Monday, January 16, 2006

EDNAH- A Sheriff To Thank

Please input your email to the right for future blog updates.
The post below this post about Belinda and Pepe are the last blog posts since my last email. I suggest reading both and more...

Hoarders and Abusers no longer safe even in the smallest counties in America
Tammy Hanson has been convicted on 20 counts of animal cruelty, and had a big surprise as she was arrested on 6 new warrants from Arkansas and 1 new felony warrant from MO this afternoon in Baxter County Ark. She was taken into custody by Sheriff John Montgomery of Baxter County Ark. and will be extradited to MO. The look on her face was said to be one of astonishment. She had no idea these new charges were coming. In case you didn't know it she applied for a breeders license in MO and that just ticked everyone off that she would thumb her nose at the current situation/charges. This lady thought her Sh** didn't stink. I was promised the information as it unfolded and they delivered as I got a phone call this evening. Those close to the case said she really thought she was going to get off. Typical hoarder mentality - I did no wrong, I can care for them better, It is a conspiracy! She still seems to have some friends, husband and lawyer who are enabling her. She is never going to stop so she needs to be tracked wherever she goes. The thought that she would be so cavalier as to go apply for a breeders license!

Tammy being told she is being arrested and held on Felony Charges:

See the pictures of EDNAH here if you don't know the mess I am talking about:
The basic story is 500 dogs living in crates and cages of feces and being taken care of by 2 people. It was worse than the mind could imagine. Pics tell 10,000 words.
Before and After Pics At this link:

http://www.mhpets.com/hanson/

When the EDNAH news first broke some of us jumped the gun and made some pretty bad assumptions about what Sheriff Montgomery and his county were all about. It took about 6 hours till the pictures came out and we were all eating crow.

Sheriff Montgomery and his whole team turned out to be an amazing group of professionals. Many animal rescue people often frown on local authorities in small towns (sometimes rightfully so and many times not so). This should show that we might just find a friend if we look hard enough. This entire county rallied behind this issue. Who wants to see a bunch of pooches abused? Even your most die hard farmer has respect and appreciation for his heard of cattle and other animals he is raising. Nobody should put up with animal abuse.

Many small town authorities simply have never had to deal with hoarders, puppymills and other BIGTIME animal welfare issues.

You can email around the case of EDNAH to your local sheriff as an example of how one Sheriff's office said "not in our town." This Sheriff even started the entire thing off with a flight over the property to see what he was dealing with then acted quickly for the welfare of the animals.

Thank you Baxter County. You have one hell of a sheriff. I am sure he treats other human issues just as thoroughly as he did this matter.

There are a dozen others to thank but without the backup of the local authorities these cases go nowhere. Here we go: Desiree Bender, EARS, HSUS, MH Pets, volunteers that took vacation time to go help, Shelters that took these animals and many others that I never heard about.

Tammy in cuffs.


For a good EDNAH rescue story about how unhealthy these animals are go to the comments in this post (3rd comment)
It would be wonderful if all of you could send a Thank you email or Snail mail to Sheriff John Montgomery for all the work that he did to shut down Tammy Hanson's house of horrors.

Sheriff John Montgomery
904 Highway 62 SW,
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Hoarding, fighting, puppymills and worse happen in every state in the country. You can make a difference. Find out who investigates these crimes in your state and support them.
************************************

Back to New Orleans. Here is an new blog I found with some great new pics.
New blog from rescuers in NO now.

http://dogbusters.blogspot.com

One thing that strikes you right away is the sheer number of puppies, feral looking dogs. We need to get these poor animals off the streets.

If this isn't solved they are going to have 20,000 new dogs in New Orleans alone, not to mention other parishes and Miss.
**************************************

97 Comments:

At 9:06 PM, Blogger Laura Lluellyn-Lassiter said...

Everyone thank this wonderful Sheriff. He has restored hope in an area that in and of itself has been abusive to the animals.

 
At 9:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is great news. Restores my faith in humanity. People like Tammy Hanson's days are numbered as long as good-hearted and thoughtful people have the courage to stand up and say this is wrong!

Thank you to everyone who sounded the alarm bells regarding this awful woman and to those who moved in to clean up the mess. We'll remember you.

And BIG THANK YOU to Sheriff Montgomery. You and your team are real heroes and we love you!

 
At 9:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just so you know what this chick tried to defend. Here is the story of one of her dogs. Not a single vet could be found that had ever visited her hell hole.
Eric


Former dog from EDNAH finds a home in Wisconsin
CHANDRA HUSTON
Bulletin Staff Writer

Vicky Bloemer was scanning the Internet from her Wisconsin home when she saw a photograph of Brandon and instantly fell in love.

The cream-colored Shitzu with gray ears had captured not only her heart but also that of her husband, Pete.

ADVERTISEMENT

Brandon was one of 477 dogs at Gamaliel animal operation EDNAH (Every Dog Needs A Home) that was seized by the Baxter County Sheriff's Department in October. Officers found the dogs living in cramped conditions, some sitting in their own urine and feces. EDNAH owners William and Tammy Hanson have been charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty.

Bloemer, who has five other rescued dogs, had heard about the fall of EDNAH and saw a picture of Brandon and a volunteer on a blog.

"I saw a picture of Brandon, and I knew I had to have that dog," she said. "I'm not sure why. That's just the way I am."

The Bloemers have spent thousands of dollars on Brandon's medical care. The dog is blind in both eyes. He has been several times to an eye specialist, who removed his left eye that was irreparable. Sight could not be restored in his right eye either. A veterinarian also discovered the dog has nine fractures in his pelvis.

Bloemer suspects Brandon's fractures could have been caused by abuse or a vehicle hitting him, while his blindness she attributes to neglect.

The 46-year-old woman said she doesn't care how much she has to pay for medical expenses, Brandon is worth the cost.

"Some people say put him down (euthanize), but they just don't understand," she said. "These dogs are our children."

The Bloemers drove the 1,750-mile trip to Arkansas three weeks ago to pick up Brandon and take him to his new home in De Pere, Wis.

"He was our Christmas present," she said.

Brandon makes his way around his new home by the sound of the Bloemers' voices. She said he also uses his whiskers to feel how close he is getting to an object.

"He's really good with sound and smell," she said.

The little dog seems to be settling in to his new life away from Arkansas just fine.

"He cuddles with the other dogs," she said. "The other day he had his head lying on one of the other dogs."

Brandon is not only learning how to get around inside but also outside in the deep Wisconsin snow. Bloemer said the dog likes to plow through the snow, but gets confused when he falls through wet snow.

