Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Year-Old Appeal to HRM From Qualified Trainer Ready to Help: "I support her return"



NOTE: This letter was sent to the lawyer for HRM who was then prosecuting the case. He was replaced by outside counsel Geoff Newton a few months later. 
Mr. Efthymiadis was not granted access to assess Brindi on Feb. 27, although permission was granted and all parties were notified the day before of his schedule and the 10 am appointment.
Quality K9
Mr. Joshua J. Judah, Municipal Solicitor
HRM Legal Services
P. O. Box 1749
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3A5


April 16, 2009


Dear Mr. Judah:

            Today I am writing with a plea for restoration for a dog named Brindi. My name is Ted Efthymiadis, I am a professional dog trainer located in Halifax Nova Scotia. I studied professional obedience & behavior with Tarheel K9 (www.tarheelcanine.com),
 which is located in Sanford North Carolina. Tarheel K9 specializes in teaching dog trainers the skills to train dog obedience, dog behavior, drug detection, search and rescue, dog behavior modification, police protection among others. My dog training days go back four years, I starting specializing in dog obedience. My love for dogs soon evolved to training protection, behavior modification and drug detection. I now specialize in training with dominant and aggressive dogs. The (CAPPDT), Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers has certified me as a professional in good standing.

            Many months ago, I heard of Brindi's case in the newspaper. In all honestly, I was shocked that this dog had not been release within a month of being detained. From what I have heard and read of Brindi, I am absolutely confident this dog is able to be rehabilitated within 3 months or less, ultimately I believe this dog is capable of being a good member in her community. I have personally worked with dogs much more aggressive than Brindi, with great success. My business generally caters to larger aggressive dogs like Boxers, Cane Corsos, German Shepherds and Pit Bull's. On a scale of 1/10, Brindi's case at most would be a 5/10.

            I have had personal contact with Brindi's owner at length and I am confident in her willingness to change the way she handles her dog. She seems very interested in learning how to properly deal with her dog and trusts my professional opinion in dealing with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Because I believe so dearly that this dog should not be held any longer, I support her return to her owner, and am willing to offer, and monitor to the fullest extent of my ability, a full rehabilitation program for this dog and owner free of charge.

Best Regards,

Ted Efthymiadis

902-489-4269



Friday, March 12, 2010

Messages Nobody Likes to Get



Warning: Don't read if you want to stay in a good mood. These are just for the sake of documentation, not for pity. I find them very perplexing, among other things. 

------ Forwarded Message


From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:18:36 -0800 (PST)T
To: Francesca Rogier 
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post ""Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case! <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/lets-adopt-canada-is-on-case.html> ":

Now that really carries a lot of weight,a USA web site. Well sweet cheeks this is Canada,and we had enought of your crap.Make sure you have your permits for the protest on March 6. I am sure HRM will bend over back wards to ensure that you do.        LIKE HELL.

------ End of Forwarded Message



------ Forwarded Message






From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:41 -0800 (PST) 

To: Francesca Rogier 
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post "If I had listened to the SPCA in 2008 and obeyed H... <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-i-had-listened-to-spca-in-2008-and.html> ":

Your ass is grass.....you lost the battle go buy a pet rock.

Posted by  Anonymous  to  FREE BRINDI <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/>  at  March 4, 2010 7:39 PM

------ End of Forwarded Message 


------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:41 -0800 (PST) To: Francesca Rogier Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post ""Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case! <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/lets-adopt-canada-is-on-case.html> ":

It will be over on the 9th however Fran will not like the results.
There are rescues outside the Province who will pick up Brindi on the 9 th and head for parts unknown.

Posted by  Anonymous  to  FREE BRINDI <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/>  at  March 4, 2010 4:44 PM

------ End of Forwarded Message


------ Forwarded Message 


From: noreply-comment@blogger.com 
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:26:44 -0800 (PST) 
To: Francesca Rogier 
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":

I'm praying that you move to Cuba,as we citizens of NS are sick and tired of you. Don't worry about your dog we will look after her for you!
 
------ End of Forwarded Message




------ Forwarded Message
From:  noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:31:54 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier 
;Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":

Just stick the needles in already, one for the dog and one for a noisy owner. 

------ End of Forwarded Message



------ Forwarded Message 


From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:59:02 -0800 (PST) 
To: Francesca Rogier 
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Voice of the people ??.

Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post "Voice of the people ?? <
http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/02/letter-to-editor-x-2-who-is-this-about.html> ":

One fact you left out is you are not a responsible dog owner.
In fact you are not a responsible citizen of NS.
You brought this shit on yourself,by ignoring the regulations as per owning dog which you could not control. You have wasted thousands of dollars of tax payers money,yet you as a non resident are entitled to health care,and freedom of speech,however its time you STFU and got to hell out of NS as we don't need trash like you!!!!!



------ End of Forwarded Message

Well, you get the picture. I can't print some of the others because they contain foul language. 
Friends are pretty sure some of these are from Wayne Croft, who lives in Mill Village and has been openly taking shots at me on Facebook for a year. But I don't know the man and can't say for sure. I can say one thing for sure, though: non-residents are not entitled to free health care.



Here is a comment from January 17 that I chose not to publish at the time (here posted as received, no changes  were made in message text):




------ Forwarded Message 


From:  noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:06:10 -0800 (PST) 
To: Francesca Rogier 
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Another Christmas.


Anonymous   has left a new comment on your post "Another Christmas <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-christmas.html> ":

Brindi should go home before the SPCA losses the city contract, I'm told an old friend of Lori Scolaro and former shelter worker is getting the new contract. So there is more inside hate from animal control to kill this dog with or without the spca. They have made it easy for her friend to take over while stiffing the spca, who still want to work with HRM with "alternate" provisions!! Wait for it everyone......

------ End of Forwarded Message






Threats and threats

This provocative post title is referring to the threat that Bob Ottenbrite reported to the papers, and the threats I am receiving on a daily basis, variously telling me to leave the country, that I'm a liar, that I'm breaking laws, that I will be surrounded in the courtroom by menacing faces, and generally, that my middle name is trouble. A few threats have been carried out. Thanks to a caller who later bragged about it online, the power company nearly cut my electricity last year, and my house was nearly condemned. Neither could happen, thanks to the fact that things are in order here. But both were pretty upsetting.

So I totally sympathize with Mr. Ottenbrite.
I wish nobody would send threatening messages to anybody. I usually prefer not to mention or post mine; why ruin everybody's day? Unlike others, I have no way to avoid getting more of them, for the simple reason that they can choose to walk off, but I am fighting to get my dog back alive.

Reading the papers here, one might get the impression that there are torchlit meetings of mobs who want Brindi to be let go, who then go off shooting notes to dog trainers using flaming arrows or something like that. What a joke. If only they knew that dedicated Brindi supporters are very busy living their lives, having biopsies on their lungs, or birthday dinners with their 79-year old mothers; looking for a new job, organizing charity functions, or about to have their first child. They are just not the threatening-letter types. Nobody has the energy to get hysterical. I don't know about the ones who send me threats, though; they seem to have endless energy!

This is not about threats, this is about love. 
I love my dog, and she loves me. To me, that's where it begins and ends, really. A lot of people seem to feel Brindi coming home is important to them, and I believe that's just because it is how they feel about their dogs, and they are responding for this reason alone. That is their message: most people who love dogs feel that others who love dogs deserve to have those dogs with them if at all possible. I do agree with their point of view. Close to half of people in Halifax own pets, so that's got to be a lot of people with that point of view.

Legally speaking one might argue that people who love their dogs should have them, perhaps to the extent that the dogs do not present a danger to the public, let's say as a reasonable standard, relative to the top causes of accidental death and injury . Since lighting strikes cause approximately 16 times more fatalities on average than dogs cause (don't quote me; I've linked to this earlier), most people would not be at risk of authorities taking their dogs.

It would be so nice if dogs never bit people or other animals anywhere. But because they sometimes do, and humans are the ones ultimately held responsible for it, it's good there are laws and rules. I cringe at stories of any dogs chasing cyclists or jumping on kids or shaking kittens or worse. I am so glad for Sophie and Karen Short in New Brunswick, but the story behind it really takes me aback, wondering why a dog would behave that way.

I believe I have shown that Brindi is significantly different.
I am glad my photos and videos and stories helped people fall in love with her who never met her. Of those who have met her, I am glad so many spoke up. Now the SPCA is agreeing with them, even if they are spinning it their way, which is less nice (I spouted about this earlier...). The bottom line is that they are now saying what I tried to convince them of over a year and a half ago; they changed their official position from "we can't comment, we have no say," to "Brindi should go to a good home." She has a good home, with somebody who has stopped you from putting her down, and I'd like her back now, please! Yes, the SPCA have had her longer, and doesn't everybody now agree that this has been so needless?

