The Truth is We don't know the truth -- BUT THESE ANIMALS NEED HELP!!
Are we to believe that Tammy could have turned this around in a few days with some Elbow grease? What matters now is the animals. I personally don't care about the who did what wrong rumor mill. GO HELP IF YOU CAN.
Here is Pasado's latest update
Click Here
THESE ARE THE MOST RECENT PICTURES--
I am sure you will have some comments on these.
http://www.forpitssake.org/ednah.html
http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/
One interesting comment, the dogs do not appear to be malnourished. I know that is a small concession given to what appears to be a very, very bad situation. I am just saying it looks like help arrived in time to get many of these dogs out, thank goodness for that. However, I have talked to one person this morning on the ground who said they have nowhere near the # of people to take care of these animals.
Question 1: Do they need help handling these animals and where can we send people?
Someone on the ground please tell us where to come and what airport is closest. Southwest flies into Little Rock. Is that close?
It has come to my attention by several reputable Pit Bull groups that more to this story may exist. In fact people have told me that they warned groups not to take Pits to Tammy and asked how anyone could claim they can take care of hundreds of Pits (they even sent me the back and forth exchanges). They claim the result is that the sheriffs found hundreds (as many as 400) animals not being cared for in any way shape or form. More may exist to this story than meets the eye. These first hand accounts have been told to me by reputable people who went in with the sheriff as representatives of the "animals." They and the sheriff were alerted to problems with Tammy by several other well respected Pit rescue groups. One person told me that the farm had almost no building to house animals, that the animals were in the same crates as transported in and that most looked to not have been walked in days. They said Tammy would need at least 20-30 people to care for the number of animals she had and that nobody was on site. This story is not near over and my guess is you will hear differing accounts for a while...someone is sending me pictures I hope showing the condition of the dogs, which they state is horrible. If groups sent these animals to Tammy ..it does not mean they intentionaly put these animals in harms way in my opinion. Below you find an account by a person who entered the facility and the letter sent by Pasado soon after Tammy's arrest.
Here are pics of the property. Did Pasado reps actually go to this facility as suggested in emails that I saw? It doesn't take much to see it isn't a facility at all. How many dogs were already on site when Pasado dumped off its group?
---
Dog In Its own Feces and not one little dodo either --
More pics?
Picture 1 (dead dog)
Picture 2
Picture 3
Picture 4
Picture 5
Account By Person going into the property --
From the gated entrance to her property the piles of trash began.There was not a single permanent building on the property. Therewas a storage unit with no doors for one group of dogs. The restwere lucky if they had a barrel to go in, but when you have 15 to 20dogs per pen and 3 barrels, I would say very few dogs had anyshelter at all. The poor Katrina pit bulls, rotties, and chows linethe driveway and way beyond and in the crates they came in fromBaton Rouge, NO COVER, NO PROTECTION FROM THE SUN, THE RAIN,ANYTHING and stuck in tiny crates!!!!! The pens donated to care forthem sit unused at the entrance to the property. Tammy wouldnt evenallow the sheriffs department to set them all up to help the dogsstuck in crates!! It would appear that the poor dogs have not beenout of these crates since the day they arrived. ALL WHERE FILLEDWITH PISS AND FECES. The poor dogs had no where to sit, or evenstand. On poor pit mix was desperately trying to stand on his crapcovered food bowl, balancing like the elephants in the circus, toget out of the shit. I can not tell you how many had burns,swollen legs and feet and horrible looking skin due to sitting intheir own wastes. IT WAS SICK AND WOULD MAKE ANY NORMAL PERSON BEOUTRAGED.
I have 176 pictures of the property and the dogs but am not beingable to upload to the group. Is there a trick to this?? I will try again tomorrow but am too tired to keep trying.
The entire property was covered in trash. There were dead anddying dogs and even the lucky dogs that were running free werethirsty. I have never seen so many dogs in my life and have neverseen such a disgusting and nasty place. The sheriffs departmentdeserves a commendation for what they did last night. All rescuersshould be singing their praises. They are going to be desperate forhelp and I can promise you that by tomorrow morning there will bemore dead dogs. The only pens with fewer than 10 or so dogs arethe ones that the humane society and sheriffs department set up.
I would guess there are 500 dogs there and I did not see A SINGLEALTERED MALE!!! I did see many many females with sagging tits andvery few puppies. I can imagine the survial rate of newborn puppiesin a pen with another 50 large adult dogs. Every single pen, everysingle crate was nasty. There was not a clean water bowl, feed pan,or even a place for a dog to sit, for any of the dogs locked up incrates or pens. (Except for the few provided by the humane society)The roaming dogs were the lucky ones, but even they had no water.Although it looked like Tammy had a swimming pool (above ground) setup for herself.
They are going to need volunteers. Just cleaning the crates forthe katrina dogs is going to take forever, and the dogs are goingcrazy from being locked up so long.
I so intended to write a more detailed description of what I saw,but if I cant get the pictures to upload, I will email invidually toanyone who wants them.
There are going to be hundreds of dogs that are going to needhelp. Lots of black medium sized dogs and houndish types. Thesmallest number were from Katrina and even that number is going tobe overwhelming. The most discusting thing to me is that the poorKatrina dogs were dumped and are suffering the worst. Pasadoshould be held accountable for dumping these dogs in thissituation. If they did in fact inspect the "facility" (is this whatyou would call a tent with a tv in it?) then again they should beheld accountable for not giving a shit.
I will not argue with anyone that hasnt been there or that wont gohelp these most pathetic dogs. Were the pictures on the news notenough? Ask me. I will send mine. Most of my dead dog shots cameout as video, but I can send those too. How many dead and dying andsuffering dogs dogs it take to make a person "bad"? If anyonebelieves that two people can take care of 500 dogs, even 400 dogs, or that it is exceptable to leave over 100 dogs in crate filled withpiss and poop for 9 days then I do want to know who you are. I forone will never send dogs your way.
There is absolutely no defense for the neglectful behavior of Pasadofor sending dogs to her when they were begged not to, or for thecondition of the dogs in the care of Tammy and her husband. Thiswoman is a very sick person.
There are mountains of food, out in the driveway, but I think thatbowls are desperately needed to be able to give these dogs cleanfood and water. Metal prefered as they dogs are in crates seemed tobe tearing up the cheap plastic bowls. I know that they will needbleach, dog houses, leashes, and most of all people willing to helpthe dogs NOT from Katrina. Those that recommended her, ought to bethe first to jump in and take 50 or so.
Here is what Pasado asked me to post this morning --
Innocent Dogs
Pasado offers to transport the animals out of state.
Light up the phone and fax.
URGENT UPDATE: 10/21 10:16 pm pm PST
Your help is needed NOW!
CROSSPOST WIDELY PLEASE!
Dozens of pitbulls, who we rescued, walked, hugged, and cared for for days, were transferred to a shelter in Arkansas named EDNA (Every Dog Needs a Home) after the Humane Society of Louisiana, as well as Best Friends had sent animals there. We also had volunteers travel to EDNA and return stating that animals were well-cared for. After these credible recommendations, PasadoRescue chose to place non-aggressive pitbulls with EDNA.
From what we can tell, Ms. Hanson has been under attack for years for caring for pitbulls by various local Arkansas groups, warranted or not. Tonight, spurred on by these local groups, sheriff's deputies raided Ms. Hanson's facilities and charged her with animal cruelty. We understand they are threatening to kill dogs tomorrow.
We understand that the veterinarian who assisted the sheriff in the raid stated these animals are vicious. We know, for a fact, that the animals that we transported to this facility were on our laps, able to be hugged, loved, fed by hand. This is untrue. He also stated that none of these animals had been treated by a veterinarian prior to transport to AR. Also not true. ALL the animals transported were all under the care of licensed veterinarians. We have records to prove it.
If these animals were not well cared for by Ms. Hanson, then we agree that animals need to be removed. And PasadoRescue will gladly take care of all transport and care. But NO LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY has a right to kill these animals. These are the pets of hurricane victims. People are still trying to find their animals.
You need to call the Baxter County Arkansas Sheriff and the Arkansas State Attorney General and tell them that killing these animals is killing someone's pet. Someone's property. And they will be legally liable.
Sherrif John Montgomery: Tel 870-425-7551 or 870) 425-6222 Fax: 870-425-1669
Mike Beebe, Arkansas Attorney General Tel1-800-482-8982 E-mail: Here
Read the letter sent to the Arkansas State Attorney General and to Sheriff John Baxter
Date: October 21, 2005 9:06pm PST
To: Sheriff John Montgomery Baxter County, Arkansas, Mike Beebe Arkansas Attorney General
By Certified USPS mail, facsimile and electronic mail
I am writing on behalf of Pasado's Safe Haven, an authorized animal rescue group involved in Hurricane Katrina rescue work in the Gulf. We understand you and others in your state are planning to euthanize dogs rescued on behalf of residents of the State of Louisiana that have been confiscated from Tammy Hanson. We believe this would be a moral and, quite likely, a legal mistake... SEE THE REST OF THIS LETTER IN THE FIRST COMMENT.
posted by EricsDogBlog.com @ Saturday, October 22, 2005
109 comments
109 Comments:
I think everyone needs to settle down and concentrate on what is best for the dogs. No need to point fingers and agrue among themselves. "If we can't be part of the solution, then we shouldn't be part of the problem" I think that means no rumors, no name calling, no finger pointing. Everyone did the best they could with what they were faced with.
Now let's face this and move in the same (right) direction. To help the animals that we placed, if they need it, and expand out hearts to help the others that may need it, whether they came from Katrina or somewhere else.
Never going to get a straight answer on this.
To eyes of sheriff it could have looked bad when in reality it was disorganized etc. The transport crates are sometimes needed to hold animals. It doesn't hurt them of they are walked and fed.
To an unexperienced eye such as the sheriff it could have looked far worse than it was. It is easy to add "the dogs sat in feces" to the story. We all know how thee rumor mill goes.
On the other hand it could have really been a bad scene.
Is it true that Pasado took the dogs to Tammy on Monday when she said that she could not be ready until Friday?
The best people to judge in my opinion are the workers and volunteers at Tammys. Was it organized? Were Tammy and Husband working 18-20 hours themselves to get the dog squared away etc.
read Pasado's Letter--
Read the letter sent to the Arkansas State Attorney General and to Sheriff John Baxter
Date: October 21, 2005 9:06pm PST
To: Sheriff John Montgomery Baxter County, Arkansas, Mike Beebe Arkansas Attorney General
By Certified USPS mail, facsimile and electronic mail
I am writing on behalf of Pasado's Safe Haven, an authorized animal rescue group involved in Hurricane Katrina rescue work in the Gulf. We understand you and others in your state are planning to euthanize dogs rescued on behalf of residents of the State of Louisiana that have been confiscated from Tammy Hanson. We believe this would be a moral and, quite likely, a legal mistake.
The reasons are many but basically, the dogs are still owned by Louisiana residents and are being fostered Tammy Hanson. She is under contract to return them to their owners should they contact her.
We respectfully suggest that you contact local counsel before acting further. Failure to do so may subject you to personal liability. Please call with questions.
Tad Seder, Assistant Chief
Civil Division/Sno. Co. Prosecutor's
2918 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98201
Facts regarding dogs transferred to Tammy Hanson from Pasado's Safe Haven:
PasadoRescue's priority has been to place every animal in a safe and healthy environment. Pasado's Safe Haven will not place animals without at least two references from credible sources. As you can imagine in the case of a disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina, many people offered to take animals that we rescued. We would not release animals unless their history could be verified. In Tammy Hanson's case, she was recommended to us by multiple sources including veterinarians, the Humane Society of Louisiana, Best Friends, and other rescue facilities. The Humane Society of Louisiana stated that both their organization and Best Friends had sent animals to Ms. Hanson's facility.
Because we are committed to the life-long, well-being of each animal that we and other organizations rescued during the Katrina disaster, we were concerned about rumors that local groups near to Ms. Hanson had circulated about her. To further assure we were placing animals in a qualified, caring environment, two volunteers, assisting at our Raceland veterinary triage center, traveled to visit Ms. Hanson's facility. They were welcomed by her to tour the facility and they returned to Raceland, LA with nothing but good things to say about Tammy, the facility, and the condition of the animals themselves. To confirm that the animals that we would transfer continued to be kept in good condition, we arranged for one of our volunteers to visit Ms. Hanson's facility next week.
Dr. Snodgrass, the veterinarian that Sheriff Montgomery chose to assist in the seizure of the animals from Tammy Hanson stated they were all vicious animals. That they tried to "bite the hands of those trying to give them food or water". The dogs transferred by PasadoRescue to Ms. Hanson were photographed and videotaped at our Raceland facility being walked by volunteers several times a day, fed by hand, and hugged. The hundreds of volunteers who assisted PasadoRescue have absolutely no motive other than care and concern to help these animals. Several of these organizations sent certified dog trainers down to assist us with the "more aggressive" dogs, not all of which were pit bulls. Not one of the dog trainers said that any one of the animals was not "retrainable". In fact, several of the dogs are being rehabbed by one of the trainers in AR. This is evidence that will be very difficult for the sheriff to dispute if he should chose to kill these animals based on their "aggression"
Furthermore, Dr. Snodgrass noted that these animals were brought into the State of Arkansas illegally, without veterinarian inspection. This is not true. All of the animals PasadoRescue transferred to Ms. Hanson had a complete and thorough examination by a veterinarian. There are veterinary medical documents on every animal, dated and signed by a licensed veterinarian.
If, for any reason, it is proven that Ms. Hanson is indeed not caring for these animals, we will be the first to support charges of animal neglect. But we will not accept lies that are developed by Dr. Snodgrass or the sheriff regarding the behavior/temperament of the animals to support their case or the statement that these animals were not examined by a veterinarian. And above all, these animals are property of Louisiana residents and should not be euthanized under any circumstances.
Emma Devailier, the Louisiana State Assistant Attorney General who has been leading the investigation with Pasado's Safe Haven into the St. Bernard pet shootings, has been contacted to act on behalf of the owners of the pets Sheriff Montgomery threatens to kill.
Lastly, Pasado's Safe Haven will do all it can to assist the owners of these pets to pursue civil judgments against Baxter County, Arkansas, Dr. Snodgrass, and all parties involved in euthanizing these animals.
We are now preparing signed affidavits from individuals referred to above, as well as videotapes and photographs should litigation be necessary.
For the animals,
Susan Michaels
Co-Founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
www.pasadosafehaven.org
Charity Navigator Update: Charity Navigator has now ranked Pasado's Safe Haven the only 4-Star animal charity in the Northwest. Click to see how other local and national animal charities use your donated dollars:
someone needs to tell these guys that the FOurth AMendment of the United States Constitution protects people's pets from seizure--i.e., death, at the hands of government officials.
Just a summary list of cases so holding are:
In Altman v. City of High Point, N.C., 330 F.3d 194, the Fourth Circuit Court of appeals found that: 1. Animal control officers' actions of killing dog owners' dogs constituted a seizure of owners' effects, for purposes of dog owners' § 1983 claims against city and officers alleging a Fourth Amendment violation. U.S.C.A. Const.Amend. 4; 42 U.S.C.A. § 1983. Specifically, the court said: "Given our holding that the dogs at issue in this case were "effects" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment, we must next consider whether the officers' actions in the case at bar constituted "seizures" of the dogs and, if so, whether those seizures were constitutionally permissible. Turning to the former question, we think it clear that the officers' actions constituted a seizure of the dogs. A Fourth Amendment "seizure" of personal property occurs when "there is some meaningful interference with an individual's possessory interests in that property." Id. citing Jacobsen, 466 U.S. at 113, 104 S.Ct. 1652. Further, "[d]estroying property meaningfully interferes with an individual's possessory interest in that property by changing a temporary deprivation into a permanent deprivation." Id. (citing Jacobsen at 124-25, 104 S.Ct. 1652). "Thus, when the officers destroyed the dogs, they "seized" the plaintiffs' "effects." Id. (citing Brown, 269 F.3d at 210; Fuller, 36 F.3d at 68).
and 2. "A seizure of personal property conducted without a warrant is presumptively unreasonable; under the basic reasonableness calculus, a court must balance the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual's Fourth Amendment interest against the importance of the governmental interests alleged to justify the intrusion. U.S.C.A. Const.Amend. 4." Id.
