When Rescue Goes Wrong

danisgoat said:
Anyone know the latest on this?
Click to expand...

There hasn't been much going on (legally speaking) since the $10,000 bond was posted. The respondent (COSR) has to file their pleadings by 9/1, which is Labor day, so I'm guessing this Friday or Tuesday next week. Then a court date will be set. I'm not sure how far out the court date will be set.

In the social media area of updates.. a COSR supporter has started a FB page and blog to tell their side of the story, but it's not really COSR's side of the story because apparently it's not coming directly from them. They are stating they are not affiliated. It's kinda crazy, it got the people wanting Piper to go back to her owner all riled up, which I'm sure was their intentions. I'm staying far away from it.

Here's an article that lays out the timeline from when the owner contacted the rescue. It even details the mediation that went on through National Sheltie Rescue Network. Basically every time Veronica was ready to agree to COSR's terms, the terms were changed to include something else. It just got ridiculous so NSRN backed out.
http://www.bestinshowdaily.com/blog/pipers-saga-the-early-days-a-closer-look/
 
I tried to follow, but it was getting so ugly I couldn't do it. They were debating use of Ms. instead of Mrs. and such. That dog is probably out of the country and in the process rescues are damaged and so are the rights of all dog owners. Awful.
 
Actually, the rescue only put up $200 on the bond - the bond company posted the money.

It is getting really nasty on the other FB page. I have read bits and pieces. What really ticked me off was the use of pictures. The one of Piper had to be removed, so it looks like they searched until they found another. Problem is - photos from Canada are automatically copyrighted and the photo was from a breeder in Canada. I kept looking at the picture, thinking I know this dog, where have I see her. Then I found out - I look at her sister's face every day - she is Natalie's sister. She ended up having to take that picture day - the breeder requested it. Any post that challenges, points out errors, asks questions, are deleted. The anger and venom being spewed, sometimes by both sides, does little to help the situation. It saddens me to see this.

I suspect we are still a long ways away from resolution. What may come out of it that is good though, people are discussing, they are making noise to their government officials as to what should be the law, what role rescues should have, what steps have to be followed, what means are used to prove ownership of a dog (or any animal for that matter). The down side is that a lot of rancor and ill feelings are being fueled by this - things will never be the same, the relationships between rescue (not all though) and breeder and animal shelters will dynamically change.
 
I agree. It's all damaged.

Rescues are under attack, breeders are under attack, dog owners are going to lose. Nothing is going to be defined that helps us all, it never is.

To make something positive -- I got my Cubbers chipped early, I have the chips for my three double registered in 2 different databases (even if it costs money). Oh, and my husband and I will never leave our dogs home alone again, ever.

That doesn't sound positive. Sigh.
 
I am just as horrified at this situation with Piper as anyone here. Regardless of the legal outcome, morally Piper belongs with her owner. The implications for rescue organizations, and for what constitutes legal ownership are troubling to say the least. If nothing else this case has shed light on the pitfalls, and maybe some action will be taken to clarify the laws. One can hope.

As an aside, I have to admit that I find breeder sale contracts a bit of a mixed blessing.

Legally dogs are considered property, so the contract is in fact a "bill of sale" transferring ownership. Mine actually specifies a "date of posession" and a Purchase Price. If that is the case then how can there be "strings" attached to that ownership that are enforceable? Wouldn't the ability to impose conditions at least imply joint ownership?

There is a health guarantee ( very limited in our case), and an assertion that to "the best knowledge" of the breeder she is the offspring of genetically sound, selectively bred, champion bloodlines. None of those terms are defined and so very open to interpretation - the odds that this piece of paper would stand up in a legal dispute are about zilch.

The contract is good way to spell out expectations on both sides of the transaction. But how well it is adhered to is largely a matter trust and personal integrity.

All that said, and in spite of the Piper and similar situations, the vast majority of dogs do not get abducted by rescues. So yes be diligent, register your microchip, have Id on your dog at least when it's not in your house, but I don't believe there's any need for paranoia. Our dog is never out in our yard without at least one of us present and only allowed on the back deck where we can see her if we are at home. We can't always take her when we go out, or have someone sit with her. She is ocassionally home alone, with doors locked and the house alarm activated. I don't find that an unreasonable risk to take.
 
In reality, the husband doesn't want to leave the house alone because we are in an extremely fire prone rural area and he doesn't want IT, especially if the dogs are IN it, to go up in flames, get broken into, or have some of the outside features like our livestock or train area messed with.

But yes, the dogs have tags, county licensing, and chipping. It's a good thing to do.
 
Wow.

Poor Piper. Every single ball that could be dropped for her was dropped. I just hope someone is caring for her well, for her sake.

I pray the person where Piper is hidden becomes moved by this story and takes her to the judge or better yet directly to Veronica.

This story is shocking. I hope Veronica has this written into a script and made into a movie. LMN would pick this up in a heartbeat.

Piper needs to go home and Penny needs to make restitution for what she has done regarding these two families.
 
I was reading that article probably as Emmasmom posted it. It just makes me absolutely sick. I told Emmasmom (privately) that I was waiting for more information before I came to any conclusions because the way one of the sons was posting on FB was a little over the top (understandably) so I was a little skeptical if what he was saying was true or if he was just trying to give us more reasons to get worked up about Penny. But that article... wow. I think animal control needs to get involved and investigate the premises. It sounds like the living conditions are terrible for these dogs. And I truly hope the Meredith family is given justice. I just don't understand what kind of person would take advantage of a dying woman and her family. Something is not right with her. I just pray that Piper is safe, healthy, and being cared for.

I'm trying to not to pay attention to the fb page too much because I tend to get emotionally invested, but at the same time I feel like I can't actually do anything to help. I have made a donation and will try to see if I can make another in a couple weeks.
 
Unfortunately elder abuse is prevalent just like animal abuse. I have heard from some patients how they have been treated by family members. Either one saddens and sickens me.

I can only pray that Piper is found and returned ASAP. Everyone is on pins and needles waiting for the opposing lawyer to post whatever he has to at court. Given that Monday is a stat holiday, it will be interesting to see what happens. This is a situation that is not going to go away quietly at all, though they would like it to. Too much water under the bridge, and both good breeders and rescues are getting caught in the crossfire.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top