinary records. Southeastern claims Rev. Blake neglected the dog by not having it to a veterinarian since 2018; however, Didi was seen by her vet on January 6, 2021. Southeastern irrationally contends the dog should weigh the 57 pounds she weighed when the dog was 20 months old but now at 9-1/2 years old is 73 pounds; Rev. Blake’s veterinarian expressed no concern over the aging dog’s weight. Southeastern claims the dog has tumors on its eye while Didi’s vet records reflect a small growth on one of the lower eyelids. Southeastern says the dog has severe gingivitis that required surgery. Didi’s vet says her gums are pink, her teeth a bit worn, and there is a bit of tartar, all normal for a nearly 10-year-old Labrador Retriever.
“What Southeastern did SEEMS criminal,” contends Marion Gwizdala of Advocates for Service animal Partners (ASAP) in Tampa. “Southeastern’s contract transfers ownership to Rev. Blake and they forcibly took her property WITHOUT HER CONSENT, a third degree felony in Florida.”
According to Mt. Dora Deputy chief al Rollins, Rev. Blake signed a contract so this is a civil issue not a criminal matter. Gwizdala questions how someone can own something yet someone else can forcibly take it without due process. Not to mention this is not just a dog but Rev. Blake’s independence and mobility
Friends of Rev. Blake have set up a Go Fund Me page to raise money in order to hire an attorney in an effort to force Southeastern to become accountable and reform their paternalistic, immoral, and unethical practices. You can support this effort by going to
https://gofund.me/969e922a
And making a donation of any size. Any funds remaining will be given to a guide dog training program that respects the dignity of its blind consumers.
Pertinent State Statutes
Property of another” means property in which a person has an interest upon which another person is not privileged to infringe without consent, whether or not the other person also has an interest in the property. 812.012(5) f.s.)
A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently:
(a) Deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property.
(b) Appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not entitled to the use of the property.” 812.014(1) f.s.)
About Advocates for Service animal Partners (ASAP)
Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP) is a newly-organized network of service animal advocates across the United States. Our goal is to encourage, educate, and support service animal handlers through printed and electronic publications, Informational webinars, recorded educational materials, and direct advocacy support, intervention, and mediation. In support of this mission, we also work to educate employers, governmental entities, private companies, housing accommodations, and the airline industry about the rights, responsibilities, and limitations of access under state and federal law.
http://www.facebook.com/asap411/
About Advocates for Service animal Partners (ASAP)
Advocates for Service Animal Partners (ASAP) is a newly-organized network of service animal advocates across the United States. Our goal is to encourage, educate, and support service animal handlers through printed and electronic publications, Informational webinars, recorded educational materials, and direct advocacy support, intervention, and mediation. In support of this mission, we also work to educate employers, governmental entities, private companies, housing accommodations, and the airline industry about the rights, responsibilities, and limitations of access under state and federal law.