See also Sentell v. New Orleans & Carrollton R.R. Co., 166 U.S. 698, 700, 17 S.Ct. 693, 41 L.Ed. 1169 (1897) ( "Under common law, as well as by the law of most, if not all states, dogs are so far recognized as property that an action will lie for their conversion or injury ..."); Lesher v. Reed, 12 F.3d 148, 150-51 (8th Cir.1994) (reversing dismissal of a Fourth Amendment dog seizure case and remanding for a reasonableness analysis, implicitly recognizing dogs as "property" for Fourth Amendment purposes); Altman v. City of High Point, NC, 330 F.3d 194, 200-03 (4th Cir.2003), cited supra, (analyzing the law of various circuits and ultimately concluding that dogs do merit Fourth Amendment protection).
"[O]n the strength of the Constitution's text, of history, and of precedent, we hold that the plaintiffs' privately owned dogs were 'effects' subject to the protections of the Fourth Amendment." Altman at 203. Riker was the plaintiffs' property for Fourth Amendment purposes. Summary judgment must nonetheless enter for the defendants on this claim as the undisputed facts show that Knight's shooting of Riker was reasonable under the circumstances. A reasonableness analysis for Fourth Amendment Purposes requires a careful balancing of the nature and quality of the intrusion on the plaintiffs' Fourth Amendment rights against the countervailing government interests at stake. Id (citing Graham, 490 U.S. at 396). "The 'reasonableness' of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight." Id. "The calculus of reasonableness must embody allowance for the fact that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments--in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving--about the amount of force that is necessary in a particular situation." Id. at 396-97. Ultimately, the question is "whether the officers' actions are 'objectively reasonable' in light of the facts and circumstances confronting them, without regard to their underlying intent or motivation." Id.
8:21 AM
In a bizarre turn of events, 37 deputies from Baxter County, Arkansas, descended upon Tammy Henson's pit bull sanctuary on Friday afternoon (10/21/05)and seized all of her formerly abused pit bulls and Rottweilers and are holding them in protective custody on her property. Tammy and her husband, who spend over 1 million dollars a year on the care and upkeep of their sanctuary pets, were charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals under the Arkansas state criminal code. Dozens of pit bull terriers and Rottweilers, who survived Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, were recently transported to Tammy's sanctuary, called EDNAH, Every Dog Needs a Good Home; they are now in the custody of the Baxter County Sheriff's Department. Many of the dogs were on special diets and/or receive medications throughout the day. The dogs were not fed or medicated today, and Tammy is not allowed to interact with them. Tammy also fears that all of her pit bulls will be euthanized by Sheriff John Montgomery, who has openly admitted to his distain for the breed.
In making these arrests and detaining these dogs, we believe that the sheriff's office acted recklessly and is carrying out a vendetta against the Hensons. To respond to these allegations, the Humane Society of Louisiana, which assisted in the transportation of dozens of these dogs to EDNAH, is putting forth the following plan of action:
1. Alerting our members and other humane societies around the country of this miscarriage of justice,and we are asking others to join us in protesting these actions;
2. Traveling to Baxter County, to give emotional support to Tammy and her husband and to hold a series of press conferences on this issue,in order to show our solidarity on this issue and to fight for the continued holding or release of these dogs; and
3. Establishing a Canine Katrina Legal Defense Fund, to raise needed funds for the Hensons' defense.
To protest these actions, please contact Sheriff Montgomery at the following numbers and/or by writing to his e-mail address:
Office - 870-425-6222, 870-425-7551
Jail - (during non-business hours) 870-425-7551
e-mail - bcso@centurytel.net
The above information was provided by Tammy Henson, after her release from county lock-up, and submitted by Jeff Dorson, Executive Director, Humane Society of Louisiana.
UPDATE BELOW
==========================
The local Sheriff will not let Tammy on the property to FEED and Medicate the dogs. They have not been fed/watered or medicated since yesterday AM.
HELP SAVE THESE DOGS!
Pasado Update:
URGENT UPDATE: 10/22 8:28am PST
UPDATE:
The Louisiana State Attorney, which has been in direct contact with Mark, has been in touch with the local authorities in Arkansas holding these animals. We are told the animals will not be put down, at least for now. We thank YOU for making this happen. We are sending representatives to Arkansas (a 12 hour drive) to intercede in the matter. We recommend now that you WRITE the Sheriff - keep it respectful, but make it clear that these animals are NOT theirs to kill. Talking points to make:
-If this woman is guilty of neglect we do not blame any authority for pressing charges, in fact we encourage it, but
-These animals are pets of Louisiana residents - victims of Hurricane Katrina. They are not to be euthanized without the permission of the owner
-These animals were all examined by veterinarians and issued health certificates before transport to Arkansas
-Multiple rescue groups took animals to this shelter because she was recommended to them
-If they consider them to be "evidence" in a criminal matter, then videotape and photograph them and then RELEASE them to the rescue groups who saved them on behalf of the State of Louisiana
-There is NO NEED to keep them there.
DO NOT BE RUDE, be professional. It works.
Spell check your writing
Write to:
Sheriff John Montgomery, Baxter County, AR
904 Hwy 62 S.W.
Mountain Home, AR 72653
Arkansas Attorney General Mike Beebe
Fax: (501) 682-8084
Dozens of pitbulls, who we rescued, walked, hugged, and cared for for days, were transferred to a shelter in Arkansas named EDNA (Every Dog Needs a Home) after the Humane Society of Louisiana, as well as Best Friends had sent animals there (veterinarians also recommended to Pasado's). We also had volunteers travel to EDNA and return stating that animals were well-cared for. After these credible recommendations, PasadoRescue chose to place non-aggressive pitbulls with EDNA.
From what we can tell, Ms. Hanson has been under attack for years for caring for pitbulls by various local Arkansas groups, warranted or not. Tonight, spurred on by these local groups, sheriff's deputies raided Ms. Hanson's facilities and charged her with animal cruelty. We understand they are threatening to kill dogs tomorrow.
We understand that the veterinarian who assisted the sheriff in the raid stated these animals are vicious. We know, for a fact, that the animals that we transported to this facility were on our laps, able to be hugged, loved, fed by hand. This is untrue. He also stated that none of these animals had been treated by a veterinarian prior to transport to AR. Also not true. ALL the animals transported were all under the care of licensed veterinarians. We have records to prove it.
If these animals were not well cared for by Ms. Hanson, then we agree that animals need to be removed. And PasadoRescue will gladly take care of all transport and care. But NO LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITY has a right to kill these animals. These are the pets of hurricane victims. People are still trying to find their animals
4. URGENT UPDATE: 10/22 12:56pm PST
Mark Steinway, Humane Investigator for PasadoRescue, spoke with Sheriff Montgomery from Baxter County. Mark was pleased and relieved to have spoken with him. According to Sheriff Montgomery, NO animals will be euthanized. He claims that there is indeed evidence of neglect at Ms. Hanson's facility. He has welcomed our representatives in to Ms. Hanson's facility to observe, for which we are grateful. Our representative is on the road as of this writing and will arrive there by tomorrow morning.
We based our choice to place animals with Ms. Hanson as other rescue groups did - on credible sources who regarded her as a compassionate person. Two Missouri veterinarians and representatives from the Louisiana Humane Society believed in Ms. Hanson's ability to care for animals temporarily. During a disaster of the magnitude of Katrina, we needed to place our trust in these references. Additionally, because of rumors circulated about Ms. Hanson on the internet, we had researched if Ms. Hanson had ever been charged with or convicted of any kind of animal mistreatment. She had not. If indeed it is proven that Ms. Hanson is not caring for the animals we placed in her care, then we fully support any prosecution. Meantime, the Sheriff has agreed to release our rescued animals to us following their gathering of evidence. Again, no animals are to be euthanized. We understand that the Louisiana Humane Society has reps on the way as well to assess the situation and to try and extricate animals they have placed there, as well.
I am horrified by what I am learning of the EDNA situation. There are at least 400 dogs on the property. Most are in very small crates, lying in their own feces and urine -- even their food is soaked with urine.
Numerous deceased dogs have been found in garbage bags.
The Sheriff has organized volunteers to care for the dogs and to restore the place to sanitary conditions. He is working with Pasada Safe Haven and other rescue agencies to help Baxter County place these animals in safe environments.
I just have to think that Ms. Hanson was overwhelmed with the huge volume of animals and didn't feel like she could cry out for help. But how could she let this happen?
It happened in other states and we all told Pasado not to take animals to her but they not only didn't listen but wrote us nasty emails. 3 respected pit rescues begged Pasado to listen. They got to big for their britches during this crisis. Anyone in the business knows that a lady that tells you she can take 300-400 animals and keep them long term is lying
When I first read the Pasado's article I had to wonder if there was more to this story? It sounded like an awful many pit bulls had been sent to this shelter and I wondered if it was the same one that I had read that a rescue group was going to give money to buy additional dog runs?! Whatever the circumstances, we have to hope that the outcome will be in the best interest of every dog placed there. And if it was intentional, Pasados doesn't sound like a group to be taken lightly. If it were a matter of being overwhelmed and NOT asking for help, then it is still a very, very sad situation. In fact, the chaos before, during, and after of the whole Katrina affair from families not being able to take their pets not only to Red Cross shelters, but it seems to me that I read that the hotels in LA wouldn't allow animals either, to forcing people being rescued to leave their beloved companions behind, to the government officials who wouldn't let animal rescuers into NO for several days after Katrina had hit and then only after several of the bigger groups managed to beg permission, to the nasty owners of Lamar-Dixon who kept threatening to have it closed down, to the major meltdown of communications and record keeping, to the out of state shelters who may have taken Katrina animals at the expense of their own hapless animals, to the groups who accepted pets that they doubtfully ever had intentions of giving back in the first place, i.e. some of the Florida groups as well as too many others all across the country I'm sure, to the hopefully well-intentioned shelters who find that they are simply overwhelmed and need to step up and admit that they need help caring for these still suffering innocent animal victims...with the goal of reuniting as many of them as possible to their despairing human victims who are still trying to get their lives back together and are desperately still seeking their faithful, loving family companions...We ALL need to support the animal evacuation plan that is being introduced into
I was sent the
emails below BEFORE the raid. Check the dates. Pasado was told to
check the facility out BEFORE sending dogs...they refused.
Tammy Hanson's place was raided and hundreds of dogs were found still
in their shipping crates..in their urine and feces. There are no
buildings on the property so the crates are all outside...some just
piled on a hillside! Pasado sent their rescued katrina dogs to Tammy
even when they were warned that the facility was NOT a legitimate
rescue or haven for these poor animals. Now Pasado sends out a pleas
and are claiming they are trying to save the dogs....yet they ignored,
stopped replying and then started threatening when their activities
were uncovered. This could've been prevented but Pasad didn't think
they'd get caught. Now they are trying to "save the day" again and
save animals that THEY PURPOSELY and KNOWINGLY put in harms way!!
These animals have suffered enough in the hands of Pasado! Pasado has
no intention of saving these dogs because if they did, they wouldn't
be in the situation that they are now in!
Here are copies of the emails sent from Mark when Pasado was
questioned the past two weeks about their activities--the authorities
now have the original emails--be sure and read all the way down to the
bottom:
see next comment for emails
Mark Steinway wrote:
From: Diane Jessup
Sent: Saturday, October 15, 2005 5:25 AM
To: mark@pasadosafehaven.org; mark@pasadosafehaven.org
Subject: URGENT
Hello Mark. Can you get this email to Kat? I am concerned that you
might be sending pit bulls to a collector in Arkansas... The person in
question is Tammy Hanson. Please, if you are considering this, contact
me. I will try and help your organization find a humane alternative.
Thank you,
Diane Jessup
Mark Steinway wrote:
Thanks for the info, Diane. If what you are saying is substantiated,
we have serious questions for Tammy that still need to be addressed.
Above all, keep in mind that our involvement with the transfer of
animals to her facility doesn't end with the delivery of the animals.
We are sending 2 people along to assess the situation and they have
full authority to turn around and come back with the dogs if they
don't feel comfortable. We will continue to monitor the dogs' progress
with Tammy and we're not leaving it up to her alone to rehab/adopt
these dogs. She will be constantly monitored by us. We have volunteers
whom we trust within driving distance of Tammy's property and she has
agreed that they are welcome any time.
I'm really trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, Diane…but so
far you haven't give me anything factual linking Tammy to anything
that would disqualify her from fostering these animals. Please give me
something I can use if you have it.
We are at the
desperate stage to temporarily house these animals. I totally agree
that a permanent or even semi-permanent kennel environment is not a
satisfactory solution for any dog, much less a pit bull. But in order
to work something out that is better, somebody needs to step up and
help NOW. And Tammy has volunteered to do that, with our help.
If you want to discuss this further, leave me your phone number and
I'll call you. Frankly, this is taking up too much of my
time.
For the Animals,
Mark Steinway
Co-founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
mark@pasadosafehaven.org
206-300-7218
---Diane Jessup wrote:
I guess my question would be, does this person have a 501c3? Have you
seen her operation first hand? I think questions are being raised as
pit bulls, more than any other breed, can fall victim to bad management.
It is one thing for an organization to "save" dogs while the cameras
are rolling, but it is another to find legit places for these animals.
I am very frightened for any pit bulls which fall into "no-kill"
hands, as these animals may very well end up suffering. Thank you, I
hope to hear back that Tammy Hanson has a 501c3 and that
you have seen and approved of the facilities.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Tammy Hanson - Urgent
Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2005 21:23:39 +0000
From: Diane Jessup
To: Mark
Thank you for looking at this one last email...
Have discussed this issue at length with several concerned rescuers,
and what I can offer you is this:
1) She is not a 501c3. It was my belief that dogs were supposed to be
released only to 501c3.
2) XXXXXXX lives 2 hours from her facility. She is more than willing
to do a home check for you. She runs a very well respected pit bull
rescue and is well qualified to check this location out. A home
check, is, of course, the single most important tool for pit bull
rescuers to protect the dogs. You stated you had volunteers living
near as well, I would hope they would visit her before the dogs are
subjected to travelling.
3) I have spoken with people who have spoken directly with Tammy, and
all were refused entry to her facility. I can't help but wonder how
much staff she has to assist her with this many animals. To provide
appropriate care, she would have to have a very large staff on site.
Again, thanks for your taking the time to look into this. I certainly
hope Ms. Hanson turns out to be a lovely facility where these animals
can be well care for. I myself am not in a position to take 50 pit
bulls - hence I did not go to LA and pick any up... I don't take in
animals I can't care for.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter,
Diane Jessup
Mark Steinway wrote:
Thanks for the info, Diane. If what you are saying is substantiated,
we have serious questions for Tammy that still need to be addressed.
Above all, keep in mind that our involvement with the transfer of
animals to her facility doesn't end with the delivery of the animals.
We are sending 2 people along to assess the situation and they have
full authority to turn around and come back with the dogs if they
don't feel comfortable. We will continue to monitor the dogs' progress
with Tammy and we're not leaving it up to her alone to rehab/adopt
these dogs. She will be constantly monitored by us. We have volunteers
whom we trust within driving distance of Tammy's property and she has
agreed that they are welcome any time.
I'm really trying to give you the benefit of the doubt, Diane…but so
far you haven't give me anything factual linking Tammy to anything
that would disqualify her from fostering these animals. Please give me
something I can use if you have it.
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Question for Director
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 18:04:59 +0000
From: Diane Jessup
To: mail@pasadosafehaven.org
Good Morning,
My name is Diane Jessup. I am a Washington resident, and author of two
books on pit bulls, and a novel, The Dog Who Spoke With Gods which won
the DWAA 2001 award for Best Human/Animal Bond. I am recently retired
from 20 years as an animal control officer. I am a well known pit bull
owner, having taught dog and cock fighting investigation to law
enforcement in 5 countries, and having been featured on many TV shows
such as Oprah, 48 Hours, CNN, McNeil/Lehrer, O'Reilly, etc. I also
publish Fully Bully Magazine, and run a small pit bull rescue called
Recycle-A-Bull, here in Washington.
I am writing to try and clear up some concerns which are growing out
of news that Pasado Safe Haven is sending dogs to a non 501(c)3 in
Arkansas run by Tammy Hanson. I have attempted to communicate with
Mark Steinway, however, his responses have been very defensive about
the issue, plus he insists he is too busy dealing with the dead dogs
found in a school to deal with issues concerning live dogs.
