Michael Paul Williams: Sad case of a dog’s death presented test of leadership
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Mike's Take - SPCA Scandal
The SPCA's Robin Starr is a polarizing figure, but columnist Mike Williams asks why animal tragedies raise more ire than human tragedies.As dog killer Michael Vick resumed his pigskin career amid cheers this week, the animal-welfare advocate who stridently opposed his return is under siege.
Irony abounds in the heat-related death of a dog belonging to Robin Starr, the CEO of the Richmond SPCA.
Her deaf and blind cocker spaniel/poodle mix, Louie, died Aug. 19 after being left in Starr's Volvo for four hours. Ed Starr said he put the dog in his wife's car before she drove to work but forgot to tell her.
Then this turn of events shifted from tragic to troublesome.
Starr, a lawyer and an outspoken advocate, viewed Louie's death as private matter. She didn't disclose it until a week later, after the Richmond Times-Dispatch received a tip. Even then, the SPCA asked a Times-Dispatch reporter not to write a story.
Later in the day Wednesday, a few hours after the story broke, the Richmond SPCA Web site described Louie's death as "a personal tragedy" for Starr. But it soon became national news, amid calls for Starr's resignation and support from people who say she's a valuable asset to the SPCA.
In the aftermath, I'm left with the nagging feeling that Starr never intended for anyone outside the SPCA family to find out what happened to Louie.
Late yesterday, Richmond's Animal Care and Control Division announced that it found no willful intent in the dog's death. The Richmond commonwealth attorney's office appears unlikely to prosecute the case for similar reasons.
Meanwhile, local attorney Steven D. Benjamin, who happens to be counsel for the Virginia Senate Courts of Justice committee, is arguing -- apparently in vain -- that the relevant misdemeanor animal statutes applicable to this case do not require willful intent and don't let people off the hook for accidents or negligence.
Legally, Starr may be home free. But what does that say about the rest of us?
"Leadership can affect the way leaders think about themselves and their place in the moral community," said Terry Price, associate dean for academic affairs at the Jepson School of Leadership at the University of Richmond.
"Because [leadership] is so focused on the achievement of goals, leaders sometimes come to believe that they are not bound by the same rules that apply to the rest of us," said Price, who specializes in leadership ethics and moral psychology.
He stressed that he's in no position to speak on Starr's view of how these standards apply to her, and made it clear that he was focusing on the reaction to her behavior.
"What is instructive about this case is that her supporters are willing to give her considerable leeway in this situation precisely because of all the good that she has done, and will do, for animals," he said.
"Regardless of what any particular leader thinks of herself, followers clearly see getting the job done as very relevant to determining the standards to which a leader should be held."
Price did not wish to overstep his knowledge in the case or focus on Starr's behavior. I'm not feeling as constrained. Her response to this tragic accident is hardly the example the head of a humane organization should be setting.
The Richmond SPCA touts itself as a national leader, but Starr failed this leadership test.
Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or
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Reader Reactions
It must be a blue moon as that is how often I agree with Mr. Williams. But in this case, I am in full agreement.
Starr committed no crime, but she is not a waitress in a bar. She is supposed to be head of an organization that has a goal of preventing such “accidents”. Instead, she only demonstrates her own hypocrasy.
This was NOT an accident, an accident would have been leaving Louie safe and secure in his home and the house catching on fire, this was an act of careless irresponsible negligience had this been an unwillful, unintentional act involving a child of the Director of Child Protective Services the person would be facing criminal charges.
The fact that the story was not reported immediately and deemed a “private matter” in an effort to prevent it from becoming public raises suspicions about the explanations leading to Louie’s death and why the RSPCA asked that the story not be reported…why is that???
It’s not like Mrs. Starr is a CEO for a shoe factory where killing her dog in a hot car undermines her credibility to sell shoes, everytime she appears at a public function or speaking engagement people will look and wonder about Louie and not revel in how much money she raised last week, last month or last year.
