Sunday, January 23, 2011

System FAIL -1

System Fail - 1

Greetings animal lovers…

Like many of you, I have always had a connection to animals. This past summer a series of events that touched my heart concerning animals inspired me to write the System Fail article.

Of course every writer wants to think they are the first to think of a topic to write about…

When I began to do research on the topic I found out how wrong that was.

Sadly I found NUMEROUS articles detailing over and over how the system had failed animals in so many ways…

I thought for a while I would break the article up into parts. …And continued research.

I first searched on http://www.Bing.com using search term “2010 cop shoots dog”

This was originally to be part/chapter 1

Results returned - 6,530,000 results

6,530,000 results ! I was flabbergasted, yes some of these are the same story on different media sources. But there are so many…people have no idea how bad things for animals can really be. To help raise awareness, I intend to profile several cases where an animals life is taken, abused or neglected.

In many instances charges are never pressed. In some instances its animal control or police who are the abusers. In some instances they have just become an inconvenience..

As always, I will include links to actual news or TV reports as proof that I am not just an opinionated animal rights activist.

So the article will be ongoing this will be System Fail – Chapter 1

In every society there are followers and leaders. If the leaders have no regard for animals lives the followers will not either. My belief is that animals are treated so badly because of the examples set by people in charge of things.

First I want to tell the 3 stories that sparked the need for me to tell these stories.

They all take place in Toledo Ohio where I currently reside.

The first story - Tyson

In June 2010, a dog named Tyson. Abducted and shot twice by a neighbor.

Tyson is an older German Sheppard/mutt mix, a family dog, friendly to all.

Tyson, very much considered a member of the family, grew up with a boy named Josh Luck. Josh, an adult now, lives in South Toledo on a quiet little street. Tyson would occasionally get out of his yard and wander the neighborhood, but never threatened anyone and no one seemed to mind.

What the Luck family didn’t know is, a neighbor named Eric Skowron had a grudge against Tyson. He claimed that Tyson was mean and picked on his dog. But instead of speaking to Tyson's owner or calling the dog warden. Eric cooks up a plan to make it look like Tyson is attacking his dog, therefore somehow enabling him to feel, he could justify shooting Tyson in defense of his dog.

It would later come out that he talked about killing Tyson for months at work.

Since Tyson wasn’t really coming over there to attack Eric's dog. Eric and his girlfriend go to Tyson's yard and try to entice him into a car. When that doesn’t work they come back with a leash and lead him out of his yard and down the street to Eric's house.

We can only speculate what happens in the next few minutes as Tyson is led off camera on a leash wagging his tail by Alisha King.

Tyson is seen later staggering into his yard and collapsing….

A neighbor’s surveillance camera captures perfect video of Skowron and King dog-napping Tyson and leading him on a leash, down the street to Skowrons house.

And then Tyson, after being shot, stagger back into his yard to collapse.

If the story stopped here it would be difficult to prove what happened to Tyson.

However, the story takes a strange twist here, which hopefully will be this cowardly duo’s downfall.

In the time span, that Tyson is absent from the neighbors surveillance video tape.

The cover up begins…

In a neighborhood such as this story takes place, gunfire does not go un-noticed. Skowron was probably sure one of his neighbors would report hearing it to the police.

So Skowron and King try to cover up what really happened with a bogus story.

THEY dial 911 and make a police report. Skowron tells police he shot a dog in his yard that was attacking his dog.

Channel 13 WTVG – Plays the 911 tape of Skowron reporting he shot a dog, and parts of the neighbors Surveillance camera video.

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/video?id=7553380

The police respond and note in their report that neither Skowron or his dog have a scratch on them. Nor does the dog look like he was in a fight.

The “alleged attacker dog” is no longer on scene so the report is just filed.

( No one knows about Tyson’s condition at this time)

I have this horrid picture in my mind of that poor excuse of a human being holding the leash while shooting Tyson and his half-wit girlfriend cheering him on. Thankfully Tyson proved to be smarter then both of them because he got loose and ran home.

I know its not very polite or professional to call people names, but I can not apologize… what kind of person plots for weeks to carry out a plan like this against an innocent creature like Tyson? Against any living entity ?

