Please see the story below, this was given to me to get out to the public, various organizations and individuals are responsible for putting this together. We need to get this story out on a National Level, maybe even world news! Time and time again these dogs are simply swept under the rug by our governments, instead of evaluating each dog on a case by case basis, allowing any animal to languish in pain is not alright by me! These dogs were let down, and now its time for all of us to make sure they are given a fair chance at a real life in loving homes. Please share this story on the web and via email. Let’s get out there! Please do not for get to write your letters, having sympathy is not enough, it only takes a few minutes with the sample letter provided in this post and on the Facebook page (MC QUAD WILL DIE WITHOUT YOUR HELP) They have all the documentation I have provided here and they know all the facts. Please do not let these poor dogs fall through the cracks of a broken system of justice for animals!
The STORY
By DixieCrosspost In March of this year authorities got a tip about a dog fight that was going to take place in Raisinville, Michigan (Monroe County). They raided the property the night of the dog fight, however the dog fight had already taken place. People where inside and outside of the home when the authorities arrived which lead to a foot chase of the many 26 suspects. The person who was on the rental agreement for the house,”happened” to be away for the weekend leaving her boyfriend at the home. Upon entering the home, authorities found two pit bulls
(Sid Vicious and Maximum Punishment) in horrible shape in the basement from the 2+ hour fight, but still alive. Also found in the home were two pets, a Pomeranian name Little P and an Old English Bulldog name Morgan. All four of these animals were taken to Monroe County Animal Control (MCAC). At that time Trina Stillwagon from the Monroe SPCA offered to vet the two injured animals involved in the fight and was denied to provide this service. THESE TWO DOGS WERE LEFT TO DIE OF THEIR INJURIES WITH NO VET CARE AT ALL PROVIDED TO THEM. NOR WHERE THEY OFFERED TO BE HUMANELY EUTHANIZED. THEY DIED A LONG AND SUFFERING DEATH ON A COLD CEMENT FLOOR.
News Story Video: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/monroe-county-dog-fighting-ring-busted;-dozens-arrested
The following morning Trina from Monroe SPCA got a call that there were dogs still on the property that were NOT taken into custody. Trina was shocked when she got to the property and found back in the fields several dogs. One was found already dead and emaciated out at a stream. Another dog in a dog house fighting for his life (Marvin) and four other emaciated dogs on chains (Razzle, Dusty, Monroe and
Reilly). Trina once again offered to provide the animals vet care and was refused. These dogs also were taken to Monroe County Animal Control, where MARVIN WOULD DIE TEN DAYS LATER, ASSUMING ONCE AGAIN HE WAS NOT PROVIDED
MEDICAL TREATMENT. MCAC WOULD NOT TELL ANYONE HOW OR WHAT HE DIED FROM. This is where things get sticky. There is only one case in Michigan that dogs found on the property of dog fighting have been allowed to live. Michigan Humane Society in Detroit
would like everyone to believe that Michigan Law states the dogs MUST DIE because they have to much game in them. This is NOT TRUE, which has been confirmed by two of the legislators who helped write the bill. Michigan Law Regarding This: http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusmi750_49.htm
Trina started working with the Prosecutors office (William Paul Nichols) quickly to try and save these dogs from a certain death. Looking up case law and such to show him these dogs also have rights. While working with them she asked The Buster Foundation if they would be able to take the dogs if she could save them, which they agreed. Trina stated that all was going well until Prosecutor Nichols suggested that Little P and Morgan be returned to the women who was living in the home where the dog fighting took place. Trina explained to him that she did not care if these two dogs were Pit Bull or not, none of the animals should be returned to this women, who by the way was NEVER CHARGED OF ANY CRIMES. She claimed she did not know dog fighting was taking place at her home. Once the argument began over the return of these two non-Pit Bull dogs, the fight began and all communication was cut short. Since the Monroe County Sheriff was in charge of MCAC, Trina tried with no luck to try and save the dogs by going to him. The Sheriff also refused to communicate. She then found out that the Sheriff and one of the Monroe County Commissioners was PUSHING TO HAVE THE DOGS EUTHANIZED AND THIS IS WHEN THE COURT BATTLE BEGAN.