So nobody is more pleased than I am that they like her.
Thank god Brindi really is such a nice dog, or what would they be saying now if she did have so many "issues"? I just am so frustrated all the same, because I don't understand why they couldn't have done right by her long ago and saw to it that she was returned - at any point: after seizure, after the supreme court case, etc. Instead, it was, after the supreme court ruling that they began agitating for her to be rehomed in letters to HRM.

Brindi is my family. 
We walked, ate, and slept together for 13 months, with my Rudy and Amelia. She would not be alive today if I didn't love her so much. HRM is requesting to put Brindi down. It is my request to get her back. That's what the judge will hear from each side. Since so many are now saying she should not be put down, I'd think the job of saving her life should be easy. But that's no consolation.

What would it mean if HRM puts forward any alternative but "euthanization" (euphemization) in court?There is no viable compromise as far as their position is concerned. Even the mayor has vowed to get Brindi off the streets. If HRM suddenly shifts gears, it will have completely contradicted what it has been seeking all along - by their own admission on many occasions, including on the stand. Killing Brindi is the only reason why officials ever laid charges. 


And what would it mean for HRM to contradict itself? It would mean it has wasted everybody's time, a lot of money, and a huge chunk of Brindi's life, for no reason at all. 

In any case, if someone writes a letter to the Mayor expressing their feelings and opinions on the matter, it is because they have their own feelings and opinions to express. At the same time, I am grateful to those speaking on my behalf, provided they do so peacefully.

On the home front: it seems that the eastern shore has little time for concern about Brindi, if ever she was a concern. My neighbors tell me we've been overtaken by a band of wild coyotes for some months already. Walkers are accosted, cats are missing for months now, and a dog had to be put down after a coyote tore its face off. Calls have been made to HRM and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

It makes me worry about Amelia. I need my dog Brindi for protection... !!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Outcome of March 9 court date

The judge agrees that she must hear from an expert on whether Brindi is dangerous and granted me extra time to arrange for a report. The first was positive but is a year old, so she agreed to the need for a new one. 


The new hearing date is set for April 16. The judge may not make a decision that day, though; she likes to take time. I tried to avoid this extra delay by arranging for an assessment on Feb. 27, right after HRM gave permission. But the trainers were not allowed to see Brindi then, due to some mixup between HRM and the Animal Services department. The trainers were unavailable after that day for the rest of the month. I have now arranged for another trainer to see Brindi later this month.


The city will not be offering any assessment and says it is not calling any expert to the stand to argue that Brindi is dangerous. I do not know who it will be calling to the stand, if anyone.


A few points to make:

1. Neither the Halifax by-law nor the provincial law require a dog to be put down solely because it is labeled "dangerous". The by-law allows "dangerous" dogs to be kept under certain conditions. 
While Halifax does seem to put down a lot of dogs, all of them have caused serious harm to people or animals. Brindi is significantly different, and pre-emptive action is not called for.

3. I am being asked about the "plan" to re-home Brindi that has been publicized by the SPCA and Bob Ottenbrite


I heartily welcome the main message behind this plan, because it confirms is what I have been saying all along: that Brindi should not be killed. It supports the evidence I will present to convince the judge to keep her alive. 


4. Under the law, and given the circumstances, to put my dog down can only be justified as an "additional penalty" for the charges, an unnecessary and needless waste of life. 

4. Halifax dog owners are commonly charged and fined without any question of losing their dogs because of it. I will be fined for charges due to one incident that did not involve an attack on a human or serious (or any proven) injuries to a dog. I am no different from scores of other dog owners whose dogs remain in their care.

As it seems all are now saying that Brindi is not a dangerous dog, why can't she just please go home?  


Sad developments:
A reporter told me this morning that trainer Bob Ottenbrite says he received some sort of email threatening to steal Brindi or cause him or his business harm if he were to take her to his kennels, where he had offered to keep her for the rest of her life. Because of this he says he is taking back his offer. 


This is the first I've heard of this. Anyone who would do such a thing is badly misguided. 


I myself have been harassed and cyberstalked throughout this ordeal but I have chosen not to share it all with the press. But this month alone, I've gotten about twenty such messages. From time to time, I bring some of them to attention of the RCMP. 


It's really regrettable that people are getting so carried away and emotional. I like to think that people who really love and understand dogs know that dogs love and forgive unconditionally, and out of respect for this, they are uninterested in engaging in violent or threatening behavior towards others. 