It would not be until hours later when Josh would find his childhood friend Tyson laying in the yard bleeding. Upon first impression it appeared Tyson might have been hit by a car. It was not until the emergency care veterinary hospital took x-rays did the Lucks learn Tyson had been shot. Tyson had been shot two times once through the eye once in the back. He is recovering at home after extensive care and having the eye that was shot removed.

I am not sure if the police were contacted first or the video was discovered first.

But the video from the neighbors surveillance camera clearly shows King leading Tyson away and Skowron following in a car.

The cowardly Duo were arrested and charges are filed.

Unfortunately Ohio Animal Cruelty Laws do not offer much protection to animals.

The entire situation has prompted the Lucks to work with Director of the Toledo Area Humane Society and other local organizations to change the laws in Ohio.

If you would like to Follow Tyson's Story he has his own Face book page with almost 10 thousand people following his progress. There you can read the entire story and visit the media links of the story coverage.

The page is called Tending for Tyson http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tending-for-Tyson/134069353289680

Also Look in the Toledo Blade for coverage on this story

http://toledoblade.com/article/20100717/NEWS02/7170377
Article published July 17, 2010
Animal lovers jeer at duo charged in dog shooting
As crowd calls for tougher laws, 2 plead not guilty
By JC REINDL
BLADE STAFF WRITER
Dozens of animal lovers angry over the recent shooting of a dog confronted a South Toledo man and his girlfriend Friday outside Toledo Municipal Court.

Update- The couple has been allowed a plea deal - pleading to no contest to misdemeanor charges of stealing and then shooting Tyson.
They were found guilty and return to court March 3, 2011

The Second Story – Sarge

Sarge -> his new home at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

In Early July 2010, in an East Toledo neighborhood, Lawrence Mick and his buddy Adam Collins take turns shooting Sarge who is confined to a cage in the back yard.

A neighbor behind Mick's residence watches horrified as the situation plays out. The dog is howling in pain and they keep shooting him. She opens a window and tells them to stop and she is calling the police, they threaten her to mind her own business or else.

The police arrive and Adam Collins runs away before they get there. Taking the gun with him.

Mick is arrested and Sarge is taken into custody by the Lucas county dog warden.

Mick claims Sarge is dangerous and he was afraid he would get out of his cage so he shot him 6 times …he also claims Sarge bit Melinda Perry.

But Mick loved his dog so he was allowed to keep him.

Which suggests to me that there is more to the bite story then they are telling.

Otherwise why would you keep him if he just flipped out and bit someone you loved FOR NO REASON.

That is my opinion because Sarge was owned by a family before landing with Mick. The family owned a store and Sarge stayed in the store while customers came in and out.

The family’s circumstances changed so they were forced to give Sarge back to the Breeder they got him from.

Which is how he ended up with Mick. It is not clear to me if Mick is a back yard breeder or Mick got Sarge from the breeder.

Sarge sat in another cage at the Lucas County Dog pound for 14 days with the 6 bullets in his body. It looked pretty grim for Sarge at this point, it was almost certain he would be put to sleep because of the bite report filed by Mick and Perry.

Animal Rights Activists spoke out for Sarge and Toledo Humane Society applied to the court for Sarges custody.

On July 23, 2010 Sarge was transferred to The Toledo Area Humane Society and began to work with a trainer there and had some of the bullets removed.

The Toledo Area Humane Society is a no Kill Shelter.

Sarge does get a happy ending….The Toledo Area Humane Society arranged for Sarge to be moved to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah when he can live out the rest of his days.

Sarge Also has his own Facebook Page Its called- "Justice for Sarge shot 6 times by his owner" with 4,781 members.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/JUSTICE-for-Sarge-SHOT-6-times-by-his-owner/129259970448541

Join Sarges Page to view all the news links and for updates on this story.

As for his abusers. Sadly Ohio Laws will not dish out a punishment fitting the crime.

However Mick has a previous felony charge so he is not allowed to own or use a firearm.

So the firearms charge will get him more time then the actual charge for shooting Sarge.

While Mick is in jail, his girlfriend would later be arrested for intimidating a witness. The one who called the police on Mick and Collins while they were shooting Sarge.

Despite an eye witness and Mick's own girlfriend telling news crews “Sarge deserved to be shot he wasn’t settling down for nothing” Mick Pleaded not guilty blaming Collins for the shooting and the last I heard his lawyer had filed a motion to move his trial to another town because Mick couldn’t get a fair trial in Toledo.