Despite being blind and having nine pelvis fractures, Brandon is unstoppable in his new life in a new home.

"We're his play toys," she said with a laugh. "He's so sweet, and he's doing well."

 
At 10:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My name is David Meyer and I, along with Pia Salk, joined Jane Garrison to lead the volunteer search/rescue efforts out of Lamar Dixon. We also founded www.AnimalRescueNewOrleans.com (ARNO), which has been running a major feed and water program for stranded dogs and cats still living on the streets of New Orleans, and has been humanely trapping these former pets in conjunction with Best Friends Animal Society. I am writing on behalf of ARNO, and 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com of which I am a founder. I have worked non-stop for 4 months and salute all the many volunteers who have helped in so many ways, including all the amazing folks assisting with owner reunites, an issue about which I personally care deeply.

We continue to be in a race against time in the gulf coast, as former pets still roam deserted streets, without even access to garbage cans to scrounge for food. Many are being kept a live all these months only by the ARNO food and water program, which is only a temporary solution. These animals, mostly unaltered, are facing predation from other animals, exposure to diseases such as heart worm and feline HIV, in some areas are being hit by cars or living under homes about to be bulldozed, and are all beginning to reproduce! It is a nightmare with puppies and kittens being now born on the streets right and left. Best Friends has remained along side us, and now even expanded their rescue efforts by creating Celebration Station in New Orleans, a temporary "Lamar Dixon" type holding area as we triage these pets, reunite them with owners, or move them to safety in animal shelters around the country. Best Friends is leading a multi agency task force to complete this rescue effort, and HSUS has been funding ARNO efforts. Best Friends and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights (AVAR) has also purchased a mobile spay/neuter clinic that we arranged which is already in use.

The biggest problem we have is that we cannot save these lives and prevent generations of more suffering unless we can get these pets off the streets NOW, and we can only do that if we have shelters/rescues able to house them. There are now very few shelters/rescues willing take these animals. Although the shelters and rescues that have taken in Katrina pets over the last few months have been no-kill or in any case have agreed not to euthanize these pets, the effect has in some cases been that other local animals who would have been rescued from the kill shelters and housed in those same runs or foster homes, have not been rescued, and so other animals have died as a result. Despite all the Katrina publicity, what has been lacking has been a major publicity campaign to educate the public about the need to adopt ALL pets from ALL shelters and rescues. This would not only save those pets, but potentially make space for more Katrina rescues so we can keep working in the New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

That is why 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com and Best Friends have partnered to launch an adoption drive that uses the Katrina issue and the media interest around it on behalf of ALL shelters/rescues, and promoting adoption of ALL homeless pets, not specifically Katrinas. In order for this to be a success, we need people to e-mail the link to www.Operation-Save-A-Pet.com to their friends to spread the word.

On the issue of the Katrina rescues and reuniting them with guardians, all the groups involved have faced a terrible dilemma. Most shelters/rescues will no longer take Katrina fosters for two reasons. The first, as I mentioned, is that it takes up a foster home or kennel run that could be used to save a local animal, and it does so for a long period of time. The second is that although there have been many fantastic reunites (I have been involved with many myself), shelters complain that there are also many hassles in which someone thinks their pet may have passed through their shelter, and great effort is expended to handle all these public inquiries, most of them erroneous. They will only take pets if there are "no strings attached".

So the choice seems to be: to place Katrina rescued pets on the internet lost pet databases, have relatively few shelters who will accept them, and have many dogs and cats die on the streets because we have nowhere to move them to; or don't place them in public view, end the possibility of reunites, and ship them out for immediate adoption. ARNO and Best Friends came up with what I think is a good compromise that gives guardians, who have already lost so much, another chance to get reunited, but also sees the big picture that most pets we rescue will not be reunited and need to have their lives saved NOW. The plan has been to work with ARNO to do a minimum 5 day concentrated reunion search of known missing pet reports, reuniting where possible giving it our best shot, and then move the animals to safety in shelters and keep the flow of rescue moving by doing what shelters want-- not posting on the internet.

In practice, the plan has not yet been working well because it has been a huge struggle to get all the pet descriptions and details in a timely manner (or at all) to our ARNO reunion folks. So ARNO and ARUSA has developed a shelter management/impound system that can get us the info over the internet, and Best Friends in the next few days should be using that instead of their own system. If this works, all the data will be available to our reunite people as soon as it is input so they have at least 5 days (and likely more before a transport) to see if in the last 4 months, anyone has reported one of these pets as missing. If so, the pet will be held back for a chance at a reunite.

Whether people agree with the plan or not, I hope everyone knows that we are all just trying to save as many animals as possible, prevent as much future suffering as possible, and reunite as many pets with guardians as possible in a very, very difficult situation. Hey, over 4 months after the storm hit, at least we are there and still trying...

from:
David Meyer davidm@1-800-Save-A-Pet.com
www.Operation-Save-A-Pet.com

 
At 11:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tammy Hanson continues to amaze. she keeps stealing dogs from shelters and finally was arrested by Missouri authorities today after she was found guilty in court in Arkansas for stealing dogs. She trashed a motel room by putting 8 dogs in the room and then skipped out on the bill in Springfield, Missouri. How many times does it take before people will stop listening to her lies. How much proof has to be presented, over and over before everyone of her so called friends, realize she is sick and needs help. She gave an interview in Kansas City and admits to stealing the dogs from a shelter, and in fact you can see the dogs in the video. She spends thousands of dollars in attorneys fees and is threatening to sue the Sheriff, the humane society and anyone else who stepped in to save the animals. She is truly sick. I commend the Sheriff and his officers for the stress they have endured. People of Baxter County, be proud of your law enforcement. they are truly professional.

 
At 11:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Eric. I've updated the MHPets site this evening with my own commentary and take about the events of the afternoon. You can see it here:

www.mhpets.com

Bill Wheeler - President
Mountain Home Pets, Inc.

 
At 11:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was in court today and all i can say is THANK GOD and THANK JOHN MONTGOMERY. I volunteered at Ednah for 3 weeks and I am happy the nightmare is almost over. Sentencing is on Feb 23rd.

The court almost exploded when they slapped the cuffs on Tammy for a felony warrent out of Missouri. The look on her unsuspecting lawers was priceless.

Our animals can sleep tonight. And I am proud to live in Mountain Home.

 
At 12:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The true hero's are the men and women of the HSUS, the local humane society, and all of the other groups and people who volunteered and took care of those poor animals. They spent countless hours caring for these animals from the EDNAH Shelter and most of them are alive today because of these dedicated people. Tammy Hanson would have let these animals die a slow death. As a pet owner, I appreciate what you all have done. As a human being, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 
At 12:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Really great how HSUS and UAN/EARS pulled together and helped this community care for the dogs and facilitate the investigation. Nice to see the collaboration result in such a positive outcome.