My concern is this: right or wrong, Tammy Hanson has refused entry to
local animal control personnel. I find this troubling. She is not a
501(c)3, and it was my understanding that Katrina dogs were only to be
placed with organizations having this status. It appears that Pasado
Safe Haven was eager to pick up these dogs, but now unwilling to
commit to them. Why are the dogs not being brought to Washington? Why
spend the $11,000 for kennels for a questionable outfit and not spend
the same money to house the animals at the Pasado site? "Rescuing"
means a commitment to care of the animals.
It appears that Pasado made a commitment to send these animals to
Ms.Hanson without ever so much as looking at the site. This I find
very, very troubling. The number one rule in pit bull rescue (any
rescue,as far as I am concerned) is to do a home check. A home check
keeps animals safe. I know of NO legitimate rescue group which places
one animal, let alone 50, without a home check. Sending "a couple"
volunteers along is in no way satisfactory. Do these volunteers have
the training and the power to insist the animals be shipped back
(where?) if the place falls below decent standards?
Mark became very defensive and aggressive with me regarding my
concerns about these dogs. I don't understand why anyone involved in
rescue would resent someone asking the kinds of questions I have asked
him. And I resent his "why don't you take them" attitude; I am not
the one down there taking credit for saving the dogs. I did not go to
Louisiana because there are more than enough pit bulls here for me to
work with.
I would certainly appreciate someone giving me some simple assurances.
I don't think that is unreasonable. I would like to ask that the local
humane society be allowed to inspect the site. I don't think that is
unreasonable. I, and many others, are concerned about these dogs. We
would much rather see them humanely euthanized then disappear into an
unregulated "sanctuary" where their fate will never be known.
Thank you for your concern,
Diane Jessup
www.workingpitbull.com
You are the one making the accusations. And so far, none of them have
any merit. As soon as you prove to me that Tammy is unfit, I will
prove to you that she is. Stop wasting my time. I m dealing with many
other issues.
For the Animals,
Mark Steinway
Co-founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
mark@pasadosafehaven.org
206-300-7218
From: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sent: Sunday, October 16, 2005 3:39 PM
To: Mark Steinway
Subject: RE: Dogs in Peril
Give me one name of a Humane Society, Animal Control Officer or
reputable shelter that has knowledge of her and has been to her place?
You give me the proof that this woman is able to take on 50-200 dogs
and care for them properly?
You tell me ONE person who is reputable that has been to her property?
Please tell me your proof so I can't get back to helping pit bulls and
not worrying about the ones going to so called "no kill" facilities.
You give me your proof...... PLEASE...other than what Ms Hanson has
told you over the phone....
I am glad I got your attention...
By the way, I was at Lamar Dixon for 3 weeks as well as in the field
before deciding to stay at the barns to help the pit bulls.
I will not stand by and let your organization take credit for "saving"
dogs by farming them out to unknown persons.
YOU GIVE ME YOUR PROOF WITH NAMES AND ORGANIZATIONS????????????????????????????
I have only stated the facts and nothing else...
You all need to be careful and stop thinking of the publicity and
start thinking of the animals and where they will live out the rest of
their life.
You might also want to ask Tammy to list the many dogs that she has
picked up already in New Orleans on Petfinder as "found" so that
owners may know where to go if her facility has them.
Give me the proof other than what she has told you. Justify your
actions to those of us that care about the welfare of pit bulls,
especially those of us in Arkansas.
Thank you very much!
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Steinway
Sent: 10/16/2005 4:27:58 PM
Subject: RE: Dogs in Peril
You need to cease and desist with this character defamation or you
will soon be facing legal action the likes of which you never dreamed
of.
For all others, I apologize profusely that you are being dragged into
this. A few others have persisted on spreading rumors and
unsubstantiated charges against Tammy Hanson for the last few days
since learning of our arrangement to transfer animals to Tammy.
Several of us from Pasado's have spent hours and hours in recent days
TRYING to substantiate these charges. They cannot be substantiated. In
the process of speaking to veterinarians familiar with Tammy, humane
societies and other shelters who have firsthand observations of
Tammy s operation, and animal control officers who have been to
Tammy s facility, NONE of them have anything bad to say about Tammy or
her shelter.
Tammy has had to get restraining orders against these people who keep
harassing her. If all of these people would spend = the time trying to
help the dogs that they spend trying to stop Tammy from helping the
dogs, we wouldn t be having this discussion. STOP WASTING EVERYONE S
TIME!
For the Animals,
Mark Steinway
Co-founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
mark@pasadosafehaven.org
206-300-7218
Well, I don't see the HSUS bashers piping up right now. They at least didn't send animals to this shithole place, even after being bullied by rescuers and others at Gonzales. Pasado makes a nimble defense, but these animals' lives are in joepardy now. What can we do, send money to Pasado?
Here I am:
1. HSUS didn't put the list into play until it was virtually too late.
2. Instead of 60 animals over at Tammy's they put 6000 into the non system they created.
I'll let you talk to some people whose animals wwhere saved and then lost. One man committed suicide.
Pasado's Safe Haven releasing animals to a woman in Arkansas who already
has over 110 animals, who is not known in AR, MO or KS, is not 501(c)(3),
and is ASKING for pit bulls and the human and aggressive dogs from the
disaster area.
Here is the info I obtained about this woman. I run a pit bull rescue in
Arkansas and also was at Lamar Dixon for over three weeks.
If you would like to try to stop this then please voice your concerns to
Pasado's Safe Haven.
Even though most of you might not believe me, there are much worse things
for these dogs that death. One of them is living their life in a kennel,
sitting in their own feces, with no human contact. Basically, your run of
the mill puppy mill. Although, in an effort to "save" these dogs Pasado
feels that this is a better life and that the pit bulls should be sent
there rather than being euthanized.
Desiree Bender
where angels run
Tammy Hanson lives on about 30 acres in Baxter County Arkansas where
there are no agencies to regulate the care of animals. She claims to be
filthy rich but lives in a travel trailer and not long ago lived in a
tent. She did have approximately 110 dogs on her property before
hurricane Katrina. Ms Hanson does not work with any of the vets within
a 50 mile radius of her home and this has been confirmed. The North
Central Arkansas Humane Society has been investigating her for three
years, including going up in a plane to try to get a view of her
property. She lives in a compound and does not rescue any dogs locally
within Arkansas, Kansas or Missouri. She has stated many times that she
will not allow anyone to inspect her property. She is well known in
Missouri as she was investigated and her animals were seized while
living in Belton, MO. She may have a big heart but we all know that
this is not enough to properly care for hundreds of animals.
http://www.kctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1364586&nav=1PuZGxD6
http://www.kctv.com/Global/story.asp?S=1364586&nav=1PuZGxD6
http://www.casscounty.com/casscountynews.htm
Wilma--No pets at shelters
by frustratedx, 10/23/05 15:01 ET
Ran into this. I will not support the Red Cross again until they take animals. From the article:
Volunteers are already at the center answering phones from concerned residents. Horvath said one of the most common questions is what residents can do with their pets.
We're in the business of taking care of people," Horvath said. "They had to have had a plan. There are some vets that take pets, some hotels."
American Red Cross shelters don't allow animals because of sanitation and health concerns. Collier County Domestic Animal Services' shelter staff is asking residents to take pets with them if they evacuate or make alternative plans to shelter pets.
If owners decide to leave their pets during the hurricane, the county suggests leaving at least seven days of food and water behind for the pets.
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
, 10/23/05
People are NOT going to leave their pets alone...not after Katrina...Most people are going to stay put with their pets...LIKE ME! We all can't afford hotels. Animal shelters charge too, and there is no guarantee they'll be any safer. Also they fill up quickly with people that have the money to put them up in the shelters early, so they fill up quickly. Lots of people just like me are staying put.
From allpawsarkansas@yahoogroups.com:
by ResQEffort, 10/23/05 14:07 ET
Re: tammy 5 pics by palulukon, 10/23/05
I just read this article from Pasado defending their dumping of pit bulls to Tammy. This is a crock if ever there was. let me go over the "facts"
The post:Facts regarding dogs transferred to Tammy Hanson from Pasado's Safe Haven:
PasadoRescue's priority has been to place every animal in a safe and healthyenvironment. Dogs dumped in a gravel driveway, with over 300 dogs in filthy pens just 30 yards away is not healthy or safe. Fact is Pasado just got a huge grant to help care for Katina animals from ASPCA. I think we should all write and encourage them to revolk it.All the dogs they took need to be accounted for. Are their more places like these?
Pasado's Safe Haven will not place animals without at least tworeferences from credible sources. Can anyone name one credible source??? As you can imagine in the case of a disasterof the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina, many people offered to take animals thatwe rescued. We would not release animals unless their history could be verified. The fact that she had been arrested in Missouri (yep, for animal cruelty or abuse) was know to Pasado before they released any dogs to her. Did that stop them? In Tammy Hanson's case, she was recommended to us by multiple sources includingveterinarians, the Humane Society of Louisiana, There were mulitple crates from the Humane Society in Louisana, They dumped dogs too!! Any references from anyone who had been on her property or even from Arkansas? (oops, forgot she has a fan base on All Paws) Best Friends, and other rescuefacilities. The Humane Society of Louisiana stated that both their organizationand Best Friends (Best Friends has denied sending any animals to her) had sent animals to Ms. Hanson's facility.
Because we are committed to the life-long, well-being of each animal that we andother organizations rescued during the Katrina disaster, we were concerned aboutrumors The rumors where not as bad as the reality that local groups near to Ms. Hanson had circulated about her. To furtherassure we were placing animals in a qualified, caring environment, twovolunteers, assisting at our Raceland veterinary triage center, traveled tovisit Ms. Hanson's facility. This is the worst!!! They are either lying here or even worse they really truly dont care about anything but the money they are collecting for helping these dogs. They were welcomed by her to tour the facility would you call a tent with a tv, and 30 nasty pens with too many dogs in them a facility?????? and zero volunteer help to help them set up the kennels Pasado dumped in her driveway? Was leaving them where they were unusable good judgement? How did they think that Tammy and her hubby could even move these mostrous kennels? I didnt even see a tractor on the place.andthey returned to Raceland, LA with nothing but good things to say about Tammy,the facility, and the condition of the animals themselves. This is a joke!!! Someone is lying here.. Or Pasado has very poor judgement. To confirm that theanimals that we would transfer continued to be kept in good condition, wearranged for one of our volunteers to visit Ms. Hanson's facility next week.
Dr. Snodgrass, the veterinarian that Sheriff Montgomery chose to assist in theseizure of the animals from Tammy Hanson stated they were all vicious animals. The katrina dogs may never recover from the tortures they have endured. They may have gone in sweet, but many will have permanent behavior problems due to this. The streets of New Orleans is 1000 times better than living the way they have the past 9 days. How friendly would you be living in a crate in your own shit?That they tried to "bite the hands of those trying to give them food or water". I was there today. There are many dogs now that appear to be very aggressive. They attacked the crate fronts when we stopped to take pictures. Even a poor ole cocker spaniel from New Orleans was very very violent when his crate was approached.The dogs transferred by PasadoRescue to Ms. Hanson were photographed andvideotaped at our Raceland facility being walked by volunteers several times aday, fed by hand, and hugged. I hope these volunteers are aware of how the dogs they so carefully loved and nurtured have been dumped by Pasado.
The hundreds of volunteers who assistedPasadoRescue have absolutely no motive other than care and concern to help theseanimals. These poor volunteers have been dupped by Pasado. They are continuing to collect money for the care of the animals they "saved" from New Orleans, while dumping them in Arkansas. I personally believe it is all about the money. Get the money, dump the dogs. Several of these organizations sent certified dog trainers down toassist us with the "more aggressive" dogs, not all of which were pit bulls. Notone of the dog trainers said that any one of the animals was not "retrainable".In fact, several of the dogs are being rehabbed by one of the trainers in AR.This is evidence that will be very difficult for the sheriff to dispute if heshould chose to kill these animals based on their "aggression" The sheriff is a very compassionate man as are all the law enforcement officers that we met helping today. They are all sick at the condition of the animals. EVERYONE PROTECTING AND CARING FOR THESE DOGS ARE AWESOME COMPASSIONATE FOLKS, THAT ARE DISCUSTED WITH THE SITUATION THE DOGS ARE IN. NO ONE ever said that the dogs should all be euthanized. This is a complete fabrication on Pasado's part. GO HELP.... YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!
Furthermore, Dr. Snodgrass noted that these animals were brought into the Stateof Arkansas illegally, without veterinarian inspection. This is not true. All ofthe animals PasadoRescue transferred to Ms. Hanson had a complete and thoroughexamination by a veterinarian. There are veterinary medical documents on everyanimal, dated and signed by a licensed veterinarian. There may be records but they arent stored in the tent on the property.
If, for any reason, it is proven that Ms. Hanson is indeed not caring for theseanimals, we will be the first to support charges of animal neglect. Now that they know has anyone heard a retraction of all the horrible things said about the sheriff and his staff? How horrible that they posted his name and phone number on their website and encouraged people to call him at home to harrass him. Without even knowing the truth.But we willnot accept lies that are developed by Dr. Snodgrass or the sheriff regarding thebehavior/temperament of the animals to support their case or the statement thatthese animals were not examined by a veterinarian. And above all, these animalsare property of Louisiana residents and should not be euthanized under anycircumstances. Yep, come get your dogs, but someone needs to monitor these folks. I would be willing to bet money that they dont keep them but try to dump them again or end up euthanizing most of them themselves.
Emma Devailier, the Louisiana State Assistant Attorney General who has beenleading the investigation with Pasado's Safe Haven into the St. Bernard petshootings, has been contacted to act on behalf of the owners of the pets SheriffMontgomery threatens to kill. This is a joke. These dogs were not even listed so that the owners could ever find them. No where were they listed on the internet with the rest of the dogs picked up. Not on petfinder! Tammy had no intention of ever helping them find their owners. I do want to know what she intended to do with them. Why would you leave them in crates when kennels had been provided? Were they moving again?Lastly, Pasado's Safe Haven will do all it can to assist the owners of thesepets to pursue civil judgments against Baxter County, Arkansas, Dr. Snodgrass,and all parties involvPasado needs ro be sued on behalf of the owners of these dogs, especially the owners of the dogs that died, and that are permantly damaged. Knowing that Tammy was questionable, inspecting her property and sending them anyway?????? Linda, can they be held accountable???
I would love for this to be forwarded to the world. I am more than mad at the situation that could have been avoided. I deeply resent that Pasado seemed to think that we are a bunch of hicks that dont have a clue about what goes on in our own state or even worse dont care. I resent that they threaten people with lawsuits in attempts to intimidate the very folks who are responsible for saving these dogs from Tammy, and that they seem to have made up lies in an attempt to cover their butts. Thank you all for letting me rant. Please tell Pasado they should be held accountable. and mostly, Please go help. Please take home dogs, Please go see for your self and I promise you will never be the same.
tammy 5 pics
by palulukon, 10/23/05 13:25 ET
crossposted...
From the gated entrance to her property the piles of trash began.There was not a single permanent building on the property. Therewas a storage unit with no doors for one group of dogs. The restwere lucky if they had a barrel to go in, but when you have 15 to 20dogs per pen and 3 barrels, I would say very few dogs had anyshelter at all. The poor Katrina pit bulls, rotties, and chows linethe driveway and way beyond and in the crates they came in fromBaton Rouge, NO COVER, NO PROTECTION FROM THE SUN, THE RAIN,ANYTHING and stuck in tiny crates!!!!! The pens donated to care forthem sit unused at the entrance to the property. Tammy wouldnt evenallow the sheriffs department to set them all up to help the dogsstuck in crates!! It would appear that the poor dogs have not beenout of these crates since the day they arrived. ALL WHERE FILLEDWITH PISS AND FECES. The poor dogs had no where to sit, or evenstand. On poor pit mix was desperately trying to stand on his crapcovered food bowl, balancing like the elephants in the circus, toget out of the shit. I can not tell you how many had burns,swollen legs and feet and horrible looking skin due to sitting intheir own wastes. IT WAS SICK AND WOULD MAKE ANY NORMAL PERSON BEOUTRAGED.
I have 176 pictures of the property and the dogs but am not beingable to upload to the group. Is there a trick to this?? I will try again tomorrow but am too tired to keep trying.