Collins who was caught with the gun used in the shooting blamed Mick and pleaded out.

Also Check The Toledo Blade for coverage on this story

http://toledoblade.com/article/20100716/NEWS16/7160358
Article published July 16, 2010
People far and wide hope to adopt 'Sarge,' dog shot 6 times in cage
Biting report may prevent direct adoption
By JC REINDL
BLADE STAFF WRITER
From Sylvania to Alaska, dozens of dog lovers have expressed their support for an East Toledo German shepherd named Sarge who was shot six times in a cage last week and survived.

UPDATE ****Lawrence Mick - One of Sarges shooters was back in court this week - he spoke on his own behalf and blamed Collins solely for the shooting. 911 tapes were played in court of frantic neighbors describing the scene unfolding. 5 Neighbors also testified that Collins and Mick took turns shooting Sarge.
This testimony can also be used for the Animal Cruelty Charges.
Mick was found guilty on the gun charges part of his sentence is he has to volunteer at the Toledo Area Humane Society.. would you send a child molester to work in a daycare ?
I hope they watch him like a hawk...for the animals sake...

The Third story-

Toledo Police and Lucas County Dog warden respond to a call in a West Toledo Neighborhood about a pit bull running loose.

The dog was an escape artist… the owner had poured concrete on part of the yard along the fence already, in an attempt to keep the dog in the yard. He was friendly and children petted him on a regular basis during his little escapes.

This dog was reported because of peoples attitude about Pit Bulls. He was shot because that hyped up opinion created fear. And yes, the guy with the gun and the badge is very much afraid of a dog.

This dog was trying to get back into his own yard through the hole he dug under the fence.

At one point they blocked him from getting back into his yard. He was shot between his fence and the neighbors garage.

Click here to see the news coverage of this story

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/video?id=7573387

The wardens people who are supposed to KNOW about animals couldn’t catch this dog.

So they stood back while police cornered the dog, then one of the cops walked to his car got a shot gun out of the trunk and walked back and shot the dog. Peppering the neighbors garage in the process. The dog wardens office then took the dog to the pound, where later his owner was “convinced” to let them put the dog to sleep. There was no emergency medical treatment and this owner was bullied into putting his dog to sleep, partly in fear of what might happen to his other dog if he didn’t go along with authorities.

If this cop was in so much fear of his life because the dog was charging him, how did he have enough time to walk to his car and get a shotgun ? Why not use the pistol attached to his side ?

Toledo Ohio, Lucas County just forced the old the dog warden here to retire. Tom Skeldon profiled dogs that he hated. For 23 years he spouted un-true facts on a regular basis about dogs he deemed dangerous. Because he was a person in a position of authority, many people believed what he said with out checking facts them selves.

Skeldon has conditioned Lucas county to think all Pit Bulls and Rottweiler's are going to attack you and kill you. Which only adds to the abuse problems that already are way out of control.

When authorities believe the hype and don’t bother to educate themselves by checking real facts. This is one of the first ways the System Fails !

Tom Skeldons famous test to see if a dog is mean, is to squeeze the dogs genitals. He is quoted as saying,

"A dog that will allow you to do that is a dog that isn't going to bite some kid who happens to step on his toe"

Read all about Mr. Skeldon by clicking this link

http://nameandshameanimalabuse.blogspot.com/2010/09/23-years-of-tom-skeldons-kill-them-all.html

My point about Skeldon is, part of the problem with the attitude people have about animals is because of people like this. When we allow people to be in a position to work with animals who obviously have so much hate for those animals, we fail those animals horribly.

It was these 3 stories that outraged me and urges me to tell all the stories now. It is my hope that if enough people learn about the cruelty that exists we will someday be able to stop it.
I have been outraged so many more times since then....

Chapter 2 will be coming out soon ..stay tuned….

~^..^~

System Fail – Chapter 2

System Fail Chapter 1

http://underdogrescueinternational.blogspot.com/p/system-fail-chapter-1.html

System Fail – Chapter 2

This is chapter 2 of System Fail an ongoing article that will highlight case after case of Animal Abuse, at the hands of people from many different walks of life.

In some cases its officials that cause the abuse, in some cases its other people who have influence in some way over a large number of people. Many of these cases slip on past and no one is ever charged.

So when I say System Fail I mean the current system for dealing with animal related issues as a whole.

