Tamira Thayne is the founder of Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to bring dogs out of the backyard and into the home and family. She is an artist and animal advocate living in rural PA, the author of Scream Like Banshee: 29 Days of Tips and Tales to Keep your Sanity as a Doggie Foster Parent, and editor of Unchain My Heart: Dogs Deserve Better Rescue Stories of Courage, Compassion, and Caring.
On September 11, 2006, I rescued a dog that was dying at the end of a chain in a muddy yard in a small Pennsylvania town. I was subsequently arrested. A little over a year later, on December 15, 2007, I was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property.
The last year has been the most traumatic and the most inspirational of my life. I have been labeled a "terrorist" a "vigilante", and an "anarchist." I have been called a hero. I have been humbled by encouragement and well wishes from people all over the world. I have been attacked in person and in print in my small town, where the prevailing view is that it is fine and dandy to tie a dog to a tree or a dog house and leave it to pace back and forth for year after agonizing year, in skull-cracking cold or 100-degree weather, with nothing but parasites for company.
I don't regret what I did. Not for one second. And when it comes to rescuing dogs and changing minds and laws, I'm just getting started. Here's why.
The dog at the center of all this, a dog we would eventually name Doogie, had been lying in the mud and rain for three days, chained to the dog house he had been attached to for years. He was unable to stand and was pawing the air in desperation. His owners chose to go four-wheeling and to work on Monday instead of getting him the vet help he needed and deserved, but most importantly was entitled to by law. A distraught neighbor had called animal control repeatedly over the course of the three days. But as so often happens, no "humane" officer called back. No one ever showed up. (Surprised? Trust me, it happens all the time, and not just in my town.) The frantic neighbor eventually reached out to me and to Dogs Deserve Better.
What I did next set in motion a chain of events that would eventually garner national attention, the wrath of some, the support of others, and an agonizing trial during which I had to listen to lies and mischaracterizations for three days: I removed that dog's chain and I took him to the veterinarian. It was all very clear to me as I lifted the emaciated, wet dog into my van. I had been in animal rescue long enough to know that I would probably be labeled the villain while the dog's caretakers wouldn't even be questioned for leaving a suffering dog on the ground for three days, not to mention all the years they tied him to a shabby box in the yard; letting his toenails to grow so long they were curling back toward his pads, denying him vet care when he most needed it.
But I also knew that what I was doing was morally correct. It was the compassionate thing to do. It was the only thing I could do. Time was of the essence. A dog was suffering. I felt he was dying.
In court, it became increasingly clear that our 'humane officer' left me "holding the bag." He had been offered the dog by me as part of what should have been a cruelty case against the caretakers 2 times on September 11th, but ignored me both times. On the witness stand the officer, in an attempt to cover his own ass, stated he told me and the vet assistants not to remove Doogie from the vets. This is absolutely untrue, and if he had done so I would not have been put in the position of choosing between Doogie's skin and my own.
So, now I'm guilty. Ah yes, guilty of caring about a dog that had been left to die. Guilty of putting myself and my reputation on the line because I can't stand to see suffering. Yes, call me guilty.
At Dogs Deserve Better, we see dogs in horrific situations every day. Sometimes these sad animals are neurotic or aggressive from years at the end of a chain. Sometimes, they are half-starved or have collars embedded in their necks. Sometimes they are dead. So, why go out on a limb for one old dog? Why take a moral stand in this one instance? Why challenge a law, when Dogs Deserve Better has stuck to the letter of the law in almost 1,000 rescues to date?
The answer is simple: because it was the right thing to do. Because our laws regarding personal property and animal welfare are contradictory and archaic. Because Michael Vick can't kill his dogs, but the Arnolds can. Because, at the end of the day, I knew I simply couldn't live with myself if I walked away from that dog and left him to suffer there in the mud.
Doogie blossomed after we got him medical care and showed him a warm bed and a little love. He not only walked again, but actually ambled around with a spring in his step. Imagine. A dog that for many years could not take more than a few steps before being yanked back by a chain, was trotting around a yard and enjoying soft hands and a warm home!
I have no illusions about my life's work. I know some people will never get it. I know some people think "it is just a dog." I know some people consider me the representation of all that is evil because I have compassion for animals and because in one isolated incident, where the clock was ticking and life was ebbing, I took someone's "property" -- property that the owners had for all intents and purposes abandoned on the ground like a used-up piece of junk. But I don't care what my detractors think because I now know that I have more support, more friends, more allies, than I ever dreamed possible.
The support I have received during the last year has made me stronger in my convictions and more steadfast in my work. I know that the vast majority of reasonable, educated, compassionate people believe that it is barbaric beyond imagining to chain a dog for its life. I know that anti-tethering laws will continue to be passed in states, cities and counties across this country. ("No-brainers" a recent news article called these laws.) And I'm going to work harder than ever to make sure that happens.
Five years ago, when I started Dogs Deserve Better, people laughed in my face when I talked about laws against chaining. Today, three states have passed laws that severely limit the practice, as have hundreds of cities and counties, some banning chaining altogether. I know that I will see the day when our society sees tying a dog to a doghouse for 15 years as abhorrent as eating a dog.
Oh yes, make no mistake: times change and morality and compassion eventually triumph over ignorance and stupid, blind habit. Slavery ended. Women got the right to vote. Wife beating is no long accepted. You don't see a lot of kids working in mines or sweat shops anymore. Even dog fighting was made a crime.
I can't help but think about Rosa Parks. We can be sure she never regretted refusing to budge from that Montgomery bus seat. And though I may never be as brave as she was, I'll never regret taking a half-dead dog from someone's yard.
I wanted you to hear it from me before you heard it from anyone else. Today at 5:00 p.m. EST I was convicted of theft and receiving stolen property in a Blair County, PA courtroom.
I'm sure I will have much more to say about this at a future date. For now I need a day or two to mourn and then begin to pick up my pieces and move on.
Please realize this is just a bump in my road, and I will not stop working for chained and penned dogs. I hope those of you who are on this list as supporters will stay with me...but I need you still believe in me and the work I've done to free dogs from lives of hell on the end of chains. To still believe in us and the differences we are beginning to make in the lives of chained dogs.
A very special thank you to the wonderful angels at Best Friends in Utah. They stood behind me, and I know they took flack for it. You are special people, and I am honored and touched to know you.
For all the rest of you who gave your time and energy to help me in my case, my deepest gratitude. You touch my heart.
For you, Doogie. May you rest in peace, knowing you were loved and cared for. Tammy
Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit working on numerous fronts to end the suffering endured by dogs that are kept perpetually chained or penned, is offering free memberships for students through January 31, 2008.
"A large percentage of our membership and volunteer base is young people," explains founder Tammy Grimes, who started DDB five years ago after watching her neighbor's dog endure years of loneliness and neglect, chained to a dog house in the yard. "Without the energy and ideas that young people and students bring to our group, we wouldn't be able to rescue nearly the number of chained dogs that we do. Because many students make New Year's resolutions to make a difference, we wanted to reach out to those young people who care about animals – who perhaps are upset by the sight of chained dogs in their neighborhood – and who want to finally take a stand."
Students wishing to take advantage of the limited-time free memberships can visit Dogs Deserve Better
I've been asked to provide the Animal Rescue Angel Tattoos in temporary tattoos, for those who are not interested in permanent tattoos, or would like to give it a try before deciding if they want the real thing.
So check it out! I have to tell you all I still haven't gotten the real thing yet...It's been more a matter of logistics and time than anything else, but I'm getting much closer.
My experiment with the temporary version has made me even more sure that's what I want. I've had the temporary tattoo on my inner wrist for the past 4 days, and it's still going strong. And I LOVE It! I'm glad I had the chance to see my vision there first, it makes me more sure.
Meanwhile, if you never want the real thing, try a temporary tattoo, or get them for an event. It's fun!
Showed that she had Feline Parvoviral Infection, also known as panleukopenia, which house cats can get as well. The poor girl had NO food in her stomach or intestine, and no feces either, which shows she hadn't eaten in awhile. Life in the wild is not easy for these cats, that's for sure.
While it isn't as dramatic as the snake bite theory, I'm glad that we didn't inadvertently kill her, since she ran under the tree to get away from us. I guess we just happened along when she was nearing the end, and she used her last bit of energy in her final run.
What a Wild, Strange Trip it's Been: AKA the Bear, the Bobcat, and the Coyote
I've started walking the dogs back in the woods about 3 miles from my house, near a beautiful creek, which is where I photographed Flag and Chia for this year's calendar. I've actually always been one of the majority of females, I'm embarrassed to admit, who is a big coward in the woods, afraid of being there alone.
It's my theory that this fear in inborn in us, carried forth from times long past where a lone female in the woods was sure to be tortured and killed by either man or beast; therefore, I rationalized, this fear is a survival instinct handed down through the ages, which was certainly not my fault, right? It was just programmed into my genes...
