Update on Monroe County, MI dogs

Last week, video footage of a dog named Dusty began circulating on the internet. Dusty was one of three dogs "rescued" from an alleged dog-fighting situation, and in spite of what seems like an obviously friendly dog from the video, Dusty's evaluator declared her aggressive and with 'no useful purpose" and suggested she be killed.

Well, apparently the local prosecuter in Monroe County filed a motion this week of contempt of court against the two organizations involved in circulating the video, the Monroe SPCA and the Buster Foundation. The thinking here was that they were circulating evidence for public scrutiny that was going to be involved in the later case to try to get the kill order removed against Dusty and 2 other dogs in her same situation because of the bogus evaluation.

Yesterday, the judge ruled that the videos were already public information -- and thus, prosecuting for contempt of court would be in violation of their 1st Amendment right to distribute public information.

So the legal suite to try to save Dusty, Reilly and Monroe is still moving forward, and the rescue organizations are getting custody of a fouth dog, Razzle in Mid August.  

You can continue to sign the petition for Dusty here and voice your support for the dogs that did not receive a fair behavioral evaluation.

Comments

[Lori Hoffman]

Rock on! Let Mercy Reign!

[mikken]

We don't want you to see what we're doing! Stop looking at us!

Geez. If what you're doing doesn't stand up to even a layman's scrutiny, then maybe what you're doing is wrong.

Why can't people just act like grownups, anymore?

[Bernice]

i don't think the fate of dogs should be in the hands of just 1 evaluator. there should be at least 3. and i think the evaluation should take place in a quieter environment, even outside in a back alley is quieter than inside a shelter. the dogs should be given time to calm down and relax.

[Molly]

Agree to all of the above!