Another example of;

People in a position of authority, doing something totally cruel to animals, under the guise of management for preservation.

Wild horse “round up” by the US Bureau of Land Management…. Why is this done with helicopters? I have read both sides of this issue… ONE question stands out;

If they are trying to help the horses by relocating them WHY are they using such a horrible method to round them up?

Guess who pays for this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39622264/ns/us_news-environment/

If the leaders have no regard for animals lives the followers will not either.

System Fail

Bugsy’ Story

In Williamsburg, Ky…
A big white fluffy dog got lost from his home. A Great Pyrenees known by what was written on his collar..His name: Bugsy.

The Times-Tribune CORBIN — By Megan Williamson / Staff Writer

Times Tribune Reports:
“The shooting happened Wednesday after Whitley Pharmacy employees Alicia Creekmore and Rhonda Rains called Whitley County Animal Control in the hopes the agency would find a home for the stray they called “Bugsy.”
“He was just the cutest thing,” Rains said.
Creekmore, 21, of Williamsburg, said she and many others had befriended Bugsy, who was skittish with her at first, though she was able to later encourage him to eat out of her hands.”

These nice people who befriended this stray dog were trying to help him.
They said he was like a neighborhood dog.
No one said he was aggressive, he was friendly.
Bugsy was someone’s lost pet and no attempt was made by authorities to help Bugsy find his owner. When he was so obviously a pet, with a collar with his name on it.
Tell me again why we have animals chipped and pay for license tags?
They put their trust into Whitley County Animal Control ~ because they are supposed to help the animals right?
How shattered that trust must be now.
Employees contacted Animal control at lunchtime but they did not show up until 6 pm after a second phone call.
Poor Bugsy had been hiding next to a dumpster to get out of the rain.
Thinking that animal control officer Wayne Perkins was going help Bugsy…...by taking him to the shelter, checking for a microchip, checking lost dog reports …...
Employees lead Wayne Perkins out to where Bugsy is crouching by the dumpster.

Employees stated to animal control they would take the dog if it was going to be shot..
Breanna Rhoades, 20, of Williamsburg said while she was talking to the police that had responded to the call also.
Wayne Perkins shot Bugsy with a 12-gauge shotgun, the first shot missed but the next 2 killed him. People on scene report that Wayne Perkins was about 40 yards away from the dog…
Then he picked up Bugsy loaded him on his truck and drove away without saying a word.
This is straight out Animal Cruelty ….
Bugsy was not charging him, Bugsy was not mean, no one was in any danger…... he shot Bugsy in cold blood.
Below are links to various news media sites with Bugsy’s Story…
http://www.wkyt.com/whitley/headlines/101339109.html
http://www.wkyt.com/wymtnews/headlines/101132879.htm
http://thetimestribune.com/local/x1442550968/Officer-who-shot-dog-to-be-punished

People are outraged and calling for Animal Control Reform.
Two different groups have stepped up and sponsored petitions for Bugsy
Jayne Cvetanoski of Australia has started a face book page to gain Justice for Bugsy.
The page is named;
“Justice for a stray dog called Bugsy”
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Justice-for-a-stray-dog-called-Bugsy/101523899906658?ref=ts&v=wall
Justice for a stray dog called Bugsy has sponsored a petition
Read and sign it here
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/244/justice-for-bugsy-fire-the-whitley-ac-officer-who-killed-him/

Jayne is a member of a group named Underdog Rescue International Voice with members from all parts of the Animal Rescue Network… for networking to share resources and work online as a team to help get the word out about Animal Abuse.
Members of Underdog Rescue International Voice recently helped a dog named Sarge shot 6 times by his owner in Toledo, Ohio.
Underdog Rescue International Voice blog -http://underdogrescueinternational.blogspot.com/

A Rescue Group named Big Fluffy Dog Rescue of Nashville, TN has also stepped up to lend a voice.
Website- http://bigfluffydogs.com/
Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/pages/CTMEVTNHTNKY/Big-Fluffy-Dog-Rescue/28214716181
Big Fluffy Dogs has sponsored a Petition
Read and sign it here
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/541?m=a4681d42&recruiter_id=69630650
Please sign both petitions and please speak out – let everyone know this is not ok!
Shooting a dog is not animal control!

This happens more then people think….

