WITNESSES INTERVIEWED
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This week Bailey and Michelle were interviewed by Canine Foundations.
It was on a property owned by Michelle that Heiniu died – while both Michelle and her daughter Bailey witnessed exactly what happened. Having to relive that horrific experience yet again – has to be beyond traumatic.
From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank Michelle and Bailey for persevering – for continuing to tirelessly fight for ‘Justice for Heiniu’ — so his death is not in vain and so that he will not be forgotten.
The firm interviewing them was hired by the Town of Aurora to investigate the death of Heiniu. The town promised an “independent, unbiased review”.
INDEPENDENT & UNBIASED? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Canine Foundations (C.F.) conducted a professional, polite interview. But as previously mentioned and we want to reiterate here again – C.F. has “skin in the game” – a direct conflict of interest as they are peers of the animal control officers.
It was also disclosed during the interviews – Canine Foundations were more than likely the actual trainers of Hailey & Noemi — through the training services C.F. provide to the Town of Aurora.
Canine Foundations has a vested interest in this investigation as when they do produce their final report (promised for approximately the end of this month), they will undoubtedly recommend additional training for Aurora’s Animal Services – and who will be paid for providing additional training services? We’re guessing it will be none other than Canine Foundations!
THE INTERVIEWS:
Over a total of 5 hours, Michelle and Bailey were separately interviewed to go through chronologically what happened. At the request of Michelle and Bailey, Humane Initiative was also present during the interviews.
The interviews were, quite honestly, gut wrenching.
Michelle recounted how she believed Aurora Animal Services would come and handle the dogs humanely and reunite them with their families. Michelle was sure that because Animal Control officers were highly paid professionals, the dogs were at no risk and would be going home soon.
Michelle recounted how she secured the dogs in her yard, how both were friendly, tails wagging and exhibited zero fear or aggression. Then Michelle spoke of that moment, that moment when she realized that what she believed would happen was NOT happening.
Michelle spoke of…
Seeing the blood, and Heiniu laying in her driveway and her daughter in tears as Bailey witnessed up close how sweet Heiniu died at the hands of the so-called professionals Hailey and Noemi.
As the primary eyewitness, Bailey spoke at a granular level, describing the suffering and distress Heiniu experienced.
How while he was trying to survive, his body was slowly succumbing to the tightening metal catch poles – one being held by Hailey MacGillivray and another being held by Noemi Viszmeg. And through it all how Heiniu showed no signs of aggression!
For well over an hour, Heiniu flailed and struggled to breath as blood poured from his mouth and nose.
Over and over, Bailey spoke about the bond Heiniu and her had built. How she knew Heiniu trusted her and would constantly lean into her for support and protection. Bailey would question the poles being tight and she begged them to let her intervene.
The most crushing part? Several quotes we are including below from Bailey:
- Bailey described Heiniu lying on the ground bleeding, his blood gurgling in his throat and Bailey stating: “Heiniu looked up at me with his big brown eyes begging me for help”.
- ”Heinu tried to stand up, he yelped in pain but was unable to get up. Both of the catch poles were still around his neck and Hailey and Noemi responded to his yelp by again tightening and twisting their respective poles in opposite directions”
- Watching, “I asked my sister if Heiniu’s chest was still going up and down and and my sister saying no”. Then coming to the realization that they had killed him.
From the questions being posed by the two Canine Foundations interviewers, it became clear that they were narrowing in on Noemi Viszmeg more so than on the actions of Hailey MacGillivray.
They wanted to know in detail examples of how Noemi would let Bailey take the lead of Heiniu instead of Noemi taking it – as the animal control officer should. Of Noemi’s apparent lack of confidence in dealing with the situation. About Noemi’s critical error of letting the safe/secured Heiniu out of the van after he was safely secured because she’d forgotten to photograph and scan him.
This IS critical information — BUT they seemed focused on Noemi as opposed to the aggressive demeanour and handling techniques of Hailey MacGillivray.
At that moment, we (Humane Initiative) came to the realization… Noemi is likely going to be the main scapegoat.
Let me be crystal clear – Noemi failed in her job on May 4th. She was not confident, Noemi let a member of the public do her job, Noemi seemed unsure about what to do and she made the critical error of releasing a safely secured dog.
Noemi also failed to speak out and tell Hailey to stop!
BUT… if it was only Noemi on site, Heiniu would still be alive today, living with his family.
It was the actions of and the directions given by Hailey MacGillivray that resulted in Heiniu’s death that day.
The extreme suffering and slow painful death of a gentle dog was completely avoidable.
By eyewitness accounts, it was Hailey that showed zero compassion, it was Hailey who initiated the aggressive handling, and the cruel and inhumane use of the catch poles that started this interaction on a fatal path.
Canada’s CRIMINAL CODE 445.1 clearly states:
Causing unnecessary suffering
- 445.1(1) Every one commits an offence who
- (a) wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird;
DONE-FOR-YOU EMAIL
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(Okay, most of you have been telling us it takes less than ONE minute.)
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From the Blog
One thought on “HEINIU LOOKED AT ME BEGGING FOR HELP!”
There needs to be justice for Heiniu! The people who killled him need to be punished!