What a Story -Truly Upside Down and Inside Out!

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Jennifer
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What a Story -Truly Upside Down and Inside Out!

Post by Jennifer »

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Warmfuzzy's NewsLetter




ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT ACTION ALERT

Help Free Horribly Neglected Dog and His Would-Be Rescuer


A long-time animal advocate, Brian Vincent, could face jail time and a hefty fine for trying to rescue a horribly neglected dog in Chalfant, California -- a tiny hamlet near the resort town of Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierras. Brian was arrested February 8 by Mono and Inyo County law enforcement when he was found with the dog while driving outside of Chalfant. He acknowledged taking the dog from the residence because the dog’s guardian refused to provide proper shelter and care and because local animal control officials, who had received numerous complaints about the animal’s condition, had repeatedly failed to enforce animal cruelty laws to protect the dog. Brian was charged with petty theft then incarcerated for three days in the Inyo County Jail in Independence. He was released on $5,000 bail. His trial begins this month in Mono County. Unfortunately, the arresting officers returned the dog, a terrier mix who resembles the Hollywood canine Benji, to the guardian.

Brian has defended his actions because the dog was suffering from terrible neglect that Mono County Animal Control, the agency responsible for enforcing animal cruelty statutes, had largely ignored. For example, the dog’s shelter consists of a cardboard box with no insulation from the cold. In addition, the dog is always kept outside on a very short chain even during inclement weather and at night. According to the guardian’s own admission, the dog is not allowed inside. She indicated the dog is taken for a walk about once every two weeks, otherwise he is left on the chain. The guardian also admitted that for an entire year she kept him penned underneath a trampoline encircled with netting. Brian, who has been monitoring the dog’s situation for over two months, also discovered that the dog rarely had water available, the dog’s fur was matted with feces, and the yard was littered with garbage including sharp objects and chemicals that pose a hazard to the dog. Brian, along with other local residents, reported these incidents to Animal Control. Despite such complaints, the agency has failed to act promptly or adequately. According to Animal Control officials, the department has been “working with the owner for a year” to improve the dog’s situation. Yet, the dog has remained in deplorable conditions for a year.

Brian said he is prepared to go to jail because he believes trying to save the dog was his moral responsibility. His only regret is that the dog was returned to the guardians who so neglected him. He is urging Animal Control to remove the dog from the premises and to place him with a family who will care for him. In addition, he has called on Mono County authorities to fire Animal Control Director Nancy Boardman and Control Officer Angelle Nolan for their failure to enforce the law.

Photos and video footage of the dog are available. Please contact Brian for more details.


WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact the Mono County District Attorney. Urge the DA to:



Enforce animal cruelty laws by removing “Benji” from his current home in Chalfant and placing him in a family that will love and care for him
Drop all charges against Brian Vincent
In addition, mention that Mono County should fire Animal Control Director Nancy Boardman and Control Officer Angelle Nolan for failing to safeguard the dog.


Address:
Mono County District Attorney
P.O. Box 617
Bridgeport, CA 93517
Phone:
(760) 932-5550

Donate to Brian’s legal defense fund. To donate contact attorneys Evans & Page at 415-293-8592

Forward this alert to other animal advocates

SAMPLE LETTER:
Mono County District Attorney
P.O. Box 617
Bridgeport, CA 93517


To the District Attorney:

The case of Brian Vincent has come to the attention of animal rescue people all across the country. The fact that Mr. Vincent was arrested and jailed for trying to save a dog living in cruel and deplorable circumstances is simply ludicrous. The "guardian" of the dog in Chalfant is the one who should be charged and incarcerated.

Please make this situation right by:

*Enforcing animal cruelty laws and remove the dog from his current home in Chalfant and placing him in a family that will love and care for him.

*Drop all charges against Brian Vincent

*Advocate that Mono County should fire Animal Control Director Nancy Boardman and Control Officer Angelle Nolan for failing to safeguard the dog.

As I said, this case is being watched by animal lovers across the United States; this is your chance to do the right thing and send a message that inhumane treatment of animals will not be tolerated, and that our society will uplift those who do the right thing where animals are concerned.

Sincerely,
juliatat
Posts: 10
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2004 10:36 am
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Re: What a Story -Truly Upside Down and Inside Out!

Post by juliatat »

Jennifer,doesn't this just burn you up??? It did me. I've writtten my letters...We do have a petition circulating now...

Sign here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/331393124
This man rescued a dog from horrible abuse and neglect, and is now being charged with "theft"...
He can't go to jail for his kindness...
User avatar
Jennifer
White Honkey Bitch In Charge
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri Feb 13, 2004 4:16 pm
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Re: What a Story -Truly Upside Down and Inside Out!

Post by Jennifer »

juliatat,
Written letters and also to Mammoth Times!
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