That being said, I'm sure there are brave women out there who go it alone in the woods daily without a second thought. I wasn't one of them.
Walking with the dogs in the woods is a whole 'nother matter, and I'm excited that I feel secure when they are with me. I don't hesitate now to get right out there and revel in the glory of this forest...I absolutely LOVE these woods, they're so mysterious, so gorgeous, so full of peace, something I'm sorely lacking in the rest of my life.
I've finally learned, after repeatedly being told by dog experts, that dogs NEED a good daily walk. For the longest time I figured the large fenced yard should do fine and dandy for them, that they should get plenty of exercise on their own. But dogs aren't like that. They're too busy being up my or Kim's butts all day long to go out and roam the yard. They want to travel as a pack in search of food, as one trainer told me, and it finally hit home with me that I have to really understand their nature, their needs, which go well beyond even just living inside the home as part of the family.
I had to start making this walk a priority, because I'm busy as hell like most of you. Taking time out every day to walk the dogs seemed like something that had to come only 'if there was time', which of course there never was. Meanwhile, I was eating too much (my self-medication of choice...at least it's legal), not exercising at all, and whatever hot sexy body I may have ever had had truly gone to the dogs. The day I decided that this walk had to be a priority was a great day both for the dogs health and well-being, and for my own.
Now if a day goes by that we don't get a walk, either in the forest or the new rails-to-trails near me, I feel guilty for both them and me. When I get ready to go out the door, they are excitedly jumping around thinking it's FINALLY time for our walk...their disappointment thereby becomes my burden.
So we've started walking in these woods some days, usually when it's just me and the dogs because I can let the ones I trust off leash. Kim, my office mate at DDB, went with me a few times back there, but now when she walks we always go to the rails to trails—ever since the day I saw the bear.
I'm assuming most of you had an animal who chased you in your dreams over and over...mine was always a bear. He would chase me through the woods at the farm where I grew up, and I'd finally make it inside the farmhouse, thinking I was safe...but suddenly he'd break through the door and chase me inside the house as well, and I knew there was no place I was safe. At this point I usually woke in terror.
Suffice it to say, a bear is the last thing I really WANTED to see in the woods. The day I saw him we weren't even half way through our walk, I had three dogs on leashes and Heidi, my rottie mix, and Levi, the cocker were loose. I was experimenting with getting the loose dogs to stay behind me so I could be the true pack leader (an exhausting pasttime which I've given up for the present), so I kept telling Heidi and Levi to stay behind me. I looked about 100 yards up the path, and I saw a big black animal with it's back to me, sniffling around in the ground. At first I thought it was Heidi, and I thought to myself, 'I told her to stay behind me'.
I slowly turned and looked behind me, and there was Heidi trotting away...and I thought, 'Uh-oh, if that's not Heidi, then it can only be ONE thing...a BEAR!'
Luckily for me, the dogs hadn't noticed him/her. I'm not sure why, but I'm happy about it, because no one made a peep, which would have alerted the bear to our presence and forced action in a way I may have had no control over. The bear hadn't seen us, since his/her back was to us. So I stopped, thought about my fear of bears, decided this was no time to be challenging these fears, and turned and ran like a little girlie mon back in the direction of the van.
If it's any consolation to those of you who thought I was braver than that, I did laugh at myself while I was doing it, a step in the right direction at least. The dogs were very confused, wondering why we were cutting our walk so short, and why we'd suddenly taken up running. I figured I'd explain it all to them later.
If I were truly as cowardly as my running seems, I would not go back in the woods again, but the opposite has in fact been true. I've gone back time and again, always keeping my eye out for the bear, but enjoying sharing the woods with other living beings and gradually relaxing a bit more again. I haven't seen him/her since.
I started experimenting with letting the other dogs off leash, and they're all doing pretty well except for Magnum. He's had three offleash chances, but he just doesn't get it, and takes off in the opposite direction the second he's let off the leash. He doesn't seem to have the pack mentality he needs to have to stick with us. Each time I had to hunt him down or come back and get him later when he'd run himself out and finally decided to come looking for me.
This actually works out better for me, because it gives me a reason to keep one dog leashed up close to me. I noticed that when they were all running around, which was a joy to watch, I felt pretty insecure, realizing if something came right up to me I would have no dog next to me to protect me. So Maggy, whether he likes it or not, is my guard dog on the woods-walks.
This Sunday was a GORGEOUS fall day. Both days this weekend were awesome; Saturday we'd walked in the woods in the late afternoon, and I'd taken my camera along to capture the beauty of the fall leaves. We've had a glorious fall for leaf color, after the disappointing show the past few years. The heavens smiled upon us this year, and the colors were vibrant. I thought I'd walk them in the afternoon again; but, wanting to procrastinate with work, and seeing the sky so blue, I asked the dogs if they wanted to go early. They did, so off we went.
I took my camera along again, but as luck would have it, left it sitting on the passenger seat of the van. I had Magnum on leash, and was carrying one more leash, just in case. This left only Heidi, Miss Deer, and Cassie offleash. We were nearing the spot where I usually turn around, probably a mile back in the woods, when something growled at Miss Deer, who came running like a girlie dog back to her mommy. My first thought was a badger, which we apparently don't have in Pennsylvania (you'll see that my knowledge of PA critters is very poor, although improving as I go), and my second thought was that someone dropped a cat off in the woods.
Of course, a homeless and needy cat would have been unacceptable to my rescuer mentality. I had to see what it was in case I needed to take it along home with me...so I walked toward the end of the path where it dropped down to a high, grassy area. Suddenly, out sprang a bobcat, shocking the crap out of me, and probably her too! (I didn't know for sure what she was, as I said, my knowledge is/was poor.) She ran about 20 feet to the small stream, and crawled under a tree that hung over the stream's edge, it's roots creating a cavern beneath.
Miss Deer ran after her, so Magnum and I went down to see her and get Miss Deer away from her. Miss Deer probably would have lost a battle with a bobcat, but I wasn't taking chances of either of them harming the other. She was standing in the water looking right at me from probably about 20 feet away, and she was the most gorgeous creature I'd ever seen! I was so ticked I didn't have my camera...her image is emblazoned in my memory, but will never be seen by anyone else, and will surely fade over time.
Immediately after all this happened, and only about 100 yards away, a coyote howled, a very piercing yip and a howl together. Once again, not knowing PA wildlife, I thought it could be wolf or coyote, but I've since learned we don't have wolves here...not sure I'm buying it. Turns out from my research, the eastern coyotes seem to be a cross between the western coyote and the wolf, so I was kinda right either way.
By this point I'm pretty freaked out, like, WTF is going on here? I'd somehow landed in the wooded version of the twilight zone. After seeing no more than a chipmunk for the past 20 or so walks, I was suddenly being inundated with new and somewhat scary critters! I'd hoped it was one of my dogs who decided to take up howling, but they were all right with me until that point, when a couple of them decided to go investigate where THAT noise came from.
I figured the best thing to do was get the dogs and continue down the path a bit further, giving the bobcat time to get out from under the tree and either climb or find another spot further away where we wouldn't run across her again. And giving the, hopefully lone, coyote time to go in another direction himself.
Ten minutes later, when we got back to the same spot, the bobcat was now on top of the roots, and Heidi ran over to check her out. I wondered why she was still there, but I wanted to get Heidi out of there and away from her. When I got over there, she had crawled in between a root, and was just laying there in a funny position. I suddenly realized that she didn't seem ok, that there must be something wrong with her. This of course put me in a quandary, because you can't just walk up to a bobcat and give it a hand they way you could do with a housecat. Meanwhile, all the dogs were barking at her, and I had no idea how to proceed. I got the other leash I'd carried with me, and leashed Heidi and Magnum to a tree to keep them away from her. (Yes, I admit, I did it! Chained ma durn dogs to a tree...but I swear, it was only for a few minutes and out of grave necessity.)
The bobcat was now sitting in the water, but she was swaying back and forth. I needed to help her get out of the water, so I got a large stick and tried to put it under her to drag her to the edge. She didn't take kindly to it, and with what little strength she had she growled and hissed and struck at the stick, which helped me pull her toward shore. When she was close to the edge, her head fell forward into the water, and she started drowning. I was able to get her head up with a smaller stick, still afraid she'd bite me, and finally she was too weak to even growl anymore. I knew at this point she was dying. I was able to pull her totally out of the water with my hands, and I sat with her for five minutes until she died.
It was so damn sad!
And confusing...I could swear that when I first saw her she was a normal, healthy bobcat. And then suddenly she was dead. I had been SO excited and felt so privileged to see a bobcat in the wild, something most people never get to see, and so bummed I didn't have my camera. And then she was gone, a mere shell of the vibrant being I'd seen 1/2 hour ago.
