This Deserves Action

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While this is not people health related, it is still about a situation I perceive members of this list seem to care about. Please, those who feel that this police department and Humane Society need to be investigated, let those involved know how you feel about this situation and also, cross post far and wide and let's make this a HUGE case. Thanks Margarete The story and what you can do about it: Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, was arrested September 11,2006 for helping a dying chained dog named Doogie who could not stand inEast Freedom, Pennsylvania. Below are the details of the case, with photoand video documentation. Tammy's statement: "I made a hard decision; this decision was that I couldnot have lived with myself or looked myself in the eye if I were such acoward as to leave Doogie lying there dying on the ground for fear of whatwould happen to me. I see this case as a travesty against justice...the trueperpetrators of a crime are the people who left Doogie to lie there dyingfor three days without doing right by him. I am very saddened that we livein a society where people have to be afraid to do the right thing, to helpthose in need, whether that need be human or animal. Arrests such as mineare a pitiful statement for America, and I ask all dog lovers to stand withme to insist that all charges against me are dropped and charges of animalcruelty are instead placed against the Arnolds of East Freedom, PA. TheArnolds who left Doogie to die. This video truly speaks for itself, and forDoogie. I did what was morally right; I stand by my decision to help him andwill be proud of it until my dying day. No one can take that from me."<_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dhtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedown5.jpg) > Here is the background info:We got a call from Kim Eicher in East Freedom 9/11/06, crying because Doogiehadn't gotten up since Saturday. She had been calling the CentralPennsylvania Humane Society since Saturday to no avail. We told her wearen't law officers, and she needed to call the Humane Officer. We told herto make sure she left a message, very clearly, about the problem. Then wegot another call about the same dog, from another person who passes himevery day. At that point we called Kim back to see if she'd heard from theHumane Officer. She had not, was very, very upset and we were very worriedabout him, so we promised her we'd go out and see what we could do. <_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dhtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedown2.jpg) > When we arrived, we took photos and video of Doogie. We initially thought hewas dead, as he was not moving and his back was to us. We found out that thepeople were not home to talk to about him, so I made the decision that Iwould not leave him lying there on the cold wet ground for one momentlonger, and I would accept all consequences of my decision.Kim Eicher has agreed to testify as to the animal cruelty perpetratedagainst Doogie. She cried the whole time we were there, you can hear her onthe video. I think once you see the video and pictures, you'll understand why I madethis decision.<_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dhtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedown4.jpg) > The vet documented his general negligent condition, low weight, sores,missing fur, and took xrays of his back and hips. He determined that he hasvery bad back spurs that are causing him a lot of pain and are most likelyresponsible for his inability to walk. He also saw an undetermined mass nearhis hip on the xray. He gave him a shot for pain plus some B vitamins forenergy, so that perhaps he could have even one good day or a few good hours.He wrote a letter stating his condition.<_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dhtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedown3.jpg) > As we got to the vet, the CPHS Humane Officer Gotshall was just leaving, andhe stopped us. He was about to go out to the residence. When he found out wehad Doogie with us, he was not happy. I volunteered to take Doogie back andhe could pick him up instead. He refused that, and stated that I should gethim the vet care he needed, and to call him afterward on his cell.When I later called him, he did not answer, I left a message asking him whathe wanted me to do with Doogie, he never called back. <_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.htt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogieface.jpg) > Shortly after we got Doogie to my home, situated, bathed_had to, the stenchwas too bad_and fed and watered an Officer Flaig called from the FreedomTownship Police Department (Freedom, isn't that ironic?). He wanted me toreturn Doogie, which I refused to do. I explained that I had video andphotos documenting the animal cruelty, and the neighbor was willing totestify; why didn't he pursue that as they were the perpetrators of thecrime, and should be charged? He refused, and was not interested in seeingmy evidence.<_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dohtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedishes.jpg) > He and three other police vehicles arrived at my home at approximately 9:30p.m. As I refused to hand Doogie over to be returned to death on a chain,and would not tell them where he was, I was taken into custody, transportedto the East Freedom police office, and charged with theft, receiving stolenproperty, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. I was released on$50,000 unsecured bond and ordered to appear at a preliminary hearingSeptember 21, 2006. <_http://www.dogsdesehttp://wwwhttp://www.http://www.dhtt_ (http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/Doogie/doogiedown6.jpg) > I was treated like a common criminal, especially by Chief Reilly, who calledme a 'freakin' idiot', 'incompetent'me a 'freakin' idiot', 'incompetent'<WBFlaig that if I ever came near his dog I would have a slug in my a**. Again,there was no interest in any evidence that the dog had been abused orcriminally neglected. As far as they were concerned, the dog's safety orcondition was not even an issue.I was released after seeing Judge Aigner, where Chief Reilly asked that I benot given bail but incarcerated for my failure to cooperate. It was 2:00a.m., and I had no ride home, over 30 miles away. I had to walk to a localall-night store to call and get a cab, because there was no concern over howI would get home. Their attempt to dehumanize me didn't work. I held my headhigh and still do. I looked Chief Reilly square in the eye at everyopportunity. I will not be broken.Here's what I need from you all. View the videos and photos. I think you'llagree with me that this is NOT acceptable in ANY way in any kind ofcivilized society. We cannot allow this kind of animal abuse. Period. Notifs, ands, or buts. Insist that all charges against Tammy Grimes are droppedand animal cruelty charges are instead filed against the Arnolds of EastFreedom, Pennsylvania. Pass along the photos and the video, or a link to it,as much as you possibly can.Doogie laying on the ground, neighbor crying in background:I could never look myself in the eye again, much less sleep at night, had Ileft Doogie there dying, shivering in the dirt. Please, contact ALL media with these photos and videos. Get justice, forDoogie and for me. Do NOT allow this treatment of those who are here tohelp, and who actually care. Call the Central Pennsylvania Humane Societyand tell them you expect them to stand with me against this kind of abuse,and that you expect them to return phone calls for dying dogs the same day.Officer Flaig: Cell 814.201.0149Freedom Township Police Headquarters: 814.695.8545Central Pennsylvania Humane Society: 814.942.5402; _cphs (AT) altoonarail (DOT) cph_ (cphs (AT) altoonarail (DOT) net) Humane Officer Paul Gotshall: 814.942.3780Altoona Mirror: 800.287.4480; _pbanko@altoonamirropbank_ (pbanko (AT) altoonamirror (DOT) com) ; _news (AT) altoonamirror (DOT) new_ (news (AT) altoonamirror (DOT) com) WTAJ-TV10: 814.944.1414 WJAC-TV 6: 814.255.7600Honorable Craig Ormsby 800 East Main Street Roaring Spring, PA 16673 814.224.4168Honorable Paula Aigner 311 Union Street Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 814.693.3210All national media! Make sure to send them links to the video, it's verycompelling. Don't stop until there is Justice for Doogie and me! Any helpwith legal fees to get a competent attorney would be much appreciated.Tammy S. Grimes**Alert Updates** ( Bottom Line: keep calling, it's working!)9/14/06. Inside Edition is coming today to film. We will post asap when it is to air.We've put Doogie Attire and Pins on the cafepress<_http://www.cafepreshttp://www.cafeph_ (http://www.cafepress.com/dogsdeserve) > store. We've ordered 200 buttons forthe demonstration planned with Best Friends Thursday, September 21 inHollidaysburg, PA. Please be there to support Doogie and Grimes! More infoto come. The art is also linked here in jpeg format. You can use it to makesigns or iron on transfers for t-shirts (probably need the flipped versionfor this.)