Dogs are my role models. They are hard to emulate.


However, I did feel it was important to ask the Herald for a retraction of the unfortunate message they conveyed in an article published yesterday.  

Monday, March 8, 2010

Another story: heart attack after dog seized

Every time something appears in the local paper, I seem to get another phone call from a stranger with a story to share. Yesterday, a woman left a message that made me hold my breath. She said she knows exactly how I feel and what I am going through: in fact, after her dog was taken away, she had a heart attack. The pain behind her voice was tangible.

"We are supposed to be kind to animals," she says on the message, "But we are not being kind when we take it away from the person they love. I would like to talk to you. I would like to support you to the highest."

This morning, I called her back and left a message. I'm hoping she'll phone tonight, though I almost dread hearing yet another painful and senseless story. I will share whatever she allows.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi

"I am SO GLAD you are fighting to get your dog back!" said a blonde woman in a white ski jacket yesterday. "Please keep it up! I just think the city is really abusing their power to do this to you."

I was standing at the corner of South Park and Spring Garden Road, along with about ten members of Humane Halifax for Better Animal Control. About half of HH's members turned up, arriving before me and doing a valiant job. Veteran four-legged Brindi supporter Jessie the Chessie was there as always with her mom, Jenn Richardson, along with Peggy McIntyre, Bob Riley, Valerie Slaunwhite, Vidya Wang (who brought me tulips!!), longtime Truro SPCA volunteer Pat Mercer, and her friend (whose name I can't remember - my apologies; stress is bad for the short-term memory), both from Cole Harbour, and others, like a young mom named Brenda and her son, who saw the Facebook notice and decided to take along their pretty shepherd mix.

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, with a cool wind to remind us that spring wasn't quite here yet. As Jenn says, "We're not really the protesting type,  just people who love their dogs." So rather than march around, we stayed put for a few hours, while young and old, black and white, rich and poor, residents and tourists passing by paused to hear about Brindi. Scores of them asked for more information and how they could help.

A visitor from South Africa resting at the gates asked what it was about and apologized that she didn't think she could do much to help, being from out of town. Her surprised face beamed with pride, though, when I told her that one of the most fervent people out there fighting for Brindi right now is a woman from her country.

Trish Malkoff from Johannesburg has written and phoned Mayor Kelly several times, and last week she actually managed to speak to Mary Ellen Donovan, the head of the legal department. (Trish had the idea of recording the chat - no idea if this is legal or not, but it's interesting to hear.) I really admire her for not being easily put off. When Donovan claimed it's the police who are behind all of this, Malkoff asked, "Don't you mean the police of your city?" From then on, Donovan answered all questions with "No comment."


As the wind began to die down a little, things warmed up at the corner gates, and people were not in such a hurry to get wherever they were going. Over and over, I heard, "It's your dog!?!" alternating with "You're the lady on TV! When are you getting your dog back?" A pair of young girls who hadn't heard the story before opened their eyes wide at how long Brindi's been in the pound, and why. Seeing the birthday party photo from the SPCA, they promised to phone their HRM councilors on Monday.

A young couple who had left their rottweiler at home to go shopping expressed their concern to see Brindi go home and the law changed before one of their neighbors might get an idea. And so many people, from an elegantly attired lady laden with boutique purchases who nevertheless gladly accepted a flyer, to a tall woman with a friendly bull mastiff who kissed me on the lips (the dog, that is), said they've been following the story since the beginning and hoped things would turn out well.

Overall, it was a pretty encouraging experience. I got a lot of welcome hugs from humans and canines. HH even gained a few new members. Later, Jenn took flyers over to the Willow's pet store for Kyra Foster to give out at the counter. The Herald were kind enough to send over a reporter. We had no problems, although before I arrived, Bob noticed an HRM animal control van sitting across the street for a minute or two, but it didn't stick around long. Sometime later, we held our breath as a pair of patrolmen strolled over to the crosswalk, but they were apparently untroubled by the FREE BRINDI sign hanging on the park gates.

It was really great to get a chance to talk to Haligonians face to face. If I didn't live so far away from town, I'd be on that corner every weekend.

But as I drove all the way back to East Chezzetcook in the afternoon sunlight, I couldn't help feeling very angry at time and effort all this is costing, and all the harm it's done Brindi, when instead we could be going down to the beach for a nice, long walk together, enjoying the prime of our lives. That's all I want for us.

above photos: Robert Riley


This is where Brindi and I belong on a sunny afternoon - her home and mine.
Ed.: On a secure lead with her muzzle, keeping a good distance from all dogs, if any turn up, and otherwise, behind a fence and with private lessons twice a week. 