I went through quite a few theories...rabies, some other disease, worn out from the coyote chasing her, lack of food...my latest theory, and the one which seems most plausible to me, is that she was bitten by a rattlesnake or a copperhead when she went under the tree, and it killed her that fast. Seems to be the only thing that makes sense, the only thing that would cause her to fail so suddenly.
I didn't want to leave her there, and not knowing whether she was endangered or not or what to do with her, I decided to carry her out with me. This was no easy task, given that I had to keep Magnum on a leash, and she weighed a good 20 lbs. It was at least a mile to the car.
When I finally made it home with her, I called the game warden, but since it was a Sunday I doubted anyone would get back to me right away. I ended up putting her in my freezer (quadruple-bagged, just seemed gross) to await instructions from the game warden. God forbid I get arrested for doing the wrong thing with wildlife, and I had no idea what 'proper protocol' was in this sort of case.
He did come by and pick her up on Monday. I learned that she should have been refrigerated and not frozen, but he was very nice about it all. They are doing testing now to see if they can determine the cause of death.
When/if I find out, I'll let ya know. One last thing worth mentioning, I thought the game warden would tell me "for my safety's sake, I should stay out of the woods" (keep the little ladies safe and all)...and he didn't! He told me to get myself a whistle, and keep on walking back there, which I thought was pretty cool. Seems he's the only one who thinks I should continue to walk my dogs in the wilds of Pennsylvania....
Controversial Pennsylvania Dog Rescue Case Goes to Second Motion Hearing October 29th
Blair County D.A. seeks to bar defense evidence from the courtroom
October 24, 2007, Altoona, PA—Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy Grimes will be back in court October 29th at 9:00 a.m. for a motion hearing to defend against the Blair County DA's attempt to bar her most-compelling evidence—video, photos, and vet testimony of the dog's condition—from the courtroom. Grimes was arrested September 11, 2006 after taking a dog—unable to stand for three days—for veterinary care; then protecting him from returning to the abusive situation.
Grimes maintains that there were clearly Pennsylvania cruelty laws being broken for at least three days by the time she arrived on the scene, and charges should instead be filed against the Arnolds for abuse and neglect.
She states, "We need to take a serious look at a justice system that favors animal abusers, and I would ask what kind of example this is setting for our children. We have ample proof of abuse in this case: neighbor testimony, vet testimony, video and photo evidence. If we as humans see an animal or human dying and in need of immediate help, it is our moral duty to help that being and protect him/her from further harm. A system that instead requires an abused child or animal to be returned to the situation in which the abuse is occurring is corrupt, and must be questioned and examined if we are to evolve as a society."
The dog, who Grimes dubbed Doogie, had been kept safe and lived inside as part of a family until March 1, 2007, when he passed away due to age and a lifetime of neglect. Doogie's body was returned to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where an autopsy was performed. The DA subsequently ordered the body to be held at the vet and returned to the Arnolds.
Grimes continues, "Barring my evidence from the courtroom may change the verdict in my case, but it will never change the truth. The DA knows that, and so do the supporters of our work at Dogs Deserve Better. I am confident that in the end the truth will set both Doogie and I free."
Dogs Deserve Better has put out two new t-shirt slogans poking fun at the Pennsylvania justice system in Grimes' case, and in honor of Monday's motion hearing. "Only in Pennsyltucky: Save a Life=Go to Jail" and "Only in Pennsyltucky: The Best Offense is to Bar All Defense" shirts and other items are available from http://www.cafepress.com/dogsdeserve.
The Grimes 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.
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 France. Grimes was a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest.
I received this today from numerous sources...upon searching the internet, it is too disturbingly true:
An "artist" from Costa Rica, named Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, put a starved dog as a work of art, the poor dog died there, he did not want anyone to give him food or water."
His photo, his face hurts my heart so violently that I can't inflict that pain onto our supporters...cannot allow them to feel the suffering I feel, feel his ending as I know it. To be so helpless for another living being...to know it's too late for him...to cry and feel like my guts are exposed, but all for naught...to look at his face, want to run to him, protect him, most of all get him water, food.
To feel a hatred for his captor and for those who stand by drinking, socializing, watching "the exhibit." Fuck you.
As an artist I document suffering, push society's boundaries, challenge ideas. As an artist I seek to better the world. Guillermo Habacuc Vargas, the 'human' who starved this dog as part of his exhibit, calls himself an artist. I call him a coward, a murderer.
Worse than a murderer, I call him unfeeling. To deliberately take life, any life, in the name of art defiles the very meaning of art. Art is feeling, feeling art. One without feeling enough to stand and watch death and not intervene, seek to exhibit and promote that death is no more than death itself.
As a rescuer, every cell in my body screams to help this dog. These cells are denied.
As founder of an organization working for chained dogs, I long to step in to give him what he needs. But he no longer needs our help.
Forgive my kind, little old yellow dog. I'm ashamed of my species.
Now it is we who need help, help to come to terms with the cruel world in which we are forced to co-exist with those who abuse and torture our companions.
I wish I had words to soothe your souls, but my soul is too tormented, so betrayed by the cruelty of another artist that I cannot even process the depth of the depravity, cannot fathom the darkness within.
As one arrested for aiding a dog in a similar situation, in essence little more than an 'exhibit' for passers-by and neighbors, I despair of a world where sanity reigns.
Why are abusers not punished, why are those who save life criminals? Those who take life protected, honored? Are we of the same world? Is there a huge dichotomy that we cannot ever move beyond? Are we to suffer the painful deaths that result from bearing constant witness to torture by depraved beings?
I ask these questions and more, silently in my soul, over and over. All my questioning won't help you now, little old yellow dog.
You sweet, precious, innocent little old yellow dog. I'm so sad for you, for us, for humanity. God help us.
Non-profit warns of Halloween dangers to chained dogs
Asks caretakers to keep dogs inside every night—especially on Halloween
Tipton, PA, October 12, 2007 -- For dogs that are kept perpetually chained, a dark, autumn night is just another night to be cold, lonely and longing for affection. On Halloween, a chained dog may also have to fear for his life.
Halloween is a particularly dangerous time for dogs that are kept chained outside, warns Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit dedicated to ending the suffering endured by dogs that are kept perpetually chained or caged. At Halloween, the group frequently sees an increase in the number of dogs that are helpless victims of attack. Fireworks or rocks are sometimes thrown at them and more horrific crimes, such as dogs being set on fire, have occurred in recent years. In addition, chained dogs can easily become agitated by strangers in or near their yards. Dogs Deserve Better representatives have encountered incidents of dogs breaking free from their chains and attacking trick-or-treaters.
Dogs Deserve Better works on numerous fronts year round to change minds and laws, educating about the dangers 24/7 chaining pose, both to dogs and to people, who can become the victims of chained dogs that grow angry, frustrated, or aggressive from their constant confinement and exposure to the elements.
“Chained dogs are always vulnerable to cruel or mischievous children or adults. However, on Halloween, when people are out at night and often looking for mischief, chained dogs are particularly vulnerable," says Tammy Grimes, founder and director of Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c(3) non-profit based in Tipton, Pennsylvania. “Around Halloween, our rescuers have encountered chained dogs that have been pelted with various objects, stabbed, even set on fire. The practice of 24/7 chaining is cruel at any time of year, and it is a practice that is starting to be addressed legislatively in states and cities nationwide. Accordingly, Halloween is an ideal time to remind people to think about the suffering endured by chained dogs and to take action -- by talking to people who keep chained dogs, alerting animal control, and otherwise helping to end the suffering.”
In the past two years, California and Texas, as well as hundreds of cities nationwide, have passed laws that put reasonable limits on how long people can chain a dog to a stationary object. Other states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and South Carolina, are currently considering “anti-tethering” legislation.
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Vote for the DDB 2008 Calendar "Formerly-Chained-but-Now-Free-and- Lovin'-Life" Cover Model of your Choice: 6 Choices, 6 Days to Vote, .60 Cents per Vote
Will it be Cassidy, Chia, Douwe, Flag, Sonny, or Taz?
Welcome to our First Ever Group Vote for the "Formerly-Chained-but Now Free-and Lovin'-Life" Dogs Deserve Better 2008 Calendar Model! Each dog pictured was rescued from a chained or penned life, and is now happy, loved, and FREE to enjoy life the way dogs were meant to do...living as part of the family, with responsible and understanding caretakers.
The rules are simple: the dog with the most votes will be our 2008 Cover Model! (But don't worry...they will all find a place INSIDE the calendar.) Also, please limit your votes to 15 per person, in order to make the contest fair to all income levels...
Dogs Deserve Better is a Finalist for the ePhilanthropy Award in Best Online Community Building and Activist Campaign!
Please Vote for us by September 17th for the People's Choice Award
Dogs Deserve Better has been selected as a finalist in the category of Best Community Building/ Volunteerism and/or Activism Campaign for the 2007 International ePhilanthropy Awards for our Chain Off 2007 Campaign.
