Our fundraiser to Bring K9 Mattie Home is going strong (we've hit the 30% mark!), and we graciously invite anyone who hasn't already to consider pitching in (links below). xoxo
From my husband Séamus: As I stated in the last update about the story in this article, I know from first-hand experience that everything in it is true. And this same company, MSA Security, that overworks their dogs (who are just pieces of equipment to them) and underpays their professional handlers also has "$11 million in government contracts". It has actually gone up since.
A recent signer of our change.org petition named Dana put it beautifully: "MSA, acting without honor, cannot reliably provide honorable service." They are SCAMMING the American people.
MSA Security acquired many of their contracts back in the days when they were a respectable company, owned by Michael Stapleton, a veteran of the NYPD's renowned Emergency Services Unit (ESU). Contracts have since been acquired based on that reputation.
The company grew and was eventually sold. It grew some more and was sold again, this time to Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP), a multi-billion dollar investment firm who are the current owners. That's when the toxic work environment described in this NY Post article became an everyday reality.
The handlers have since unionized in response to the abuse. It was better to stay and fight since it's not so easy to up and leave a job when your K9 partner, your best buddy, is being held as leverage by heartless corporate bosses.
In my case, I supported the union with my vote but was not otherwise vocal. I did my job professionally and competently for five years, never gave the company trouble, and earned the respect of everyone I worked with and for. And when the time came and Mattie could retire, I did not actually quit MSA. I went on military leave to serve our country. PWP / MSA said "Thank you for your service" by taking Mattie from my family.
I hope you will join us in this fight to Bring K9 Mattie Home in any way you can, because we cannot do this without you. You have already done something good by signing this petition, thank you. Another way to help is if you would consider making a donation to our fundraiser to Bring K9 Mattie Home: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bring-k9-mattie-home
If you prefer to donate through PayPal, here's our link: https://www.paypal.me/seamusk9
We have also found that phone calls are very effective for letting the company know that their handling of Mattie is on people’s minds. If you would like to make a call (or leave a text to any of the first three numbers listed) here are the numbers for the principle corporate bosses involved:
CEO Glen Kucera (the man who made the decision to take Mattie away), 973-981-1275
Chairman Mike O’Neil (the company’s public face), 516-491-9721
K9 Director Mike Wynn (the scumbag who deliberately moved Mattie across the country to keep her from her family), 917-923-5508
Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP) main number, 212-287-3341 MSA Security main number, 212-509-1336
And we have a new email for anyone who wishes to contact us directly: k9mattie@yahoo.com
We are deeply grateful for your support and encouragement, God bless America xoxo