From that point on both Monroe SPCA and The Buster Foundation have been fighting to get custody of the dogs with the help of attorney’s Tracy Thomas and Beth Wickwire. The first Judge assigned to this case was a visiting judge by the name of Judge Collins. A verbal order was given that The Buster Foundation would be allowed to evaluate the dogs and if found adoptable could take them and place them. They
went to do temperament testing on the dogs on May 6, 2011. On Monday May 9, 2011 they came to see the dogs again and this is what was found. There are several videos on this so please watch them all: Please note that Trina ask ACO officer Brett Ramos how are the dogs doing at the beginning while signing in. He does not indicate that any of the dogs has been injured: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znsiVL6Y24M&feature=autoplay&list=ULfAspgffA-qI&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=1
Trina shocked, not believing this is one of the same dogs (dog in event pic is Monroe) and is asking ACO officers Bridgette Haymes and Brett Raymos what happened to the dog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6FBJ7th1qk&feature=BFa&list=ULznsiVL6Y24M&lf=mfu_in_order
Trina takes ACO officer back out to talk about what happened to Monroe. Please note that when Trina asked him what the substance was all over the dogs head and back, he replies “I had Nothing to do with it”. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVWna7nyTko&feature=BFa&list=UL24FPtDgJt_U&lf=mfu_in_order
Trina tells them she will pay for vetting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24FPtDgJt_U&feature=BFa&list=ULEVEQ6rL4IDY&lf=mfu_in_order
At this point the MCAC employees have admitted that the dog was injured from trying to break through the fence on Friday after they had left. The dog has had no medical treatment for his injuries in three days and Trina has figured out that the stuff on top of Monroe LOOKS AND SMELLS LIKE SEPTIC WASTE. In other words, FECAL MATTER FROM TOILETS FLUSHING INTO A WASTE SITE. SHE GOES BACK INTO THE OFFICE AND WANTS TO TAKE MONROE TO THEIR VET, SHE IS REFUSED BY DIRECTOR BENSON who is on the phone
now with ACO officer Bridgette Haymes. TRINA ASKS IF MCAC PERSONNEL CAN TAKE MONROE TO THE VET, DIRECTOR BENSON SAYS NO! AFTER MUCH ARGUMENT, DIRECTOR BENSON STATES THEY MUST BRING VET TO MONROE. NOW THEY FIND ANOTHER DOG (REILLY) IS ALSO INJURED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVEQ6rL4IDY&feature=BFa&list=UL24FPtDgJt_U&lf=mfu_in_order
AT THIS POINT THINGS ARE LOOKING SPECIOUS BECAUSE MCAC HAVE NO ANSWERS WHY REILLY IS INJURED AND IT LOOKS LIKE A STAB WOUND TO HIM. THEY ALSO NOTICE THAT REILLY HAS THE SAME STINKY, STICKY SUBSTANCE POURED ALL OVER HIM AS WELL.
Trina on the phone taking action while the assistance gets Monroe out into the sun because he is
shaking: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrhBjCqi878&feature=autoplay&list=ULEVEQ6rL4IDY&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=1
TRINA ASKED MCAC IF THEY CAN START CLEANING THE STUFF THAT WAS POURED ON THEM AND WOUNDS. SHE IS
OFFERED A RUSTY OLD SPICKIT WITH NOTHING BUT BROWN RUSTY WATER COMING OUT OF IT. TRINA SAID WATER IS NASTY AND ASKS TO USE THE WATER IN THE FACILITY, SHE IS REFUSED TO TREAT THE DOGS IN THE BUILDING. TRINA SENDS SOMEONE TO THE STORE TO GET THE ITEMS SHE NEEDS TO START CLEANING THE DOGS. THE VET OF RECORD IS CALLED
AND HE EVENTUALLY MAKES IT OUT AND GIVES MONROE AND REILLY A SHOT OF STEROIDS FOR THE SWELLING AND STARTS THEM ON ANTIBIOTICS.