We're deeply honored, especially since we're up against some major players for this award--International Fund for Animals and The Humane Society of the United States--just to name two.
At the age of 5, we're babies compared to these other organizations...but we're young, smart, and we work very, very hard for our issue. And we don't give up!
Chain Off 2007 was exclusively run via the internet, at a grassroots level, and brought in 108 people in 36 states, as well as over 200 media hits. We call that a Success, and to be considered a finalist for this award is a success for all of you who support Dogs Deserve Better, and especially those of you who chained yourselves to doghouses as part of this groundbreaking campaign.
Thank you for helping us succeed!
Please, vote for us NOW for the People's Choice Award. The voting only runs through September 17th, so ask all your friends and family to vote too!
Anniversaries, Acts of Love, and the Caverns Beneath
A year since Doogie. A year since my arrest. A year.
6 months since his death. I struggle to understand what happened, still, today.
Am I really a human? A woman? A mother? A leader? An American? A thief?
Who are these people who relentlessly pursue me? Are they human? Why are we so different? I don't comprehend.
People say I'm a hero for rescuing Doogie. I like it. I hate it when anyone saves anything and then denies that they are a hero, for it steals the beauty in the act. In that one moment of your life you are a hero, regardless of whether you embrace it or not. Whether comfortable with it or not. And maybe you'd return the dog and maybe you wouldn't. You don't know until you're there.
People say I'm a devil for stealing a dog. I hate it. I hate it that they can't see, that they can't perceive of anyone doing anything selfless, and so attribute vile, self-serving motives to it. Because they never could or would.
I hate that I care. I resolve to stop caring.
My ex-husband is trying to take my kids. I hate it. I struggle to understand. I cry every day, and I couldn't cry before. But now I can. Facing the loss of my children I have rediscovered that I am human after all. And mother.
Some will say it's karma. I took Doogie, therefore now I may lose something I love. Trouble is, I didn't chain my children until they could no longer stand. And ride ATVs while they writhed on the ground begging for me to see them.
Love?
I bore both children without drugs. None. I did that for them, not me. Now when a doctor asks me to compare my pain to the worst pain I ever felt, I have to say it's a 1. Because once you've born a child without drugs, most everything else is just a 1.
I breastfed my children for 1 and 2 years respectively. I did that for them, not me. Anything which ties a woman to a baby, sagging her breasts for life, cannot be attributed to selfishness in a society tied only to looks and body image.
Will I lose my children because I give so much of myself to my other 'child', Dogs Deserve Better, that I've left them open to hostile takeover? I haven't guarded them closely enough, given them enough of me, the mother? I struggle to mother both children and dogs, yet I love them all ferociously, and would gladly lay down my life for all of them.
I shoulder the onus for stealing Doogie. Not without great personal sacrifice, not without absolute conviction in moral right and moral wrong.
A year later, I will spend days in court for both Doogie and my children. Faced with the possibility of losses on both sides. Weakened from pain. Faithless in the rightness of our society and our system...
In the depths of despair, one thing remains clear. No matter how ugly our world, no matter how much pain there is to endure, how you are pursued, persecuted, tortured, tormented, the only thing that truly holds meaning in the end is did you do the right thing? The TRULY right thing...not the thing you justify to yourself and others.
The one you feel in your gut.
I did, and I cling to that knowledge. And for now I cling to my children, and love them ferociously. Give them more of me.
I am terribly flawed like most humans, and some days an utter failure. Then the cat who's life I saved—with a year-long raw food diet (yuk)—jumps to drink from the meditation fountain, and I smile. My children tell me they love me—and mean it—and I melt. And Miss Deer—the biggest scaredy dog in the world—sleeps on my bed and licks my hand, and my heart beats its joy.
Today, September 11, 2007, I feel too deeply the struggles of the world, and the unfairness within. Today, we hold a collective sadness in America, and my suffering is only the tiniest particle in that sadness.
Today, I hold every suffering soul in my heart, and wish for you all the courage to do the right thing, even when it's hardest. Maybe in that awakening alone will be the salvation of mankind, and with it man's best friends.
Woman accused of dog theft issues statement in response to Pennsylvania DA's attempt to bar defense evidence from trial
Tammy Grimes says "Let's make it easy for you—I did it."
Tipton, PA — September 3, 2007 — Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs who are kept chained or penned for life, today released a statement in response to District Attorney Richard Consiglio's attempt to bar all defense evidence from the courtroom.
An article in Saturday, September 1st's Altoona Mirror states: "Consiglio on Thursday filed a request to exclude testimony during the trial [from]...a veterinarian as an expert witness to discuss the dog's condition," as well as videotape of the dog and any reference to the dog as being 'abandoned property'.
Grimes aided a dog September 11, 2006, who'd lain chained and on the ground for 3 days, unable to stand and without enforcement of existing cruelty laws. She was subsequently arrested after refusing to return the dog who she dubbed Doogie to his abusive environment.
Grimes response to the DA is as follows:
"Mr. Consiglio has stated that 'the Grimes case has nothing to do with canine rights.' On the contrary, this case has everything to do with Doogie's rights—his right to live free of abuse being already inherent in Pennsylvania anti-cruelty laws.
Whether you bar the evidence or not, the fact remains that laws were being broken for at least three days before I got there. Yet you've shown no interest in pursuing cruelty charges against the perpetrators.
It's a shame you choose not to uphold those laws, especially when the Michael Vick case clearly shows that most of America actually CARES about Man's Best Friend. I'm sorry the police force of East Freedom, Pennsylvania and District Attorney Richard Consiglio apparently do not.
My case not only has to do with the right of a dog not to be abused as per already-existing Pennsylvania laws, but also has to do with MY rights—my right to defend myself in a court of law being first and foremost.
If you take away my right to defend myself, which is what you are seeking to do, then let me go ahead and make it easy for you:
I T-O-O-K T-H-E D-O-G. Throw me in jail. I will not pay you a dime.
I have the right to defend my actions, and without evidence I have no defense.
This case has nothing to do with theft and everything to do with inadequacy. Inadequacy of enforcement, inadequacy of investigation, and inadequacy of prosecution.
In seeking to convict me, you actually seek instead to cover up your own inadequacies.
I will gladly go to jail for Doogie, and I would do so a thousand times over. I am not scared nor intimidated. Barring my evidence cannot stop it from being viewed by the public, which has happened over 50,000 times on YouTube, as well as on local and national news. You may seek to hide the truth, but the truth always finds its way out.
Doogie's truth is my truth, and HIS truth WILL set us BOTH free."
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Tipton, PA — September 3, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced that auction has started today for a one-of-a-kind artpiece addressing dog chaining, dog fighting, and the abuse of America's pit bull type dogs. The piece, created by founder Tammy Grimes, is entitled "Falling Star, Rising Son: The Football Player and the Pit Bull", and contains stars and a shard border cut from actual NFL football tickets which were donated to the organization.
The tickets, from a DDB supporter, were for an August 26th pre-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, and were intended for use as a fundraiser for the organization. When the Michael Vick case came to light and organizations began boycotting NFL games, the decision was made not to sell the tickets. Ideas were solicited on YouTube, and the winning suggestion was to create an original piece of art on the issue and encompassing the actual tickets.
The piece features Phoenix, who many people fought to save and who became DDB's September's calendar dog, as the Rising Son. Grimes states her motivation as follows: "A star falls, breaking walls of depravity, immorality, inhumanity. From the ashes the son rises, conquering those who objectify him; his true champions hail and shield him...they, the Rescue Angels."
All proceeds from the auction will go to Dogs Deserve Better, with prints of the piece without the ticket stars and shards donating 50% of the proceeds to Dogs Deserve Better. In addition, the first 5 signed prints sold online will get 1 small star each cut from the remaining portions of the Steeler-Eagle tickets.
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
DDB's 5th Anniversary Letter from the Founder: Let's Celebrate, Plan Ahead, Forge the Way! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meet Levi, one of the estimated 300+ chained or penned dogs rescued by DDB area reps and volunteers since August 2006.
I rescued Levi, an AKC-registered cocker spaniel, from his chained existence in Bellwood, Pennsylvania just two short months ago. Levi's existed on that chain for 10 years of his life, but you'd never guess it from the spring in his step, the daily joy he exhibits, or the forgiveness he musters for the failings of humankind--failings that cost him most of his adult life.
As I took photos and video of Levi on the chain prior to bringing him home, I was most struck by his sense of continued hope; hope that, even after 10 years, showed no signs of dying. He paced back and forth between his bedraggled doghouse with its 'Beware of Dog' sign (were they joking?) and me, dragging his chain along behind him, and what did he do every few seconds?
Stopped, then with longing, and yes, HOPE, looked toward the house, waiting for someone from his 'pack' to come out and bring him home.
