Justice for Honey Topicz
Donation protected
This is a hard story to write and as a warning it may also be hard for you to read, but I hope you will and then help me to act on behalf of my sweet dog, Honey.
I have been Honey's partner, friend, and owner since she was a puppy. My mom helped me buy her and we are documented owners of Honey. After 3 years with Honey, I had an opportunity to move to NYC and establish a career. It would take some time to settle in before I was able to find lodging that would accommodate us and some extended family, Cathy and Dan, offered to babysit her while I settled in. It seemed optimal because Dan allegedly had success training German Shepherds and knew the breed as a retired police officer. Also being that they lived in Connecticut, it was only 1.5 hours away from NYC to visit her.
Please understand this was not a rehoming situation. It was always temporary with the understanding that when I was ready, I could come get my dog. This is documented in writing via text between them and myself.
Over the course of this last year, there was frequent communication regarding Honey’s well-being and I was able to visit with her in Connecticut and would’ve done so even more, but on several occasions Cathy made this very hard to do. She would change plans last minute, or give vague responses. I worked around this behavior by flying to Florida when I would find out they were at their second home there.
At this juncture, I would like to let you know that Honey was attacked as a puppy by a Pitbull and she developed fear of some dogs. Because of this, I always kept Honey leashed to protect her, and Dan knew of this and her fears when he offered to babysit her.
During my contact with Dan, there was never any mention of concerns around her fears or her behavior. All communication with Dan was nothing but praise of Honey. I have all the messages documenting this. Also, in the numerous visits with Honey, she was the most well-behaved and never showed “aggression” towards other dogs. A week and a half ago, I visited Honey in Florida where Dan and Cathy live part time (15 miles from my mom and little sister). We kept Honey overnight Saturday, and Sunday took her to my little sister’s birthday party where there were numerous kids, puppies, and commotion. Honey showed no signs of distress or fear-based aggression.
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Dan left Honey in his unfenced yard for hours off leash and Honey had a minor incident with the neighbor’s dog. There is no record of this incident by any type of authorities. The neighbor did not press any charges as it was a minor scuffle as some dogs go through.
Dan and his wife, Cathy, took it upon themselves to make a joint decision to have my Honey euthanized. On Friday, April 2, 2021, they called Enterprise Rd. Animal Hospital which was Honey’s vet in Florida and asked to have her put down and the vet refused Dan’s request because he did not feel comfortable putting down a dog that did not have a record of aggression and in his medical opinion, showed no signs of aggression. This is in writing from the doctor. They then went to a chain vet, Blue Pearl, who did not verify ownership of Honey, and euthanized Honey on Dan and Cathy’s word alone. According to the euthanasia record, Dan and Cathy exaggerated Honey’s “aggressive” behavior.
No one notified me or my family that any of this was happening.
On Sunday, April 3rd, they wished my family a Happy Easter. On Monday, April 4th they told my mom what they had done.
I want to try and keep emotion out of this, but the truth of this is: this is a heinous, and horrifying crime against a defenseless animal that was not even theirs. The shock of this has reverberated through my entire family and friends. My 11 year-old sister has not spoken a word in several days, no one has been able to work or sleep.
Over the course of the last few days, quite a bit has come to light as to the treatment of this wonderful dog who was also a documented emotional support animal for me. Dan has incriminated himself via text, stating that he “zapped, beaten and locked her up in the garage for hours”. This is not the language of someone who allegedly knows this breed and especially not the language of someone who said he loved her. It has also come to light that his wife Cathy was jealous of the dog and never really liked her from the beginning. They state that Honey had a history of attacking other dogs and humans which was never on any type of civil record. Either way, it is up to the caretaker to protect them, adjust and adapt to the needs of an animal they purportedly loved. Dan did not do this, he did not fulfill his duty of watching over Honey and protecting her.
