Did The Man Reunited With His Dog Turn On The Very Woman Who Helped Him?
Dave Thomas, 36, of San Bernardino was arrested last week, and though he told the San Bernardino County Sun the arrest stemmed from failing to show up to court for speeding tickets, the publication reported that he was arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale. Thomas' wife was also reportedly arrested. His 2-year-old pit bull mix, Buzz, was impounded and deemed a stray, and the San Bernardino City Animal Shelter refused to give the dog back unless Thomas paid the appropriate neutering and adoption fees, which exceeded over $400.
With only $6 in his pocket, Thomas wept outside Buzz's cage at the shelter, and the moment, which would later go viral, was captured by Riverside photographer and animal rights activist Maria Sanchez. After posting the photograph to her Facebook page, a flood of support and monetary donation pledges poured in. Sanchez exhausted herself trying to hunt down the stranger she'd photographed at the shelter, and the two were finally connected with the help of thousands. Following the proper adoption protocol, Buzz was expected to return home today.
Earlier reports painted Thomas as grateful of Sanchez's help and as a loving dog owner, but the most recent post on Sanchez's Facebook page describes a different side of the man she so selflessly helped. Sanchez explains the total donation amount exceeded the costs to reunite the two, a result she discussed with Thomas, explaining that she wanted him to use the money responsibly and would not be giving him cash. She advised him on how to use the money to stay out of jail, hinting at Thomas' possible drug habit in her Facebook message: "I have had my life and the lives of my children devastated by drug addiction. I will play no part in supporting anyone's habit. I just can't." Sanchez felt an agreement was reached between the two, however, one was apparently not.
KTLA allegedly called Sanchez today inquiring about a call they received from Thomas, apparently claiming that Sanchez is withholding the money raised for Buzz. When Sanchez tried to call Thomas, his wife allegedly answered and screamed at Sanchez.
Her complete Facebook message is as follows:
DAVE AND BUZZ UPDATE: I just got a phone call from KTLA channel 5. Apparently, Dave has called to inform them that I am keeping the money raised for his dog. I have transferred $842.07 into my bank to reimburse myself for the shelter fees, vet and PetSmart shopping spree that I put onto my personal credit card. I had a discussion regarding the remainder of the donations and how he would like to spend them. I said it would be a good idea to pay off any outstanding tickets so that he will not be taken to jail in the future for having a warrant for unpaid traffic tickets. I asked if he had any bills that were due at the time. I told him that every dime that was donated would go to him and Buzz, but that I would not be giving him the cash. I explained to him that the money that was donated was a blessing for him, I wanted to be sure that we respected that and used the donations responsibly. He sat next to me and nodded his head, Not one response, question or concern.
After I hung up with KTLA channel 5, I tried to call Dave. His wife would not let me speak to him. She screamed at me that I was stealing their dog’s money. She said they have called the news stations and that if I did not give them their money, they were going to call the police.
I am exhausted from this entire experience. This is the last thing I needed or expected. I will not be giving Dave or his wife one single penny, what I will do is refund the money that was donated to Dave. I have had my life and the lives of my children devastated by drug addiction. I will play no part in supporting anyone’s habit. I just can’t.
That being said, if you would like me to refund your donation that was made for Dave, please email me at mcs1030@aol.com and put REFUND as the subject. I will send the refund tonight. If you would like to transfer your donation that was for Dave to another urgent animal in this album, please email mcs1030@aol.com and put DONATE TO URGENT SBC DOG. I will put your donation towards a homeless animal that will live or die depending on whether or not a rescue has the funds to help them. If I do not get a response within 1 week of this posting, I will refund the amount donated with an explanation of why it is being refunded. I know not all who have donated will see this post.
(not her complete post, that is at link
http://laist.com/2013/02/20/man_reunited_with_dog_turns_on_helper.php
= new reply since forum marked as read
kidding!! 
Why Why WHY? 