Margret from The Buster Foundation comes out to help film the injuries for the judge and to clean the dogs up. This is Monroe’s film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xah4WfdH2M&feature=autoplay&list=ULVrhBjCqi878&lf=mfu_in_order&playnext=2
Filming of Reilly’s
injury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30ikNs7rarM&feature=BFa&list=ULM1dG2IvEs7A&lf=mfu_in_order
Walking and checking out Dusty and Razzle and cleaning of Monroe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1dG2IvEs7A&feature=BFa&list=UL4TPls_ee0WI&lf=mfu_in_order
Continue cleaning of Monroe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TPls_ee0WI&feature=BFa&list=ULM1dG2IvEs7A&lf=mfu_in_order
Cleaning of Reilly’s wounds: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOgU9wgLZvE&feature=BFa&list=UL4TPls_ee0WI&lf=mfu_in_order
The attorneys went to the judge and the dogs were then ordered to The Buster Foundation. The judge also put a GAG ORDER ON THE CASE AND NO ONE INVOLVED WITH THE CASE WAS ALLOWED TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.
One of the board members of the Buster Foundation has a training and boarding facility. Since The Buster Foundation had no fosters available at the time, plus two of them required special attention, they felt this was the best place for them to be. The person who owns and runs this facility found Monroe the following morning in bad shape and labored breathing. He was rushed to the vet and treated.
MONROE WAS AT DEATHS DOOR AND NURSED BACK TO HEALTH BY THIS BOARD MEMBER, TRINA AND THE OTHERS AT BUSTER FOUNDATION. In the mean time they also got Reilly further treatment at the vet. REILLY WAS FOUND TO HAVE A TWO INCH GASH ON HIS REAR LEG THAT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE BONE. TRINA COUNTED OVER 53 PUNCTURE WOUNDS ON HIS BODY. THE VET EXAMINED THE WOUNDS AND FOUND THEM TO BE PERFECTLY SYMMETRICAL AND CIRCULAR IN SHAPE AND SIZE. NOT CONSISTENT TO THAT OF A DOG BITE. HIS REAR LEG APPEARED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH A KNIFE WOUND. HE WAS ALSO
FOUND TO BE HEARTWORM POSITIVE AND TREATMENT WAS STARTED FOR THAT AS WELL. WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO
THESE DOGS WHILE IN THE CARE OF MCAC? THEY SHERIFF HAS REFUSED TO ANSWER. Trina began also working on getting a rescue to please help Little P. and Morgan. She did find two rescues that offered to take them, HOWEVER ONCE AGAIN THE MCAC WAS REFUSINGTO TURN THEM OVER. Then later that month, Prosecutor Michael Brown took them back to court ASKING THE JUDGE TO EUTHANIZE DUSTY, REILLY, RAZZLE AND MONROE, STATING THAT VISITING JUDGE COLLINS HAD NO AUTHORITY TO MAKE THE DECISION TO AWARD THE DOG TO THE BUSTER FOUNDATION. Although, Judge LeBeau did agree that Judge Collins did not have the authority to make that decision, he stated the case had to go back to district court to be heard again. In the mean time, Judge LeBeau stated the dogs could stay where they were at. The case was then assigned to Judge Vitale who made the final decision on the dogs after hearing
testimony from The Buster Foundations five expert witnesses. All stating the dogs had useful purpose and did not pose a threat to the community. He also heard from the prosecutions one and only expert witness, Dr. Katherine Houpt. While testimony was going on, one of the expert witnesses was in fact the board member that was housing the dogs and caring for them. All of the sudden he had the city knocking on his door and revoking his boarding license. He had some arguments with the city in regards to fire hydrants and there placements, however never anything that would cause them to revoke his license out of the blue. This was the first of MANY unethical behaviors that took place while this case has been going. No matter what this person did to get his boarding