Phred here ~

I'm also very upset with the needless death of Bonnie and Max...

But the blame appears to not lie with the local Springfield, MO Police Department - at least not totally with them. The Springfield News-Leader newspaper account (link):
http://www.springfieldnews-leader.co...ogs071501.html
states that it was US Secret Service Agents that actually made the arrest of the dogs' owner, NOT the local police.

There is not enough detail in the Sunday newspaper article to determine IF local police were also on the scene and therefore could or should be held partially responsible for the tragedy.

I find a line quoted from the newspaper also quite disturbing: "Neighbors said law enforcement at the scene did little to help the dogs."

And just WHAT did the good neighbors DO to attempt to rectify what they apparently SAW happening to the poor dogs?? I would certainly have started making a LOT of phone calls to obtain immediate assistance for the dogs. If I thought too much time was passing without the dogs being properly cared for, there would have been a broken car window and two dogs under my care and custody until proper arrangements could be made! If more people begin to take this "It's not my problem; I don't want to get involved" attitude - where will this world be in a few years? /s/ Phred