Friday, March 5, 2010

A new and welcome source of support


From Facebook...

at 10:09pm yesterday
ABAS Society is a no kill society in Nova Scotia. We do not euthanize an animal unless this animal is in pain and suffering for the duration of its life. We support Brindi being returned to her owner with restrictions put in place for (life time leash while walking outdoors). We do not want to see Brindi euthanized. ABAS Society is presently advocating changes to Nova Scotia's Animal Welfare Laws. Our present Animal Protection Laws" are out dated." We feel that it is the fault of the province of Nova Scotia that the dog Brindi has been suffering in the SPCA shelter with lack of care. Many other animals are presently suffering in shelters across Nova Scotia. It is time to make these (family members) important. Nova Scotia needs to make the ammendments required to the existing Animal Protection Act Bill here in Nova Scotia , to further protect ALL animals from suffering. Sadly, it is not the fault of our animals. It is the fault of the people!
Our animals need these changes!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I guess it's not just people "from away" after all...
Some observers - especially those inclined towards a characterization of me as a marginal whacko - like to suggest that the bulk of support for Brindi and me lies disproportionately beyond the border. Well, it is true that there are many people around the world who do support us, and I am very lucky that so many have actively sustained their support for quite some time. I can't begin to count them, I just step aside and marvel. Now they've been joined by some very determined folks in Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, and as far away as Hong Kong, and they are doing some amazing things. 

Because they are seen and heard a bit more by virtue of the internet, I can see how an observer might be inclined to believe that local support is relatively low. But that is not true at all. They may not have as much of a presence online, but there's no disputing the scores of people in Halifax and around Nova Scotia who want to see Brindi go home. Many have called me to let me know this, and report on all the letters and calls they've made to the government and the media. A lot of them never before engaged in writing letters to politicians and newspapers, let alone calling a stranger to let her know they're behind her. It's been an amazing experience in the midst of this mess. 

By the way, if you ever want to get to know your neighbors and fellow provincial citizens well, have your dog seized. No sarcasm intended, I believe have learned more about and gotten to know more Nova Scotians in this past year and a half, than I'd be able to meet in twenty. Sadly, I did not leave my house for most of that time, and not by choice. Nevertheless, there have been many meaningful conversations with so many good souls. Many just picked up the phone after seeing something on TV. I hear the same words, "I wish I could help you get your dog back." Many of them did quite a bit more after that and continue on. I had no idea that so many truly generous and committed people were around, let alone that they would take something like this on with such ferocity. 

Three letters in one day is a first; I can only wonder how many others sent letters just like these since Olive Pastor's letter below was published last Sunday. 

Chronicle-Herald, Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 

I suppose today that Peter Kelly and his council are smug in the wake of winning the court case against Francesca Rogier. I am angry because this court case was won for the mayor using my tax dollars.

I do not support the animal control laws as they stand, and I want them changed with input from pet owners and animal lovers. As far as I am concerned, this case is not about a crime committed by Francesca or her dog. Instead, it’s about the fact she challenged somebody’s authority.


And unfortunately, she depended on the justice system for help. I hope Nova Scotians will take notice that this could happen to you and your pet. We should have given Francesca more support in this terrible time as she tried to save her dog.


It is not too late. Protest this move and demand that Brindi be given back to Francesca. Brindi was kennelled for 19 months, Francesca has been financially devastated. This is abuse. What kind of society are we running anyway?


People of HRM, I beg you to vote this mayor and council out as quickly as possible and demand new laws to protect animals and pet owners, and select animal control officers with a stringent new hiring policy.

Olive Pastor, Caribou

Chronicle-Herald, Thursday, March 4, 2010

After reading her Feb. 28 letter "Brindi case a travesty," I have no option but to agree with Olive Pastor.

The mayor and city council have done nothing to help Francesca Rogier in her time of need.

Brindi is not a dangerous dog. The SPCA put a picture of Brindi’s birthday party on its website. Employees and their families were sitting around Brindi, who was not wearing a muzzle. They all looked very happy, including the toddler who was sitting a few feet away. 

That picture tells a different story than what the city wants us to believe.

Because she challenged somebody’s authority, Ms. Rogier and Brindi must now suffer?

And to think that the city used our tax dollars to hire a private firm of lawyers to prosecute Ms. Rogier is ridicules (sic). 