license back, the city refused. Then shortly after this took place, MCAC asked to look over his kennels and check on the dogs. This person asked if they had any type of court order asking to view the kennels and dogs, their reply was no. So he told them to get off the property and come back with an order to do so. The next thing you know, JUDGE VITALE ORDERED THE DOGS TO BE REMOVED FROM THE BUSTER FOUNDATION AND BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE MCAC, WHERE THEY WERE NOT GIVEN THE MEDICAL TREATMENT AND HAD BEEN HARMED PREVIOUSLY. STILL UNDER GAG ORDER, NONE OF THIS COULD BE MADE PUBLIC! WHILE THE PROSECUTOR UNDER THE SAME GAG ORDER WENT ON TO MAKE A TELEVISION APPEARANCE WITH THE LOCAL NEWS STATION CITING THE DOGS WERE DANGEROUS DOGS AND BRAGGING ABOUT HIS WONDERFUL EXPERT WITNESS DR. KATHERINE HOUPT. THIS MY FINE PEOPLE, WAS CONTEMPT OF COURT ON THE PROSECUTORS PART. UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR DURING A COURT CASE FROM THE PROSECUTOR. HERE IS THE VIDEO OF HIS INTERVIEWED DATED JULY 5, 2011 PRIOR TO THE VERDICT AND RELEASE OF THE GAG ORDER JULY 13, 2011: http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/28455393/index.html
On July 13th, 2011, Judge Jack Vitale of the Monroe County, Michigan ordered 3 pit bulls to be euthanized, siting they “lack useful purpose and pose a threat to public safety” The Prosecution’s expert, Dr. Katherine Houpt, gave testimony based on her temperament evaluations of the dogs. The Buster Foundation & Monroe SPCA do not feel Dr. Houpt’s testimony was representative of the evaluations themselves. JUDGE JACK VITALE SAID HE GAVE THE MOST WEIGHT TO THIS TESTIMONY BECAUSE HE LIKED KATHRINE HOUPT’S CREDENTIALS. THE BUSTER FOUNDATION ALSO HAD AN EXPERT WITNESS THAT HAD THE SAME DEGREE AS DR. KATHERINE HOUPT AND
GRADUATED FROM MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY. HER EXPERTISE IS IN DOG FIGHTING DOGS. DR. KATHRINE HOUPTS SPECIALIZES IN CATS AND HORSES. HERE IS THE TEMPERAMENT TESTING DR. KATHERINE HOUPT DID. MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS VIDEO ALREADY OF DUSTY, HERE IT IS AGAIN. THE TEMPERAMENT TESTING BY KATHRINE HOUPT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71LDOtro0sE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puikWsi4KzU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQBGdJKJomQ&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfYUsN6VRAw&feature=related
AT ONE POINT DR. HOUPT ADMITTED TO BEING FEARFUL OF THE DOGS. HOW CAN YOU GIVE AN UNBIASED DECISION IF YOU HAVE FEAR? WE ALSO HAVE PHOTO EVIDENCE THAT THE DOG USED TO TEST TEMPERAMENT AROUND OTHER DOGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INQUARANTINE. THE DOG HAS PATCHES OF FUR MISSING ALL OVER HER BODY, WHICH APPEARS TO BE MANGE.
The Buster Foundation Pit Bull Education and Rescue has set up a chip in to help these dogs.
http://www.chipin.com/contribute/id/50f0040fa9930939
THERE ARE MANY MORE VIDEOS OF THE OTHERS DOGS, HOWEVER AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE CLEANING OF THE OTHER
TWO DOGS WOUNDS, DO YOU THINK THEY ARE OF BAD TEMPERAMENT? MORE TESTING CAN BE SUPPLIED UPON REQUEST OR FEEL FREE TO LOOK UP ON YOUTUBE. RAZZLE WAS AWARDED TO THE BUSTER FOUNDATION BY THE JUDGE. A PROTEST WAS HELD ABOUT THIS DECISION IN JULY. See Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrIDTHEQqCk AND SHORTLY AFTER THE
PROTEST, THE PROSECUTOR THEN TOOK THE BUSTER FOUNDATION AND MONROE SPCA BACK TO COURT STATING THEY WERE IN CONTEMPT OF COURT, FOR RELEASING THE VIDEO OF THE TEMPERAMENT TESTING. STATING THEY BROKE THE GAG ORDER. THE VIDEOS WERE NOT POSTED UNTIL AFTER THE DECISION ON THE DOGS CASE WAS DECIDED. JUDGE VITALE FOR
THE FIRST TIME THROUGHOUT THIS CASE SIDE FOR US. HE TOLD THE PROSECUTOR THAT WE WERE FREE AT THAT TIME TO PRACTICE OUR 1ST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. GAG ORDER WAS LIFTED THE DAY HE MADE THE DECISION. RIGHT AFTER THAT