The entire property was covered in trash. There were dead anddying dogs and even the lucky dogs that were running free werethirsty. I have never seen so many dogs in my life and have neverseen such a disgusting and nasty place. The sheriffs departmentdeserves a commendation for what they did last night. All rescuersshould be singing their praises. They are going to be desperate forhelp and I can promise you that by tomorrow morning there will bemore dead dogs. The only pens with fewer than 10 or so dogs arethe ones that the humane society and sheriffs department set up.
I would guess there are 500 dogs there and I did not see A SINGLEALTERED MALE!!! I did see many many females with sagging tits andvery few puppies. I can imagine the survial rate of newborn puppiesin a pen with another 50 large adult dogs. Every single pen, everysingle crate was nasty. There was not a clean water bowl, feed pan,or even a place for a dog to sit, for any of the dogs locked up incrates or pens. (Except for the few provided by the humane society)The roaming dogs were the lucky ones, but even they had no water.Although it looked like Tammy had a swimming pool (above ground) setup for herself.
They are going to need volunteers. Just cleaning the crates forthe katrina dogs is going to take forever, and the dogs are goingcrazy from being locked up so long.
I so intended to write a more detailed description of what I saw,but if I cant get the pictures to upload, I will email invidually toanyone who wants them.
There are going to be hundreds of dogs that are going to needhelp. Lots of black medium sized dogs and houndish types. Thesmallest number were from Katrina and even that number is going tobe overwhelming. The most discusting thing to me is that the poorKatrina dogs were dumped and are suffering the worst. Pasadoshould be held accountable for dumping these dogs in thissituation. If they did in fact inspect the "facility" (is this whatyou would call a tent with a tv in it?) then again they should beheld accountable for not giving a shit.
I will not argue with anyone that hasnt been there or that wont gohelp these most pathetic dogs. Were the pictures on the news notenough? Ask me. I will send mine. Most of my dead dog shots cameout as video, but I can send those too. How many dead and dying andsuffering dogs dogs it take to make a person "bad"? If anyonebelieves that two people can take care of 500 dogs, even 400 dogs, or that it is exceptable to leave over 100 dogs in crate filled withpiss and poop for 9 days then I do want to know who you are. I forone will never send dogs your way.
There is absolutely no defense for the neglectful behavior of Pasadofor sending dogs to her when they were begged not to, or for thecondition of the dogs in the care of Tammy and her husband. Thiswoman is a very sick person.
There are mountains of food, out in the driveway, but I think thatbowls are desperately needed to be able to give these dogs cleanfood and water. Metal prefered as they dogs are in crates seemed tobe tearing up the cheap plastic bowls. I know that they will needbleach, dog houses, leashes, and most of all people willing to helpthe dogs NOT from Katrina. Those that recommended her, ought to bethe first to jump in and take 50 or so.
At least Pasado is sending people to Arkansas to confirm what is happening. If you look at HSUS's web site, you would never know of their mistakes like the dogs sent to kill shelters.
This site has graphic pictures of the animals under Tammy's care. Please don't look at if you get upset easily.
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?threadID=1000112150&tstart=0&mod=1130096188589
25337. BUMP in desprate need of $ to Save Katrina Animals
by beagle12, 10/23/05 16:59 ET
25045. by Lessa4, 10/22/05 9:35 ET 24731. in desprate need of help by motherhen1, 10/20/05 22:19 ET we are a non-profit animal rescue in comanche, oklahoma we have taken in numerous Katrina -Rita rescue dogs. most have been very sick we have one that has been test heart worm positive she is at the vet being treated we have have found a sponser for her thank goodness we still have 5 more that are in need of medical needs, spaying and nuerting and more heart worm testing, we are also in desprate need for some building materials for more runs and basic needs we have 3 more coming in tommorrow, with the possiablitie of a few more. we are extended to are limits and all these guys need so much , I quess what I am asking for is someone or a group that could donate money or a home depot card so we can build more pens and get feed and medical needs, any kind of help would be so nice, to relieve some stress that we are under, if you can please go to our web page at http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/jmtksecondchanceatlife.html . we have a donate button there and I would be more then happy to account for every penny we recieve and I would mail you a reciept, please find it in your heart to help the little guys like us, or e-mailmotherhen1@sbcglobal.net again thank you ahead of time I will keep everyone updated on all are fur face children
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/jmtksecondchanceatlife.html JMTK Animal Sanctuary Rescue and Adoption Rt 2 Box 494 Comanche, OK 73529 Phone: 580-252-5153
TAMMY HANSON - DETAILS
by bendicks, 10/23/05 11:52 ET
I spoke with Tammy at length last night and tried to get answers to as many questions on here that are being asked as possible. I will just start by saying that Tammy says anyone is welcome at her place to look anytime they like. EDNAH is situated on 30 acres with next door access to 1000 acres of her parents land. Before the hurricanes she had 59 dogs. 80% of her dogs are over the age of 8. She had a wait list for animals to go into her shelter and all the 22 rescue shelters who she works with on a regular basis knew and would confirm this. She was not wanting to overcrowd her set up on a permanent basis. She has spoken to me at length previously about how the animals with her live. They all get to run and play together - they all get to swim in the lake. They take it in turns sleeping in her house - many on the bed and on the sofa! She has a very large house and is able to have many of the dogs inside with her. Every dog is known to her by name and she also knows all their vet records in her head. Her aim with the dogs she has it to get them to 'forever' homes and therefore potential homes are heavily screened until she is satisfied. If a dog is not adoptable then it spends the rest of its life with Tammy. When Katrina hit she said she saw she could offer many dogs an 'interim' facility during this disaster. It is not her aim or desire to home 450 animals on a permanent basis - these dogs were there on a temporary basis.Yes, of course there is someone who has it in for her and the Sheriff does not like her (or I believe women at all). For reasons of the investigation I can say no more on this point. It was well known that the State Prosecutor, who just also happens to be Tammy's attorney would be out of town this weekend and she was raided. A local vet was brought in who she says works for one of the highest kill shelters in America and ordered that the dogs be euthanised. Her vets immediately called the sheriff and along with the many calls from the public at least for now there is no threat of euthanization.She was not even allowed to take her purse or the medicine she takes for thyroid cancer. They emptied her garbage cans all over the place she believes so it would look like the place was covered in trash and she said they even took the records of the Pasado dogs and emptied them on the ground even though obviously she asked them not to. She is not allowed back on to the property - she has absolutely no idea who is looking after the animals or if someone is even looking after them at all. The police department will not tell her. She believes that two of the dogs who were requiring regular medical attention will have died over this weekend. Last night she walked to the gates of her home and saw a locally convicted felon on her property. When she informed the police they just said stay away.Yes there was a dead dog. This dog had been under their veterinary care for some time. They found it dead on morning in its kennel and the vet who suspected rabies said that the head would have to be cut off and sent for examination. So the dead dog was wrapped up in a bag. She says she realises this must look bad.Yes they have taken in hundreds of dogs in the last few weeks but she said she had the space and the staff to look after them. No she says they were not ready for the Pasado dogs when the arrived last week and they were still building the dog kennels.I am not sure what 'charges' Mark at Pasado thinks I was accusing Pasado of. I tried very hard in my post to explain that Tammy was not criticising anyone. Yes she has been charged with animal cruelty. She says these are the animals brought in from Pasado last week. Absolutely no way is she saying that these animals were mistreated by Pasado (if that is what Mark thought I meant) - she understands that these animals were just regular hurricane victims hence their condition. She said that Pasado sent them all in with the correct paperwork - Health Certificates. And she said that her vets were looking after them and they were all improving.I would like to go further on what Tammy has said to me about Pasado in the last few weeks. When down in New Orleans and working with them, she found them to be highly professional, completely dedicated to the task in hand and absolutely wonderful people. She really was full of praise and did speak of them in glowing terms and believe me she doesn't do that lightly as others she did not speak of in the same way. I believe she did become quite friendly with two of Pasado's helpers and that has been her only comment - that she is just disappointed that they haven't rung to show their support. And yes I think many of us can see that they are reserving judgement on their website.
Tammy is a very qualified lady as well has having, which very few people are aware of, a level 1 in Animal Criminal Abuse Investigation. She has been rescuing animals for 22 years and pitbulls for in particular for 12 years.At the moment yes she has a lot of dogs in there - 39 dogs alone came for a place that had been destroyed by fire and they are there for another 8 weeks until their facility can be rebuilt.I could tell how hurt she was when we talked - yes she is strong and doing her best to put a brave face on this but can you imagine when rescuing dogs is your life what it must be like to be charged with animal cruelty? As soon as the legal wheels are put in motion on Monday morning she believes that all will be revealed and the charges will be dropped. She welcomes as many news reporters to be there as possible. I hope for her that some good can come out of this for her. She has had some plans in motion for a long time to construct a new building on her land to improve things even further. They are still trying to raise the funds for this. Maybe the publicity she is getting can be used to help this.
I can't tell you how many times I asked officials and authorities to chk out the so called rescues taking the Katrina dogs. They were going in there and taking them out by the truckloads...thousands went to animal brokers and dog fighters masquerading as rescues. No one even bothered to email us back. Not even ther media..No one cares about the animals...
We police rescues...and work with authorities. I watched as dog fighters and brokers took these dogs, trafickked them illegally...it broke my heart. Many died enroute on illegal and inhumane transports, while infected others they came in contact with.
Rescue has been taken over by these people now and dog fighting is pervasive. Law enforcement would rather not look at the problem much less do anything about it. Maybe they are paid not too..as was the case in one incident on the east coast. Even the Aphis ppl were paid off.
There is a rescue here in my state exactly like Hanson's and just as big. She has also been raided but no followup being done...I have contacted the HS and requested followup..while providing more evidence on her case.
Some of us do everything we can to stop the evils, but w/o law enforcement cooperation, there's nothing we can do to stop the endless and needless suffering of all these precious babies.
She's a hoarder...hoarders can't say no..it's a mental illness and does not justify taking in more dogs than you can care for. I hope besides a conviction, she will get some mental health help.so many dogs...hoarders do not stop hoarding even after convictions either.
Good intentions is not a defense for hoarding and the crimes..
You do know there's been an outbreak of the Avian Flu in the dogs in Louisiana too right? And you do know it has already jumped species from birds to horses now dogs...?? It's only a matter of time before it jumps species again...Now, how many Katrina dogs are incubating this in the last 2 weeks, and how many other animals all over the country have been exposed? How many people have been exposed? I have a lot of info on it and info from the disaster area about the dogs having it...something to think about..
Sending animals to kill shelters is not a mistake, especially when compared to sending them to a shithole where they will suffer and die. IT's a joke to say at least they went there, a joke. Pasado's should have gone there beforehand, not made a couple of telephone calls. Now the HSUS and others will have to get involved to do it right. And guess, what, they might have to euthanize some animals. No kill people had their way to a great extent in this crisis, even the HSUS bending over to keep animals alive that might have needed to be euthanized at Gonzales. The no kill movement exemplified by this woman and Pasado's got its way on this situation, and look what it led to. There's worse things for an animal than death.
This is Susan Michaels, Co-Founder of Pasado's Safe Haven, writing to answer any questions re: our placement of animals with Tammy Hanson of EDNAH.
PasadoRescue's role in Louisiana was to save the animals left behind when Hurricane Katrina victims were evacuated and not allowed to take their pets. We sought the help of hundreds of individuals and shelters from across the country to take these animals, once they were triaged by our veterinarians.
We learned of Tammy Hanson the same way we learned of all the rescue groups who took possession of our animals - through qualified, independent, word-of-mouth resources. We were well aware that puppy mills and those seeking animals for animal labs would take advantage of Katrina animals. We warned everyone (on our website) to be very aware of the potential to place animals in harm's way. And we heeded our own advice strictly.
To assure that we placed the animals we worked tirelessly to rescue, we required at least two, independent recommendations on any individual or shelter. In regards to Tammy Hanson, we did MORE, because we had locals in her area express complaints. Specifically:
--The first person to recommend Tammy Hanson to us was a representative with T. Boone Pickens, the Houston oil magnate who had worked so hard to fly animals to shelter from the Katrina disaster. The rep had found Ms. Hanson recommended time and again from shelters around the country who had placed pitbulls with her. Once we had Ms. Hanson's name, we pursued the next recommendations to try and assess what the "truth" was:
--Jonna Nesmann (sp?), the Animal Services Director from the Louisiana Humane Society, told us directly that she had worked with Ms. Hanson for years on search and rescue and sent animals to her and that Tammy did a very good job.
(Frankly, we deferred frequently to all Louisiana animal agencies since we were essentially "working for them" trying to help them in this enormous disaster);
--Dr. Sarah Golladay, DVM, told us that Ms. Hanson was very good; that she spays and neuters all of her animals, microchips, and sends them home after surgery with pain meds;
--Dr. Mike Grah, DVM, told our shelter coordinator that Ms. Hanson routinely "puts animals before herself" and that "she does more for animals than anyone else he knew";
--Several smaller rescue groups, particularly those working out of Winn Dixie, took their animals to her and all had good things to say;
--Ms. Hanson also invited us to do the transport to her location (if she were to try and hide something, we don't think this would have been an option presented to us) ;
--All groups who took possession of our animals for foster care had to sign an agreement (including her) that allows us, among other things, to perform unannounced visits to check on the animals. Ms. Hanson had no problem agreeing to this ;
--We also respected the fact that she didn't want to take on more animals until she had the proper housing for them. Despite the fact that we are a small group (compared to the big, national orgs), we offered to purchase new kennels for her so we would not be burdening her or taking away any housing from other rescue groups' animals. She accepted. She NEVER wanted the money for the kennels; she wanted the kennels themselves. We bought $11,000 of kennels for her, which were delivered to her. We had funds available that were raised prior to Hurricane Katrina that we could spend on building shelter. This is how we chose to spend part of the funds.
In addition to hearing the positive comments (above) about Tammy, we had individuals from her area who began e-mailing and calling us, telling us that she did not do a good job and in fact was horrible. Many of them expressed how they didn't want vicious pitbulls being brought to such a woman. Frankly, we got the impression that some of these people simply may not have liked the idea of pits being brought into Arkansas (right or wrong on our part). I might also point out that NONE of these people even offered to take ONE pitbull to help, perhaps supporting our suspicion (again, right or wrong).
We were also given info like this, please click here, that showed that neighbors had poisoned her dogs and that a vet school spoke highly about her efforts to save an animal.
Here we had two veterinarians, a credible Humane Society and dedicated rescue groups telling us Ms. Hanson was just fine. We also asked those making accusations to PLEASE provide us with any arrest warrant info, neglect/abuse case numbers, or any factual information that could verify their claims. We were not provided any of these things. Of course if we had this information, we would have never placed animals with her. We have been rescuing animals for years and have a stellar reputation. We are mortified that we, and many people who tried to save lives, ended up placing the animals we worked so hard to save, in horrible conditions.
Did Pasado's ever drive 12 hours one-way to visit her facility in the middle of the biggest animal disaster in the nation's history? No. We did not have the resources. We were trying desperately to save lives and depended on people to be our eyes and ears to help us place animals in shelters in 48 states. How could we save 1200 animals AND travel to every shelter? If we didn't have vets, a Humane Society, and well-intentioned rescue groups giving us the thumbs up, we simply would not have sent animals to her. When volunteers from PasadoRescue drove with the dogs there, they didn't find any problem.
We believe what may have happened is this: the vets, the Humane Society, and the other rescue groups viewed her property before she began taking in animals from many groups, including ours. Then, Ms. Hanson allowed for things to get out of control. She may be a person who "spays & neuters" all the animals, microchips, etc., but she is also a person who did not and could not take in this many animals. We are ON THE GROUND on her property now and found ALL of the kennels we purchased in a pile, UNassembled.
Please put yourself in our position. On the one hand, you have neighbors of Tammy (who are total strangers to us) making claims that they are UNable to support with documented proof. NO vets, by the way, claiming she is "bad". On the other hand, you have licensed veterinarians, humane societies, and rescue groups all saying something else. Truly, please, please, put yourself in our shoes. Kim Sgro, a volunteer who was a PasadoRescuer for four weeks in Louisiana, is the person who did all the footwork to qualify every shelter we transported animals to. She is devastated by this. Imagine being her - thinking that you did ALL you could do to assure the safety of the animals only to find out they're sitting in feces.
The people who have done the hard work in the trenches of Louisiana have not criticized Pasado's, the Winn Dixie heroes, the Humane Society of Louisiana or any other group that placed animals with Tammy Hanson. They know that we all tried our darndest to help the animals.
