Dogs Deserve Better Founder Case Set for Jury Trial

Grimes Turns Down Plea Bargain Which Stipulates She Return Dog;
Attorney States Intention to File for Dismissal of all Charges

Altoona, PA—The founder of Dogs Deserve Better, Tammy Grimes, was in court today in Blair County, Pennsylvania, for a pre-trial conference stemming from charges of theft and receiving stolen property for the help she gave a dying chained dog she dubbed Doogie in East Freedom, Pennsylvania on September 11, 2006.

Grimes and her attorney rejected a plea bargain which stipulated the return of Doogie in exchange for Advanced Rehabilitation for Grimes, and elected instead to go to a jury trial. Mr. Thomas Dickey will concurrently file for a motion to dismiss all charges against Grimes.

Grimes states, "All evidence in the case clearly points to abuse and cruelty neglect on the part of the Arnolds. Pennsylvania anti-cruelty law is not being upheld in this case, and with eyewitnesses, video, photos, and vet testimony, there is more than enough evidence to convict the Arnolds.

The Arnolds have shown no remorse, and have been charged with no crime by what I feel is a very corrupt system in Freedom Township and Blair County, Pennsylvania. I could never in good faith return Doogie, presently flourishing and treated with the utmost respect by his caretakers, to a situation which would lead to his most certain demise."

Kim Eicher, the Arnold's neighbor, stated that Doogie had been unable to stand for three days, and she had gotten no response from the local humane society after calling both 911 and the humane society.

Grimes, upon seeing Doogie from the road, initially felt he had already died. Her team went to investigate, and found that he was still alive, but was unable to stand, his legs flailing about in the mud and his own feces. She then documented his condition with video and photos, and took him to a local veterinarian, getting him immediate and necessary care.

She was later arrested for her refusal to return Doogie to a certain and immediate death on the end of a chain.

Video of Doogie's condition at the time of his rescue has been viewed over 41,000 times on You Tube. Subsequent videos can be also be seen on You Tube, with the latest showing Doogie's much-improved condition from October 18th. The case has made national headlines, and has been featured on Inside Edition, the National Enquirer, Animal People, animal magazines, and on blogs all over the internet.

A further pretrial conference is scheduled for February 5th, 8:30 a.m., in the Blair County Courthouse.

Dogs Deserve Better is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and Australia.