Community Calls for Return of Kino to Original Owner

Community Calls for Return of Kino to Original Owner



Meredith Hoenes, edited by Jason Vaughn
10:32 p.m. CDT, May 19, 2011

INDEPENDENCE, Mo.— An Independence man lost his dog, Kino, after he was rushed to the hospital. The shelter says that the dog was adopted out in accordance to state law, but that hasn't stopped the uproar in the community, as now people rally to reunite the man and his dog.

Officials with the Independence Animal Shelter says that the facility has been swamped with calls from metro residents urging them to reunite Kino with his original owner, Craig Van Compernolle. The calls have been prompted in part by a Facebook page - "Bring Kino Home."

Follow FOX 4 on Facebook

Lisa Welch says that she went to middle school with Van Compernolle, and although she hasn't seen him in years, Kino's story touched her heart.
"It's not a matter of knowing the family it's a matter of doing what is right. This is his family, it's his companion," said Welch.
Welch, with a friend, started spreading Kino's story through social networking, contacting local radio stations, animal groups and even political representatives.
"we've left messages for the governor, we've left messages for Clair McCaskill, no return as of yet, but we're still trying," said Welch.
Van Compernolle's sister, Tammy J. Smith, who has been fighting to get the dog back for months, says that she is amazed by how fast word has spread.
"There's a lot of people that have personally inboxed me on my Facebook page to tell me how very sorry they are, and I really and truly appreciate that and so does my brother," said Smith.
The Independence Animal Shelter maintains that they did nothing wrong by adopting Kino out to another family. Under Missouri law, shelters are allowed to adopt out animals after 10 days of no contact with the animal's owner. Kino was adopted out after 12 days.
"If we have contact, if we have info, if we just have people communicating with us, then we'll do the best we can to make it right for them," said shelter manager Aimee Wells.
The city says that the adopting family has been contacted, and they want to keep the dog. The city did not tell them all of the details of the situation, saying that it would be unfair pressure on the family.
Welch says only the shelter knows Kino's current family and hopes they pass on the message.
"It's more of a life lesson of doing what's the right thing to do. For humanity, to show compassion," said Welch.
Copyright © 2011, WDAF-TV

Please read complete story and video at link below:

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-community-calls-for-return-of-kino-to-original-owner-20110519,0,274562.story

Editor’s note: It appears that the Probate Court of Cook County has competition for its brand of injustice.  As one Sharkette noted, “What's even sadder is that this dog gets more attention than our loved ones. Our loved ones get stolen from us, they're given to strangers and we can't rally this kind of support or get them in the news.”

The sad case of Alice R. Gore, a 99 year old disabled ward:  Judge Kowamota and the Probate Court of Cook County parasites and vultures picked her one million dollar estate clean in 3 years.  There was no money to bury Alice left in the estate and her family had to scrounge up the funds for a paupers funeral! Yes, and the public cares more about dogs!