DECISION WAS MADE. THE BOARD MEMBER OF THE BUSTER FOUNDATION THAT HAD HOUSED THE DOGS AND CARED FOR THEM, WHILE IN THE CARE OF BUSTER FOUNDATION. HE GOT A KNOCK ON THE DOOR FROM CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. STATING THAT SOMEONE HAD REPORTED THAT HE ENDANGERED HIS CHILDREN BY ALLOWING THEM TO BE NEAR DOG
FIGHTING DOGS. SINCE THIS CASE WAS UNDER GAG ORDER AND NO ONE KNEW THE DOGS WERE BEING HOUSED AT THIS LOCATION, OTHER THEN THE RESCUE GROUPS INVOLVED IN THE CASE AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE COURT HEARINGS. THEN WHO WAS THE ANONYMOUS CALL TO REPORT THIS TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES??? IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS HARASSMENT OF A WITNESS. COME ON, WHO WOULD HAVE REPORTED HIM ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS? THIS OF COURSE IS ALL SPECULATION ON MY PART. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN HEARING YOUR OPINION. AN APPEAL HAS BEEN FILED FOR THE RELEASE OF MONROE, DUSTY AND REILLY. IN THE MEAN TIME THE BUSTER FOUNDATION HAS ATTEMPTED TO SEE THE DOGS AND PROVIDE THEM THE MEDICATION THEY NEED. HERE IS THE RESPONSE ON VIDEO THAT THEY RECEIVED FROM MCAC ON THE DAY THEY WERE ALLOWED THEM TO PICK UP RAZZLE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAspgffA-qI&feature=BFa&list=ULaOgU9wgLZvE&lf=mfu_in_order
REFUSING A COURT ORDER, ONCE AGAIN, CONTEMPT OF COURT ON BEHALF OF DIRECTOR BENSON OF MCAC AND THE MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE COMMISSIONERS AT THE LAST TWO COMMISSIONERS MEETING. THE COMMISSIONERS STATE THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY OVER WHAT THE SHERIFF DOES. THE COMMISSIONERS REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND THE SHERIFF WAS ELECTED IN BY THE PEOPLE, SO WHY DO THEY NOT HAVE AUTHORITY? THEY ALSO CONTROL THE FUNDS TO THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, AND THEY HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO TELL HIM WHAT TO DO? THE COMMISSIONERS ASKED THE SHERIFF TO COME TO A PUBLIC FORM TO ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TREATMENT OF THE DOGS, AND HE REFUSED. THE COMMISSIONERS ASKED HIM TO MEET PRIVATELY TO ANSWER THESE SAME QUESTIONS. HE STATED THAT DUE TO THE COURT CASE HE CANNOT. I AM NOT INVOLVED WITH THE COURT CASE. THEREFORE, PROVIDING FOR PAWS WILL NOW BE ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS FOR A SIT DOWN WITH THE SHERIFF AFTER I SHOW THEM THE VIDEO OF MONROE AT THE NEXT MEETING. AT THE FIRST COMMISSIONERS MEETING, IT WAS TOLD TO US THAT LITTLE P. AND MORGAN ARE NO LONGER IN THE CARE OF MCAC. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? THEY ARE NOW UNACCOUNTED FOR. WERE THE GIVEN BACK TO THE WOMEN WHO HAD DOG FIGHTING GOING ON AT HER HOME? WHY WEREN’T THEY GIVEN TO THE RESCUE GROUPS THAT WANTED THEM?
The Buster Foundation Pit Bull Education and Rescue;
While I love the bully breeds, they are not for everyone. With ownership of these dogs comes a great deal of responsibility – ethically, morally and legally. Understand that regular exercise, constant supervision, obedience and consistency are mandatory. For most, the pit bull is too high energy and more work than the typical family might be ready to commit to. I
urge anyone who may be interested in adding a bully breed dog to their family to educate themselves on all and every aspect of the breed before making the decision to adopt. I myself have been an advocate for the pit bull breed for well over ten years, owning three of my own as well as a three-legged American Bulldog, and fostering countless others over the years. I have yet to find another breed that is as beautiful, devoted, and intelligent as the pit bull.