How can anyone possibly believe she will continue to be taken seriously in her leadership role advocating responsible pet ownership. Her public relations image and credibility is damaged , perception is everything and, in my opinion, there is a perception of a cover-up. Mrs. Starr should resign.
As someone else pointed out she should publicly offer an apology to NFL Commissioner Goodell.
Cheap shot, Mr. Williams. You write enough about the law to know that criminal statutes typically have an element of intent in them precisely because they are criminal in nature. Otherwise, everyone whose pet dies under circumstances where they arguably had some involvement, intentional or not, would be potentially subject to prosecution. That was clearly not the intent of the animal-cruelty statute. The government agency charged with enforcement of the animal cruelty statute found no evidence to support its violation. It’s time to move on, and leave Louie, and the Starrs, in peace. They’re already suffering enough, I suspect, and would be already, without being hounded by persons whose vitriol against the SPCA or Robin Starr personally seems to outweigh their interest in a dog they never knew (and who almost certainly wouldn’t have made it to age 16 without years of pretty good care from its owners).
One more thing. I think that Mrs. Starr owes Mr.Roger Goodell, the Commissoner of the NFL, an apology.
It appears that my earlier comment has been deleted. I think I know why, but that’s another issue.
So, good job Mr. Williams. You’re right, the issue is about leadership versus excuses. In the leadership catagory, the Starr’s fail.
And, the reader who pointed out that had this been anyone else, Mrs. Starr would have had plenty to say about the situation, was right on point. Mrs. Starr has used past animal cruelty and neglect cases to advance her SPCA agenda. And, that is not a bad thing. But, her case is indeed public news due to her postion and past statements. Finally, if she did request that the story not be run, then that’s news, too.
I have the deepest sympathy for anyone who loses a pet. Tragic, yes. Intentional, surely not. Nevertheless, a dog was KILLED in the Starrs’ care. Savvy damage control for hubby to take the blame. Easier to swallow than the CEO of RSPCA being neglectful. Sure, it could have happened to any one of us & I hope it never does. Point is, we are not leading the RSPCA. It’s utterly ridiculous & laughable to think she can still lead the RSPCA with any credibility. A pet owner whose negligence caused the death of her own pet leading the masses? Ha! This incident will ALWAYS come up if Starr stays. Put the animals ahead of your ego, Starr, & step down so the stain of this act of neglect & stupidity can fade & the good work can continue. Volunteer if you truly care, but step down as CEO! Because of you, the RSPCA can no longer say it’s a NO KILL shelter! If your colleagues think we believe that Louie’s death will strengthen your credibility, THEY are dumber than they think WE are. BTW, who is going to protect the Starrs’ other pets? Will they love them to death too?
Law enforcement should subpoena all employees and volunteers who were at the shelter on the morning of 8-19-09. That’s the only way to find out if Starr’s account of the incident is true.
The SPCA keeps telling us that this should be a time for private family grieving, but the media has made that impossible. If this had happened to me, Ms. Starr would have been interviewed by every reporter in town. She would agree that it was an accident, but one more example of the fact that PEOPLE MUST TAKE CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS. She would not have passed up an opportunity to go public. Her history proves this. But this time, because it was actually Ms. Starr who made the mistake, she wants special treatment and asked the RTD not to do a story. This episode renewed my faith in the universe. For once, what goes around, actually does come around. Great story, Mr. Williams.
Once again Mr. Williams you stand on your First amendment rights to inject your Social-Economics issues into an story.
You also have an postion of leadership I believe where you represent an group that might show content of Corporate Policy and Management but yet again you will go to another publication owned by an Weekly that is owned by another Rival Corporation to once again express your views between Employee/Management Relations under your First Amendment Rights.
So in all actuality don’t you have an Agenda also here.
You also are an failure in your Leadership in my opinion because of your views and the agenda that you represent at the RTD.
Got to have your 15 minutes of Fame also.
Perhaps it’s time for subpoenas to be issued to all the volunteers/employees who were at the SPCA on the morning of 8-19-09.
If Ms. Starr’s story is true, sworn testimony from individuals at the shelter during that time will prove it. If not…......
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