For as he and I both knew, although they'd given Levi a house, they'd never given him a home. (This is the theme of our new brochure, debuting soon.)
How many times had he looked for them in the past 10 years, I wonder? If I conservatively (very conservatively) estimate it at 20x a day, Levi had looked at that house with hope 73,000 times in the past 10 years!
73,000 times.
There are many more than 73,000 chained and penned dogs across America, the world. If even 73,000 dogs look with hope for their family to bring them home 73,000 times in their lifetime, the dogs we work for are heartbroken over 5 BILLION times in just 10 years!
This situation MUST end.
We can accomplish our happy ending most quickly by aggressive legislative changes. California, Texas, and Connecticut have limits on tethering, along with over 100 others cities and counties nationwide. In 2007 there were tethering bills proposed in 14 states. Bills failed in Virginia, Maine, Nevada, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Maryland’s passed but got so watered down it lost its tethering limits. Bills are still alive in North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with Rhode Island’s being ‘held over’. If you’re from one of these states, PLEASE contact your local representative to tell them to support the bill.
We're coming off a MAJOR success with our Chain Off 2007, Unchain the 50, in which we had 108 people in 36 states living chained to doghouses. These 108 people brought in over 200 media hits and over $20,000 in funds for the chained dogs! Lisa Michelson Kukowski of Texas was our winner of $100 worth of DDB materials, bringing in over $1900 in funds. She also pushed Texas to an overall total win, which means a billboard in an area of heavy chaining, just in time for the new law to take effect.
New years are always new beginnings, and a time for gratitude for the good from the previous year. Here's my 'Top Ten' Gratitude list for Dogs Deserve Better for our 5th Anniversary:
1. Doogie was safe, alive, and had six months with a wonderful foster mom! That made everything that has come since worth it.
2. DDB's amazing area reps, who work so hard on their free time to make a difference for chained dogs. I love you guys.
3. That 108 people cared enough to risk looking foolish on the end of a chain to make a difference for those who can't leave when they're done. Bravo to all of you.
4. The 'anonymous donor' who planted a seed of funds for the Dogs Deserve Better Rehab and Training Center for chained dogs. May it continue to grow...(More to come soon!)
5. The 300+ chained dogs who were rescued directly by DDB members and reps, fostered, and found new, inside homes and families.
6. The many dogs who were able to stay with their families through our help with housetraining and fencing.
7. The invitations DDB has been getting to speak and exhibit at major conferences nationwide.
8. Levi, our little AKC Cocker Spaniel rescue, and the opportunities that provides as we continue to push for better laws for chained dogs.
9. The thousands of donors who keep DDB afloat. Many say they are upset that all they can do is send funds. You are needed! Many others can help but cannot fund, so those who can fund our efforts are very, very much appreciated.
10. Every single opportunity to help a chained dog. Every success makes the failures fade just a tiny bit!
The Importance of Membership
I'm only just now realizing how important membership is to Dogs Deserve Better as an organization. To you it may add up to a donation with a few side benefits, but to us it provides some measure of sway with the media and other organizations. We're frequently asked what our membership is, and our immediate goal is to double our membership, from 3500 to 7000 (or 100,000, hey, we don't want to limit ourselves)...the greater numbers we show behind our efforts, the more seriously our efforts will be taken. Can you help by becoming a member of Dogs Deserve Better today? Please join today, and ask your family and friends to join, too.
To Celebrate our 5th Anniversary, We've got some New Stuff for YOU to Enjoy!
Buy NOW from our Cafepress Store, because we've just found out they're upping Prices Soon on all items with printing both front and back, which we like to do to get more 'bang' for your buck. For now this costs you NO MORE, but within the next week or so, that price will be going up $3.00...so buy your favorite items NOW before it's too late!
No Chaining, No Fighting Attire http://www.cafepress.com/dogsdeserve ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PLEASE Join Dogs Deserve Better today! We have a chance to change the future. With your help, we can let the world know animal abuse MUST be taken seriously. Don't sit back and let it happen. If we DON'T stand up, this practice WILL NOT END. Please get involved today.
Chained-canine nonprofit asks, What do we do with these donated NFL tickets?
Wants YouTube viewers most creative ideas in light of the NFL boycott
Tipton, PA — July 26, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that they're seeking input from YouTube viewers on what to do with donated NFL tickets the organization has received; tickets which they'd planned to raffle off to raise funds for their work for chained and penned dogs.
Many animal organizations are currently boycotting the NFL in light of the Michael Vick case.
The donated tickets are for the August 26th game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, a game highly anticipated each year in Pennyslvania.
Tammy Grimes, founder of the organization, feels it is very ironic the donation has come this year. "We've never had football tickets donated before, and were very excited about it, especially because it's the Pennsylvania rivalry...but we cannot in all good conscience raffle these tickets off as intended at this point in time. We're looking for YouTube viewers most creative ideas on what to do with the tickets, so log into our YouTube site today at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPefVp-hpro to voice your opinion!"
Grimes will make the trip to Richmond for the 3:00 p.m. rally on Thursday, July 26. "Dog fighting takes our issue to the utmost levels of cruelty imaginable; not only are the dogs short-chained on thick logging chains to build their muscles and frustration, but they are then subjected to horrendous deaths for the enjoyment of sick individuals.
I implore dog lovers the world over to help us finally end this intensely cruel practice."
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Dogs Deserve Better to join Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare rally at Michael Vick hearing
Founder to attend, condemns dog-fighting as 'worst form of cruelty imaginable'
Tipton, PA — July 25, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that the group will join the Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare in a rally at the Thursday court appearance for Michael Vick in Richmond, Virginia.
Tammy Grimes, founder of the organization, will make the trip to Richmond for the 3:00 p.m. rally. "This case is too crucial for those of us who fight for humane treatment for dogs to miss, and I implore all those who are in agreement to make the trip. Dog fighting takes our issue to the utmost levels of cruelty imaginable; not only are the dogs short-chained on thick logging chains to build their muscles and frustration, but they are then subjected to horrendous deaths for the enjoyment of sick individuals.
As a rescuer, I've seen my share of unintended dog fights, and I know many rescuers (including myself), who have been bitten trying to break up a fight between two dogs who take a dislike to one another. Those brief moments before you stop the struggle are absolutely terrifying—I cannot imagine actually WANTING dogs to fight, much less allowing it to continue to the death.
While in New Orleans after Katrina, a well-meaning individual put a pit covered in scars into the doggie play area...It took 7 people to pry the trained fighter off the old, shaggy dog; his screams filled the air for what seemed like hours. I will never forget the distress of all those in attendance, all those who cared enough about both dogs to put a stop to the attack.
I implore dog lovers the world over to help us finally end this intensely cruel practice."
Attendees to the rally are asked to meet at 9th and Bank Streets, and wear black business attire in remembrance of the fighting dogs of Surry County. Members of Virginia's General Assembly have been invited, and further information can be obtained from DDB/VVAW member Lisa Hetrick at lisa.compton@comcast.net.
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
(Note to everyone: I apologize that this release is so dark! The event was such a huge success, and I hate to bring it down with a dark release...look at the links, below, because you'll see a ton of awesome pics, video, and news articles about how people stood up all over the U.S. and in Canada! It just infuriates me that this poor little girl died right where we were, in Atlanta, GA; and the people are still clueless that they are doing anything wrong by keeping large, unneutered male dogs chained in their yards!)
108 People in 36 states live chained to doghouses over the July 4th Holiday to seek freedom for America's neglected canines and to educate about the dangers of chaining a dog
12 days later, chained rottweiler kills Atlanta 5-year-old girl near the site where 15 people had recently stood against the practice
Tipton, PA — July 16, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that at least 108 people in 36 states and Canada lived chained to doghouses as part of the organization's Chain Off 2007 event, entitled "Unchain the 50." The event was the groups most successful ever, garnering news, tv, and blog attention nationwide and across the world.
The campaign, criticized as 'not important, foolish' by some website commentors, turned deadly serious only 12 days later, when 5-year-old Tiffany Pauley lost her life to a chained rottweiler in Atlanta, site of the largest Chain Off. 15 people lived chained to doghouses in Atlanta's Piedmont Park for up to 30 hours June 30-July 1 in order to bring awareness to the plight of chained dogs, and educate about the resulting damage they can do to children.
Tiffany, a child with Down's Syndrome, had wondered off from her home earlier that morning. She was found hours later lying dead under a tree near the rottweiler. Three chained dogs were removed from the home, and two penned dogs remain on the property.
Tammy Grimes, founder of the organization, expressed the group's frustration with America's failure to understand the nature of a dog. "Not only are we chaining ourselves to doghouses to advocate for the dogs, but to advocate for innocent children such as Tiffany who may wonder into their path. As I read the articles about Tiffany, I was enveloped with a staggering sadness at a loss which could be so easily preventable, if only America would understand the dangers in chaining a large breed dog; if only Americans were forced to take responsibility for their 'family pets'.