 
At 12:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Can Tammy Hanson Really file a lawsuit against the Sheriff? judging from the pictures I saw if it wasnt for Sheriff Montgomery most of the dogs would have suffered and many would probably be dead. Can we do anything to stop her or help the Sheriff?

 
At 12:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

would love to see her in handcuffs. were there any media at the trial that got pictures?

 
At 12:12 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for the volunteers and the police officers that worked the case. I dont know how they slept at night after looking at the pictures of all those poor animals suffering.

 
At 2:39 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you to the Sheriff and the people of Baxter County! Eric, I've been reading and "enjoying" the blog for about two months now - hard to call it "enjoyable" when there's been so much heartbreak and pain for these animals. It is such a blessing to hear good news. May Tammy Hanson be the first of many hoarders to pay for the crimes they commit.

 
At 3:31 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ahhhhh...isn't it nice to see actual "justice" within our messed up justice system. That woman doesn't stand a chance of successfully sueing anyone. She needs to be locked up so that she can't ever cause pain like she already has. Way to go sheriff, you did a great thing. Thank you. You and your dept should be very, very proud of this accomplishment.

(and wait until other inmates find out Tammy was convicted of animal cruelty.) That will not go over very well with the other inmates. Innocent children and animals are hands off, even to most people in prison. :)

 
At 4:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I visited the new blog Eric found and mentioned in his latest entry. It's http://dogbusters.blogspot.com/ Yes, it's great photos and stories, but at the same time, you'll see really disturbing photos. These dogs who once were family pets are regressing back to feral and wild creatures. One series of photos tell a group of dogs living in an abandoned house eating a freshly caught cat... It's not just puppies and kittens being born in the rubble. It's not just former pet dogs roaming in a pack. These displaced former pets are now becoming wild animals. Time is ticking. How many more cats, kittens, and puppies have to be eaten? How many more former pet dogs need to eat them to survive??????

 
At 4:31 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hoarders Never Quite. We need to track Tammy for the rest of her life.

 
At 7:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you,Sheriff Montgomery and staff for all you have done to see that the Hanson’s cannot hurt anymore animals.

Thank you also for all you guys did personally to see these animals were placed safely in loving environments.

My fingers are crossed that her lawyers don’t find some obscure loophole in which she can find freedom again.

Bless you , your crew and the local citizens who helped the helpless.

Most sincerely
Wanda Fary
Gloucester,Va

 
At 7:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The local newspaper in Mountain Home is called the Baxter Bulletin. everyone should write a letter to the editor expressing our thanks for all the volunteers who worked so hard and to all of the deputies who were involved in this case. Their address is
#16 West 6th Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653

 
At 7:30 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about writing the Sheriff himself. the address shown on the web is BAxter County Sheriff 904 Hwy 62 Mountain Home, AR 72653 he and his officers deserve a huge thanks for all of the "crap" they must have put up with. I cant imagine the stress it must have put on their families as well. I am sure they are just as sick of this mess as the officers are.

 
At 7:39 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

where is Tammy Hanson getting all the money to pay for her lawyers? Surely people aren't stupid enough to be sending her money. I cant believe her lawyers are that stupid either. The pictures speak for themselves. Are there any decent honest lawyers anymore? These guys are obviously in it for the money because they cannot believe she is innocent.

 
At 7:50 AM, Blogger Shale Dogs Team said...

Justice prevails

 
At 8:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I hope everyone will invest a 39 cent stamp and send a thank you note to sheriff Montogomery. He took a lot a flack in the beginning from well minded people who didnt understand what was really going on. I spent a week at EDNAH, and his people were tenacious about our safety & keeping evil Tammy out.

 
At 9:23 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dont forget the prosecutors who had the courage to stand up and fight. After talking with someone in the courtroom, they did an outstanding job. Wish there were more prosecutors willing to stand up for what is right.

 
At 9:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why dont they make people who are found guilty of animal cruelty register just like sex offenders.

 
At 10:26 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it true Tammy Hanson applied for a USDA license to raise and sell dogs? Who do we contact to put a stop to that? I can't think of a more horrible thought

 
At 10:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes she applied but I think people close to this found out and put a stop to it.

Maybe someone on here can comment. Several people know that whole story.

 
At 11:34 AM, Blogger Jean said...

Hi, I saw a story about your blog on my rescue list. I think this is a great thing you are doing to keep aware of the issues involved. Thanks!

 
At 12:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

any comments from Pasado?

(snicker)

 
At 1:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

They burst into applause as she was handcuffed ...I felt like I was at a Rocky movie when I read this...which I was in the courtroom...

Jan. 17, 2006, 1:58AMArkansas couple convicted of cruelty against Katrina-rescued dogs
Associated Press
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — A couple who ran an animal shelter was convicted Monday on 20 counts of cruelty to animals, including abusing dogs sent from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Police found one dog dead, another with a broken leg, and many sickly others at Tammy and William Hanson's shelter, Every Dog Needs a Home. Twenty animals were found suffering from maggot infestations to severe skin conditions.

The couple will be sentenced Feb. 23. Judge Van Gearhart also barred the two from owning or possessing any animals anywhere in world.

Tammy Hanson was arrested after the court hearing on a felony theft warrant from Missouri. It accused her of stealing a dog from a woman in Lawrence County, Mo.

She was handcuffed in the courtroom as dozens of people, many local residents who volunteered to care for the dogs, burst into applause.

 
At 1:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A W E S O M E N E W S ! ! !
Tammy and William Hanson were found guilty on 20 counts of animal cruelty this afternoon in Judge Van Gearhart's court in Mountain Home. The lawyer knew he had lost before the end fully planning to file an appeal. He had appeal forms being faxed up before the court session was over even!

In his judgement, Judge Gearhart said that the Hansons were not allowed to own any animals for the next 12 months. When asked if that was limited to simply Baxter County or the whole state, the judge said, "I mean the whole world!" At that point nearly the entire audience of 50+ people clapped and cheered. It was plainly and rightfully something that should have been done ages ago. Too bad the law won't allow that to be extended for the next 13 forevers.

Sentencing, fines and restitution orders will be handled back in Judge Gearhart's court on February 23rd. Many thought that the proceedings and good news would be finished at that point. Little did they know that the long arm of the law had a newly-arrived ace up his sleeve.