SEE more at:
http://thebusterfoundation.rescuegroups.org/info/
A COURT HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 TO ASK FOR A TEMPORARY RELEASE OF THE DOGS TO THE BUSTER FOUNDATION UNTIL THE APPEALS PROCESS IS DECIDED. THE HEARING WILL BE AT 9:00 AM IN JUDGE COSTELLO’S CHAMBERS ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE MONROE COUNTY COURT HOUSE;
106 E FIRST STREET
MONROE, MI 48161
PHONE: 734-240-7050
FAX: 734-240-7056
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND
THAT THE COURT HEARINGS REALLY DOES NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE ABUSE THAT
WENT ON WITH MONROE AND REILLY. COURT HEARINGS ARE FOR CUSTODY OF THE DOGS AND
TO BE APPOINTED AS ADVOCATE WHILE THE COURT HEARING IS GOING ON. THE APPEAL IS
ABOUT; DO THE DOGS SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE AND ARE THEY A DANGER TO PUBLIC
SAFETY. THIS IS WHY WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO WRITE LETTERS REGARDING THE
ABUSE THAT TOOK PLACE WHILE IN THE CARE OF MCAC.
MICHIGAN OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CRIMINAL DIVISION 303 WEST GRAND BLVD. DETROIT, MI 48202
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ATT: LACEY BARNETT AND
DR. MICHELLE SHALOW
P.O. BOX 30017
LANSING, MI 48909
MICHIGAN STATE POLICE
ATT: LT. DAN PEKRUL OR
CAPT. MCGAFFIGAN
1 ST DISTRICT
HEADQUARTERS
7119 N. CANAL ROAD
LANSING, MI 48913
MONROE STATE POLICE DEPARTMENT
ATT; POST COMMANDER LT.
CUEVAS
300 Jones Ave. Monroe,
MI 48161
Telephone: (734)
242-3500 Fax: (734) 242-8928
MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
BUHL BUILDING
535 GRISWOLD
SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MI 48226
HONRABLE JACK VITALE
(DECIDED FATE OF DOGS AND PLACED THEM BACK IN HARMS WAY TO THE NEGLECT AND ABUSE)
PHONE: 734-240-7075
FAX: 734-240-7098
106 E FIRST STREET
MONROE, MI 48161
HONRABLE JOSEPH A.
COSTELLO (IS OUR APPEALS JUDGE)
PHONE: 734-240-7050
FAX: 734-240-7056
106 E FIRST STREET
MONROE, MI 48161
PROSECUTOR THAT PUSHED FOR THIS CASE:
Monroe County Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney: Michael Brown and William Nichols
125 E. Second Street
Monroe, Michigan 48161
Phone: (734)240-7600
Fax: (734)240-7601
MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF CRUTCHFIELD ALSO PUSHED FOR DOGS TO DIE. HE ALSO REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS OR
FOLLOW COURT ORDERS.
(734) 240-7700
100 E 2nd St, Monroe,
MI 48161
HERE IS THE LINK TO THE
COUNTY DIRECTORY: http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/docs/Dir_2011.pdf
ON PAGE TEN OF THE PDF FILE YOU WILL FIND A LIST OF COMMISSIONERS. IF YOU LIVE OUT OF STATE, PLEASE WRITE POLITE LETTERS (HAD COMPLAINTS FROM COMMISSIONERS, THEY DID NOT LIKE THE NASTY LETTERS THEY HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN) IF YOU LIVE IN OR NEAR THIS AREA, PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING. CAR POOL IF YOU LIVE FURTHER AWAY. IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND, PLEASE WRITE THEM. DEMAND JUSTICE AND THE RELEASE OF THESE ANIMALS AND FOR ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTIONS AS TO THEIR INJURIES AND MEDICAL TREATMENT.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES:
-55th House District-
Hon. Rick Olson
S09890 House Office
Building
P. O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: 517.373.1792
Fax: 517.373.7757
E-mail:
rickolson@house.mi.gov
-56th House District-
Hon. Dale Zorn
N0990 House Office
Building
P. O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: 517.373.2617
Fax: 517.373.5782
Email: dalewzorn@house.mi.gov
-State Senator-
Hon. Randy Richardville
P. O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: 517.373.3543
Toll Free: 866-556-7917
Fax: 517.373.0927
E-mail:
senrichardville@senate.michigan.gov
-Governor-
Hon. Rick Snyder
P. O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
Telephone: 517.373.3400
Fax: 517.335.6863
-Attorney General-
Hon. Bill Schuette
G. Mennen Williams
Building 7th Floor
P. O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48918
Toll Free: 877.765.8388
Fax: 517.373.3042
E-mail:
miag@michigan.gov
FEDERAL
REPRESENTATIVES:
Hon. Carl M. Levin
U. S. Senate 269
Russell Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Telephone: 202.224.6221
Fax: 202.224.1388
E-mail:
senator@levin.senate.gov
Hon. Debbie Stabenow
U. S. Senate 133 Hart
Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Telephone: 202.224.4822
