And here's what's new: After seven days of new-pooch fatherhood, Jerry emailed the rescue place to inform them that even though Bigger had been “extremely happy and sweet” for his week’s stay with the stars, they nevertheless had to euthanize him. This, they said, was due to their vet advising that the pup would not recover from what she deemed to be Bigger’s terminal case of pneumonia and congenital mega esophagus.
The rescue outfit was appalled. They claim even though they weren’t aware of Bigger’s condition, they’ve helped many similarly afflicted dogs regain good health, even though it can be a very pricy undertaking. They want to know why they weren’t given a chance to nurse Bigger back to health. We asked.
(For the record, pneumonia is an extremely common occurrence with rescue dogs, in general, and German shep pups can be prone to mega esophagus.)
As to the Romijn-O'Connell claim that it is against the law to adopt out a terminally ill dog? Untrue. "There's no statute for it," insists Los Angeles-based animal rights attorney Shannon Keith. "It's not illegal to adopt out a terminally ill dog; there's no code for it." Other animal rights attorneys confirmed this to the Awful Truth. Also, the contract signed by the rescuers and Bigger's new owners states clearly that the dog is not only in good health to the best of the rescuer's knowledge, but that any further responsibilities, including medical, are to be assumed by the adopters. Rebecca and Jerry say they were never given a copy of the contract. The rescue organization says that isn't how it happened: "We handed them the contract," a spokeswoman at the center insisted. "It was the yellow copy [and was given] in a room full of people watching. I have the copy they signed."
And that hoarding charge? "We are very well represented," the spokeswoman (who says Rebecca and Jerry are "making things up") warned, legally speaking. "Calling a rescuer a hoarder is not a good thing."
Oh, and in the very first email to the rescue joint, Jerry asked for his $400 donation to be returned.
It hasn’t been.
We then ask, Was this an economical decision made in regard to Bigger, or a humanitarian one?
“We got Fergie,” he said firmly. Hmmm, sounds like a no. Good thing Heidi’s not quitting her day job.
“I’d say butt,” he answered with a semistraight face. Like, duh!