Sheriff John Montgomery stepped forward to present Tammy Hanson with some additional warrants. There were six warrants that she knew were going to be served. She and her attorneys were fully expecting and prepared for these. What they didn't know anything about was that Sheriff John held in his hand a warrant issued by Lawrence County Missouri for theft of an animal. This is a felony in Missouri.

A felony warrant from another state allowed the Sheriff to place Tammy Hanson under arrest -- handcuffs and all! Another cheer went up from the remaining crowd as did some amount of gratification seeing that Hanson's attorneys were in no way expecting this beautiful little piece of paper. It is my understanding that she cannot bond out here in Arkansas and will HAVE to remain in custody until such a time that she either waives extradition or loses an extradition hearing and then appears before the Lawrence County judge. But either way, she's incarcerated at least for now. So all your animals are safe for tonight at the very least. :o)

There were lots of varied emotions in the courtroom from the people trying the case as well as those of us who have been intimately involved with this since the initial serving of the search warrant back in October. The most interesting though were the looks on the faces of the Hansons. At no point did they appear to be remorseful of the deplorable conditions of the dogs on their property and in their care. They honestly believe they've done nothing wrong. How sad...how very sad....for the animals.

Bill Wheeler - President
Mountain Home Pets, Inc.
Posted: 1/16/2006

 
At 1:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

One crazy looney. I am up for tracking her. One of the nice things about how data driven our society is is that if you want to bad enough you can find anyone. No doubt she will be at it again.
These types never reform unless they put serious effort into it..and she doesn't seem like she is ever going to admit it. I suspect now with jail coming she will start to feign/fake remorse.

 
At 9:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Reuben is/ was on our Top Most Searched For List from http://www.lostkatrinapets.com/

We got him.

"see this thread http://forums.petfinder-network.com/viewtopic.php?t=86376 ran across him while I was doing my state by state shelter search, along with other's help. glad all that searching finally paid off!"

This search has been going on for close to 3 months with no luck till today!!!! Just shows you the size and scope, there are now over 320 places we know that have Katina animals.

And from what I hear not adopted out yet.
We are finding many animals not yet adopted. This is good and bad news depending on how you look at it.

 
At 10:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heard Tammy Hanson made a video with a reporter in Kansas City that showed her with the 8 stolen dogs from Lawerence County Missouri. Anyone have any idea where she's at? We should meet and go door to door and rescue those 8 dogs and take her to the Sheriff.

 
At 10:25 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I heard the same thing after court. She made a video from some reporter from California and he called Sheriff Montgomery and showed him the video. From what I heard the video was turned over to the Sheriff's Office in Missouri and they are going to file more charges on her.

 
At 10:30 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have read all of these comments thanking everyone for the great work in bringing this animal horder to trial. The one I don't see is a HUGE thank you to the judge, Ghearhart. It appears he had the courage to stand up and say what needed to be said. The rest of the country needs to take notice. Arkansas may be rural but at least they have a judge and prosecutors who won't bow down to big shot lawyers. Cudos to you Mr. Ghearhart. Thank you for doing what's right for the poor animals.

 
At 10:33 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

just checked out this blog. WOW! Is this woman crazy or what? I wish someone could have taken a picture of Tammy Hanson being handcuffed. That would be a great picture to hang on the wall of her prison cell.

 
At 10:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Saw the story several months ago in Seattle on a news program. Just Courious if anyone knows whether Pasado stayed and helped with the rest of the animals once they go their Pit Bulls back. If I'm not mistaken, wasnt Mark Steinway friends with Tammy Hanson? Is he still standing by her now?

 
At 10:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not only did Pasado not stay and help like they promised (Mark Steinway did an interview with the local media in Arkansas where he commited to stay and see the rescue through until the end) he sent a bill for animal cages after he made a commitment to donate the cages to HSUS. The local radio station there in Arkansas has Mark on tape donating the cages to HSUS and promised to stay and help even after the pit bulls he dumped were gone. He even promised transport trucks. Remember this is the same Pasado who trashed the Baxter County Sheriff's Office and even posted the Sheriff's home phone number on the web. I would be curious if Sheriff Montgomery ever received an apology from Pasado.

 
At 10:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didnt see anyone from Pasado at the trial. Guess they dont give a Sh_t about anyone but themselves.

 
At 10:51 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why was Tammy and her husband not charged with a Felony? From the pictures I see, how were they charged with only a misdemeanor? Does the Sherriff not take this type of animal abuse seriously?

 
At 10:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I dont think the Sheriff had a choice. Arkansas laws are old and outdated. From what I understand misdemeanor charges is the only choice he had. I dont think you need to criticize him. It appears he did all he could do. Maybe Arkansas and the rest of the world will wake up and change the laws to deal with these sick type of individuals.

 
At 11:02 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It's Pasado's Safe Haven... If you are going to criticize at least get the name right.

 
At 11:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey, was trying to read up on USDA license and it appears that if anyone is convicted or pleads guilty of animal cruely, they cannot have a USDA license. Anyone know if this is true?

 
At 11:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who can we contact at USDA to make sure she NEVER gets a license?

 
At 6:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

NAGIN IS DELIRIOUS his comments about NOLA being a "chocolate" area are hilarious, as are his assertions about the hurricanes being "punishment from god".
HEY NAGIN - Maybe this was God's way of testing your compassion for his other creatures, if so, wouldn't want to be in your shoes on judgement day.

 
At 7:22 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sheriff and the local community worked hundreds of hours on this case. Sheriff went after her hard. It was hours and hours and hours spent. He was smart enough to let HSUS come in for the investigation and help with prosecution. I have spoken to sheriff several times and he is an amazing guy. He filed the maximum charges to state allows. When he found out about
what she did in MO, he partnered with them to get her taken down again. The state needs a felony charge. Not his fault on that. Hopefully she will go to jail for the max. I do not think she is the "jail" type. So any time is going to be hard on her. MO has felony charges against her.

 
At 7:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Anonymous about Naguin statement of "rebuilding New Orleans back to a chocolate city the way it should be".Boy,did he hang himself politically with that comment! I hope NewO never has to endure what they did again .I'm afraid all the vanilla,strawberry,orange and neopolitan responders may chose not to help again.