E-mail:
senator@stabenow.senate.gov
ALL OF THE ADDRESSES LISTED ABOVE CAN BE FOUND ON THE COUNTY DIRECTORY:
http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/docs/Dir_2011.pdf
By Pat Felts, Mary Williams and Dixie Crosspost
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE TO YOUR OWN WORD PROGRAM BEFORE EDITING
Dear Honorable Joseph A
Costello,
I am writing you today to ask that you please release the dogs (Dusty, Reilly and Monroe) to the care of The Buster Foundation. This case is in regards to the dogs found on the property of a dog fighting bust that occurred in March of this year in Raisinville, Michigan. Several animals were found on the property and turned over to the Monroe County Animal Control (MCAC) as a safe haven until the courts could determine what to do with them. It has come to my attention that two of the remaining dogs, Reilly and Monroe, had at one time been severely injured during their stay at MCAC and temporarily awarded to The Buster Foundation after their injuries were found. I find the injuries to these
animals to be of suspicious circumstances and lack of medical care provided to them appalling. As do many others who have reviewed the video of these dogs injuries. It is my understanding that another Judge pulled the dogs from the care of The Buster Foundation and sent them back to MCAC, where they had been injured and uncared for medically the first time. I also find this to be appalling that a Judge would even consider sending them back to that location after reviewing the video of these poor wounded dogs. If the dogs were being well cared for and thriving in The Buster Foundations care, why in the world were they sent back to a neglectful place such as MCAC. Setting aside the
injuries to the two animals, there are a number of reasons why animals need to be in better environments of a shelter setting. Normally a shelter does not provide animals with adequate socialization, clean enough living environments from not getting let out often enough, proper exercise and many end up going kennel crazy from all the noise from other dogs barking and confinement. With this court case taking the time it has to be completed, it would be in the best interest for the animals to be released to a rescue to give them the things that cannot possibly be provided to them in a shelter setting. I have also heard from a number of Monroe County residences complaining about the amount of tax payer money that is being spent on the dogs. Surely they would not object to no longer paying for the cost to housing and feeding the dogs, if they were awarded temporary placement while the court makes their final decision on the appeal. I hope you will take all of these circumstances into consideration at the next court hearing for the release of the animals until the court can make a finally decision as to what
will become of these three remaining dogs. I also hope that you will review all the evidence presented to you during the appeals process in a
fair manner. I am assuming that you will not be biased in anyway; however I feel some people who have given testimony in this case have been. After reviewing the video of Dr. Katherine Houpt, I feel as do many other animal experts, that she did not give an unbiased decision on her evaluations of these three dogs. Even Bad Rap, who made evaluations of all of the Michael Vick dogs, felt that her temperament testing was way off base after watching the videos. I do not believe that Judge Vitale gave these dogs a fair trial and I hope that you will do your due diligence to be fair and reasonable about your decision making on this case. If these dogs are to be found to have the temperament needed to be properly placed into a home environment, it is my personal opinion that The Buster Foundation is the best rescue for them to go to. However, if you do not share this opinion, a rescue is still a much better environment then any shelter could ever be for the dogs.
I would hope that the Buster Foundation with its 18 plus years experience and sterling reputation will be good enough for you to make a permanent placement for the dogs, however if you disagree with that, there are a number of other good rescues that would gladly step up to help take these three dogs.
Sincerely,
____________
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
-Mahatma Gandhi-
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