SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KTLA) — The sweet tale of a man re-united with his beloved dog thanks to a viral photo on Facebook has apparently turned sour.
Dave Thomas was pictured tearfully comforting his pit bull, named Buzz Lightyear, at a San Bernardino animal shelter.
Buzz had been taken from Thomas when he was arrested and sent to jail for being a no-show in court on a traffic violation.
Pet advocate Maria Sanchez created a Facebook page to help raise the funds to Buzz out of the shelter, becasue Thomas couldn’t afford the more than $400 in fees.
The picture touched the hearts of many, who opened their pocketbooks, raising even more than the impound fees.
Thomas told KTLA that he was ecstatic about the support, saying, “I gotta kiss the feet of Maria Sanchez,” and calling her “a godsend.”
But now, it appears that all of that may have changed.
KTLA received a call from Thomas claiming that Sanchez was withholding the money raised for Buzz. KTLA then contacted Sanchez about the matter.
Sanchez subsequently posted a video to YouTube of a voicemail, reportedly from Thomas, threatening to sue her for keeping the money.
“After I hung up with KTLA channel 5, I tried to call Dave,” Sanchez writes in a message accompanying the video.
“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.”
In the post, Sanchez explains that she transferred $842.07 to her own account to reimburse the expenses incurred in the mission to rescue Buzz.
She says that she spoke to Thomas about how she wanted him to spend the remainder of the donations.
“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,” she writes.
“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,” she says. “Not one response, question or concern.”
Sanchez says that she now plans to refund the donations.
“The donations will NOT go to Dave after the stunt he has pulled,” she writes, adding, “No good deed goes unpunished, right?”
If you’d like your donation refunded or transferred to help another animal, you can contact Sanchez by email at: mcs1030@aol.com.
209 Comments to “Dog Owner at Odds with Woman Who Helped Him”
February 21, 2013 at 12:31 PM
who the hell does this Maria Sanchez thinks she is? If she has such a problem she needs to go to the shelter and pay for the release of the dog with the owner there. And money collected for a mission? give me a break, it doesn't cost that much to post a picture. She is the bad greedy person in all of this. Wish I could tell her that to her face. What a B. she thinks shes so above it by helping this guy, I don't think so. She shouldn't have collected money from people.
February 22, 2013 at 8:25 AM
If it were no for her, he would have gotten his dog back.
February 22, 2013 at 10:07 AM
There you go arguing with logic again.
February 23, 2013 at 2:40 PM
This article is misleading, go to the facebook page for details. She paid in advance out of her own pocket for Buzz’s release and impound fees and vet care, such as desexing and a couple things from Petsmart, including bed and treats. THAT is what she reimbursed herself, which was what the donations were raised for in the first place. Secondly the dog owner lied about several matters, didn’t even leave his details at the shelter and was on drug charges reason Maria didn’t want to give him cash straight out but rather pay herself for what he needed, which he initially agreed to!! Go to the same page these quotes in the article were taken from and you will get the whole picture.
February 21, 2013 at 12:50 PM
I'm confused! He's not black but he has a pitbull?!?
And anyone who believes this guy is any kind of sober, is in some serious denial.
Oh, almost forgot…
I didn't believe it either until I saw the money order for $5463. Then my brother-in-law showed up with a brand new Turbocharged and Supercharged Geo Metro. No joke! All because he visited this website and started working from work. – monster.com
February 21, 2013 at 1:08 PM
What did she spend $842 on to help get the dog back? Fliers?!
February 21, 2013 at 1:31 PM
Would Rather see the dog go with him, someone who loves it. Then to make it stay in a shelter where it will just be put to sleep….I dont know why this is such an issue, just give him his dog.
February 21, 2013 at 2:01 PM
He has the dog. She's not giving him the extra money because he wants cash to buy meth. She offered to help him pay off bills but he wants cash.
February 21, 2013 at 2:12 PM
I am really not surprised that the costs are being withheld for reimbursement, however, what is left was donated to this man…that money should be given to that man. What a shame this woman decided to keep it. That is awful. Maria should never have put that money in her personal account. That was huge mistake. If anything, a separate account should have been opened for the donations.