When the people who are in charge show no regard for the life of an animal, is it any wonder why there is so much Animal Abuse going on?

Please speak out people its time to make changes now ~ spread the word –

Speak out ~
Kentucky: Secretary of State – Elected Officials sos.ky.gov/kids/government/elected
Kentucky State Government: State of Kentucky Government www.govspot.com/state/ky.htm
Mayors Office City of Williamsburg Ky www.cityofwilliamsburg.com

Knowledge is the light, that shines through the darkness of ignorance ~ Unknown

Ohio SPCA / Fayette County Dog Pound

Ohio SPCA Fights Abuse in Fayette County Dog Pound

On Friday, September 24, the Fayette County Commissioners were faxed a letter by John Bell, our attorney.

Ohio SPCA says
"They have 96 hours to correct serious violations of the ORC. Witness statements and pictures received Sept 24 depict horrendous conditions – drop-off kennels that have not been cleaned for 2 weeks, runs full of feces and worms, vomit, and urine, and sick dogs left to suffer." See Pictures at bottom..Condition of the cages

A sick pup was adopted recently and died within days from parvo. The pup was eliminating 5 inch worms. When the assist. Dog warden was told that she should not adopt out sick dogs, she stated that she would do whatever she wanted.

This is not the first time sick dogs were adopted or given away. And it is not the first time that dogs were left to suffer and die a slow death.

Records received prove that the dog wardens, past and present, have killed STRAY dogs before the 72 hour holding period was up. Some died the day they came in. This is a violation of the ORC, and therefore it is criminal. Dogs are being killed in a homemade gas closet.

Bagged like garbage and thrown away like garbage…this is the fate of the dogs that end up here.

Fayette County has refused to comply with our previous requests.

Ohio SPCA Says,
"We must receive satisfactory evidence of the destruction of the “gas box,” correction of the inhumane conditions at the Pound, and full compliance with the ORC within the next ninety-six (96) hours, or we will file a Mandamus Complaint against Fayette County."

The Assist Dog Warden has been placed on Administrative Leave and we are told that she will not be back. Fayette County needs to hire a qualified dog warden who cares.

Pictures of horrible filthy conditions, uncleaned cages, filthy water and sick and dying dogs. The pictures were taken on Sept. 18 and 19, 2010.

A sheriff deputy was called to the pound when these pictures were taken and he observed the conditions.

So Nasty no where to even sit with out sitting in urine or feces

Drinking water

This poor dog curled up in the only semi clean spot in the cage

These are only a few of the pictures ...

Update on this story Oct 13, 2010

Fayette County Dog Warden Resigns- Sheriff Takes over!

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2010/oct/13/4/fayette-county-dog-pound-now-run-sheriffs-office-ar-260064/

Thank You Ohio SPCA & Sheriff Stanforth !

**Update ** 10-18-2010 Gassing Chamber is torn down!

See video here on the OHIO SPCA youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fYQHNH-GJY&feature=related

Ohio Spca on Facebook –click here

The Ohio SPCA is an all-volunteer 501c3 organization. We bring reform to Ohio's county dog pounds (putting an end to shooting and the use of homemade gas boxes and chambers), intercede when animal cruelty is ignored, and operate an animal sanctuary.

Ohio SPCA needs your help with donations to keep fighting Animal Cruelty of all kinds.

Please Help !

Ohio SPCA needs help with Hay for the winter to help click the link below

http://ohiospca.chipin.com/sanctuary-hay

Smokey’s Story

Smokey - Green County Ohio, Beaten with a Baseball Bat and run over by his owners with a car

Smokey is in the custody of Green County Animal Control, healing from his injuries and awaiting the decision on his fate. His Owners Chasity Elliott and Robert (Bobby) Profitt, took turns beating him with a baseball bat before running him over with their car.
In interviews with WHIO and WDTN Elliott describes the beating they gave the dog before running him over. She describes the brutal beating with a gleam in her eye.
See the 2 interviews below

http://www.whiotv.com/news/24602053/detail.html

http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/fairborn-woman-describes-dog-beating

Notice how her eyes look up to the left or up to the right when she talks the bad choice they made and how sorry she is. Experts on body language call this a classic sign that someone is lying.