We suggest that those who choose to continue to spend time on the computer bad-mouthing us and others, focus instead on what you can do to help. The sheriff is releasing all of our animals back to us. We are on-site, working with the sheriff and responding quickly. The kennels that we generously purchased for Tammy are now being donated to other groups who HAVE stepped up to help.
For the animals,
Susan Michaels
Co-Founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
Just spoke to Tammy
by savethemnow7, 10/23/05 19:38 ET
Call me whatever you like, defending her etc, but there are bigger issues down there right now that none of you are aware of, but since Im off the phone now i figure I type this up
#1 There are dogs at her place now that she has been told are now DEAD that were alive before before she was arrested- they died under the custody of the sherris who was claimed to be such a compassionate person and did this only for the good of the animals
#2 She drove down the road of her property last nite, and saw the sherrifs deputy with a convicted felon (who killled 6 of her dogs last year with cyanide poisoning who was put in jail and who is now out)She tried to take a picture of them together, and the deputy chased her for blocks and almost arrested her for "tresspassing on a PUBLIC ROAD"
#3 Theres a puppy mill up the road that she has been trying to shut down for years- she has seen on numerous occasions puppies and dogs at that place stuffed into tiny cardboard boxes as if they were rags where they cant even move now the owner of that puppy mill is at her property- Can any of you guess why?
#4 Her attorney will be back from out of state tonight, and hopefully tomorrow she and her volunteers will get back on the property by afternoon- None of what is floating around on the internet right now (and yes she is aware of the nasty pictures that are beeing posted and she has seen them and she cant even figure out where on her property those pictures were taken) ResQue you say spare me the conspiracy theory- Thats fine, please keep saying that- All I know is the truth will come out -The real truth- This has nothing to do with defending her- This has to do with things that none of you can believe to comprehend- those of you nestled behind your screens and making your assumptions based on pictures, making assumptions based on Pittbull people who have agendas- By the way, before anyone accuses me of having some kind of agenda, I am just a girl in NY not affiliated with any rescue group or organization, I found this board on week 1 after Katrina and got to work calling in rescues to ANY rescue group who would bother to go to the location. I am STILL not affiliated with any one of them and I UNLIKE others an ONLY in it for the animals. This is my last post tonight on this matter. FELL FREE TO ATTACK ME IN ANY WAY YOU LIKE, I DONT GIVE A DAMN AS THERE ARE ASPECTS OF THIS SITUATION THAT WILL COME TO LIGHT VERY SOON, ASPECTS THAT NONE OF YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE AWARE OF.
not only the sheriff dept and the north central arkansas humane society but also a volunteer from forpitsake all conspired to trash the property, take false pictures, fill in the lake and burn the comfy couches and chairs...
and consolidate the individual dog runs to make group holding pens...
and the three groups removed all the housing and replaced much of it with barrels...where they bothered to replace the shelters at all...as many yards did not have shelters...
and then they put all the dogs back in crates...yes, i heard that one also from someone that talked to tammy...how dare they take them out of the lake and comfy couches to put them back in crates...
and who in the hell took the dog with the broken back out of the clinic under the cloak of darkness to be in a kennel...oh right, the vet let the dog go.
and who brought in the load of used appliances?
sure, i believe, i believe, i believe...
at first i thought she was well intentioned and just not very competent mentally...when i read the post of a previous time where she said she needed 15 k to care for them etc...now i am more of the opinion that she saw, like so many involved in this katrina mess...dollar signs. i hope she is just nuts and not cruel...but it is looking otherwise...sigh.
never mind any of that even...we have to understand why organizations we are sending money too allow an oversight like this.
mind you...I WOULD LOVE TO BE PROVED WRONG...i would love the pics to be fake...i would love to think the dog beings were living in good conditions...and that we are dealing with sinister elements in that county...and forpitsake...but the reality is a bit more than i can ignore...
RE: Post by Susan Michaels of Pasado's Safe Haven, -- which appeared on this Ericsdogblog at 7:32pm...... at one point in that post it says "We were also given info like this, please click here, that showed that neighbors had poisoned her dogs and that a vet school spoke highly about her efforts to save an animal." The "click here" refers to this URL: http://www.ocm.auburn.edu/
news_releases/canine.html
Pasado's said in a recent note that they had sent one or two of their own volunteers to check this place out and they came back giving their approval. Did they not go to the same place where the dogs are kept? Did Tammy show them a different place? I can not believe that they would release these animals into her care if the conditions were as stated. I read an email where people are condeming Pasado's. How unfair. Go to their website and read about how they came about and all the wonderful work they have done and are doing to protect our animals.
The post:
Facts regarding dogs transferred to Tammy Hanson from Pasado's Safe Haven:
PasadoRescue's priority has been to place every animal in a safe and healthy environment. (Dogs dumped in a gravel driveway, with over 300 dogs in filthy pens just 30 yards away is not healthy or safe. Fact is Pasado just got a huge grant to help care for Katrina animals from ASPCA. I think we should all write and encourage them to revoke it. All the dogs they took need to be accounted for. Are their more places like the Hansens?)
Pasado's Safe Haven will not place animals without at least two references from credible sources. (Can anyone name one credible source??? Some of us have been trying to find credible sources for months. BEFORE KATRINA)
As you can imagine in the case of a disaster of the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina, many people offered to take animals that we rescued. We would not release animals unless their history could be verified. (The fact that she had been arrested in Missouri [yep, for animal cruelty or abuse] was know to Pasado before they released any dogs to her. Did that stop them?)
In Tammy Hanson's case, she was recommended to us by multiple sources including
veterinarians, the Humane Society of Louisiana, (There were multiple crates from the Humane Society in Louisiana, They dumped dogs too!! Any references from anyone who had been on her property or even from Arkansas?) Best Friends, and other rescue facilities. The Humane Society of Louisiana stated that both their organization and Best Friends (Best Friends has denied sending any animals to her) had sent animals to Ms. Hanson's facility.
Because we are committed to the life-long, well-being of each animal that we and other organizations rescued during the Katrina disaster, we were concerned about rumors (The rumors where not as bad as the reality) that local groups near to Ms. Hanson had circulated about her. To further assure we were placing animals in a qualified, caring environment, two volunteers, assisting at our Raceland veterinary triage center, traveled to visit Ms. Hanson's facility. (This is the worst!!! They are either lying here or even worse they really truly don't care about anything but the money they are collecting for helping these dogs.) They were welcomed by her to tour the facility (Would you call a tent with a TV, and 30 nasty pens with too many dogs in them a facility?????? and zero volunteer help to help them set up the kennels Pasado dumped in her driveway? Was leaving them where they were unusable good judgment? How did they think that Tammy and her hubby could even move these monstrous kennels? I didn't even see a tractor on the place.) and they returned to Raceland, LA with nothing but good things to say about Tammy, the facility, and the condition of the animals themselves. (This is a joke!!! Someone is lying here.. Or Pasado has very poor judgment.) To confirm that the animals that we would transfer continued to be kept in good condition, we arranged for one of our volunteers to visit Ms. Hanson's facility next week.
Dr. Snodgrass, the veterinarian that Sheriff Montgomery chose to assist in the seizure of the animals from Tammy Hanson stated they were all vicious animals. (The katrina dogs may never recover from the tortures they have endured. They may have gone in sweet, but many will have permanent behavior problems due to this. The streets of New Orleans is 1000 times better than living the way they have the past 9 days. How friendly would you be living in a crate in your own shit?) That they tried to "bite the hands of those trying to give them food or water". (I was there today. There are many dogs now that appear to be very aggressive. They attacked the crate fronts when we stopped to take pictures. Even a poor ole cocker spaniel from New Orleans was very very violent when his crate was approached.)
The dogs transferred by PasadoRescue to Ms. Hanson were photographed and videotaped at our Raceland facility being walked by volunteers several times a day, fed by hand, and hugged. (I hope these volunteers are aware of how the dogs they so carefully loved and nurtured have been dumped by Pasado.) The hundreds of volunteers who assisted PasadoRescue have absolutely no motive other than care and concern to help these animals. (These poor volunteers have been duped by Pasado. They are continuing to collect money for the care of the animals they "saved" from New Orleans, while dumping them in Arkansas. I personally believe it is all about the money. Get the money, dump the dogs.) Several of these organizations sent certified dog trainers down to assist us with the "more aggressive" dogs, not all of which were pit bulls. Not one of the dog trainers said that any one of the animals was not "retrainable". In fact, several of the dogs are being rehabbed by one of the trainers in AR. This is evidence that will be very difficult for the sheriff to dispute if he should chose to kill these animals based on their "aggression" (The sheriff is a very compassionate man as are all the law enforcement officers that we met helping today. They are all sick at the condition of the animals. EVERYONE PROTECTING AND CARING FOR THESE DOGS ARE AWESOME COMPASSIONATE FOLKS, THAT ARE DISGUSTED WITH THE SITUATION THE DOGS ARE IN. NO ONE ever said that the dogs should all be euthanized. This is a complete fabrication on Pasado's part. GO HELP.... YOU WILL SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!)
Furthermore, Dr. Snodgrass noted that these animals were brought into the State of Arkansas illegally, without veterinarian inspection. This is not true. All of the animals PasadoRescue transferred to Ms. Hanson had a complete and thorough examination by a veterinarian. There are veterinary medical documents on every animal, dated and signed by a licensed veterinarian. (There may be records but they aren't stored in the tent on the property.)
If, for any reason, it is proven that Ms. Hanson is indeed not caring for these animals, we will be the first to support charges of animal neglect. (Now that they know, has anyone heard a retraction of all the horrible things said about the sheriff and his staff? How horrible that they posted his name and phone number on their website and encouraged people to call him at home to harass him. Without even knowing the truth.) But we will not accept lies that are developed by Dr. Snodgrass or the sheriff regarding the behavior/temperament of the animals to support their case or the statement that these animals were not examined by a veterinarian. And above all, these animals are property of Louisiana residents and should not be euthanized under any circumstances. (Yep, come get your dogs, but someone needs to monitor these folks. I would be willing to bet money that they don't keep them but try to dump them again or end up euthanizing most of them themselves.)
Emma Devailier, the Louisiana State Assistant Attorney General who has been leading the investigation with Pasado's Safe Haven into the St. Bernard pet shootings, has been contacted to act on behalf of the owners of the pets Sheriff Montgomery threatens to kill. (This is a joke. These dogs were not even listed so that the owners could ever find them. No where were they listed on the internet with the rest of the dogs picked up. Not on Petfinder! Tammy had no intention of ever helping them find their owners. I do want to know what she intended to do with them. Why would you leave them in crates when kennels had been provided? Were they moving again?)
Lastly, Pasado's Safe Haven will do all it can to assist the owners of these pets to pursue civil judgments against Baxter County, Arkansas, Dr. Snodgrass, and all parties involved. (Pasado needs to be sued on behalf of the owners of these dogs, especially the owners of the dogs that died, and that are permanently damaged. Knowing that Tammy was questionable, inspecting her property and sending them anyway??????)
I would love for this to be forwarded to the world. I am more than mad at the situation that could have been avoided. I deeply resent that Pasado seemed to think that we are a bunch of hicks that don't have a clue about what goes on in our own state or even worse don't care. I resent that they threaten people with lawsuits in attempts to intimidate the very folks who are responsible for saving these dogs from Tammy, and that they seem to have made up lies in an attempt to cover their butts. Thank you all for letting me rant. Please tell Pasado they should be held accountable. and mostly, please go help. Please take home dogs, Please go see for your self and I promise you will never be the same.
Mary Neiser,
AR Great Dane Rescue
Oh please stop making excuses. The facts speak for themselves...
It also never dawned on anyone in Louisiana that a great majority of folks taking dogs out of there had false papers, phoney vets, phoney references, phoney IRS documents (if they really had any) and elaborate schemes to get these dogs. I see it everyday..In fact, we had one busted with the same paperwork 3 days ago! Did she get Katrina dogs? You bet she did..and guess what? She's a dog fighter.
Katrina was a horrible, unimaginable disaster, and here's another one for you. Live and learn, rescue is not rescue anymore..it's abt the money, it's abt dog fighting, not saving lives..and it is run by a bunch a whackjobs!
It's time for agencies to realize this and time for law enforcement to do something abt it...I'm so sick of this crap I could scream...and yet I still go out everyday, report on them and hopefully get a bust here and there...
joking if you think that anyone with any sense is going to look at these photos and not realize that this person is wayyyyy over there head. This place was obviously disgusting before the Katrina dogs got there. It just boggles my mind that you are even on here trying to defend this. This isn't a rescue organization, it's a hoarder plain and simple. The place is so trashy it's disgusting and I can imagine the care the animals receive. You must believe that the rest of us just fell off the turnip truck to believe she was trying to take care of these dogs. She should be arrested for animal cruelty and never allowed to own another animal.
Now let's sit back and see how long it takes the country's most notorious dog fighter to swoop in on these dogs in Arkansas..like he/she did in Louisiana. He/She bamboozles everyone with his/hers "important friends" slick press releases and news coverages (he/she writes his/her own sensationalized press releases that make him/her look like God himself), is not a 501, does not have any legitimate paperwork. In fact this person operates with entirely phoney documents including health certs. He/She has been banned from most all rescue groups, and several states..and is under multijuridictional investigation...took a lot of Katrina dogs out of Louisiana and is still taking them...start looking for those planes and those "important" people who will arrive with him/her to save the world...He/she will be there, mark my words...he/she would never miss an opportunity like this....
Would whomever posted this original blog pls contact admin@swdns.com
He would like to see your pictures and post them etc...thks!
This includes more info on the 2003 Belton charges (http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/news/2341224/detail.html) including:"BELTON, Mo. -- The Cass County prosecutor said he expects to file animal neglect charges after a couple was found to be housing about 80 dogs in and around their home, KMBC's Bev Chapman reported.
Neighbors called police complaining about the noise and the smell, so Thursday, investigators took action. They said the stench and filth in the home was horrible, but the dogs were generally in good health.
"I would be amazed anything could survive in there. Hopefully, they spend most of the time outdoors, although one person related it to me that they do lock the dogs in the house overnight," said Dr. Garry Miller, a veterinarian who was at the scene Thursday.
Chapman reported the house was filled with excrement. Prosecutor Chris Koster said the conditions "The living conditions of the house are beyond filthy. Human beings shouldn't live in there. Animals shouldn't live in there," he said."
This is "animal collecting/hoarding" and those who do it not only do a disservice to the poor animals they take in, but they have a serious psychiatric problem
amazingly a group on Nola.com is taking up for her saying it is a conspiracy and all staged by the police (so Tammy told them in a phone conversation). Mrs. Hanson has a pyschological problem. She could be the nicest and most well meaning person but she is a classic case of hoarding. She could be "sane" in every other part of her life.
NOLA .com is owned by one of the biggest DNA's in the country...what a friggin joke. They've all taken over rescue...Dawn Bechtold owns that group...ask the HSUS what they think of her...another loud mouth drunken phoney... all the ppl on that groups are DNA's too...
that is Dawn's group right? she started that one or was it another DNA bigtime abuser Joan Stambaugh? same difference
It breaks my heart. I think the ASPCA and Humane should be involved. (although didn't the LAspca sanction this place?) It seems that long ago she had an okay set-up, then something went wrong. Real wrong. Pasado's will have to take and place their rescues someplace else. Most collectors start out with good intentions. Crazy, but good. Where did all these dogs come from? And why did it take so long for this community to react?
For more info and pictures go to http://www.forpitssake.org/ednah.html
Yes, unfortunately the woman is obviously a hoarder who won't ask for help. And it's always the animals that end up suffering...
Another BIG concern is that the Sheriff will "release" these poor creatures to highly opportunistic people posing as "owners" who have only one cruel purpose in mind.
Such a sad situation on top of a terrible tragedy all the way round... Breaks my heart.
For those searching for Katrina pets/owners by ResQEffort, 10/23/05 15:32 ET This may provide info on some of the dogs in AR:
Just Posting
Ok, I am sure there are more than I saw. There were pens I couldnt even get near, and hundreds of dogs that I didnt see up close. I did see:
an airedalea very sad sad sable collierottiesan english mastiff, missing on eye and with the swollen elbows from the hard ground I assumeat least two german shepards,a very terrified shih tzu, hair loss and cowering under a tornup tarpa very terrified little minature snaz, I think maybe blind, at least missing one eye.a very terrified buff cocker spanielpocket beagle and other little beagleschows,Carin terrier, or maybe more than one. At least a couple mixestwo dalmationsat least one akitaa dane (We will take care of him)of course close to two hundred pit bulls from Katrinaa weimiesome beautiful hounds,the sweetest black lab ever
hundreds of medium to large Arkansas black dog or hound dog mixesat least 10 to 25 smallish brown under 10 pound little dogs (chi mixes?)and of course an assortment of all kinds of little to medium mixes.