I don't understand the double talk, that the donations would go to him and Buzz, but that she would not be giving him the cash. What? That THEY used the donations responsibily? WHAT?
The remainder of that money is not hers. She's not a guidance counselor, or a financial counselor. I'm glad she saved the dog, but taking money intended for someone else is a potential lawsuit.
February 22, 2013 at 10:53 PM
In the original thread about this Maria stated that the remainder of the donations would go on Gift Cards for pet stores and such. This was so the dog would be able to continually be cared for. Don't forget the money people donated was for THE DOG not the OWNER.
I think of an example I see a lot on Facebook: parents updating their kids cancer Facebook pages and asking others for donations. If people were sending money to the KID and then the mother took the funds and bought new clothes for herself, a new iPhone for herself – would that be ok? You see??? When you donate to a person, cause or animal those funds collected should go to the intended and in this case people donated to the dog – for shelter fees, vertting fees, neuter fees, etc. I think it's wrong that this man is trying to take advantage of people's generosity and I am glad this woman is giving all the donations back to people. I am not sure those same people would turn around and just donate to Dave….which is why Maria isn't handing over the money to him. Pretty simple to me.
February 21, 2013 at 2:14 PM
KTLA get your story straight before you put out this kind of misinformation. Typical schlock reporting Kellan Connor. This man was not looking for a helping hand, he is demanding a hand out.
February 21, 2013 at 2:30 PM
Actually no, he isn't. That money was donated to HIM and his dog. For her to make a decision to put it in her personal account is conversion (theft). She should have opened a trust account for him. Its none of her business how he spends money donated to him (after the reimbursement of expenses). She did a great thing saving that dog, but thats where her kindness ended. She should have given him a gift card for dog food and been done with it.
February 24, 2013 at 12:33 PM
Um, I think she had to put it in her personal account to be able to collect it and then use it to pay the fees at the shelter. The normal way would be to open an account in the name of "Help Free Buzz" or whatever specifically for that purpose but to do that the banks require an official organization be formed as a non-profit corporation with a federal tax ID number. Well, that takes weeks and this dog did not even have days! She did it the only way she could, stop criticizing her. She tried to give him gift cards to wherever he wanted & he refused & demanded cash money!
And people donated to the dog, not the man who turned out to be a scumbag. When Maria offered to pay his fines so he would not end up in jail again he refused and demanded the cash. He also refused gift cards which is what was stated on FB would be done with the donations, he only wanted cash! At that point when he refused the gift cards or any other help for the dog or even to pay his own bill she decided to return it to the people who donated it, I think that was the right thing to do but at no time did she ever decide to keep it for herself!
February 21, 2013 at 2:36 PM
I love dogs!! They don't care about material things or judge a person based on wealth or lack of. People could learn so much from dogs!!!
February 21, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Sad when someone decides for Dave, how money that was designated on behalf of him should be spent. Next time she collects money she needs to state her intentions to play judge. Righteousness has always caused wars. I hope Maria will find a way to open her heart and apologize to Dave for taking his money and spending it on whatever she decided to buy, but worse, withholding the rest of it and shaming him for having unpaid traffic violations.
February 21, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Turns out his arrest was related to Drug offenses. Maria doesn't want people's money to go to his drugs. She wants to help dogs instead.
February 21, 2013 at 8:13 PM
Maybe dave can get a f+cking job and pay his own fees in the future. Typical Californian gibsmedat attitude.
February 21, 2013 at 2:57 PM
How can one contact DAVE? Does he have email or phone? What is his paypal account in case someone wants to send him money? Dave if you are reading this please respond with the answers. Maria is not going to offer anyone your contact info.
February 21, 2013 at 3:56 PM
He's going to spend your money on DRUGS, can't you see that?? Please don't donate to that man. Send your money to a local charity instead.
February 21, 2013 at 8:46 PM
Dude is homeless for a reason, and it isn't because of "bad luck".