In stark contrast to their allegations, it has also come to light from a close source of Cathy that Honey was with kids visiting and playing with them by the beach with no altercation. In fact she was sweetly protective in watching the kids to make sure they were safe on the rocks at the beach. This is just one of many fond memories that many people have and reveal Honey’s gentle nature.
What Dan and Cathy did was not right on any level. It was premeditated. Through their recent texts and conversations, they stated they did not want to let us, the family, know they were going to euthanize Honey in fear we would want to come get her. We are all asking ourselves questions. Whether or not Honey had any issues with anyone, why would they not contact us? What was the rush? Why would they not give me an opportunity to get my beloved dog? Why would they deny a 4-year-old sweet dog the right to a full and happy life? They made a decision based on their own judgement, and narrow viewed ego and have broken the hearts of all who knew and loved Honey.
Due to this horrible tragedy and to bring about some type of justice for Honey I have decided to open this Go Fund Me account. We 100% have a case against Dan and Cathy. Unfortunately, it will take some money for legal representation and this case will take an undetermined amount of time. The goal for this is not to acquire personal monetary gain but to support a quest to make sure that the perpetrators of this heinous act will not be allowed to own another animal and will have some type of criminal mark on their record as to the type of people they have shown themselves to be regarding animal care. If any monies are awarded those funds will be allocated to organizations against animal abuse/cruelty, organizations against unnecessary euthanasia, organizations dedicated to stopping discrimination against “aggressive” breeds and/or a scholarship in Honey’s name to be awarded to a student pursuing animal defense law.
As with all nonsensical tragedies there are emotions that myself, my family and those who knew and loved Honey have had to endure. There has been a considerable amount of pain, anger, and a desire to get some type of justice, however it is important to note that as these normal emotions and stages of grief begin to transform themselves into the whole of acceptance as to what has occurred, the decision to pursue legal action is not an act of vengeance but a hope and movement to ensure that these types of crimes can be prevented in the future for all. I humbly ask for your support in this endeavor and to bring a voice of defense for pets who have no say in their fate.
https://www.facebook.com/melia.topicz/posts/10159078847807229
I have been Honey's partner, friend, and owner since she was a puppy. My mom helped me buy her and we are documented owners of Honey. After 3 years with Honey, I had an opportunity to move to NYC and establish a career. It would take some time to settle in before I was able to find lodging that would accommodate us and some extended family, Cathy and Dan, offered to babysit her while I settled in. It seemed optimal because Dan allegedly had success training German Shepherds and knew the breed as a retired police officer. Also being that they lived in Connecticut, it was only 1.5 hours away from NYC to visit her.
Please understand this was not a rehoming situation. It was always temporary with the understanding that when I was ready, I could come get my dog. This is documented in writing via text between them and myself.
Over the course of this last year, there was frequent communication regarding Honey’s well-being and I was able to visit with her in Connecticut and would’ve done so even more, but on several occasions Cathy made this very hard to do. She would change plans last minute, or give vague responses. I worked around this behavior by flying to Florida when I would find out they were at their second home there.
At this juncture, I would like to let you know that Honey was attacked as a puppy by a Pitbull and she developed fear of some dogs. Because of this, I always kept Honey leashed to protect her, and Dan knew of this and her fears when he offered to babysit her.
During my contact with Dan, there was never any mention of concerns around her fears or her behavior. All communication with Dan was nothing but praise of Honey. I have all the messages documenting this. Also, in the numerous visits with Honey, she was the most well-behaved and never showed “aggression” towards other dogs. A week and a half ago, I visited Honey in Florida where Dan and Cathy live part time (15 miles from my mom and little sister). We kept Honey overnight Saturday, and Sunday took her to my little sister’s birthday party where there were numerous kids, puppies, and commotion. Honey showed no signs of distress or fear-based aggression.
On Thursday, April 1, 2021, Dan left Honey in his unfenced yard for hours off leash and Honey had a minor incident with the neighbor’s dog. There is no record of this incident by any type of authorities. The neighbor did not press any charges as it was a minor scuffle as some dogs go through.
