Today is the 15th anniversary of Pasado's death

[idgiehkt]

Here is a story from 2002 on his 10th anniversary. So much good has been done in his name.

"April 15th, 2002 marked the 10th anniversary of Pasado's death. Pasado the donkey, the 21-year-old beloved fixture at a Seattle area park died after three teen boys had snuck into Pasado's pasture that April night. They attempted to ride him and when he resisted, they began beating him with tree branches the size of clubs. When he fell and could no longer walk, they tied a noose around his neck and pulled him up a tree, strangling him to death. Workers at the park discovered him hanging from the tree the next morning. That day, Pasado's Safe Haven, was founded.

No one could believe such a thing could happen in Bellevue, Washington. The sprawling, high-tech campus of Microsoft was just five minutes from Kelsey Creek Farm, where Pasado died. Bill Gates, its founder, lived only minutes away. Things like this just didn't happen here.

Compounding the horror was the reality of the penalty the three boys would face: breaking and entering - the choice of the prosecutor because it carried a far greater sentence than beating an animal to death. What the community didn't know was that Washington State's anti-cruelty laws hadn't been updated in over 100 years.

The public was outraged. The news was front page headlines for days. To answer the outcry, The Washington State Senate held hearings to gauge public sentiment and examine how the anti-cruelty laws could be updated. A hearing was set for a Tuesday night. I left work early to attend..."

more at link

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/PASADOSTORY/Pasado_story.htm

also, the note on the website from today about this:
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/HOMEPAGE/4_14WEBSITE/PSHANN/Anniversary.htm

I remember when this happened. It's a horrible story that still makes me cry, but when I think of how many incredible things have been done in his name by Pasado Safe Haven, including all the animal rescue they and other groups did during Katrina, I know that he did not die in vain.

[Dervill Crow]

1. Thanks for posting. That gave me goosebumps.

I had to read it really, really fast, and the words still linger. Being oblivious is so much more comfortable.

Thank Gods for Pasado's story bringing it out in the open.

[Robeson]

2. Jesus Christ, I'm speechless.....

...I really don't know what to say. My blood pressure is going through the roof right now after reading that post.

[idgiehkt]

3. The rescue org Pasado Safe Haven is named after him

Sorry if I didn't make that clear. These people have done amazing, incredible things in animal rescue. They with other orgs did tons of rescue during Hurricane Katrina. They are a no kill animal shelter in Washington state.

http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/

They have doggedly pursued the case of the pets that were murdered by St. Bernard Parish deputies after being left in three schools when the people took refuge there during Katrina, then were forced to leave by police, but not allowed to take their animals
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/KATRINA/DOGSHOOTING/HISTORY.htm

"Mark would learn from pet owners who reluctantly left their pets behind that they had heard sheriff's deputies say that they were going to shoot the dogs once the people were gone. One Louisiana National Guard member, present at the schools, reportedly watched sheriff's officers go into Beauregard Middle School, after the victims had left, and suddenly heard massive gunfire. According to Mark, "He ran in to stop them because he knew what they were doing. He saw dogs who had just been shot. He yelled at the officers to stop shooting and called his commanding officer on a radio to let him know what was happening. The commanding officer then ordered the sheriff's officers to 'stand down'. But it was too late."

They have gotten many cruelty laws passed in Washington state. They seem incredibly tireless and dedicated to animal rights and welfare.

[peacebuzzard]

4. My God, I did not know that about Pasado.

Of course I heard about Pasado in NOLA.

That is so tragic. I am grateful the people of Washington took this case to heart and some good came from the horror.

[idgiehkt]

5. yes

they are getting that case of the school shootings in St. Bernard Parish prosecutes. They have pressured the Att. General of LA to make sure the case is heard. They pressed for the autopsies and kept the wheels in motion from the beginning, and for that they have my deepest respect.

They had just gotten a beastiality law passed in Washington state right before that guy got caught sexually violating his dog, the one where the girlfriend took cell phone pictures (gross subject but it's notable that Pasado were the ones that pushed for that law to pass after that man died at that farm from the beastiality practices there.) They are such a force in their state, and so respected in their community, that I know somewhere Pasado himself is proud of his namesake group.

that is a great link in your sig line. I feel like i have visited that link before but I had compiled so many. Good to see someone else carrying a link about katrina animals. I did not go, but it affected me profoundly none the less. I have thought about those animals, particularly the ones shot in St. Bernard Parish schools, every single day. I don't think I will ever be the same. Sadly and strangely, the story of the shootings at Va Tech are the first news story that I have followed closely since spring of 06, and I used to be a politics junkie...but katrina, and those St. Bernard Parish pet killings really took something out of me.

[Fran Kubelik]

6. Thanks for posting this.

I was not aware of this organization. I am bookmarking their website. :thumbsup:

[flamingyouth]

7. Pasado's is a wonderful organization.

My mom has been a big supporter since their inception.

[wildhorses]

8. thanks for posting this idgie.

tragic story :cry:

the safe haven created in his name:angel:

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Pasado Safe Haven did miraculous work after Katrina.