February 21, 2013 at 11:46 PM
DAVE DAVE? DAVES NOT HERE
February 21, 2013 at 3:06 PM
I know Maria from facebook. She is definitely right. Donations go to the vet or the shelter's bills, not the the pocket of the owner of the dog! Especially no to an individual who may use the money on himself, not his dog! This dog deserves a responsible owner, not someone who is in trouble with the law and who cannot afford to properly caring for all his pet's needs! Dave Thomas should thank Maria and all those who pledged for his dog! Dave should publicly apologize to Maria for bashing her name. Shame on him! Stories such as this one really make us, the networking individuals for saving pets' lives, very sad and upset. A dog is just like a baby. It cost money to care for a pet and if you cannot afford it – DO NOT GET A DOG! IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE PET!!! IT IS NOT A FURNITURE! IT IS NOT A TOY! BE A RESPONSIBLE OWNER!
February 21, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Animal rescuers like Maria work hard to save dogs from certain death in our local shelters. This man is not alone – he has a "wife" and after he wanted to kiss the ground that Maria walks on for saving Buzz, he then proceeds to talk about suing her for not giving her the money raised to save his dog – pay the fees, the vet and for supplies (sorry, no cheetos). It seems to me that perhaps Dave's desire for the money shows that there is more to this story – yes, he is homeless, and people wanted to help. But I can't help but wonder if his righteous anger over "his" money is because he needs it to feed some form of addiction. Maria discussed with him using the money to pay off other tickets so that he wouldn't end up in this position again – the goal always was to help this man and his dog. Best intentions sometimes end up with the hand that helps you being bitten. Good luck to Dave – but Maria did way more for this man that she had to – but she cares, so she did what was right.
February 21, 2013 at 8:14 PM
Dude's a drug addict, just look at him and the way he lives.
February 21, 2013 at 4:16 PM
OKAY, are you kidding me??! If I went to jail and someone helped me get my dog back after I felt there was no hope to ever get him back, the dog is all I would want and I would be grateful to this lady forever! What a scum bag. What good is money when you are so poor morally? Maria is absolutely doing the right thing by reimbursing those donations.
February 21, 2013 at 4:44 PM
You know, hs11378 has nothing to do with drug USE/ABUSE. CAL H&S 11378 speaks in it’s entirety about possession for sales of ANY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE CLASSIFIED AS SCHEDULE III, IV, OR V AND IS NOT A NARCOTIC DRUG…
These offenses are punishable by jail or prison sentences.
Drug dealer, possibly. Transporter, also possibly.
Felony, Absolutely.
But for Maria to transfer DONATED FUNDS into her PERSONAL bank account…
This is DIVERSION OF FUNDS/MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS.
In CA. Criminal Law, misappropriation is the INTENTIONAL and ILLEGAL use of property or FUNDS of another person for one’s own use or OTHER UNAUTHORIZED USE… or by ANY PERSON WITH A RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR AND PROTECT ANOTHER’S ASSETS (a fiduciary duty, self-announced in Maria’s case)(In stating that the FUNDS RAISED were to go to the man and his dog, Maria established OWNERSHIP of these funds as BELONGING TO THE MAN AND HIS DOG.) Maria’s use of or refusal to remand custody of said funds to the man and his dog (the intended recipients) is by definition misappropriation due to her refusal to give them the remaining funds and by her announcement that she would refund all money remaining (that hasn’t already been spent…).
MISAPPROPRIATION in California is a FELONY, a crime punishable by a sentence in the State Prison. Jail is not an option within the sentencing structure.
February 21, 2013 at 6:58 PM
Oh shut up. You sound like a total douche
February 21, 2013 at 8:15 PM
Well, then. that sorts it out. Give this scumbag bum the money so he can go blow it on heroin then.
February 21, 2013 at 10:57 PM
Well thank you MR. KNOW IT ALL , NOW GO SUCK AN EGG YOU WACKY BASTARD!!!