It’s time to turn back the clock, give Ms. Rogier the appropriate fines, and let her take her dog home, which should have been done as soon as Brindi was seized — which is what is done in 99 per cent of these types of cases.

If this can happen to Ms. Rogier and Brindi, it can happen to anyone who owns a pet. Do you want to be next?


Valerie Slaunwhite, Beaver Bank

Unpardonable sin

As an animal lover and citizen of HRM, I must agree with Olive Pastor’s comments in the Sunday Herald.

I am now eagerly awaiting the opportunity to cast my anti-incumbent vote in the next municipal election.

Ms. Rogier committed the unpardonable sin of fighting back against a bad law.

Little did she know that the vindictive pettiness of our elected council would do far more damage to the public interest than the actions of her dog.

This thuggery should be resisted by anyone professing concern for the rights of the governed.

Rick Crawford, Hubley


Callous treatment

This letter is not the first time I have come to the defence of Francesca Rogier and her dog Brindi.

I still maintain that someone higher up is the instigator of this travesty. To keep an animal 19 months from its owner is callous and cruel! Would it be too crass to ask who is footing the bill for this dog’s incarceration?

As for the justice system: One judge says "give her back to her owner" and another judge says "no."

Now it is your chance to speak up.


Anne White, Truro



(To answer the question on the bill - ME!)







**********************************************************
The True Value of Dogs and How People Feel About Them


I've been told by local legal beagles that dogs are not regarded by the courts as high-value property. Unless a dog is a guide dog, from a rare breed, or a greyhound that races, they're typically not considered worth much more than, say, fifty bucks. Hence the reluctance of lawyers to get involved when a lawsuit becomes necessary. 


But dogs are clearly more valuable than that, when you consider that people spend billions on their dogs annually - food, toys, vet bills, clothes... -  and we all know that Hollywood earns billions on doggy movies every Christmas and all year long, year after year. Who can accurately measure the savings in anti-depressants, alarm systems, and all the other things people would have to pay for, if they didn't own a dog as a companion animal?? These are all ignored by the current animal control laws in North America, which are in many ways at odds with animal cruelty laws.


People who like dogs usually like them without reservation, in contrast to their more cautious way of liking humans. Walking around with Brindi made it easier to get to know people in our community. I can say without any jealousy or resentment that they doubtless liked her more than me. This really struck me when it came time to ask for help to save her life and get her out of the pound. I was thankful she was so likeable, because it meant I had no trouble soliciting letters of support from 16 people in a fairly short time. Among them are several who who testified in court a year and a half later virtually without changing a word, and what is more, I always knew I could count on that. These people did not merely say they like Brindi, however; they gave testimony to what they saw and heard on many occasions.

As far as the untroubling contrast in popularity, the fact is that most people melt around dogs anyhow. To me, Brindi is no exception, though to me she's the best ever, but almost any dog will instantly affect human behavior on sight, and for most of us, for the good. Somewhere I found a study saying just one dog brought into a huge men's prison will instantly improve the behavior of everyone there towards one another, probably through relieving stress. Our ability to train dogs is nothing next to this profound ability to tame a prison full of testosterone! Think of the savings to be had in tranquilizers, weapons, alarms, gates, by simply replacing them with a dog or two from a shelter.

The attention devoted to Brindi was just fine with me. She deserves it all. I was long accustomed to being snubbed in favor of a dog; that's probably a given for all dog lovers. Howard, my boyfriend's elderly dog (who adopted me a few years back), was a very large black collie/setter mix with a fringy setter coat, ponytail and ears, a long collie-like snout, and a gait like a trotter. Howard elicited attention and affection from one and all, regardless of age or status, from which he remained aloof, though diplomatic. "Is that a horse?" kids would ask. Once, a bunch of tall, tattooed, quasi-menacing skinheads bore down us on a street corner in Lexington, KY. I couldn't dodge them when they came right at me. Then one pointed and said, "What kind of dog is that?" followed by, "He's beautiful." And so he was. Howard was the kind of dog that could grace any gathering just by lying down in the middle of it, much as he adorned the street that day.

Brindi was on her way to that status, and I dare say she graces the shelter, judging from the smiles on the staff when they speak of her. I know they want to see her  happy and well-cared for almost as much as I do. Incidentally, in my last post about the SPCA, I ought to have differentiated between these folks, who do the daily grind, and the upper-level decision makers. One wishes the former had a greater say in certain matters.