These dogs, unsocialized, unneutered, unhappy, become the equivalent of a loaded weapon in a neighborhood backyard. I am most disturbed by the following quote from an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article following Tiffany's death: 'Turner's mother, Patricia Cook, said her son always kept the dogs chained and cared for them. "Nothing wrong happened here," Cook said.'
Nothing wrong happened here? A child just lost her life; I am totally floored that anyone would say "Nothing wrong happened here"...that Ms. Cook has no idea of the irresponsibility inherent in leaving a rottweiler, a shepherd, and a pit mix chained in the backyard, where any child can easily gain access to them. Lawmakers MUST wake up to the dangers inherent in chaining a dog, as it becomes more and more apparent that people who chain their dogs will not.
Yards must be fenced for both the protection of the dog and the protection of our nation's youth. When we mistreat our animals, the human race pays the price in the end. Chaining of dogs, regardless of breed, is an archaic and dangerous practice that must end! We, along with our growing list of supporters and allies, will not stop until it does.
Our 'Unchain the 50' Campaign was an unqualified success. We should be celebrating, yet Tiffany's death brings us back to reality, back to realizing that our work is not done. I want to thank all of you who stood with us across our great nation. Continue to stand, so that Tiffany's death is not in vain. So that one day America has a better understanding of a dog's needs, and our neighborhoods once again become safer places for both dogs and children."
Last year, California became the first state in the country to pass a statewide law specifically limiting the amount of time a dog may be tethered to a stationary object. In June Texas passed a bill setting tighter restrictions on chaining. Anti-tethering bills are still alive in in North Carolina, South Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Over 100 local governments across the United States have passed legislation in recent years that either bans or limits how long a dog may be chained, recognizing that existing animal welfare laws are outdated and that dogs are intelligent, social, active animals that suffer greatly if kept chained or penned for their lives.
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
99 People in 32 States to Live Chained to Doghouses to Seek Freedom for America's Neglected Canines
Non-profit Dogs Deserve Better's "Unchain the 50" Event runs Nationwide June 30th through July 8th
Tipton, PA — June 25, 2007 — Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that at least 99 people in 32 states and Canada will chain themselves to doghouses as part of the organization's Chain Off 2007 event, entitled "Unchain the 50."
Dogs Deserve Better has held its annual "Chain Off" around the July 4 holiday for the last 5 years in order to raise awareness about a practice that is still widely accepted, but increasingly recognized as one of the worst forms of abuse to which a dog can be subjected: keeping it chained or penned for its entire life.
"Unchain the 50" kicks off June 30 in Atlanta, Georgia and in Redmond, Washington, with 45 satellite "Chain Offs" running through July 8th. Participants will chain themselves to doghouses – some in their own yards – to stand against the practice of continual chaining.
"Living chained to a doghouse for 24 hours will be grueling and unimaginable for those of us who are so used to coming and going as we please," said Susan Hartland, organizer of the Atlanta and Seattle events and a Dogs Deserve Better area representative. "But the discomfort we will endure is nothing compared to the daily suffering of many of our nation's dogs who spend their entire lives at the end of a chain, living in a small patch of mud, their chains wrapped around a tree, baking in the summer sun or freezing in the winter cold."
Last year, California became the first state in the country to pass a statewide law specifically limiting the amount of time a dog may be tethered to a stationary object. Over 100 local governments across the United States have passed legislation in recent years that either bans or limits how long a dog may be chained, recognizing that existing animal welfare laws are outdated and that dogs are intelligent, social, active animals that suffer greatly if kept chained or penned for their lives.
Dogs Deserve Better founder Tammy S. Grimes will travel from Pennsylvania to live chained in Atlanta for 29 hours, along with representatives from Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Vermont.
The event will also have representation in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and British Columbia, Canada.
Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Robin Williams Tops List of Celebrities Donating Pet's Collars for Charity Auction
"Celebrity Collars for Dollars" Fundraising Auction Benefits Dogs Deserve Better; Set to Begin June 23
June 18, Tipton, PA—Robin Williams tops the list of celebrities donating their dog's used collars for a "Celebrity Collars for Dollars" auction benefiting Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit working to bring dogs into the home and family. Williams donated three old collars from family pets Gabby and MableMae, signed with each dog's name as well as Robin's, 3 autographed movie photos, 3 signed Robots movies, and an autographed Dogs Deserve Better Calendar cover.
The group also received 2 collars from Daisy Fuentes' dogs Alfie and Rita, and one from Jack Hanna's dog Ben, Adrian Zmed's dog Kubby, Elvira's rottweiler Mina, Patrick McDonnell's friend Earl, and Betty White's dog Pontiac. All have been framed in shadow boxes with a photo of the celebrity, any personal notes, and a Dogs Deserve Better "Celebrity Collars for Dollars" inscription label specifying the celebrity name, his/her companion's name, and the date of the auction.
Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, states "It's been great fun opening the mail from celebrities to see what they've donated. Candice Bergen, who did not have a collar to send, had her assistant call to say they were sending a specially signed photo to DDB; they both loved our work, and gave a generous donation for the chained and penned dogs. What an honor!"
Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, and Dolly Parton donated autographed photos which were framed and will be sold during the auction. Bill Maher sent a signed copy of his book "Polite Musings from a Timid Observer", also to be auctioned, and Martha Stewart autographed the DDB Calendar cover, which has been framed and is slated to be included.
Dogs Deserve Better is pairing the celebrity auction with their annual Chain Off Event, taking place from June 30th through July 7th, 2007. During this year's event, "Unchain the 50", the group seeks Freedom for Chained Dogs in every state in the nation. 70 volunteers in 28 states will live chained to doghouses for 8-24 hours to call attention to those who are still not free—dogs who live their entire lives at the end of a chain, ostracised from what they long for most: family, love, and attention...a "pack" in which to belong.
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 over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
Robin Williams Tops List of Celebrities Donating Pet’s Collars for Charity Auction
"Celebrity Collars for Dollars" Fundraising Auction Benefits Dogs Deserve Better; Set to Begin June 23
June 18, Tipton, PA—Robin Williams tops the list of celebrities donating their dog's used collars for a "Celebrity Collars for Dollars" auction benefiting Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit working to bring dogs into the home and family. Williams donated three old collars from family pets Gabby and MableMae, signed with each dog's name as well as Robin's, 3 autographed movie photos, 3 signed Robots movies, and an autographed Dogs Deserve Better Calendar cover.
The group also received 2 collars from Daisy Fuentes' dogs Alfie and Rita, and one from Jack Hanna's dog Ben, Adrian Zmed's dog Kubby, Elvira's rottweiler Mina, Patrick McDonnell's friend Earl, and Betty White's dog Pontiac. All have been framed in shadow boxes with a photo of the celebrity, any personal notes, and a Dogs Deserve Better "Celebrity Collars for Dollars" inscription label specifying the celebrity name, his/her companion's name, and the date of the auction.
Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, states "It's been great fun opening the mail from celebrities to see what they've donated. Candice Bergen, who did not have a collar to send, had her assistant call to say they were sending a specially signed photo to DDB; they both loved our work, and gave a generous donation for the chained and penned dogs. What an honor!"
Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, and Dolly Parton donated autographed photos which were framed and will be sold during the auction. Bill Maher sent a signed copy of his book "Polite Musings from a Timid Observer", also to be auctioned, and Martha Stewart autographed the DDB Calendar cover, which has been framed and is slated to be included.
Dogs Deserve Better is pairing the celebrity auction with their annual Chain Off Event, taking place from June 30th through July 7th, 2007. During this year's event, "Unchain the 50", the group seeks Freedom for Chained Dogs in every state in the nation. 70 volunteers in 28 states will live chained to doghouses for 8-24 hours to call attention to those who are still not free—dogs who live their entire lives at the end of a chain, ostracised from what they long for most: family, love, and attention...a "pack" in which to belong.
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 over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.
As I figured would happen, I was asked if I could possibly add a cat to the Animal Rescue Tattoo. Which I was happy to do, and I hear Rachael Feliciano, DDB Philadelphia Rep, already got hers done! Even before me!
I went to a tattoo shop in Duncansville, PA and showed it to them in the size I wanted, which is very small. They said they couldn't do it that small, so now I'm trying to figure out if someone else CAN do it that small, or it's just not possible at that size. Since it will be on my wrist, I didn't want it to be very big, so we'll see. I'm still hoping to have it done in time for chain off in Atlanta.