Now these are the purebreds that I can remember at this moment. The sheriffs department and the Mountain Home Humane Society have taken over the property. The Humane Society is going to need help from Rescues with these dogs and more. You can google the humane society to get their number. Please forward to any rescue groups that might be able to help.
Thank you!!! Mary Ar Great Dane (and their little buddies rescue)
TOL: EricRice, you've posted Pasado's original message from 10/21 on frontpage of your blog. Please post their update from 10/23...
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/
NEWS/PitbullPlacement.htm
To Mary Neiser: (Pasado needs to be sued on behalf of the owners of these dogs, especially the owners of the dogs that died, and that are permanently damaged. Knowing that Tammy was questionable, inspecting her property and sending them anyway??????)
On behalf of the owners......hmm.....*what if* those owners fought the dogs.....what then? There were many many many Pits who *were* fighting dogs that rescued. Most of them (by all accounts from every group out there) will be able to be nurtured and rehabilitated. So, Ms. Neiser......go ahead and sue on behalf of the *owners* and guess what you'll be doing?
use this story for something other than it is.
The poor dogs are still suffering.
I cannot take much more of this.. Three weeks at Lamar Dixon and now this.
I am exhausted mentally and physically. I do not want to go back tomorrow but if I don't I won't be able to live with myself.
I am so freaking tired of all this and I want it all to stop.
Pasado should have come to get their dogs today. They did not and another night of suffering goes on for these dogs.
I am almost 4 hours away from Tammy's property and tomorrow will be my third trip in a row.
I don't need ANYONE"S freaking money. We need for the "wealthy individuals and groups" to get these dogs out of there.
They need to take responsibility.
I DO NOT WANT donations for this situation.
I want for someone to come and help these dogs.
They are freezing and are in diar need of medical attention.
This is too big for me to handle.
NOW, I have the proof... I just got home from a day at the home of Tammy Hanson in Mountain Home Arkansas.
This is the rescue that I doubted and warned over and over again with no response from the huge organizations that released dogs to this place.
Oh, I did get a response and that response was shut up or prepare to be sued.
Pasado has stated they have been to this place, a person named "Kim" representing Pasado called this place wonderful.
The dogs in crates have not been out of those crates since they were dropped off by the persons "saving" them from the disaster area.
NOW, Mr Steinway and others, do you need any more proof from me???
I do hope that the organizations come and take responsibility for this tragedy.
We found two dogs dead, in trash bags and two dogs that have died since they were "saved" from the disaster area that died alone and in their own filth laying inside the crate donated by the organizations that "saved" them.
I am returning tomorrow to help care for the animals.
All of you that called the sheriff's office there have scared them into thinking they will be sued so they were not allowing us to move the animals, or evidence as the dogs were called.
This is the worst thing I have ever encountered in my life and it was all made possible by animal rescuers.
Below, are not the worst pictures. All of the pictures are horrifying but I am too tired to go through the 173 pictures we took.
We spent $200 tonight at Walmart on buckets, bleach, scrub brushes, and hoses to care for the dogs tomorrow.
I WANT THE PUBLIC APOLOGY and I WANT THESE DOGS TAKEN AND CARED FOR PROPERLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How could this happen, HOW????????????
Desiree Bender
where angels run
Little Rock, AR
fROM mARK aT pASADO WHEN WARNED OF THE pERIL---
Subject: RE: Dogs in Peril, Sue Sternberg?
Desiree, you need to cease and desist with this character defamation or you will soon be facing legal action the likes of which you never dreamed of.
For all others, I apologize profusely that you are being dragged into this. Desiree and a few others have persisted on spreading rumors and unsubstantiated charges against Tammy Hanson for the last few days since learning of our arrangement to transfer animals to Tammy. Several of us from Pasado's have spent hours and hours in recent days TRYING to substantiate Desiree's charges. They cannot be substantiated. In the process of speaking to veterinarians familiar with Tammy, humane societies and other shelters who have firsthand observations of Tammy’s operation, and animal control officers who have been to Tammy’s facility, NONE of them have anything bad to say about Tammy or her shelter.
Tammy has had to get restraining orders against these people who keep harassing her. If all of these people would spend ? the time trying to help the dogs that they spend trying to stop Tammy from helping the dogs, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. Desiree, STOP WASTING EVERYONE’S TIME!
For the Animals,
Mark Steinway
Co-founder, Pasado's Safe Haven
mark@pasadosafehaven.org
206-300-7218
Pasado, Pasado, excuses, excuses. You and the Pickens people screwed the pooch so to speak. Admit it and ask someone who knows what they are doing to help out. This doesn't inspire confidence in Pasado's ability to conduct a humane investigation in St. Bernard's Parish either. Let's hold them to the standard everyone wants to subject the ASPCA and the HSUS to, eh?
SUNDAY (10/23) CONVOY FOR STARVING HORSES & COWS
Kinship Circle (along with Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue, pets911.org, Best
Friends, Jane Garrison, David Meyer, Eric Rice, Pasado and others still
active in hurricane animal rescue) is participating in FEMA-sponsored
conference calls. Some LA state officials are also on t! he calls... So, I can
report firsthand: Government aid to the hurricane-smashed parishes of
Vermillion, Cameron and Calcasieu is a sluggish operation, stymied by red
tape. That leaves independent groups like Hopeful Haven to rescue and feed
stranded horses and cows. One more animal may not go hungry tonight because
of someone like you!
CONTACT:
Debra Barlow, president
Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization
cell: 318-286-3116 * hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
VOLUNTEER NEEDS/SITUATION:
Local ranchers lost everything. Cows and horses are in dire need of the
supplies (listed below) to sustain life. The region is devastated... Please
join the convoy! Get your friends together, and put togeth! er a horse
trailer full of supplies.
NEXT CONVOY - SUNDAY, 10/23/05:
3:00 a.m.
Convoy meets at Summer Grove Baptist Church, in Shreveport, LA
(on Jewella where the old South Park Mall used to be)
by 6:30 a.m.
Arrive in Lafayette, LA at OMNI Energy Building
4500 NE Evangeline Thruway
On I-49 at between exits 4 and 7 on Frontage Rd.
Go north on service road
OMNI Energy Bldg. is blue, on right side of road
Pull into parking lot; onsite contact: Lisa Simmons
by 7:30 a.m.
From Lafayette, leave as day-long convoy into devastated areas.
SUPPLY NEEDS:
If you can’t join the convoy, send supplies to new drop/distribution site:
ATN: Animal Rescue
13738 Highway 331
Erath, LA 70533
Debra Barlow or Hank Moses will accept supplies
Range Cubes
Horse Feed/Cattle Feed
Hay
Ba! rbed Wire
T-Posts
Troughs
SEND VACCINES FOR CATTLE & HORSES TO:
Dr. Prejean / 1101 West Port Street / Abbeville, LA 70510
Or
Debra Barlow / 315 Pecan Drive / Shreveport, LA 71106
EEE/WEE West Nile & Tetanus
Desperate request for equine vaccine donations from veterinarians. No limit
to amount needed. Fed Ex delivery is ideal.
MONETARY DONATIONS:
Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue
P.O. 17763
Shreveport, LA 71138
- Debra Barlow needs inventory of what is in your trailer by 10/22.
- IF bringing donations, specify donator’s name and address on inventory paper.
- Call & email Debra Barlow ASAP before Sunday, 10/23:
318-286-3116 * hopefulhaven@yahoo.com
*Hopeful Haven also has room for evacuees with horses. Arenas and foster
homes availa! ble. If evacuees have an RV or living quarters in their horse
trailer, they will be able to stay with their horses.
*********************************************************
GRASSROOTS EFFORT
FOR ANIMALS OF THE STORM
KINSHIP CIRCLE
Brenda Shoss, Information & Volunteer Coordinator:
(desk) 314-863-9445; (cell) 314-795-2646
7380 Kingsbury Blvd.; Saint Louis, MO 63130
http://www.kinshipcircle.org
ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION (ARF)
Julia Fischer, Supply Storage & Distribution Director:
(cell) 251-455-9377; (home) 251-645-8605
shelter phone: 251-478-9743
771 Holcombe Ave.; Mobile, Alabama 36605
http://www.animalrescuemobile.org
who is the dog fighter that will swoop in with fake credentials? what is a DNA?
In rescue terminology a DNA/DNT means "do not assist/adopt to," and "do not transport."
A very well respected friend of mine is going to work at Tammy's.
Pointing fingers is EXACTLY what needs to happen along with everything else. None of this would have happened if someone had checked her out. And it will continue to happen if policies aren't changed. Ppl are conned into giving money to large orgs because of the slick promo's, brochures and all the publicity. I happen to know several which are farces and have gained much financially by conning the public. I also have personal knowledge of some who have dog fighters working for them and they don't care.
What happened to all that donated money? Why did volunteers and animals have to endure the heat and horrible conditions in NO when A/C'd military style tents (like used in Iraq) could have been rented or even sought out for those ppl and the animals? Why did these orgs allow just anyone to come in and haul off the dogs by the truckloads?
You can't prevent/solve problems without ever pointing fingers...yes the animals need help now too...
Sending animals to kill shelters is a mistake when an organization has told donors, state authorities, and owners that they are at the disaster scene to RESCUE and RETURN the dogs to the OWNERS. You can't return a dead dog to an owner especially when the owner can't even find the name or location of the shelter the dogs were sent to. Withholding this type of information from an owner is not a good idea. If an organization is so overwhelmed that it cannot properly track the dogs or feels that the only solution is to begin euthanasia, they have "taken in" too many dogs. They should have evaluated their resources beforehand and then rescued what they could honestly handle. Organizations have the capability of being honest. It's not honest to have a web site with limited info on euthanized dogs and the dogs sent to kill shelters. They should tell their donors that they decided it was a good idea to send the dogs to a kill shelter. Instead independent volunteers are the ones who are having to find the information on dogs sent to kill shelters. Independent volunteers have played the biggest role in the rescue operations.
Ok, so can someone tell me what we can do to assist with this additional crisis if we can't get down there?
we are working on list of needed items and how to get them on site.
Hard to get good info. Eric Rice
Eric, do you know Carl Nylund? He's planning to go there and work...
No-the free raoming dogs are not malnourshed because they took acces to the hundreds of pounds of food provided by Pasado and other groups. Pasado is on the ground right now assembling the hundreds of cages and kennels also provided by them for Tammy to use for these creatures....someone obviuosly did not do their home work on Tammy's organizations before sending these poor dogs to her....I'm sure she had good intentions but that doesn't get the animals fed,watered or sheltered.
UPDATE on Tammy Hanson
Although we have people on the ground at EDNAH, Mark Steinway, Humane Officer for PasadoRescue is on his way there now. The reps for T. Boon Pickens (the Houston oil magnate who transported hundreds of Katrina dogs during the disaster - and who also was duped into believing EDNAH was legit) has arranged for refrigerated transport for not only Pasado's 50 dogs but for the 400 dogs dozens of other shelters placed at EDNAH. The Louisiana Humane Society, who placed animals with EDNAH, is also on the way.
Mark spoke with the sheriff who tells us that with health certificates, the animals can be moved. All of our animals had rabies vaccinations and health records. We can't speak for the other orgs who sent animals there. We believe our animals will be out tomorrow. EVERY SHELTER THAT PLACED ANIMALS AT TAMMY HANSON'S should be there, removing their animals. Please spread the word. Stay tuned for more updates.
We can't tell you how dozens of other rescue groups made the decision to send their animals to Tammy Hanson, but here is the due diligence we followed. We sure thought we'd done our homework.
http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/NEWS/NEWS.htm
This has been a fear of mine since the beginning of this crisis. There are many individuals and groups who are blinded by their emotions and do not have the capacity to make the right judgement in whether or not they can care for more animals. I have two cats already and would have wanted more then ANYTHING to foster an animal, but I know given the size of my home, my income ect, it would not be the best for the animals.
I donated to Pasado twice after doing much research they seemed like one of the best place to give money to. However I'm sorely disappointed in their judgement. How could anyone expect this women to have the ability to care for SO many needy animals? It just doesn't add up to me. I feel it was an act of desperation on their part, however it must not happen again. I cannot get my donation back, I only hope they correct this grevious mistake and learn from it so it is not repeated in the future. I'm sure I am not the only donor that feels this way.
This is not related to Eric's post...
But for anyone helping with the efforts to reunite pets & owners, here's a list of hundreds of shelters fostering/adopting Katrina pets:
http://moreplacestolook.blogspot.com/
ERIC: I live in MD too (I work at a local humane society) and am planning/hoping to drive down to the Gulf Coast in the next week or so in a rented Durango. Would you want to come along? Have Emails from woman working with Jane, help is needed but not sure if you're free - Please EMail ASAP Shelley AdoptADog@GMail.com
This is the straw that broke MY back. My name is Bobby Dorafshar and I am the founder of New Leash On Life Animal Rescue located in Southern California and Chicago. I went to New Orleans to assist in the search and rescue efforts twice. On the way back from my last trip, as my volunteers and I began to load as many animals as our caravan could carry, we received word about an urgent plea from Pasado that they were in desperate need for rescue groups to come to their shelter and rescue dogs and cats. My team and I dumped personal belongings and supplies to make room to carry 10 more cats and 8 dogs. We traveled almost two hours out of our way in the middle of the night to Pasado. David Meyer (of 1-800-save a pet) and Mark, co-founder of Pasado personally invited us to his facility to help. We arrived at 1:00am, tired but anxious to meet our new traveling companions.
What happened next still amazes and angers me. To make a very long story short, I have never in my life been treated as rudely as I was treated by Kim, one of Marks staff members. They decided that they didn’t want to give us dogs, only cats, and that we would have to take 40. I explained that we did not have the proper space for 40 large crates but they didn’t care and were fine to let the 40 cats travel 3 days in 6 X 6 X 14 inch cat carriers. This was unacceptable to me and I said absolutely not. Then they decided that we would have to wait 6 hours to get the dogs and cats. When I told them this was not acceptable we had to be in Los Angeles by Friday, that we needed to load the animals, take a 1 hour nap and get on the road, they screamed at us saying that under no circumstances were we going to get any of their animals at that hour or ever (Even though Mark knew we were going to be there at 1am) and told us to leave the property. They turned off the lights and left us standing there; in the middle of nowhere. A Pasado volunteer offered to show us a truck stop to sleep for an hour and apologized for the horrific treatment to us by the Pasado staff. (We later learned that this volunteer was fired for assisting us. I have his statement of the night’s accounts if anyone is interested.) So, my crew and I set out for the long drive back to Los Angeles with 18 empty cages. That in it’s self makes me sick. ( The next day, my phone call to Mark was ignored and he didn’t even have the decency to call me back!)
I’ve been stewing about my Pasado experience for 2 weeks. With in the last two weeks, I have read and re-read the e-mail that went back in forth between Susan, and others regarding my encounter with them, and the lies just don’t stop. Then I learn about Tammy Hansen in Arkansas and it is now my duty to tell the world that Pasado is a sham. They are liers and they are coning people into believing that they are helping Katrina Animals when all they have done is collect animals and then dump them. If you read Susan’s letter to the Arkansas Sheriff below, note that she says that her volunteers actually visited the Hansen’s property and found it to be a suitable option to place animals. She obviously has not seen the pictures above or she is blind. There is no way that this property could get this way in 9 days! She may be able to talk her way around everything else, but pictures speak 1000 words.
-Pasado did NOT check the Hansen’s property
-Pasado took money from HSUS and the public to care for these animals and then dumped them in conditions worse than the streets of New Orleans.
(I later learned that the reason Pasado did not want to release dogs to me was because HSUS had not yet paid them for the dogs they had taken in from HSUS and if they released the dogs to New Leash On Life, they would not get the money that came with those dogs.)
-Pasado received a VERY large grant from ASPCA to care for Katrina animals. Dumping over 300 dogs at the Hansen’s property is their idea of caring for animals.