February 21, 2013 at 11:27 PM
NOW YOU KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING CALIFORNIA IN DROVES BECAUSE OF STUPID PEOPLE LIKE JASON
February 21, 2013 at 5:00 PM
The problem is that too often when a person helps someone, they somehow think that person owes them something, or that they now have a right to dictate what the person should do in the future, There are too often strings attached. People donated cash money to this man's cause. They meant for it to go to meeting the man's needs, period. $800 could have gotten them shelter for a month, until the weather warms up, at least. It might have fed the dog and the couple who owned him for a few months… the woman had no right to withhold the money, period.
February 21, 2013 at 8:16 PM
Dude could do what the rest of us do, and you know, get a job.
February 22, 2013 at 1:14 AM
HE WOULD TAKE THAT MONEY AND STICK IT IN HIS ARM. SHELTER? ,FEED THE DOG? WHAT SORT OF SHIT ARE YOU SMOKING?
February 21, 2013 at 5:10 PM
How can she possibly take money donated to him and decide what he should use it for? What nerve. People didn't donate money to her to give to him. What a bitch. I hope he sues the shit out of her. I would also want to see all receipts to verify what she reimbursed herself. Poor guy has nothing but bad luck.
February 21, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Because she paid the clown's fines with HER credit card. Nice reading comprehension. If he wanted the money he could go get a job like everybody else has to.
February 21, 2013 at 11:06 PM
POOR CRACK HEAD HOPE HE DIES TOMMORROW..
February 21, 2013 at 11:11 PM
Poor guy? if you really feel bad for him you should feel REALLY sorry for the people that have to toil 8-10 hours a day for money to take care of their pets.
February 21, 2013 at 6:08 PM
Ches a real biatch!
February 21, 2013 at 6:14 PM
WOW that was seriously immature!
February 21, 2013 at 8:43 PM
translation: Give me stuff, for free. I dont feel I should have to work to pay for things like fines and dog food.
February 21, 2013 at 8:48 PM
Guessing you're of African descent, yes?
February 21, 2013 at 6:16 PM
I can't help think the man is over looking the amount of people who have helped in this situation. I hope this man will be thankful and drop the law suit.
February 21, 2013 at 11:40 PM
I HOPE HE DROPS DEAD
February 21, 2013 at 6:48 PM
I donated and it was clearly stated on Maria's page that the money was for the dog and the dog only! It was not a "human" fundraiser — it was for the animal. This man is an ungrateful jerk and so is his greedy wife. I feel sorry for the dog — his owner sucks!
February 21, 2013 at 6:53 PM
the amount she put into her personal acct was to cover expenses related to the dog! the donations were for the dog to get out of shelter n care! this woman did what she set out to do which was reunite a beloved pet with his owner. she discussed with him about fines and bills due so she was going to use the rest of donations to help him out!!! this guy got greedy not her! I don't blame her for not wanting to give him cash either. duh no brainer there! you never really know if its going to be used for what it was intended for. Now he wants to sue? hmm wonder why? doesn't take a genius to figure that one out. it wasn't that this woman wasn't going to use funds to help him out (which would help dog ) but because she wouldn't give him cash. anyone that can find fault with that then there is something wrong with you. so i agree with her give refunds of the remainder amount of money to the people who donated.
February 21, 2013 at 7:56 PM
A judge would find fault with that. Money intended and collected for this man and his dog, went into her personal account. If she were smart, she'd give him a gift card for dog food at the local pet store. But she better either give him the money or return it, because if he gets to small claims court, she will lose.
February 21, 2013 at 8:08 PM
no judge would find fault with her putting money into her acct to cover expenses she incurred that was in direct way of helping the dog and owner!!!! it is legal to do that. where does it say she put all the donations in her acct? it just says the only money she put in her acct was the $800 something which that action is legal.
February 21, 2013 at 8:18 PM
Dude's a bum and the lady went above and beyond the call of duty for him. No judge I know would convict…but then again, this took place in California.