 
At 8:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Eric:

Got the news about Tammy. What is going to happen to the rest of the dogs there?. Will they go to shelter? How many dogs died as a result of her neglect? Also I am wondering from the new pictures if the condition of the dogs has greatly improved as they don't show much but fencing and a cleaner area. I was hoping to see dogs that had put on weight when I went to the second set of pictures. What kind of a sentence do you think she will get other than not being allowed to own dogs for 18 months. God, do they think she will be cured by then? NO !! If the judge knew anything about hoarders he would never allow her to have any more. I know that all shelters and rescue groups have do not adopt lists. We need to make sure her name gets on everyone in the us and canada. Did they ever charge her with impersonating a vet?. When I met her the first time at the Arkansans for Animals she represented herself as a vet. She tried to take 40 dogs, but the vet in Charge Joanna denied her the dogs. Tammy blew a fit, cried, screamed and carried on . I'll bet Dr. Joahanna McManus knew some thing about Tammy because Dr. Joahnna is from Arkansas. I wish Dr. Johanna had said something to me because I could have alerted the Winn Dixie people when I saw her there taking dogs. Tammy told me Dr. Johanna would not let her have the dogs because she could not part with her crates, looking back, red flags should have gone up because we had plenty of crates, and more coming. We had mostly pits, rotties, chows, cane corsos, presacanarios, shepards and bulll dogs and mixies. She wanted to take the most vicious and dangerous dogs that we had. More red flags, she was quite a talker though, she went on and on about her 20 acre sanctuary for dogs that would normally be put to sleep, she claimed years of experience with dangerous dogs. I don't even think she is an ACO, or has had any training in animal behaviour. You are right, someone needs to track her, now that she probably will be on probation it shouldn't be hard to follow her, her criminal record will list her current address. We could put together a nationwide alert and network it through all the 501 rescues with her picture and all so that she will be cut off permanently. Also all public shelters should get her mug shot and rap sheet. Perhaps the IRS could track her too. They are pretty good at keeping track of people who sell things and don't pay taxes on it, including dogs.

At least she is off the property for a little while, and hopefully the dogs have been confiscated and will go to a no kill shelter.

I call JP shelter about once a week to have them check on that hoarder Claudie in Jefferson. I think they get sick of hearing from me, but if I keep bugging, they will get so aggravated they will go out.

Marilyn

Marilyn

 
At 10:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Katie Vernon is an inspector with USDA in Missouri. I dont know her phone number but I think she covers Missour and Arkansas. I wonder if she knows about Tammy Hanson being convicted?

 
At 11:18 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I read that the Judge ordered Tammy Hanson not to possess any dogs. If she is in Kansas City and has the dogs that were stolen, how do we find her. Wouldnt she be in violation of a judge's order? Wouldn't the judge put her in jail?

 
At 12:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

EDNAH needs a name change... now that the Hanson's are no longer in business, lets change the name to
EVERY DEPUTY NEEDS A HUG and they sure do for all they did in this case. The hours they spent around the clock to make sure we the volunteers were protected, made all of us feel safe from this crazy woman.

 
At 12:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

ALL of the dogs from EDNAH were removed from the property in the first week of December. Most of them have all found forever homes. There are still a few left in shelters all around the south, but all shelters agreed to contact HSUS if the dogs "run out of time" in their facilities.

I know of a handful of dogs who have died since they left EDNAH. There were also a few impossible-to-handle dogs who got to "meet Jesus" after their departure. This is to be expected with this number of animals. Several were literally driven crazy by their horribly inhumane treatment. For them, I'm the most sorry. Their chance to find a good home was stolen by Tammy Hanson when she locked them in tiny cages for days, weeks, months at a time.

Now with the felony case in Missouri, her probation can and will be tracked and will follow her wherever she goes. Unfortunately though they can't put her on probation forever.

Regardless of all the misery she's caused among animal and human alike, there are still thousands of people out there who will give their unwanted animals to anybody who'll take them. What we REALLY need is education.

We need to make the public aware that there are HUGE numbers of rescuers out here who will take just about anything they can bring. Many of us will even pay to spay/neuter their animals so they don't have this problem again.

 
At 4:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Project Barkansas

2005

A small dog cowers in the mud and the filth

No kindness did he ever expect

His fear is the lifetime legacy

Of endless hurt and long neglect

An old dog lies in a barren pen

Just skin and bones and breath

His hunger and thirst go unrelieved

As he quietly waits for death

A weary, sick dog whelps one cold night

She’s helpless as each pup soon dies

This is her life year after year

In despair she sits and she cries

And the stories go on and on and on

And the heart breaks again and again

For those that work to change these scenes

And seek to ease the suffering

There is pain in this gift of compassion

To deeply see and feel and care

It takes its toll on the spirit and soul

At time almost too much to bear

It’s to be haunted by the sorrow

In an innocent creatures eye

To hear even in its silence

A desperate, pleading cry
To be compelled to listen

And tortured by the WHY

Yet there are gifts in this pain of compassion

And blessed are they that make the choice

To do what is right and noble and good

To help those that have no voice

 
At 5:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

some of the EDNAH pit bulls were irredeemably human-aggressive and have been properly euthanized by the breed experts to whom they were sent. Pit bull rescuers can't live in a "no kill" fantasy world... our breeds are too threatened to allow dogs dangerous to humans to survive. Limited resources must be spent to save the pit bulls with correct (human friendly) temperament.

 
At 7:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I live in Baxter county and haved worked for 3 Sheriffs in 8 years time and i can tell you Sheriff Montgomery is excellent, he will tackle whatever needs attention and his word is like gold,you can take it to the bank, we also have a very fair minded prosecutor Ron Kincade. He and Dep.Prosecutor Reed did everything possible within the law to make a good and fair outcome to this horrible situation and Judge Gerhart was fair and impartial as he was supposed to be and rendered a good verdict. In short, it takes a lot of good people to have a good outcome and we have the best right here in Baxter County Arkansas. This is a growing and prosperous area with wonderful people from all over the U.S. living and enjoying life here. The only thing lacking is a felony charge for severe animal abuse and someday maybe someone will figure out a way to get a state law that is fair to the many people making a living farming in Arkansas, and allow for people who do horrible things to critters to get what they deserve! Ask any of the people who came here and gave of themselves to project Barkansas what they think of this area and how they were treated while here. From some of the comments about Arkansas and our judicial system i think you will be pleasently suprised. I will keep Eric apprised as this ongoing saga plays out in Mo. and here.Thanks to everyone who helped.

 
At 10:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What can we do to influence the Arkansas legislators to pass better laws to protect the innocent. Those of you from Arkansas, tell the rest of us the legislators to contact and how to contact them. I believe Eric's list numbers in the thousands, and it would seem if every reader would call, write, or email a legislator in Arkansas, we could get something done. Will Sheriff Montgomery help in the effort? He seems to have first hand knowledge of what needs to be done and what laws need to be changed. I hope he doesn't just shy away from the root of the problem.

