A couple who rescued a puppy is heartbroken and frustrated after their dog was euthanized, only to learn later that the dog tested negative for rabies. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ordered the dog to be put down after its littermate tested positive for rabies following an adoption event.
The infected puppy was last with the other puppies at the July 20 adoption event. It didn’t show any symptoms until July 29 and wasn’t confirmed to have rabies until August 1.
Jessica Eden and Keith Bryk adopted a puppy named Musubi from the same litter. Musubi had been to the vet and showed no signs of illness. The couple was willing to do whatever it took, including strict quarantine, to avoid euthanizing their puppy if it didn’t have rabies.
However, despite their efforts, the couple found a public health order on their door last week, threatening up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if they didn’t surrender Musubi. They tried to get legal help but couldn’t secure representation in time to understand their rights or prepare for the situation.
We had a choice to either run away with him and risk jail time, or surrender him and hope to protect our community if he did test positive for rabies, Eden said.
Musubi’s rabies test came back negative.
Unfortunately, rabies tests on dogs can only be done after they are euthanized. After Musubi was put down, the couple learned that several other puppies from the litter also tested negative. They believe that if the state had communicated better and worked with them, Musubi’s life might have been spared.
We just wanted them to follow their own policies and consider our options, Bryk said. We weren’t trying to go against their recommendations; we just wanted the choices they offered on Thursday, but they took them back on Friday.
According to the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, exposed animals should either be euthanized immediately or placed on a strict 120-day quarantine in a secure facility. Since strict quarantine wasn’t feasible, the guidance recommended euthanasia for exposed, unvaccinated animals.
Feeling hopeless, Eden and Bryk made the heartbreaking decision to surrender Musubi, knowing he might be taken by force if they didn’t comply. They gave Musubi the best last day they could, filled with treats and love.
We wanted him to have a peaceful last day. We let him eat directly from the treat bag,Eden said.
CBS News Colorado is still waiting for test results for the other 10 puppies in the litter, and the couple is seeking more clarification.
It seems very disorganized, like they don’t even understand their own policies, Bryk said. Something just seems very off about this situation.