The couple pleaded not guilty in court on August 19, 2010

Underdog Rescue International Voice and concerned people around the globe would like to see Smokey go to a place when he can be rehabilitated and loved.
The authorities in Greene County are seeking legal advice before making a decision about Smokey.
The original Owner of Smokey Chasity Elliot's aunt has signed a release allowing Harold Brown of Green County Animal Control to make the decisions about Smokey. That over rules the original release by Elliott and Profitt signed asking that the dog be put to sleep.
Smokey is still part of an ongoing animal cruelty case against Elliott and Profitt so the courts have some say also. Harold Brown legally must comply with anything court ordered.
Harold Brown says he is not opposed to seeking other options for Smokey, but those options will not include adoption because of the bite record. This means Smokey cannot be adopted to the public. It does not mean that he doesn't get a second chance at life abuse free. It is still possible that Smokey will be allowed to go to someplace like Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

**Update on Smokey

11/8/2010

SMOKEY GETS SOME JUSTICE!

Smokey has been offered a home in Arizona with the wonderful team at

TARA'S BABIES...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-AZ/Taras-Babies-Animal-Welfare/368847114798?v=wall

We need to help get him there, and get his yard ready for him.

Smokey needs our help ..Lets get him outta Greene County Shelter ASAP.

Please share Smokey’s Chip in Donate if you can & Share as much as possible

http://tarasbabiesdogs.chipin.com/smokeys-new-home

I have focused on Smokey here because when I originally wrote this article we were still trying to get Green County to give Smokey a chance in an Animal Sanctuary.
But I want to explain why this story is included in the System Fail Article.

OHIO ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS ARE POOR AT BEST.

Abuse an animal in OHIO and get caught, MISDEMEANOR 18 months is the MOST time in Jail you can get.

Do your part to help make Animal Cruelty Laws tougher in Ohio

Support this group

Nitro Foundation HB 70 Law in Ohio

Please support Nitro's Law HB70 for all of Ohio's animals…
Don’t let Nitro’s Law die like Nitro Did.
Call Chairman Tim Grendell Phone: (614) 644-7718
or Email: SD18@senate.state.oh.us of the Senate Judiciary Criminal Justice Committee. Chairman Grendell is able to decide whether Nitro’s Law HB70 will advance.

This next story is hard to watch ...
Jamies Dogs Story
I have included the video ...
This Family was on their way home on new years day driving through Tennessee.
Husband, wife, kids & family dog...
They stopped for gas and Jamie forgot his wallet on the hood of the car.
The cops saw the money flying out of his wallet and "thought" they had a robbery suspect...
watch what happens ...I warn you its hard to watch

This is what Jamie said in an interview with the Early Show

"He comes behind me and handcuffs me," says Jamie. "They commenced to do the same thing to my wife and child. And in the process, the passenger door to the car is left open. And while we're cuffed on our knees, we can be heard at least three different occasions telling them that our pets are in the car. To please shut the door."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/02/12/earlyshow/living/petplanet/main540285.shtml

This is horrible and what can these people do about it ?
Just imagine how traumatized their children were by this ....

This last video for this chapter is a Baltimore Police Training video

What kind of example does this show ?
Its OK to beat my dog if I am training it ?
SYSTEM FAIL !

If the leaders have no regard for animals lives the followers will not either.

System Fail

~^..^~

Monday, January 3, 2011

Nitro's Story -Nitro's Law HB 70

Nitro's Story is a sad one, he and 7 of his kennel mates died in Youngstown Ohio in a facility named High Caliber K-9, They went there for Training....
The owner of the kennel responsible for the care of the dogs,
claimed he didn't have any money to feed the dogs.

Even though he was paid in advance for their care.

He was charged and under Ohio Law sentenced to 4 Months in Jail. 4 months- For the deaths of 8 dogs and 12 others nearly starved to death...

Nitro's Law HB 70 is born from this tragedy...

HB 70 will make those who hurt animals in Ohio be held accountable.

No more slap on the wrist penalties.

Nitro's law died December 31, 2010

It did not advance..
Animals in Ohio will continue to suffer
while their abusers walk free.
We are working to get Nitro's Law re-introduced
Join us on Facebook
Nitro Foundation II - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_107366679335953&ap=1

Follow Nitro Foundation on Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/NitroFoundation

Contact Frank LaRose http://www.facebook.com/LaRoseCampaign

Contact Senator Tim Grendell 614-644-7718
Email SD18@senate.state.oh.us
Message - Please Re-introduce HB 70 Nitro's law

Watch the video for the story ...

