German shepherd Alfie s euthanization by RISPCA sparks outcry
PROVIDENCE Four-year-old Alfie’s life ended tragically. On that, everyone agrees.
But whether the German shepherd, with a history of being abused by his former owner, needed to be euthanized by the Rhode Island SPCA on July 7 is a subject of dispute.
“He had such a hard life and he showed such resilience. His ability to learn to trust humans again was amazing. He was inspiring,” said Kaela-Rose Gentile, a licensed massage therapist who met Alfie in May while volunteering for the RISPCA.
To Earl Newman, a special agent with the RISPCA, Alfie posed a danger due to his aggression toward staff and the failed effort to secure him a new home. He fit the definition of a vicious dog under Rhode Island law, which barred the organization from selling or giving the dog away, Newman said.