-Pasado’s staff are liars and their donors deserve to know the truth about who they are supporting. Their own volunteers are sickened by their actions.
-Best Friends did not place any animals with Tammy Hansen. Both she and her husband are on the Best Friends DNA (Do Not Adopt) list.
Mary Neiser for Arkansas Great Dane Rescue writes:
“…Pasado threatened people who called them, with lawsuits for continuing to insist that Tammy and her husband needed to allow an inspection of her property before releasing dogs to her. Today, after the property was taken over by the local sheriffs department, I went to the Hansens and it truly made me sick. I am outraged and feel that Pasado needs to be held accountable. The Katrina dogs were all in the same crates they arrived in. They have been on the property 9 days and didn’t appear to have been out of the crates since they arrived. There is not a single Katrina dog not sitting in days worth of piss and poop. There was at least one dead Katrina dog in its crate and other dead dogs in garbage bags. I feel certain that there are dogs dieing as I type this. I dread going back tomorrow...... There was not a dog on a blade of grass or with any real shelter. Very little water available and what water was in buckets and pans was nasty. The Katrina dogs have suffered the worst. They would have been better left in New Orleans than facing the Hansens. I deeply resent that a group in Washington State is collecting money to save the New Orleans dogs, keeping the money and dumping the dogs in Arkansas.”
Don’t you think PASADO SHOULD STEP UP AND USE THEIR MONEY, NOT TO MENTION THE GRANTS AND DONATIONS RECEIVED IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TO SHELTER AND CARE FOR THESE ANIMALS AS THEY PROMISED TO DO IN THE LETTER BELOW!
Blood is on their hands. The dead dogs found at the Hansen’s is a direct result of Pasado’s neglect and indifference to the animals they claim to care for. The true test will be to see whether or not they re-claim these animals. My guess is no. They have not shown up at the Hansen’s facility yet, knowing what was going on since the 21st! I wonder what they are waiting for. The Sheriff to demand these animals be killed so they have someone else to lay blame and they can wash their hand of this situations?
Bobby Dorafshar
Founder
New Leash On Life Animal Rescue
www.newleash.org
Just so you know, I'm the person who took the pictures posted at http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/. My wife and I spent hours there with other volunteers from the local Humane Society feeding and watering these poor dogs. No amount of pictures could begin to describe the situation. Let me clear a few things up for your readers just in case they haven't received any REAL facts.
Tammy Hanson has NO help that anybody knows of. She has NO volunteers that anybody knows of. There were literally palettes of dog food rotting away.
I don't know what Pasado thinks they did that was right. I don't really care. What I know is that Tammy Hanson apparently lies to EVERYBODY about what's going on. She's a hoarder...a dog collector. She has a mental illness of the worst kind...it ultimately hurts the most innocent of our world.
This woman needs to be held responsible both legally and fiscally for the attrocities she has committed against these dogs.
Granted, some of these dogs are now horribly agressive, but most just want to be cared for. A single pet and ear scratching there gets you a friend for life. It's truly amazing how little love it takes to raise their spirits.
The ONLY thing that matters is the dogs. NOBODY is hurting them. NOBODY is killing them. It is a 6-8 hour job for a team of 10 just to feed and water them all. Hopefully soon they will get some love and care. Until then, just keep us and them in your prayers.
Here is some happy news. Posted at petfinder:
PF48030 is THE PEDIE!!
Just heard from Sacramento SPCA and Pedie's owner will be calling them back soon. IT IS HIM!! Tags and info all match and they will be flying him home next week.
He is doing well and very healthy.
A special thanks to Laura for pointing out PF48030, he was added on 10/9 as a mixed breed and switched to spaniel mix on 10/19. Sacramento said Pedie had no paperwork when he arrived so the originals were lost.
Thanks to everyone who helped look for little Pedie. It is a GREAT day for him and his Mom!
Cindy
People,
In a world where reputable rescuers and humane orgs have been working together for years, we all know that you cannot rely on people YOU DON'T know for references. For god's sake...the references might be just as bad. I've driven five hours before placing one dog with an organization that I have not worked with before. What's "acceptable" to some is "not acceptable" to others. So,whose standard are we talking about. Who has seen Pasado's sanctuary? How do we know what it is like and whether their recommendation or the Humane Society of LA's recommendation is one you or I would make. None of us have seen the Humane society of LAs small facility because it was partially destroyed. I would bet you that there aren't more than a few people from out of state that have seen these organization's facilities. Clearly, standards of care vary by state, region and facility. This is a definite as most of us who are used to quality facilities and high end treatment of animals were horrifed at some of the makeshift shelters we encountered in LA, but we accepted it as we were in "crisis" mode. We are no longer in crisis mode and we need to get back to acceptable levels of care. Many of the organizations who "escaped" without having to rescue a single difficult to adopt animal should feel GUILTY at this point. You did not do your part like many of us. Sure, they take up kennel space and have more difficulty, but you are contributing to the pit bull's breed reputation going down the tubes but NOT putting them on your list of animals WORTH SAVING.
The PUPPY MILLERS also come up with the same conspiracy theories when their hell holes of animal abuse get shut down.
They believe that animals are "property" and cannot be seized. Even when they are suffering and dying.
They claim that authorities and humane groups are trying to "steal" dogs and "sell" them.
They believe they have the right to abuse animals because animals are owned "property."
Hence all those "responsible dog OWNER" groups
Interesting that some of these people are posting here. The "fourth amendment" wackos and abusers. Great.
Once we called Best Friends in Utah about them taking an epileptic dog in to live out it's life (sanctuary). We had always heard good things abt them...WELL NO MORE..they flat told us they wouldn't take the dog because they let all their dogs run together and loose, and this dog would likely be attacked by the others. No way that dog went there! I didn't know their dogs are allowed to roam free and in packs like that.
Another time I emailed and called them regarding an employee who is involved in dog fighting. Yes, we had proof, but BF said what their ppl do on their own time is their business and they didn't care.
Same thing with another so called animal proection org and a dog fighter working for them. Just so you know, dog fighters are infiltrating orgs and rescue to facillitate them in obtaining dogs and conducting business. They also know in advance who is under investigation and who may get busted, so they warn those individuals.
about the pit bulls,by the time this is over all the pits at Tammys and most of the ones being held in LA will be dead.In the first place,if the big orgs.that suck in donations on the lie of SPENDING IT ON ANIMALS,had put up temp buildings to hold the huge number of animals,they wouldn't have had a half azz excuse to kill many many dogs as they came in the door ,all big dogs and mostly pits,and mix breeds,all deemed not of value,ie,we can get away with it.IF we're going to tell the truth,lets also tell why the bigs are still sitting on the millions they took in on the ''please help us help the Katrina pets'',instead of just spending it to actually help these animals.They spend more printing and mailing gimme gimme letters than on helping animals.The truth about the bigs is they are about big salaries and sitting on big bank accounts while all the real expense,work and pain falls to others to take care of.There are still animals dying every day that should have been safe a month ago,because the bigs wouldn't and won't spend money sent to them for that very purpose.If they were doing what they should be doing there wouldn't be hoarders,dog fighters,puppy mills,thousands of pts every day,and bybs all over the place.But they are a business,for profit,that has no intention of putting themselves out of business,much like wallmart,or any other for profit business.They spin to get all the credit for the work of others,and to blame,blame,blame--with their hand out to the public unaware of the REAL TRUTH.They do love to kill off as many pits as they can tho,as they aren't good for much in their eyes,except raking in bucks and showing horrible pics to wring money out of people.
HSUS Nor Pasado or anyone else EVER checked out any rescue or verified their documentation...I pleaded with the media and in emails to officials with these orgs to do this after I saw animals going to dog fighters and DNA'S...NO ONE EVER DID A THING...NOBODY CARED..
Dogs were being hauled off by the truckloads...HUNDREDS OF DOGS STUFFED IN TRAILERS, VEHICLES, no food, water, exercise etc for days while they were hauled across country, sold in Walmart parking lots, on Craiglist and more...
I know of several busts of ppl who did this and were in violation of the AWA.
BLESS YOU 8:05pm..YOU NAILED IT IN YOUR POSTS!
EXACTLY!!!!!!!
Whenever I need to read a good fantasy story I always come here. Some of this stuff........get over yourself. Good god. People who post "bad" things about known, reputable groups generally ARE the millers and fighters trying to discourage donations. Take it someplace else. Thank you.
To everyone who has an opinion about what is going on in Baxter County:
If you have not been to the site, have never met any of the people envolved, you need to come see for yourself. Right now it doesn't matter he said she said. The politics can wait a little while, those precious babies need to be taken care of. Most are not vicious, they are just stir crazy as any of you would be if you were locked in a crate for days or weeks on end. Those of us here know that most of the animals have been here LONG before Katrina.
Tammy seems to have a habit of getting "overwhelmed". Sheriff John Montgomery is a kind and caring person and has nothing personal against Tammy.
The dogs have been fed and watered daily. I know people personally that have been out there each day to take care of things. Polical red tape prevents them from being removed and taken to places where they can be better taken care of.
If she is taking such good care, why are dogs not spayed or neutered. Puppies have been born since Friday. Please get your facts straight before you start pointing fingers.
Whenever I need to read a good fantasy story I always come here. "Some of this stuff........get over yourself. Good god. People who post "bad" things about known, reputable groups generally ARE the millers and fighters trying to discourage donations. Take it someplace else. Thank you. "
8:22 PM
People who write this live in a fantasy world, and NOT reality. What a load of crap! Grow up and look around you...those of us who have been doing this for quite some time know better...and some of us are animal enforcement. We've seen it and dealt with all of these people.
Millers etc don't bad mouth these groups...these groups have nothing to do with millers, that's handled by the USDA. I'd be glad to send you some literature on these topics so you can educate yourself.
Obviously a "known, reputable group" left dogs to the mercy of Tammy's hellish place. Photos don't lie. Is it "bad" to tell the truth? Not if you care about the animals.
It's an interesting theory that people who are passionate about preventing animal abuse by anyone, including the fave groups, are "puppy millers" or dog fighters but it just doesn't wash. Try logic next time.
> Anonymous said...
> HSUS Nor Pasado or anyone else EVER
> checked out any rescue or verified their
> documentation...I pleaded with the media
> and in emails to officials with these orgs
> to do this after I saw animals going to
> dog fighters and DNA'S...NO ONE EVER
> DID A THING...NOBODY CARED..
This is a serious charge. Can you please identify these rescue groups, and did you document all these instances?
- shireen gonzaga
"This is a serious charge. Can you please identify these rescue groups, and did you document all these instances?
- shireen gonzaga "
I think we have records of most of their transports. We may have some regarding the arrests made with Katrina dogs in transport. You just have to watch the rescue transport boards to see it happening...They posted it all over the net, begging and pleading for help transporting.
They now try to hide their identities by not listing the receiving rescues. Some use aliases. I'm sure we have these things since they are posted to our group which investigates and reports on them. We also have copies of arrest records, and other reports on these ppl. We have copies of emails where they state they are 501's and the IRS says they're not..some emails where we've found out they're using phoney documents and getting dogs from shelters all over the country illegally...documents of illnesses spread by the dogs, the way they are inhumanely transported, and more. A major fighting ring is under multijurisdictional investigation. I can't say much abt this one since the investigation is ongoing though.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
> I think we have records of most of their transports.....
thanks for the info. Is there a way to learn more about this?
thanks,
shireen
whimbrel at comcast dot net
Yes Shireen
are you familiar with yahoo rescue (so called) transport groups? They post all over them begging for transporters...we try to get to the shelters and convince them NOT to release animals to them and send them proof. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. If we don't have success with a shelter, we report to the state vet, IRS, USDA, State Ag Depts., state police to shut down a transport, and other agencies we deal with. That doesn't always work either...We use many avenues to try and stop them...but they shouldn't be allowed to have any animals in the first place. If these shelters and orgs would do their homework, we wouldn't have to be so overwhelmed trying to cover the entire country.
Winn Dixie -- same thing...I pulled up to this place to see animals leaving with ANYONE and i mean anyone with four wheels under them. It is one thing to be able to smash doors and round up animals. It is quite another to make sure the reputable people and shelters end up with them and that the scammers do not. This place had no interest in anything but the glory of the rescue. I'd ask them right now on this blog to list everyone that has animals?
And exactly where some 1200-1500 animals are being housed?
They have yet to PRODUCE ONE SINGLE SCRAP OF PAPER SHOWING WHERE THEIR ANIMALS ARE. Not one and funny enough the Nola.com crowd does not demand it of them. No for this crownd that knows nothing of the horrors of animals being in the wrong hands they simply needed to be told that all is ok. Go ahread Nola.com you have abused everyone else in this situation...make Winn Dixie produce some papers listing who has dogs...
Well they at least know where 60 of their Pits are...ON TAMMY'S FARM. That is for sure.
25638. Please call LA Governor/State vet!!!
>by alleycats, 10/25/05 0:43 ET
>
>Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and Assistant State Vet Martha
>Littlefield are refusing to extend the executive order to allow
>out-of-state veterinarians to practice in the state. Littlefield claims
the
>animal problem is solved, and the state doesn't need outside help anymore
>-- even though rescuers on the ground are still answering owners' pleas to
>rescue animals from in and around houses, and thousands of dogs and cats
>still roam the streets.Please blanket the offices of Littlefield and
Blanco
>with calls TOMORROW to ask them to extend this deadline. Otherwise, many
of
>the groups still operating in the state will be forced to leave.Please
>crosspost anywhere and everywhere!
>
>Martha Littlefield (225) 925-3980
>Governor Kathleen Blanco (866) 310-7617; (225) 342-7015; (225) 925-1938.
>
" ... are you familiar with yahoo rescue (so called) transport groups? They post all over them begging for transporters...we try to get to the shelters and convince them NOT to release animals to them ..."
I subscribed to 3 of them to see what was going on. It's still a bit unclear to me. Is this how it works?
(1) Someone posts a "transport needed" message on these yahoo groups for a dog or several dogs.
(2) Some of the people who respond are not legitimate shelters, but they are able to misrepresent themselves based on information collected about specific dogs on these yahoo groups. As a result, they come off sounding credible and the rescue groups hand the animals over to them.
(3) Meanwhile, you and others working with you try to contact the shelter ahead of time to warn them about this scam.
Am I understanding this correctly?
You also said in your earlier post:
"I'm sure we have these things since they are posted to our group which investigates and reports on them."
Which group is this? (If you can't say, that's fine.)
I'm generally a peaceful bird-watchin' tree-hugger, but when it comes to child abuse and animal abuse, well ... I'd like to see how well those sick bastards tolerate pain and suffering.
"Winn Dixie -- same thing...I pulled up to this place to see animals leaving with ANYONE and i mean anyone with four wheels under them."
It would be interesting to do a head count of animals that made it to legitimate shelters. I helped findkatrinapets.com compile the shelter list -- I think there are some missing, but it's the most complete list of shelters that I know of, and for statistical purposes, it may be sufficient data to compare against the number of animals that rescuers claimed to have rescued. I spoke/emailed many shelters, and was always suprised to hear how few dogs they had. Now, after hearing what you all have said, I worry about how many animals have vanished.
This just keeps getting more and more depressing.
25655. update today at tammy's
by palulukon, 10/25/05 5:16 ET
from a volunteer there today, cross posted with permission...several post in a thread on a shelter forum.
Pasado had one volunteer come yesterday, a very young girl named Diane. She was notable to answer questions said she was just a messenger. Kay Jordan asked Kim atPasado over 2 weeks ago to please let a humane society rep go in with them to checkit out because of all the rumors from different groups. Kay was told that it had alreadybeen taken care of and the dogs would be transferred to Tammy Hansen's place.As of about 2 hours ago 3 Pasado people showed up, no dogs can leave yet.Noneof the new kennels are being set up because Tammy will not allow them to. FirstPasado must find the health certificates for proof and wait till Montgomery gets arelease from the judge. Shirley at North Central Humane Society is over seeing thecare of the dogs, if anyone would like to help you can contact them. The dogs arein a horrible place, this is NOT something that just happened and these are not justdogs from Katrina. There was not ONE altered male dog on the place and there wereat least 500 dogs. All pens have several adult dogs and many have a Mom and puppiesin with them. There are close to 150 dogs in crates that have never been out of themsince they arrived there. The garbage and trash and the compressed feces in the pensis something that has been going on for a very long time. There are decomposed bodiesthat have been there longer than Katrina even happened. The whole place smells likerotting flesh as soon as you get in the gate. There are so many mother dogs runningaround with no puppies and many more in pens with them. There are a few that lookclose and probably many more that are not showing yet. This is sad and somethingI never dreamed I would see at such mass numbers. Of the hundreds of dogs therebefore Katrina dogs only a couple may be Pit mix, she was not a Pit rescue at all.She was asked to leave the group from Arkansas that she went to New Orleans withbecause she did not know how to handle the dogs, she lied to them. Where she wentafter she was told to leave them no one knows, but she did go on to bul*sh** others.Tammy had no Pits before Katrina, even Pit rescue in Arkansas never heard of her.