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nitro-s-law-ohio-house-bill-70

Please reach out to your local media contacts...make some noise !

Monday, December 20, 2010

Smokey – A Rescue Story

Smokey’s story starts out really sad, but has a wonderful happy ending and a bit of a twist so don’t let that stop you from reading about it.

Smokey is a chow mix dog that lived in Green County Ohio with owners Chastity Elliott & Robert (Bobby) Profitt, who took turns beating him with a baseball bat before running him over with their car.

In interviews with WHIO and WDTN Chastity Elliott describes the beating they gave the dog before running him over. She describes the brutal beating with a gleam in her eye. Its scary to think this woman is still out there walking around..

See the 2 interviews below
http://www.whiotv.com/news/24602053/detail.html

http://www.wdtn.com/dpp/news/fairborn-woman-describes-dog-beating

Notice how her eyes look up to the left or up to the right when she talks about the “bad choice” they made and how” sorry” she is. Experts on body language call this a classic sign that someone is lying.

The couple then called animal control to say Smokey was hit by a car…

That was the first story… when the real story finally came out people all over were outraged.

The couple claimed Smokey was aggressive and he had bit a child.

Most places a bite report like this automatically gets the dog put to sleep.

Even if the owner is a liar … and is just covering their own butt.

After all it’s easiest to say it was self defense right?

That’s what all the cops say…

Smokey’s story caught the attention of an Aussie named Jayne ….

Jayne can put together a face book page faster then anybody I know.

She is responsible for many pages that have helped many animals.

So before the news story was finished,

she had already set to work on doing just that…Smokey’s page gained supporters fast 2,489 people liked the Smokey Page …

Jayne works tirelessly for the animals and I and glad to call her my friend.

Jayne is a member of a Face Book Group named “Underdog Rescue International Voice” URIV works with rescue people and shelters to help animals like Smokey who would have otherwise been put to sleep.

We are the Page creators, the petition writers, the letter writers, the cross-posters, we all work together using social networking sites to share resources and spread the word…contact the media…ect.

Countless lives have been saved by the work rescue people do online and we are proud to be a part of that.

Smokey’s story was heartbreaking …these people beat him and then ran him over…tried to cover their own butts by saying he was dangerous…

Then asked, that he be put to sleep … thankfully before this could happen outraged people from all over the world flooded Green County with calls and emails pleading and demanding Smokey be saved all 2,489 of us…

Many people do not understand that an abused dog can be rehabilitated.

In lots of places especially rural areas it is common practice (as barbaric as it sounds) to put the abused animal to sleep. Many are never given a second chance at life ..all because some looser abused them.

This kind of practice is an outrage to animal lovers. We couldn’t let that happen.

Dr. Brown was less then receptive at first…Jayne and members of Uriv along with help from many friends had just helped a dog-named Sarge in Toledo Ohio.

Sarge’s owner and a friend took turns shooting him while he was in a cage….

In all, Sarge was shot 6 times. It was also initially thought Sarge would be put to sleep. His owners also claimed he was dangerous and had bitten them…

Jayne was there to start a Facebook page “Justice for Sarge shot 6 times by his owner”

5, 206 people quickly showed support.

The Toledo Area Humane Society broke Sarge out of doggie jail and worked with him… they arraigned for him to get accepted at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary…

Sarge now lives at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah where he can remain for the rest of his life… It was the director of the Toledo Area Humane Society, John Dinion who paved the way with Dr. Brown to help Smokey.

Dr. Brown agreed to search for other options for Smokey …

A victory!

Smokey gets to live!

Then on November 8 Smokey has been offered a home in Arizona with the wonderful team at : TARA'S BABIES...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-AZ/Taras-Babies-Animal-Welfare/368847114798?v=wall

From their website:

“Tara's Babies is a no-kill dog rescue and lifetime sanctuary located in the wilderness of Northern Arizona. We began during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, rescuing dogs and cats left abandoned and homeless by the devastation. We continue to save the lives of dogs facing euthanasia in shelters throughout the USA.”

This serene setting is the perfect place for a dog like Smokey to live the rest of his life ...with no fear and no abuse

His only roadblock now were funds for the trip and expenses… Supporters quickly donated to get Smokey on his way.