Animal rights activist an apparent suicide, found dead in car with dozens of dogs

[Sunlei]

Police in an affluent Cleveland-area suburb identified a woman found dead in her car with dozens of dead dogs as a long-time animal rights activist.

Animal Rights Foundation.com



SANDY LERTZMAN May 24, 1951- November 4, 2013



We sadly mourn the passing of our founder, Sandy Lertzman.



Sandy Lertzman, for over 45 years was a pioneer in animal rescue. She woke every day to help all of god's beautiful creatures. She fed the deer, squirrel, raccoons, geese and what she called "Sandy's Safe Haven For All Animals" at her home. She has a sanctuary of beautiful cats that were to be murdered by Solon's animal warden. She fought for animal rights, protection of the slaughter of deer (when birth control is available), and laws to protect the animals. She was happy to see the "Goddard's Law" bill- which is a start to protect dogs in Ohio.

The dogs that Sandy had were NOT puppies (the youngest was 8 years old). Sandy's dogs were all formerly abused dogs that no one wanted or could not be adopted. Blind dogs, dogs with severe disabilities, dogs who could not be socialized- all the dogs found her love and compassion. She obviously feared that upon her death, these abused dogs would be placed in harm's way. Sandy spent countless hours every day taking care of each dog and their specialized problems with her love that she offered.In a seperate shelter, she cared for the 10 cats- which will continue.

None of us never ever know how we will react to adversity, pain, and stress. But we do know, that Sandra Marlene Lertzman was an angel on earth. She was a remarkable woman. Hundreds, maybe thousands of animals led a more dignified, loving, and beautiful life to our Sandy. We love her and will miss her everyday. We are sure she is in heaven, reunited with her animals and her son, Tommy.

Animal Rights Foundation will continue, as strong as ever, in Sandy's memory. We will go on caring, supporting, and helping all animals in distress and supporting laws to protect our animals in her honor.




Thank You for your kind support in this tragedy and time of sadness, we greatly appreciate it.

http://www.animalrightsfoundation.com/



http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/09/animal-rights-activist-an-apparent-suicide-found-dead-in-car-with-dozens-of-dogs/

[renie408]

1. People who are drawn to do work like this

are oftentimes more sensitive to the tragedies they see around them than others. I wonder if a lifetime spent struggling to save the most innocent lives from abuse and neglect got to be too much. We did horse rescue for awhile and after a few years, I couldn't take it any more. I am not proud of the fact that I had to stop, but every week being faced with an animal that is so thin it could barely stand on its own feet and then trying to drag a few dollars from people to help support those animals WILL make you think the world is not worth saving or being in. Now our farm offers support to the equine rescues in our area through donations of feed, hay and money; but I am not directly involved any more.

[Sunlei]

6. She spent decades trying to work within the states political system and change laws.

same here with the horrible almost totally hidden underground world of horses, evil does walk the earth in that hellhole.

[KittyWampus]

14. I had to stop cat rescue. Became overwhelmed.

[TBF]

2. Sad story -

RIP dear Sandy - you did what you could. We need to fund mental health research and community services.

[Orrex]

3. A very sad story.

Did she euthanize the animals that were found with her? The article seems reluctant to say one way or the other.

[wellstone dem]

4. The first line in the post explains

the dogs were dead as well.

[Sheldon Cooper]

5. Yes, but how did those dogs die?

Did she do it before she committed suicide?

[Sunlei]

7. she ran her car and the build-up of carbon? killed her and the old, unadoptable dogs she loved.

suicide

[Historic NY]

8. It really doesn't matter.......but if you must

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2495133/Animal-rights-executive-62-dead-garage-alongside-bodies-31-dogs-helped-rescue.html

[Orrex]

10. It does matter, and thank you for the link

It matters in part because the first article says she was in her car with dozens of dogs, but the link that you gave states she was in her garage, alongside dozens of dogs.

The first story was unclear, and the inconsistency between the two accounts is curious.

[magical thyme]

15. the dogs died of asphyxiation,

ie. lack of oxygen. CO binds pretty inextricably with red cells, preventing O2 from binding.

The one dog that survived found enough O2 in a corner of the garage, probably a leak through garage door corner.

[a kennedy]

9. RIP.

[go west young man]

11. She should have taken the dogs to the Humane Society or the pound.

Some of them may have found good homes and made someone happy. I pity her but her last act was not a good one. It was a selfish one. It sounds like she was irresponsible in the end and took in more dogs than she could handle which caused her emotional problems. This is an example of being compassionate to the point of self destruction. I feel bad for her but she should have used more common sense when taking in dogs. I've got 3 and it's no easy routine. 3 should be anybodies limit unless they are a licensed kennel owner. The article says she was running an animal sanctuary but it sounds as if she was letting the dogs run the show. Sorry to sound harsh but I definitely disagree with her behavior here. She should of sought help for the dogs and herself.

[Sunlei]

12. Blind dogs, dogs with severe disabilities, dogs who could not be socialized

The dogs that Sandy had were NOT puppies (the youngest was 8 years old). Sandy's dogs were all formerly abused dogs that no one wanted or could not be adopted. Blind dogs, dogs with severe disabilities, dogs who could not be socialized- all the dogs found her love and compassion. She obviously feared that upon her death, these abused dogs would be placed in harm's way. Sandy spent countless hours every day taking care of each dog and their specialized problems with her love that she offered.In a seperate shelter, she cared for the 10 cats- which will continue.



None of us never ever know how we will react to adversity, pain, and stress. But we do know, that Sandra Marlene Lertzman was an angel on earth. She was a remarkable woman. Hundreds, maybe thousands of animals led a more dignified, loving, and beautiful life to our Sandy.

The group she founded adopted out many pets to good homes.

[go west young man]

13. I understand.

But change the word dogs to children and ask yourself if it's ok to take them with you when you kill yourself. Even if they are crippled or maimed. It's not ok to do this to ill dogs or to any living thing for that matter. The correct thing to do would of been to at least let the human society help. I can't excuse this behavior regardless of her other noble actions beforehand.