HSUS is going to be there tomorrow. All 3 of the Pasasdoworkers got bit today by their Pits. I am going back Thursday to work.There will be no release of dogs for awhile.
I don't know when the dogs will be released, not in the near future. HSUS will be theretomorrow to work with PA and sheriff's department. PETA is questioning Pasado afterseeing pictures and asking about the posting on their site that are not true and whythey released dogs to this woman after warnings. I am goingback up on Thursday, there were only 6 people to take care of all the dogs today.They found 4 more dead dogs in the woods.
Jaxie
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco and Assistant State Vet Martha Littlefield are refusing to extend the executive order to allow out-of-state veterinarians to practice in the state. Littlefield claims the animal problem is solved, and the state doesn't need outside help anymore -- even though rescuers on the ground are still answering owners' pleas to rescue animals from in and around houses, and thousands of dogs and cats still roam the streets.Please blanket the offices of Littlefield and Blanco with calls TOMORROW to ask them to extend this deadline. Otherwise, many of the groups still operating in the state will be forced to leave.Please crosspost anywhere and everywhere!Martha Littlefield (225) 925-3980Governor Kathleen Blanco (866) 310-7617;(225) 342-7015; (225) 925-1938.
Too bad there are no BEFORE pictures to compare the AFTER pictures to... As some have pointed out a picture is worth a 1000 words. Too bad none of the volunteers who were supposed to inspect the property or dropped off dogs thought to bring along even a disposable camera?!
I'm the 1st to admit that when I read the 1st Pasado's alert I was emotionally upset. Then when I read the other side of the story I was righteously outraged. When I 1st looked at the pictures, I was thoroughly disgusted and sickened. Then I went back and took another long hard look at every picture that I could find posted. I looked at the accumulated trash strewn on the grounds which upon closer inspection seems to be the remains of dog food sacks, cans, and other dog items along with remnants of blankets and bedding. Are there any pictures of "garbage"? I don't recall how many animals are running loose? But I have seen what even ONE big dog can do to when he has an opportunity to "get into the garbage for even 10 minutes"!
I'm not defending Tammy or any of the rescue groups because I was not nor am not there to see with my own eyes, but this may very well turn out to be a "tail of two tails".
The bigger picture right now is that the Katrina animals arrived in very large numbers (for even the most well staffed and best equipped animal shelters) from MORE than one rescue group and were subsequently left in their transport cages for days and days with little or no food, water, or apparent adequate care or shelter.
Was the Sheriff's department right to step in? YES, we all only wish they would have acted sooner! Did Tammy intentionally set out to mistreat these animals? Were the animals previously in her care neglected or abused?! Perhaps this is a case where there is more than enough blame AND regrets to go around for everyone involved!!
And obviously Katrina is going to be claiming victims and further disrupting lives for months and sadly months to come....
Can we help these animals? WE MUST! Can we learn from these mistakes?? WE MUST!! Can we also take this opportunity to stand up and take action to start trying to right ALL the wrongs done to poor innocent animals everywhere, whether they are Katrina pets or not?! WE MUST.... Support the legislation being introduced into Congress for animal evacuation plans in times of disaster. Volunteer at your local shelter, adopt or foster a homeless creature, donate in memory of a beloved pet to an animal charity in your area, find out what items the shelters may need (even old blankets and towels or newspaper for bedding is usually welcome, call... do they need food or litter, take your children or grandchildren with you), sponsor an animal, get involved, speak up... do you know of an animal that is being abused or neglected, puppymills, dog fighting?? These loyal loving creatures are silent victims, we all need to be their advocates. We all need to stand up and be heard. We need to stop looking the other way. In the end we all need to be held accountable...
Let us all work together for the best outcome for "these" dogs and for ALL the Katrina pets, and for ALL "lost and forgotten and unwanted and unseen" animals everywhere.
I have supported Psado and will continue to do so. I have stated before that I do not agree with some of their tactics though. The Pasado website letter states they onyl sent 50 animals to Tammy and that other groups need to step up to the plate and reclaim their charges-I agree....my questions is if Pasado only sent 50 animals why did they purchase $11,000 worth of kennels for just 50 animals?....if they didn't know this shelter wasn't up to par?
I saw this woman at Winn Dixie picking up dogs while I was working in the triage area. This happened during week #2 after the hurricane. She left Winn Dixie with a trailer and truck full of dogs.
My point is that there are more groups than Pasodo that are responsible for this mess, however it seems that they are the only group being called on the carpet for it.
winn Dixie, Mutt Shack gave animals to this person as well but I don't see them taking their share of the responsibility.
I too was outraged when I read of the Arkansas incident and certainly didn't understand how Pasado's could have sent dogs there, but like another said on here. Everyone needs to settle down amd concentrate on doing the right thing for the dogs.
When Katrina hit, I was torn as to what organization to donate what funds I had to give. I chose Pasado for many good reasons. They are a four star charity, kept their website updated to keep people informed, didn't ask for more than the could use etc. etc. etc. Pasado is a small organization in comparison to the rest and has done an amazing amount of work.
One thing I've learned with life experience is you can do 1000 things right and make a screw up one time and it becomes a huge issue.
A big issue for me with these thousands of pets being transportated to shelter/rescues etc. throughout the nation is that the majority, from what I can tell, are being sent unaltered. What plans have been made to see they are altered? I haven't seen one thing written about that. Seems to me that that's one of the "roots" of the problem in the first place.
HSUS requires these animals to be spayed or neutered before returning them to owners or adopting out....
...added to comment above,the group who takes these animals are responsible to seeing the altering does get done-they signed an agreement when they took the animals in....now is anyone going to follow up?Probably not.
Tammy never ever let anyone into her place ,not even deliverymen who brought the famous 11000 dollars worth of crates, and anyone who says they saw it is either lying, blind or Tammy!
Eric - we were just two of the volunteers helping care for those sweet pit bulls for a week at Pasado's. I feel like a betrayor and betrayed at the same time, it's horrible. Pasado's has much to answer for, but I am trying to find out where these dogs are really going next. Any ideas? One rumor said forpitssake in Grass Valley was going to take them, if so, we can help these dogs again since we live in No Ca. I emailed their info@forpitssake.com but no word, they're probably buried. If you have any idea, pls advise.
i guess i missed org. message- it sounds like we have alot of rescuers that rescue and dont really care to have happy endings am i right? so what is the purpose are they getting fema money or just donations or what is it just the glory? some sorta strange mental syndrome?(i am not joking - like that munchhowser however ya spell it syndrome - ) this is crazy - but we have the same thing going on here, i got banned from our shelter (ha) because someone forwarded me an email about a dog(poodle not pit) from chalmette (totally underwater vet clinic, animal control, and the owner s home) and our shelter wanted her to have either pict - akc papers, or vet papers... ok so like this lady evacuated w/ 2 hadicapped relatives, 2 pits, 1 poodle, a bird, her daughter , her husband, and no shoes - darn she didnt think to grab the akc poodle papers.... by the way she is a hospice nurse, her husband is a st bernard parish police off. - so i did step in i was furious - so i did threaten actually i did consult an attorney for her and myself - and went down to caddo animal control here and told them some things i took off work had to drive to alex, la to meet w/ the owner drive her back to shreveport (north la ) then id the dog which jump'd out of it's cage... and do you know they had audacity to tell her to be sure and put tags on her... that is it - no we're sorry about how we reacted - supposedly they are concerned for pet going to wrong owner... actually it's more like we dont care about if they go to any owner.... which is crazy take a drivers license, or some sorta tracking number, 2 personal references... and then find where they live now and tell them we follow up in 2 weeks 4 later etc etc... this was not some pitbull. which la is notorious for stealing and fighting... these dogs are suffering because some people dont have enough sense or whatever. i just have to wonder is there some sort of money deal going on... like our shelter will receive money for each pet "they " reunite w/ owner... anyway sorry to ramble. but ITS GOING ON EVERYWHERE. I accepted no money, favors etc. for this... i just want to help and i want to stop the exploitation of these animals and the owners... alot of people do not understand Louisianaians? it is a different world down here... doesnt mean they dont love their pets... it is just very different. i am sure you can attest to this now. kathleen
To Bad Shelters Who Play God
We are neither stupid nor amused….
1. We are an army of volunteers, several hundred-strong, working long hours, often giving up sleep, free time and often even income to help Katrina victims find and be reunited with their pets.
2. When we call your shelter to question why your Katrina animals are being adopted early - a couple of months before the December deadline - please don't tell us that all the animals that you took in from New Orleans were "owner surrendered." If everyone claiming to have brought back owner-surrendered animals is to be believed, then mathematically only a few hundred animals were actually left behind to be rescued. Please don’t be offended when we ask you to provide proof that the animals were really owner surrendered. And please don't tell us that that is private or classified information. You are an animal shelter, not the CIA.
3. Along the same lines, when we call your shelter, after days and sometimes weeks worth of work locating a specific animal, please don’t treat us as if we are Cruella DeVille. We introduce ourselves as volunteers working to locate pets lost or missing in the system and if we believe we have found a pet at your facility, please try to at least pretend to be happy at the possibility of a reunion, much as the kennel manager at the Indianapolis Humane Society was when I called last week to say that she had a cat that had disappeared in the system. We don’t get moments like that every day, yet we continue to do this work day in and day out.
4. Along the same lines, we appreciate it when you are careful about giving away too much information to a potential owner over the phone. But there is a difference between being careful (none of us want you to give away someone’s pet to a person claiming to be the owner) and being extremely defensive, which is what many of us have encountered when speaking with shelter staff and volunteers.
5. Pertaining to # 3 and 4 above, many of us are also working with “official organizations” (Pet Detective, Best Friends, Alley Cat Allies, Petfinder, etc) so if you want to waste more time and check up on us, that is ok. But realize that the one thing we all have in common is a strong desire to see these animals reunited as quickly as possible. Per the Guidelines* of the ASPCA, the HSUS and the State Vet of Louisiana, we hope and expect that you will find good foster homes for these animals now through December 31st and be cooperative with our efforts to return them to their Gulf Coast owners. *I’ve attached a copy in case you were not previously notified.
6. Since you are the one that have the animals, please post photos on Petfinder or post better photos than the ones that may have been taken at Lamar Dixon. There is no excuse to not have good, clear photos of these animals on Petfinder, Petharbor and FidoFinder/TabbyTracker.
www.fidofinder.com and www.tabbytracker.com are great sites for posting found animals because when the owner registers the animal as lost, they get an email notification to check out any found animals that match the description. Each of the three sites has features that the other two don’t have so it is best to list them on all three. If you don’t have the staff or volunteers to do this, please contact me right away with the name and location of your shelter, and I will find a volunteer in your area to take photos and do the postings to these sites.
7. If an animal was abused, neglected, or used in a puppy mill or to fight, then by all means find it a new owner. Otherwise, please don’t make judgments about whether or not these animals deserve to be returned to their owners. Unless you have ever lived in a hurricane-prone area; have been poor, elderly or disabled; were forced to evacuate against your will and watched as a stranger in a uniform took away your pet; floated in debris-filled flood waters for 5 days with your dog; or any of the many other reasons why so many pets were left behind, don’t judge, condemn or play God. And don’t assume that because someone did not spay or neuter their pet that they are an un-fit pet owner. I won’t go off on a tangent here on understanding and appreciating cultural differences, but please do not assume that they loved their pets less than you love yours.
8. PLEASE stop re-naming these animals “Katrina” or “Hurricane.”
I'm trying to locate 2 dogs I rescued and brought to Winn Dixie. Both were brought in the night of October 11th. They might have been transported to EDNAH in Arkansas. One is a small black female Pit Bull. She looks pregnant. The other dog was a female Golden Retriever Mix around 6-8 mths old. If you think you know where they might be, PLEASE CONTACT Michelle Reid with Animal Rescue & Relief at (843)817-2367 or arrinc@yahoo.com.
WinnDixie transported their dogs out (along with Humane LA) of EDNAH Sunday night 10/30 to Tylertown. Try to contact Kelly Engel there as she was helping out at EDNAH as well.
well the dogs are all gone from ednah, and pasado asked to be paid for the pens they had said were going to be donated and they never came back and offered the help they said they would, they just disappeared back to the northwest i guess and got busy covering their butt and have not had a word on their site about ednah and their friend Tammy since. Good riddance to folks who threaten anyone who questions them and fail to keep their word about anything.The only good thing about their screwup is that it brought national attention to the hoarding problem and to their friend Tammy so the problem got cleaned up and hopefull their pal will not be able to start up again in Arkansas or anywhere else. No animal deserves that kind of fate. With any luck the court system will see that she gets what she deserves.
I agree, I just got a picyure of my Great Dane Clyde Voebel being escued by boat. a NOLA potogrspher took the pic, months ago. I'm 100% disable Vetran. I spent 2 days and a night with my dogs in the water. As an X Navy idiot and 1st class swimmer I tryed to build a raft. got bit by a cotton moth snake, but still kept going. The 2nd day after We slept on top of my buick, with my Great dane and bonnie frmale rott/mix. I was waiting for the pumps to turn on and the water to go down. I counted the bricks to the light fixture, by morning of the 2nd day I kept seeing the water rising approx a 1/2 hight am hour. By the time I decided to swim for the raft in the back yard the water was over 8-9 ft deep.
I tryed to shove clyde on to it @ 160lbs and many underwater pushes, I could not get him on it. I cryed hollered, took the metal controll collar off him and told him to swimm for it. I last saw im swimming twards the railroad tracks brtwen canal blvd and marconi dr. At least he learned to swimm the first day.and he also would get into small busshy/trees that would hold him up. I Know he made it.... and someone probally thinks I dont deserve him... He was amd still is my best buddy I ever had. He didn't even know he was a dog... I pray every night for him and his return. I'm in montgomery Al in an apartment with my daughters cats (ours now)you can see his pics the night/next morning of the flood. He has a sugical scar on his top right back that runns against the lay of his fur. is more sheppardly looking in the face (one of his manny nick names) I wat to thank Tina in Astraillia and especially Jenny for helping me track him down. All the folk who went down to the Hell Hole of New Orleans are Heros in my book. It was overwelming and still is, as my last visit I found bonnie on the oppisiteside of the house DEAD. Mself and daughters burried her and had a good cry. At least there was closure. I'm still roaming the internet too 3-4 am every night looking for clyde. you can google search clyde voebel to see him. Though the reports os of chalmett deptuty shooting dogs and cats for the fun of it... is true... he is bein protected by the sherriff, Nice sociopath Jeffery Dahaneresque Deptuy. He should suffer the same fate... and his name is not un known. Politicians in Louisiana are the sleezyest of the sleeze... This whole thing would not of happened if it wasent for third world chronisum in Louisiana. The Federal Government should make New Orleans a FEDERAL CITY, Pass Public Trust Laws, and the violators, should go to ANGOLA Prison not club fed. Like the new orleans school board staling 70-80 million dollars from the children of New Orleans. So they can wear 3000$ suits 10K of Jewlery and drive 50K cars while the schools bathrooms are worse than of Parish Prision. Corruption isn so rampat there... they even got to army corps of engeers to use substandard and shorter pilings on the 17th stret canal. I personally saw them being driven in and the were no longer than 13". NOT 17 who got the kick back on the cheeper material?? The Cowarads who ran instead of manning their pumping stations.... and the officials who did not have the courage to send them to do their duty should be Hung in public (pay for view) in stead of main stream media SPINN.... They no not what it means when you take an oath... More Human and animal deaths occured because of their lack of LEADERSHIP. Those deaths are on their souls forever... as mine for not swimming off with Clyde. Black white green blue...a bigot is a bigot deston for hell...
For the Kind souls who came to our aid you just cant see the angle wings on their backs. God the great maker of all sees all after all his name backwards is DOG.
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