February 21, 2013 at 7:03 PM
Why not just refund the money to the respective donors instead of posting a person rants. It's clear from the very onset of the situation that caused his animal to be taken away that he's dysfunctional and very irresponsible, so why all the fuss when he acts accordingly?
Helping such people usually results in this type of behavior from them. The thing is it's just help, not a need to be approved and then take advantage of them to get media attention and praise about again as you play head games with them.
This should have been a private matter from the onset and any and all funds reimbursed that were not needed for the original intention. Maria has been going to refund the money for how many days now?
JUST DO IT AND let everyone get on with their lives. Do we need more drama? We actually don't need this type of drama in today's society of do gooders, etc, etc, etc.
Pathetic!
February 21, 2013 at 8:20 PM
This must be that "entitlement attitude" for which California is famous. Should have let the bum's dog die. Guy is clearly a flake. Harsh, but you wouldn't be wrapped up in legal matters right now would you?
February 21, 2013 at 8:36 PM
Oh just hand him the money! Opening a Facebook page doesn't require a lot of work. Therefore, that money belongs to him
February 21, 2013 at 8:43 PM
So he can piss it away on heroin?
February 21, 2013 at 8:57 PM
Sitting on ass being homeless requires even less work.
February 21, 2013 at 11:14 PM
YEAH JUST HAND HIM THE MONEY ,WITH ANY LUCK THE ROTTEN NO GOOD PRICK WILL GO OUT AND GET HIS FIX AND OD AND DIE AND GO STRAIGHT TO HELL …
February 21, 2013 at 10:21 PM
This guy is your basic crackhead scum bubble,he belongs on the street, no good deed goes unpunished,.let the street people be, they are not there cause they are the salt of thje earth they are there cause theyll sell their granma for a bag of scagg….poor lady poor doggie
February 21, 2013 at 10:45 PM
Take a look at this scumbag. He has a pit bull, he didn't pay his traffic fines so he went to jail, and he's homeless. Obviously extreme white trash just looking for a handout so him and his disgusting wife can afford more methamphetamine.
February 21, 2013 at 10:51 PM
Listen to the youtube audio of his phone call, it even sounds like a couple of desperate junkies grasping at straws in hopes of getting a fix on someone else's dime. The guy's insistence over and over "I'm clean, I'm clean!" smacks of junkieness, no pun intended.
February 21, 2013 at 11:08 PM
How is it this man cannot afford basics like shelter and food, but can afford to have a pitbull and a cellphone for harassing charity workers?
Never saw "cellphone" or "Pitbull" on Maslow's hierarchy of needs but I'd be willing to risk a guess that they rank below "Shelter" in priority.
February 21, 2013 at 11:36 PM
SANDRA QUICK CLOSE THE WINDOW , THE FAIRY PEOPLE ARE COMING IN THE HOUSE AGAIN !!!
February 22, 2013 at 4:54 AM
Almost all derelects on the street want to be there its their lifestyle, others are there because they are dangerous psycopathic idiots, and then theres Dave, a meth fiend and dealer dont play around with these people, it could mean your life!
February 23, 2013 at 5:24 PM
the situation this guy was in, was rightfully so. prior to maria entering the picture —- he was dealing w/ the consequences to his prior actions. everyday he was there w/ his dog, visiting. waiting for someone like maria to come by. he essentially just earned bout 12.50/hr spending time w/ his dog.. if he was there 9-5 . which i doubt. all that matters, is a man and his dog are reunited. end story..
yet maria breaks her own rule by amending it, and declaring it was best if she decided what to do w/ the rest. she was blinded by the money. after all, it is the root of all evil. do you hand a homeless guy $5 declaring he walk in subway and get himself a foot long? No, you give him the sandwich yourself.
she was overstepping her boundries. She was aware of what she was doing, and preparing for the repercussions. Her future reasoning when inquired about the donations: "I know he'll do ok w/ the rest of the donations, because i didn't give it to him in cash."
February 24, 2013 at 9:49 AM
He is not homeless, he has a home, a wife and a car. Read the whole story before you get emotional over this idiot.