Fig & Petunia

In 2023, the devastating story of Fig and Petunia was exposed by The Oregonian and OregonLive.

Fig and Petunia were joyful, bonded five-year-old blue heelers, surrendered only because their elderly owner could no longer care for them. After a lifetime of love, they were placed into the custody of MCAS.

Despite clear warnings from an adoption counselor, MCAS approved their placement with a man on the Oregon Humane Society “Do Not Adopt” list—an individual with a 43-page criminal record and a previous dog who escaped from his unfenced property. That decision was approved by MCAS Director Erin Grahek.

Weeks later, a witness reported the dogs were living in filth—confined, neglected, and denied food and water. An officer confirmed the conditions. The County failed to act. Notices went undelivered.

The case was closed. Fig and Petunia were never seen again because they were left to starve to death by cruel, callous Multnomah County bureaucrats and politicians.

They were abandoned by the very system entrusted to protect them. The mcasEXPOSED campaign—to elect County Commissioners who will end the abuse, neglect, and needless deaths at MCAS—is dedicated to their memory.