 
At 10:20 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

After following this unfold, I dont think the good Sheriff will shy away from anything. The only problem I see is the toll the stress has had to have had on his family. Remember, Pasado posted his home phone number on the web which caused him to get hundreds of ugly phone calls from people who believed Tammy Hanson's lies. This fight for better laws will not be easy and I would only hope his family could support him if he tackled yet another fight. After watching other police and Sheriffs ignore animal abuse, I expected this to turn out the same. Thank God it didn't.

 
At 10:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If Tammy Hanson appeals her conviction, this could drag out for months. Sheriff's in Arkansas have to be re-elected every ??? years. When is the next election? Is this something we need to be afraid of? What would happen to the case if he quit or doesn't want to run for office again? Has anyone heard his intentions?

 
At 12:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It would be wonderful if all of you could send a Thank you email or Snail mail to Sheriff John Montgomery for all the work that he did to shut down Tammy Hanson's house of horrors.

Sheriff John Montgomery
904 Highway 62 SW,
Mountain Home, AR 72653

I live in Mountain Home Arkansas and I am proud of him and his entire department. He did something that the old sheriff wouldn't do. Old Sheriff was a (Good ol'Boy).

Sheriff John has a two year term. So he will be up for election in November 2006, if im not mistaken. Anyway Sheriff John came to the EDNAH site one day late November and thanked all of us that were there for helping take care of the animals and he said that he wanted to get the laws changed here in Arkansas.

Unfortunately in Arkansas people shy away from animal gruelty regulations due to the rural nature of the state, cattle ranchers, poultry farmers, TYSON foods, hunters they think of animals as commodites or tools. The legislators might be willing to get laws changed but they would get resistance from the ranchers, Tyson food, poulty farmers etc.

It took years to bring down C.C. Baird who was a MONSTER commercial breeder here in Arkansas.

I know that John Montgomery will keep his promise to the volunteers at EDNAH that he will do what he can to get the laws changed in Arkansas. But remember he is a Sheriff and not a legislator.

Here is the link for contact information for Arkansas http://www.state.ar.us/ Please write letters so maybe with your help laws can be changed and you can help us make a differance for those without a voice.

 
At 2:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great idea to send a card to the Sheriff, but what about the two prosecutors. They deserve a thank you as well. Does the local Arkie know the names and addresses of the prosecutors? I know its two more stamps, but I think a dollar is a small price for all of us.

 
At 2:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great comments, but I don't think I saw any mention of the local humane society there. Those volunteers deserve huge amounts of credit also. Does anyone know the name and address of that local humane society?

 
At 2:28 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

WOW! I just read all the comments over the last couple of days. Great news on getting this crazy horder convicted. Great idea to send the cards to everyone, but will we do it? or just sit back and assume everyone else will do it. We all should stick a dollar bill in the card to that local humane society. There must be thousands of readers of this blog. I'm sure they are constantly needing money like the rest of us. Imagine all the good that could be done and all the animals that could be helped if we all sacrified $ 1

 
At 2:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish we could all send thank you cards to the families of the Sheriff, his police officers, and the volunteers that worked there. The support they gave and the stress I am sure they endured...

 
At 6:20 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This story has made national headlines. As bad as it was, let those animal's suffering not be in vain. Everyone who cares about animals, should put their differences aside and unite to get changes made. We have the momentum now, lets do something while we have it. We need to take this to the next level and get 60 minutes, Dateline or some other news program to get this and other stories just like it, out to the world.

 
At 9:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

check this out. this describes Tammy Hanson perfectly

http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p000425.html

 
At 9:52 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This sounds like a story for Fox News or O'Reilly

 
At 4:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have attached addresses for the Judge, Attorneys, Humane Society and the Lead Vet (president of Humane Society). We also had local people from Mountain Home, EARS, and HSUS people on site.

Don't forget Diseree Bender (I don't have her address) and the people from For Pit's sake (address below). If these two ladies didn't call Pasado and HSUS and scream bloody hell the animals of EDNAH would still be there and Tammy Hanson would still be in business.

Also Bill and Sandi from MHpets, they closed there shop and Sandi was on sit every day caring for the animals. Sandi worked closely with Desiree, HSUS and EARS.

I have written Pasado and asked them to send a letter to Sheriff John and tell him they are sorry for all the grief they caused this man.

I will never forget what I saw at EDNAH. I never worked so hard in my life. But what better reward then seeing these animals become dogs again and finally finding forever homes. They are the most deserving creatures. I will miss them all. I also made friedships that will last a life time. And I will be forever grateful.

Please write Thank You notes to these people.

District Judge Van Gearhart
301 East 6th St., Suite 134
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Prosecuting Attorney Ron Kincade
& Emily Reed
301 East 6th St., Suite 170
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Humane Society of North Central AR
2656 Highway 201 N
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Snodgrass, James DVM
President of Humane Society
200 Bomber Blvd
Mountain Home, AR 72653

Mountain Home pets
17 E. 6th Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653

For Pits' Sake™
708 Blossom Hill Road, #205
Los Gatos, CA 95032

 
At 5:02 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Check out this HSUS site. the before and after pictures are unbelievable.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pets_related_news_and_events/arkansas_cruelty_conviction.html

 
At 5:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

For really good pictures from EDNAH check out:

http://mhpets.com/

They have great before and after pictures.

 
At 9:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The HSUS site has a picture of one the dogs in a pen and then the after picture of it in his new home.

 
At 10:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How many years has this Sheriff been in office?

 
At 10:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just sent a snail mail to Sheriff Montgomery. He is so worthy of everyone's thanks.

Arkansas is a place where many hoarders (Vicci Andrews and Carol Ashley to name two well known ones), run to and thrive. Arkansas law enforcers, mostly, do nothing on these kinds of cases.

I am very impressed with Sheriff Montgomery for all of his efforts.

 
At 6:53 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would like to be there when Tammy Hanson receives her sentence on Februrary 23. If I was to fly in, which airport is the closest and how do I get there?

 
At 8:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I spoke with the Sheriff yesterday and he was flattered about all the positive press he has received. He was given this blog address and his comments were that the true credit for this case shouldn't be given to him. He spoke of all the added work and pressures his staff went through with the hundreds of calls that came in. And of how his Chief Deputy stepped up and ran the department during this time. He talked about the prosecutors and how many phone calls were made back and forth every day working on this case. I was also touched by how it upset him that people would thank him before they would thank the volunteers that worked at the EDNAH site. He didn't want to talk about his own pressures of this case but I have first hand knowledge that he missed his son's track meets and several dinners and at least one trip he and his wife had planned because of this case.

