[ SHOWGSD-L ] The Philly Basset owner's side
- From: "Ginger Cleary" <cleary1414@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Showgsd-L@Freelists. Org" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 17:44:01 -0400
Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 12:15:00 -0400
Here is another side of the story from Wendy herself: Please
cross post.......
First
a huge thank you for all your words of support and everything that
you
have done! I had my third visit today from the PSPCA and again
threats
of multiple citations if I didn't cooperate with these lovely folks.
I
can fill you in the details, but more important fish to fry (sorry,
Jeep).
I have been deluged by phone calls and e-mails from all
over the country, from a lawyer in GA (" forget the SPCA, go
directly
to the State Attorney General") to the manager of a shelter in IL
("can't believe.. and horrified"). The blogs seem to have been in
over
drive.
Good news is we got a very sympathetic article in one of
the two major papers today. A reporter has also called from the
Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as the AKC and the Chronicle of the
Horse (Molly Sorgi? 804-994-2349). My problem is that if I respond
personally, the SPCA has made it clear that I must "cooperate or
multiple citations will be issued and there would be no PA Kennel
License".
So here is my response to the PSPCA website
(www.pspca.org/news), first article about the Murder Hollow Bassets.
I
cannot respond to anyone in the media or even the PSPCA, but I can
let
you know. Whatever you chose to do with my information, oh well.
1.
Only one dog barking complaint from unknown neighbor, no other
complaints. That neighbor has yet to come forth, although all, I
mean
all have expressed dismay in writing. Never in the 22 years of
having
a kennel here has anyone come to me to complain in person, writing,
or
e-mail.
2. The websites indicated that the SPCA left requests to
be contacted. The 'Humane Law Officer' (her term, not mine) left a
card in my door with no information, no requests for a call, no
warnings or no citations a few days before the raid. Absolutely
none.
She could have left a note to call, because I get lots of cards from
grass cutters to painters. No mention of any 12 dog limit in the
city.
3.
Yes, I initially refused entry with a long explanation about abuses
due
to the new Dog Law. Two Dog Law Officers (from Harrisburg in two
trucks), three PSPCA officers (in three trucks, not including the
small
truck with those tiny multiple pens on the side), and two Police
Officers (two police cars) quickly returned with a search warrant.
4.
The PSPCA did NOT work with the owner to reduce the number of dogs.
Officer Tara Loller repeatedly, repeatedly threatened to take all
the
dogs if I did not give her 10. Under extreme duress and far
outnumbered, I handed over 10 hounds. Talk about Sophie's Choice in
the dark. Then they found Hansel and demanded one more. I gave
them
my other house hound, taking off her collar and Invisible Fence
collar. All the time crying hysterically and protesting loudly.
5.
When forced to sign release papers for the now 11 hounds, I
explained
that Betsy Park was the technical owner of three and wrote her name
at
the bottom of the forms. (Betsy, sending you copies.) Officer
Loller
assured me that Betsy Park would get first consideration for
adoption.
6.
A 'Warning' for re-inspection was issued, but no other warning or
citation. A copy of the Philadelphia Animals laws (17 pages)
included
3 lines which stated "No residential dwelling unit shall keep a
total
of more than twelve (12) adult dogs or cats combined of which no
more
than four (4) may be unneutered", was left in my kennels. These
laws
were never handed to me before or after the raid, and I was never
informed of these laws by my Philadelphia Vet or the Philadelphia
Dog
Licensing Agency that took my money year after year.
7. At the
first re-inspection, the 'Humane Law Officer' was accompanied by an
Assistant District Attorney, Barbara Paul. They found the
conditions
of the hounds (one bitch needed nail trimming, all done by my Vet)
and
kennels to be satisfactory (some ceiling insulation tiles were more
securely fastened). The indentations in the limestone screenings
outside the kennel made by random scratching will be filled with
more
screenings. That should have been accomplished, but the black cloud
over the kennel dropped 6+" of rain on Sunday. Tons of stone are
being dumped on the lane first.
8. The DA left her card and
asked to be phoned with questions. I e-mailed her a question about
the
definition of "residential dwelling unit". Is the barn a separate
unit? As it was constructed and only used by hounds, does that make
the barn a residential unit? She replied that she could not give me
that information because we may be in "adversarial positions" and
directed me to the Philadelphia Bar Lawyer Referrals.
9. To
date, no one has been told of the location of the seized hounds and
no
calls have been returned from Officer Ray Little, the PSPCA Adoption
Agent. A neighboring Vet who has offered free health care for the
life
of the adoptees and wants Khaki has not heard from them. David
Gottier
who wants the two litter mates of his hounds and Sandy McKenna who
wants the one year old fuzzy bitch have been stone walled. Dr. Roy
Feldman and Pat Renner from my Hunt have not heard back. But there
is
an urgent message on the PSPCA website asking for foster homes and
adoptions, because they have no room in the shelter.
Again, I am asking you to be in the position of the messenger, but
feel free to ask me any questions. Thank you SO much.
Wendy
__._,_.___
Ginger Cleary,Rome, GA www.rihadin.com http://www.rihadin.com/
The Truth about H$U$ - www.humanewatch.org
Member GSDCA
Member Sawnee Mtn Kennel Club
GA Director RDOES.
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