For your viewing and possible licensing pleasure, here is the Animal Rescue Tattoo in Dog, Cat, and Both Dog and Cat. They can be licensed for your own personal tattoo for only $6.99 if you purchase via e-mail, $12.99 by U.S. mail ($1 from every sale goes to DDB), on my art site at this link: http://www.littlegirllooking.com/rescuetattoo.html
Did you EVER in a million years think we'd get 26 states and 65 people? Plus British Columbia? Probably not. But we believed, and now others are joining us, because they know this is our time to win, this is our time to succeed for chained and penned dogs everywhere.
So now that we've done that, why can't we get 50 states and 110 people? Let's do it!
Be sure to sponsor an hour or more for YOUR favorite chaining volunteer! The volunteer who brings in the most sponsor money will get a $100 gift certificate to our DDB Cafepress store, and the state that brings in the most sponsor money will win a billboard to be placed in a location of heavy chaining in that state, so get in there and sponsor your favorites today.
Stats so far on the contest are as follows: Dawn Ashby, of Illinois is leading the pack in sponsor dollars, at $250.00. Barbi Cole is in second place with $230.00 in sponsor dollars. Sandy Lynn of Missouri is in third place with $200.00, and Tammy Grimes is in fourth with $199.00.
Do you want your state to get at least one billboard in an area of heavy chaining? Then sponsor the chaining volunteers in YOUR state! Virginia is currently in first place, followed by Illinois and Pennsylvania. (Please note: these stats are probably a day behind any internet donations, so if you've just donated, be patient as we are updating totals manually.)
Important Message #1: If you've volunteered for the event, please don't back out. Please check your information that is up on the website, and e-mail any changes or fill in the blanks to Dawn@dogsdeservebetter.org. If you feel you've volunteered but don't see your information up there, it may be because Dawn has not received a confirmation e-mail from you. Please e-mail her ASAP to get it cleared up so we can get your info up and add you to our totals.
Personal, Most Important Message #2 from Tammy: Dawn, the young whipper snapper upstart, has challenged me to a 'duel' in who can bring in the most sponsor dollars! I am currently lagging a pitiful $51 behind...and while I encourage all of you to sponsor a friend or someone from your state so you can compete for the billboard, if you don't want to see Dawn beat me, you may want to just jump over there and sponsor me for an hour or so too.
If you're among the group of people who voted for anyone BUT me in last year's Animal Planet Hero of the Year Award to make sure I didn't win, please help Dawn beat me by sponsoring her instead of me. (Evil grin...)
I must admit I've always been very ambivalent about getting a tattoo...my best friend has several, as do some of my other friends, but it seemed like such a big decision. Even when I was younger and cooler, I just couldn't bring myself to do it.
For me, it was about never finding a tattoo that I could really commit to for life. LIFE. That's a long time to be 'with' something on your body, when we are always reinventing ourselves, changing, growing.
I got the idea that maybe if I created a tattoo that really meant something to me, it would be something I could be proud to wear for life. The tattoo I was most tempted by in the past was a black and white angel. As I thought about that tattoo and the fact that we are all angels for the animals in our rescue work, the idea for the Animal Rescue Angel tattoo came into being. I spent quite a few hours researching different looks, drawing, reworking...until I finally felt it had 'arrived' at it's perfect destination.
I plan to place this tattoo on my inner left wrist. I'm honored if other animal rescuers like it enough to license it for their own personal tattoo. If you are in rescue, you are most definitely an angel for the animals, and have probably saved countless dogs/cats from certain death, either along the highway, in a shelter, or dying abandoned and alone in a backyard. Tossed carelessly aside by members of our society that either don't know, don't care, or turn a blind eye to what becomes of the animals.
I salute you. I am proud of you, for I know how difficult it is to have a houseful of animals, all needing more than you have to give. To feel like you just can't do it a moment longer, but yet you do because you are all they have. You are their only chance.
When I look at my Animal Rescue Angel tattoo, I will not only be lifted up by the contributions I've made for the animals, but I will be saluting each and every one of you who also work so tirelessly for them.
Here are photos of Sammy taken today, May 27, 2007, but make sure to watch this video, it is so sweet. Bottom line: I don't believe we have the right to take happiness away from this dog (or his family), and I won't do so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vAHZU_xG34
There is a woman in rescue we'll call Lynn. I won't state her full name, because she likes to threaten legal action, so we'll leave it at that. I've defended this woman in the past in her online fights, which are numerous. She also has a lot of contacts in the online rescue community, who tend to believe what she says regardless, and I myself used to at least give her words the benefit of the doubt and have come to her defense on more than one occasion. Especially against an Ohio 'rescue' who keeps the dogs on chains which she shared photo evidence of....
Until last week. I was the unlucky one who adopted a dog out to her brother almost two years ago. (I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this.)
Last fall I got a call from Lynn saying that I had to take back the dog from her brother right away. Rocky, a ddb volunteer at that time, was the one who placed Sammy Sosa with her brother the year prior, but from what he told me it sounded like Sammy had a pretty good home out in the country with plenty of room to run, just what he needed. Sammy is some kind of pointer mix, black with white spots on his chest and front legs. Quite a strikingly beautiful dog, less than a year old when we first got him into rescue. He'd been living on a chain near Philipsburg, PA.
A friend of mine named Mary got the owners to give him up and asked me if I'd foster him. I did. Unfortunately I have no before pictures, and didn't see him chained, but can't imagine how he survived it.
Sammy was a bundle of energy! Not a bad dog, had some tendency to mouth and rip about the house, but just needed to be neutered and some time to grow up, stretch his long legs, run out some energy, and calm down. He went to one home but came back, a bad combination...and then Barbara called asking about him, having seen him on our petfinder site. She felt it was a great match for her home, and so did we from talking to her on the phone. He was adopted there and from all we knew was doing well.
When Lynn called me alleging that the dog was being hit, I asked her if she was willing to stand behind her allegations in a court of law, as I felt there would be no visible signs of abuse and it had been almost a year since he'd been adopted out. She refused, saying she wanted to stay out of it. I told her without a witness to abuse there wouldn't be much I could do about it, because Sammy would show no visible signs of being hit. I called the adopter to check in—she said everything was going great. I heard no further from Lynn for many months.
Then last week, after my Op-Ed Every Life Matters circulated the internet, Lynn sent out an e-mail with this ending line after going on about how Sammy is being abused and why DDB shouldn't have adopted out to her brother:
"My conclusion? DDB=DNA. There, I finally said it. Have wanted to do that for a long time and I feel so much better now. :) Save all the BS Tammy. You just got busted out."
So....
I'm not that concerned about DDB being a DNA in Lynn's World...after all, do we REALLY adopt dogs from rescue groups? My home is plenty full with fosters...Does that mean that rescue groups will no longer give dogs to us? Shouldn't we actually be HAPPY about that?
Because don't we have our hands full enough with all the chained and penned dogs we can't find fosters for already?
AND, on behalf of my wonderful reps who I think are amazing, should this DNA even apply to ALL of DDB? DDB has 150 area reps...not all of which are fostering and adopting out dogs, but a good number of them are, and they are REALLY wonderful people....all VOLUNTEERS, just doing the DAMN best they can for dogs who live their lives on the end of a chain, and just looking to try to help them get a BETTER life.
Should they really be DNA just because I am?
If Queen Lynn should deem anyone DNA, shouldn't it just be ME? And NOT my reps? Because they don't know her from Adam, and it's really not fair to lump them in with my imperfections, right?
So I'm hoping we all agree on one thing at least: Not ALL DDB Reps are DNA, just Tammy Grimes. Thank the Good Lord!
Last fiscal year alone, DDB reps in total rescued 302 chained or penned dogs. Lynn isn't saying that we should leave those 302 dogs out there this year to rot on chains or in pens is she? That our foster or adoptive homes are not better than life on the end of a chain—starving, thirsty, heat stroke, puppies, dying, etc.?
Or, will Lynn now step up to take in these 302 rescued dogs for us? Wouldn't that be great? I'd fundraise for you, Lynn!
Or even, since hopefully I am the ONLY DNA, will Lynn's rescue group take in my 16-20 rescued dogs per year?
I would imagine her group is total perfection, or she wouldn't criticize others, eh?
Please let me know asap, Lynn, as it's important for me to let all my reps know where we're now heading as a group....and if you're taking just mine in, my assistant Kim will be mighty happy that she doesn't have to come in to take care of them when I'm out of town speaking on behalf of the chained dogs...let me know asap, please, ok?
Thanks!
So, after all that went down this week, I called the adopter up, and in an embarrassed tone asked her if her husband was Lynn's brother (she said yes), and told her what all was going on. I asked her if it'd be ok if I came up to take a few pictures of Sammy, to show that he wasn't indeed dead or didn't at least APPEAR to be abused even though that would be very hard to prove either way...
She was very kind about it all, and set up for me to come and see Sammy today, 5/27/07.
Barbara told me that her husband and Lynn hadn't been talking since her mother died last year. From that I can only assume Lynn came out on the losing side of the inheritance and she's pretty angry about it...for which I'm truly sorry, Lynn! I know I'd be pretty mad if that happened to me too...and it probably will, so at least you won't be alone there...