I know Sheriff Montgomery is no different in many respects because all of us who volunteered at the site missed time with our families and endured stress as well. But the sheriff pushed and pushed keeping this alive until we could get a verdict. He doesnt want the credit, but that's his nature.

In answer to a question I saw ealier, Sheriff Montgomery has only been in office 12 months. I cant wait to see the next 12 years.

 
At 9:50 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We appreciate the volunteers just as much. We are so appreciative of the sherrif because we have all worked so many cases where the local authorities just did't care at all about things like this. There were hundreds of people who helped. We all know that...but he put this woman in jail, where she belongs and in many places it would not have happened. Eric

 
At 3:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Contact info for Desiree is...

Desiree Bender
Where Angels Run, Inc
PO Box 534
Conway, AR 72033
http://www.whereangelsrun.net

I know her personally and I can say that she is the ONLY Pitbull rescue (that I know of) in Arkansas. She gets called constantly about abandoned, neglected Pits. She is frequently called on by the Sheriff's of local counties to remove Pits that have been abandoned at rental properties. They never offer to help her with expenses. I have gone with her on one occassion to pick up 3 at one house and 1 at another house. Whether she humanely euthanizes them, or she tries to rehabilate them, it all comes out of her own pocket. I am very proud to call her my friend.

 
At 4:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The closest municipal airports are Springfield Missouri or Little Rock. Springfield is a 2 1/2 hour drive and Little Rock is 3 hours from Mountain Home. One of the best reasons to live here is there is no easy way to get here. So the people that live or visit here really want to be here.

It's a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Mall, Sam's club, Red Lobster etc. We really are a small town. However we are growing and people have mixed feelings about that. I for one like the small town atmosphere. We don't have freeways, very few stop lights, you can leave your keys in the car at Wal-Mart, you don't have to lock your house when you aren't there, and people are genuinely very friendly.

 
At 9:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Eric, why don't you call Sheriff Montgomery and see if he would do an interview with you. You are very good at laying out the facts and since you have been following this from the beginning, you would know the questions to ask. I think it would be very interesting to hear his prosective first hand, rather than speculation.

Hey Baxter, you said you spoke with the Sheriff, do you think he would do an interview?

Am I the only one or would anyone else like to have an interview?

 
At 5:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I dont know if the Sheriff would give an interview or not. He does speaks at civic groups all the time. He just did an interview Friday with the local radio station about his department, which you can listen to by going to www.ktlo.com then click on "talk of the town" and listen to the Friday edition.

I remember Sheriff Montgomery telling a small group some time back about this blog site and that he appreciated Eric Rice calling and apologizing about jumping the gun.

 
At 2:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Source: Star-Ledger, Newark, NJ, 01/24/06

Dog's New Owners Refuse to Return Pet to Hurricane Survivor

BY BEV McCARRON
c.2006 Newhouse News Service


Forced to flee after Hurricane Katrina ravaged her home in August, Annabelle Arguello put her dogs in a temporary shelter in Louisiana. When she went to retrieve them a month later, they were gone. She quickly located her two beagles -- but not her Great Dane, Chopper.

A thousand miles away, in New Jersey, Pam Behmke had been looking for a pet. She spotted a black Great Dane at an adoption day held by Hillside, N.J.-based People for Animals in October. She took Pluto -- an animal shelter workers fondly described as "a big goofy dog" -- home to Flemington.

Then came the call that revealed Behmke's Pluto was Arguello's cherished Chopper. Arguello wants her 18-month-old pet returned to his Kenner, La., home, but Behmke refuses to part with the animal.

Now the canine custody case is headed to court. A hearing could be held this week in the Somerset County Courthouse before Superior Court Judge Rosemarie Williams, according to one of the attorneys in the case.

"It's a real sad situation right now that we have to file a lawsuit to get this dog back," said Alexis van der Sterre, a Newark attorney representing Arguello.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, shelters were overwhelmed with pets. The Lamar-Dixon shelter in Prairie, La., which was coordinated by the Humane Society of the United States, took in 8,000 animals, including Arguello's dogs, and sent many to shelters across the country.

According to court papers, People for Animals sent two vans to get 14 dogs and eight cats, including the Great Dane.

"The agreement under which we brought them back was to hold them until Oct. 15, which we did," said Diane Guillaume, executive director of People for Animals.

Louisiana mandated rescue groups keep the pets until Oct. 15 to give owners a chance to find them. Melissa Rubin, vice president of field and disaster services for the Humane Society, said some groups voluntarily extended that date.

In Hillside, Guillaume said only two inquiries were made about animals before the October deadline -- a cat was retrieved by its owner and a dog was adopted by a California firefighter who rescued it. The rest were adopted, she said, including the Great Dane.

"Apparently there was a mix-up trying to find where this dog went," Guillaume said. "But I didn't hear she was even looking for the dog until late November."

By then, the dog was with Behmke, who adopted it Oct. 23.

"We consider it part of the family," said Behmke, who described the pet as a sweet dog who likes to climb into laps.

When asked how she felt when she learned the original owner wanted the dog back, she said, "I can't even put it into words."

Van der Sterre said her client is equally distraught.

"I am his rightful and loving owner that desperately wants him back," Arguello said in a certified statement submitted to the court last week.

The Great Dane was given to Arguello by her son when she had cancer, and she is attached to it, according to van der Sterre, who said her client is living in a trailer while waiting for her house to be repaired.

In papers filed in Somerset County, Arguello's attorney said she did everything in her power to find the dog.

She said Arguello initially was forced to leave the pooches behind when she evacuated her home, but she went back for them a week later and placed them in the Lamar-Dixon shelter on Sept. 7. On the intake form, she wrote the pets needed temporary housing until she could move back into her home.

When Arguello, who had been staying in Houston with her sister, returned for her pets at the end of September, they were gone. She found the beagles in another shelter in Louisiana, but in the confusion following Katrina, the staff at Lamar-Dixon could not locate the Great Dane. Neither could the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In November, the Humane Society of the United States began to help after a call was placed to its disaster hotline on Arguello's behalf. The dog was traced to Hillside on Nov. 17, which led People for Animals to call Behmke.

But it wasn't a simple case of lost and found -- Behmke refused to give up the dog. A response filed in court by Behmke's attorney, Christina Donahue, stated the Great Dane was legally adopted under guidelines set for shelters caring for Hurricane Katrina animals.

It also insists there were options open for Arguello to find the dog, including an 800 number and a Web site, and questions whether Arguello has proven she is the rightful owner of Pluto. Behmke additionally was disturbed that Arguello left her dogs in her home for a week when she fled the hurricane.