Dan and his wife, Cathy, took it upon themselves to make a joint decision to have my Honey euthanized. On Friday, April 2, 2021, they called Enterprise Rd. Animal Hospital which was Honey’s vet in Florida and asked to have her put down and the vet refused Dan’s request because he did not feel comfortable putting down a dog that did not have a record of aggression and in his medical opinion, showed no signs of aggression. This is in writing from the doctor. They then went to a chain vet, Blue Pearl, who did not verify ownership of Honey, and euthanized Honey on Dan and Cathy’s word alone. According to the euthanasia record, Dan and Cathy exaggerated Honey’s “aggressive” behavior.
No one notified me or my family that any of this was happening.
On Sunday, April 3rd, they wished my family a Happy Easter. On Monday, April 4th they told my mom what they had done.
I want to try and keep emotion out of this, but the truth of this is: this is a heinous, and horrifying crime against a defenseless animal that was not even theirs. The shock of this has reverberated through my entire family and friends. My 11 year-old sister has not spoken a word in several days, no one has been able to work or sleep.
Over the course of the last few days, quite a bit has come to light as to the treatment of this wonderful dog who was also a documented emotional support animal for me. Dan has incriminated himself via text, stating that he “zapped, beaten and locked her up in the garage for hours”. This is not the language of someone who allegedly knows this breed and especially not the language of someone who said he loved her. It has also come to light that his wife Cathy was jealous of the dog and never really liked her from the beginning. They state that Honey had a history of attacking other dogs and humans which was never on any type of civil record. Either way, it is up to the caretaker to protect them, adjust and adapt to the needs of an animal they purportedly loved. Dan did not do this, he did not fulfill his duty of watching over Honey and protecting her.
In stark contrast to their allegations, it has also come to light from a close source of Cathy that Honey was with kids visiting and playing with them by the beach with no altercation. In fact she was sweetly protective in watching the kids to make sure they were safe on the rocks at the beach. This is just one of many fond memories that many people have and reveal Honey’s gentle nature.
What Dan and Cathy did was not right on any level. It was premeditated. Through their recent texts and conversations, they stated they did not want to let us, the family, know they were going to euthanize Honey in fear we would want to come get her. We are all asking ourselves questions. Whether or not Honey had any issues with anyone, why would they not contact us? What was the rush? Why would they not give me an opportunity to get my beloved dog? Why would they deny a 4-year-old sweet dog the right to a full and happy life? They made a decision based on their own judgement, and narrow viewed ego and have broken the hearts of all who knew and loved Honey.
Due to this horrible tragedy and to bring about some type of justice for Honey I have decided to open this Go Fund Me account. We 100% have a case against Dan and Cathy. Unfortunately, it will take some money for legal representation and this case will take an undetermined amount of time. The goal for this is not to acquire personal monetary gain but to support a quest to make sure that the perpetrators of this heinous act will not be allowed to own another animal and will have some type of criminal mark on their record as to the type of people they have shown themselves to be regarding animal care. If any monies are awarded those funds will be allocated to organizations against animal abuse/cruelty, organizations against unnecessary euthanasia, organizations dedicated to stopping discrimination against “aggressive” breeds and/or a scholarship in Honey’s name to be awarded to a student pursuing animal defense law.
As with all nonsensical tragedies there are emotions that myself, my family and those who knew and loved Honey have had to endure. There has been a considerable amount of pain, anger, and a desire to get some type of justice, however it is important to note that as these normal emotions and stages of grief begin to transform themselves into the whole of acceptance as to what has occurred, the decision to pursue legal action is not an act of vengeance but a hope and movement to ensure that these types of crimes can be prevented in the future for all. I humbly ask for your support in this endeavor and to bring a voice of defense for pets who have no say in their fate.
https://www.facebook.com/melia.topicz/posts/10159078847807229
Organizer
Melia Topicz
Organizer
New York, NY