BUT, THAT DOESN'T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE SAMMY AND I DOWN WITH YOU! ! ! ! ! !
So, I spent my Sunday before Memorial Day driving four hours to Clarion, PA and back. And then two more hours creating a video out of the photos and snippets I got of Sammy. And two more hours creating this e-mail. Yes, I had other, probably more pressing things to do...but I chose to do this instead.
And I'm glad I did. It was GREAT to see Sammy again (my stepdaughter ADORED him), and he's grown into such a gorgeous young man! But, more importantly, I hope you can all watch this video compilation I made of him today, and I hope you see in it what I saw. (Sorry about the side-ways doggie door thing, didn't know it would be hard to rotate, and I couldn't figure out how! Just bear with that part, but it's important to show that he does indeed live INSIDE the home...)
Sammy appeared to me to be downright exuberant! Granted, I know that dogs can't really speak...but, here were my observations. I can't disprove all of Lynn's allegations...I don't know if any of them can be true, and I'm not calling her an out and out liar. I always think there's at least a grain of truth in there somewhere....
But here's what I saw today, and what I took photos of and video of—today, 5-27-07. You will have to decide the rest for yourself, as to whether you believe Lynn or not, but after today I'm satisfied that Sammy is happy, and that's what I believe. You have to make your own decision.
1. Sammy has an electric fence, which he does not cross. I didn't know where the line was initially, but Barbara told me I would know when I saw him. I also saw another relative come to visit while I was there..Sammy did not cross the line once.
2. Sammy appeared healthy and happy. He has one acre to roam inside his electronic fence. They live WAY out in the woods. He has a spring which forms into a creek to lay down in during the hot summer days. He made liberal use of this creek for drinks and to cool off while I was there. Barbara says they get their drinking water from this spring as well. (I felt very bad for my fosters after seeing that, they have nothing that awesome! I kinda wished I was her dog...)
3. Sammy has a doggie door. He runs outside and plays as much as he wants to with his partner, Trixie. He is free to come and go as he pleases from inside the home. Barbara keeps the couches covered in sheets in case he gets mud on them, she can just change them. (I didn't intrude in her home today, Sammy doesn't care how clean it is, and neither do I...the home visit was two years ago, and that is none of my business at this point.)
4. Sammy would be hard-pressed to run out to the road to be killed. The lane itself is .3 miles long. Then the single lane road (no yellow divider lines) is an additional 1.8 miles until you even hit a two lane road. Although it is within the realm of possibility that Sammy could ignore his electronic fence, burst out, run out the lane and out into the single lane road, it is still highly unlikely that he would be hit by a car...I passed only ONE car in the 1.8 miles on my way out of there.
5. Barbara told me that she didn't even tell her son why I was coming...that she was so afraid I would take Sammy from them, and that her son would be devastated if I were to do so. I assured her I was not there to do that to her, her son, or to Sammy.
Bottom line: I am NOT the Rescue Gestapo! I don't have the right to go and take a dog back after two years who appears happy and content, and I would not presume to try to do so. If I saw obvious signs of abuse or if he were chained or penned, I would fight tooth and nail for that dog, but I saw no such thing in Sammy.
I am NOT happy that Lynn is taking her war with her brother out on Sammy and I. I personally feel that she owes us both an apology. After what she said about her sister-in-law, her sister-in-law would not even say one unkind word about her.
I question a society where those who step up to save a dying animal are arrested and prosecuted; yet those who allow an animal to suffer and die in their very own yards are rarely brought to justice and seldom even charged with more than a minor infraction.
I am slated to stand trial for theft and receiving stolen property for aiding a dog who lay chained, unable to stand, and dying in it's owners' yard for three days. May 21st I am back in court to choose a jury in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.
Ironically, May 21st is also the day the Good Mayor of a town in Minnesota goes back to court for a crime involving his chained dog. In this case the defendant sentenced his "wire-haired hunting dog" (we'll call him Wiry for short) to death by freezing in sub-zero temperatures, with only a feces-laden crate for shelter. He is charged NOT with animal cruelty, as one who has any faith in the justice system would expect, but instead with failure to provide proper housing, a 'petty misdemeanor' charge.
His 'petty misdemeanor' charge is even less for KILLING his dog than my 'misdemeanor' charge is for SAVING a dog. Am I the only one who sees a problem in this scenario?
Neighbors say they heard the dog crying for help. None came.
Before heading to archives, the comment section on the Good Mayor's news story at sctimes.com numbered 105 comments and still climbing, indicative of a story that raises serious moral and ethical questions. One of the more pressing questions on people's minds was "If the neighbors heard the dog crying, why didn't they step up to help?"
A person identifying him/herself only as Fed Up stated the story was indeed true, as he/she had personally heard the dog's cries for help. Indignant questions of "Why didn't you DO something" met only with silence from Fed Up.
As one embroiled in the same ethical/moral dilemma that Fed Up faced, I truly empathize with his/her plight. Since my arrest, I have endured personal onslaughts of my character from the district attorney, police chief, and other organizations as well as from strangers, new-found enemies, and former friends. They range from mild (she broke the law, period) to the irrational (all the evidence is faked, any eighth grader with photoshop could have created both the photos and the video—fyi, my son is in eighth grade, but insists he has NO idea how to work photoshop, so I've proven that one wrong, thank God...)
Fed Up was caught in a moral dilemma, and had to make a choice between his/her own personal safety and the safety of the dog. We know which choice Fed Up made. He/she now has to live every single day with the guilt created by this decision. Fed Up may well endure nightmares and go to the grave with the guilt of Wiry's death heavy on his/her conscience.
Given what I've had to endure at the hands of local authorities as a result of my decision to save Doogie, I can certainly understand why someone would not choose to act to save the life. How much worse would it have been for Fed Up to save the MAYOR's dog? The Good Mayor would have plenty of community pull, and Fed Up would be tarred, feathered, and hanged by daybreak, any thoughts of Wiry's mistreatment and impending doom completely forgotten and rationalized away by authorities and community members alike. They would all wonder what got into that darn neighbor, usually such a nice, quiet citizen...why would Fed Up suddenly go berserk and start stealing the private property of the Good Mayor? It would make no sense in a justice system centered on dogs as nothing more than property, having no feelings or right to life in and of itself.
I myself was duly notified by the Upstanding Police Chief that if I ever came near his dog, he'd put a slug in my ass. He also stated in the Daily Collegian that my video could well have been faked, that he could take his dog out, drag it through the mud, and get horrible-looking video like that too. But Mr. Police Chief, would not that very act of dragging your best friend through the mud actually constitute abusive behavior on your part? As you probably have no fear of being prosecuted, I can see why you would feel free to envision such a form of torture for your pet.
Until we force our nation to evolve, acting as a Good Samaritan for dogs on chains will be a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" kinda' thang. If you DO step up to save the life, you may well be the one arrested; and if you don't, you will live with the poor creature's death on your head for all eternity. Not a pleasant choice by any stretch of the imagination.
I am certainly not the first to take action to save a dying chained dog. I may be the first to get such compelling evidence of the crime committed against the dog, to fight for the right of a dog not to die on the end of a chain, and to stand for my right to act as a Good Samaritan. I won't be the last.
Fed Up is not the first to let fear stop him/her from saving a life, and Fed Up will not be the last.
The Good Mayor and Doogie's owners are not the first and will not be the last to get away with animal cruelty by allowing their dog to die on the end of a chain. They are merely links in a chain of abuse that has been ongoing for centuries, and which only we can stop.
It's up to US to make these kind of Americans a dying breed. It's up to US to stop tolerating the abuse, start enforcing laws protecting animals, and create stronger laws limiting chaining for man's best friend. Every social movement succeeds ONLY when the people stop letting fear get in the way of taking the necessary action. When the people stand up, the power shits from abuser to right action. Laws change, tolerance of social injustice ends.
I consider myself lucky, despite facing charges, that I am not in Fed Up's shoes. I know Doogie would thank me if he could, and nothing man can do to me could take that away from me. I wake up each morning knowing I did as Jesus would have done, and Doogie's life being extended almost six months in a loving, caring environment is more than all the proof I need.
Wiry never made it through the night; dying a cold, sad, lonely, frightening death.
I urge everyone placed in the horrible position of Fed Up and myself to push fear aside, to do whatever it takes to save the life. If time is not of the essence, fight hard for authorities to take the necessary life-saving steps. Don't back down to authorities if they act like you don't know what you're talking about or you should mind your own business. If the dog is suffering and death is imminent, that is EVERYONE'S business!
If they refuse to take the plight of the dying animal seriously or do not respond at all to pleas for help, realize you are on your own, and that life is depending on YOU. You may be the only lifeline that dog has, please do not toss it aside lightly.