Rubin, with the Humane Society, said although there are instances in which owners reappear only to find their pets have been given away, this is the only case to end up in court. Out of all the pets at Lamar-Dixon, 2,000 have had happy reunions with their owners and others are in shelters or have been adopted.

"If it's still in the shelter, there's no problem. They give it back. But if its been adopted, there's a problem," Rubin said. "And in some cases, the poor person has said `I'll give it back,' and in others they're saying, `No, I've adopted the dog."'

Jan. 24, 2006


(Beverly McCarron is a staff writer for The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. She can be contacted at bmccarron@starledger.com.)

 
At 9:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Possible email address to lady who won't return Great Dane...

Pam.Behmke@delran.k12.nj.us.

or

pambehmke@home.com

 
At 11:13 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric, I hope you delete the last post. It is not right to post people's emails for a writing campaign when it isn't even known if this is the correct person to contact!

 
At 4:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am out of town and have NO access to the website. Please DO NOT email Mrs. B, the lady with the Great Dane. In some ways she is a innocent victim of the bad tracking, inability of rescues and shelters not being able to see these problems coming and alerting adopters to the REAL TRUTH!!!!

I wish they would use mediation to settle this. It is a powerful alternative to get everyone in the same room!

Eric
PS. DO NOT EMAIL THIS WOMAN!!!!

 
At 8:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

From The Archives

» Click Here For The Latest Posts



Thursday, January 26, 2006

Dog's going back to the bayou
The big dog with the floppy ears sat in the front of a Somerset County courtroom today, straining at its leash and sniffing around as a judge decided its fate.

Ending a tug-of -war over the pet, Judge Rosemarie Williams ruled the black Great Dane would go back to Annabelle Arguello of Louisiana, the original owner who was separated from her pet in the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Flemington couple who adopted the dog and had come to consider it part of their family were ordered to give it up.

The judge, describing herself as an animal lover, said Arguello never intended to abandon the dog when she placed it in a shelter after the hurriciane destroyed her home, and that she had searched diligently for it.

Still, Williams called her ruling reuniting the orginal owner and her dog “a bittersweet decision,” saying she emphasized with Pam Behmke, who had adopted the black dog from a Hillside shelter.

“On the one hand, the court believes it rightfully reunites a woman who has been through a terrible tragedy,” Williams said. “Perhaps this court’s decision will play a part in helping to rebuild her life.”

“However, the court also realizes that the defendants have become very attached to the dog and unfortuantely today’s decision may cause them great sadness. There is no way to reconcile the two effects.”

Williams, who had ordered the animal brought to her courtroom for the canine custody hearing, took the dog’s leash and ceremoniously handed the animal over to Arguello.

Arguello petted and hugged the dog she hadn’t seen since leaving him at a shelter in Prairie, La., in September.

“This is fantastic,” Arguello said, after replacing a collar that identified that dog as Pluto of Flemington with one a new one labeling him as Chopper, of Kenner, La.

Contributed by Bev McCarron

More photos from the courtroom by The Star-Ledger's Matt Rainey.

Order in the court! That's Chopper the dog standing at attention in a Flemington court room. At the other end of the leash is attorney Christina Donahue.


Annabelle Arguello awaits the beginning of the proceeding as, Chopper is tended to by Dirk van der Sterre, father of Arguello's attorney Alexis van der Sterre.


Judge Rosemarie Williams ruled that Chopper should go back home to Louisiana, but called it a bittersweet decision because of the bond that had developed between the dog and its adopted New Jersey family.


Annabelle Arguello of Louisiana embraces Somerset County Superior Court Judge Rosemarie Williams after the decision.


Chopper gives Judge Williams a smooch after the court session was over.

 
At 12:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You dont know for sure if this is the correct woman's email address and we may not have all the facts.

You would think people would have learned from the mistakes of the EDNAH case where people jumped to conclusions and emailed and called the sheriff before they found out the truth.

The problem in this case is people can't agree on what's right. I was in a discussion today and out of 8 people in the room, it was split about 50 / 50 on who should have the dog. Which ever decision was made, someone won't be happy.

 
At 1:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Provided the email address as info only. The argument is a difficult one. People have a right to get their animals back, but we'd be in a heap more trouple if people didn't step up to adopt the Katrina rescues.

 
At 10:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you Eric. Your blog helps get the message out to the world.

 
At 3:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How can we find out the results of the sentencing against Tammy Hanson. Is anyone from HSUS, Pasada Safe Haven, or PETA going? Mark the 23rd of Februry on your calendar.

 
At 6:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Eric, why Hasn't Susan Michaels from Pasado removed this web page?

http://katrinafoundpets.com/pasedo_pitts.htm

 
At 6:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

those of us who live in Baxter County will keep Eric informed and i feel sure he will spread the news and we will also let him know what happens i Mo. as soon as we find out, hopefully the -itch will will get jail time somewhere as she had already started collecting dogs again according to info we got.

 
At 10:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sheriff Montgomery stated he had received several thank you cards and a couple of letters. He even stated there were cookies, fruit and flowers sent to the Sheriff's Office. His voice appeared humbled as in his words it wasn't often that people thanked law enforcement officers for doing their job.

I want to thank those that took the time to send a thank you card to the Sheriff and his staff.

Lawrence County Missouri is the next battle ground for Tammy Hanson. That's where she has been charged with Felony Theft. It might be a good idea to send thank you cards to that Sheriff's Office as well. They were willing to stick their necks out to help Baxter County and to take on Tammy Hanson.

 
At 2:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know Sheriff Montgomery very well. He is indeed a very humble man. He is one of the most genuine, caring, law enforcement officers I've ever known. He has surrounded himself with a staff who is equally dedicated to doing what's right. For his efforts in all aspects of our county, I'm very grateful.

He won his election by a landslide. I fully expect his reelection to have the same outcome. I have not heard one person complain about him or the job he's doing. Baxter County has elected a man who applies the state's toughest sex offender regulations to their fullest...not because he has to, but because he feels the people of our communities deserve the best he can provide.

My hat's off to you John. Thank you one again for all you do!

Bill Wheeler - President
Mountain Home Pets, Inc.
http://www.mhpets.com/

 
At 5:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Please post everywhere
Ms. Hanson did not show for her sentenceing and is said to have removed a bunch of pens and other materials from her property which means she is setting up somewhere else to torture animals, she has no bond warrants issued from Baxter county today, be on the lookout for her and report to Eric or the Baxter county Sheriffs office. She also has charges pending in Mo. so i suspect she is in another state. If she does not show in Mo. They can extradite from other states , i am not so sure whether Ark. can on misdemeaner charges but she has to be stopped somehow...PLEASE HELP!!!!!

 
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