Grimes Jailed for Rescuing Dying Chained Dog.

Think once you see the video and pictures, you'll understand why I made this decision... "Tammy Grimes"

More : http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html

40 or so people went on to the district court, filled the courtroom, with 30 or so people overflowing to the parking lot, where they waited for 4 hours to see the results and be there when we came out. Talk about dedication! People came from as far away as Ohio, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and the far reaches of Pennsylvania to support Tammy and what she did for Doogie.

Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, was arrested Monday, September 11, 2006, for helping a dying chained dog she dubbed Doogie in East Freedom, Pennsylvania. Grimes organization was called with frantic pleas for help by a neighbor and another concerned citizen who alerted them to his plight.

Kim Eicher, the neighbor, stated that Doogie had been unable to stand since Saturday, and she had gotten no response from the local humane society after calling all weekend. Grimes instructed her to call again, leaving a detailed message. When Ms. Eicher had gotten no response by noon, Grimes team went out to see if they could help Doogie.

Grimes, upon seeing Doogie from the road, initially felt he had already died, as he was lying with his back to the road and was not moving. 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 documented his condition with video and photos, and—making the decision to put Doogie's welfare ahead of any fears of legal action—took him to a local veterinarian, getting him immediate and necessary care. She then took Doogie to her home, bathed him, gave him food and water, and made him comfortable. She was later arrested for her refusal to return Doogie to a certain and immediate death on the end of a chain. She is now facing misdemeanor theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass charges.

Grimes states, "I will always be proud of what I did for Doogie. As Oprah says, there is one thing I know for sure: helping Doogie was the only morally right thing to do. The video has been placed on You Tube, and has received over 13,000 views in two days. People are astounded and outraged that we live in a society where those who help suffering animals are arrested, and those who abuse them are not punished. I am calling for my immediate release from all charges, and for the Arnolds to instead be charged with abuse—based on video and photo evidence, the testimony of a neighbor and another citizen, and the testimony of the veterinarian. I am asking all concerned citizens to stand with me against this atrocity. Speak out, do not let the press and local authorities railroad me while the Arnolds get away with this abuse. Please visit the website at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html. View the video. You will understand why I had to stand up for Doogie; he could not stand up for himself."

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.

About Dogs Deserve Better

Dogs Deserve Better works to bring dogs out of the backyard and into the home and family.
Website: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/



Email From: "Tammy Grimes" tammy@dogsdeservebetter.org


OK, everyone, if you're getting this e-mail it means the police followed through on their threat to put me in jail for taking Doogie today.

Here is the background info:

We got a call from Kim in East Freedom this morning, crying because Doogie hadn't gotten up since Saturday. She had been calling the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society since Saturday to no avail. We told her we aren't law officers, and she needed to call the humane officer. Then we got another call about the same dog, from another person who passes him every day. At that point we called Kim back to see if she'd heard from the Humane Officer.

She had not, so we promised her we'd go out and see what we could do. When we got there, we took photos and video of Doogie. We initially thought he was dead, as he was not moving and his back was to us. We found out that the people were not home to talk to about him, so I made the decision that he could not lay there on the cold wet ground for one moment longer, and I would accept all consequences of my decision.The neighbor Kim has agreed to testify on my behalf if necessary.

She cried the whole time we were there, you can hear her on the video.

I think once you see the video and pictures, you'll understand why I made this decision.The vet documented his general negligent condition, low weight, sores, missing fur, and took xrays of his back and hips. He determined that he has very bad back spurs that are causing him a lot of pain and are most likely responsible for his inability to walk.He also saw an undetermined mass near his hip on the xray. He gave him a shot for pain plus some B vitamins for energy, so that perhaps he could have even one good day or a few good hours. He wrote a letter stating his condition in case we needed it.

Shortly after we got Doogie to my home, situated, bathed (had to, the stench was too bad), and fed and watered an Officer Flag called from the Freedom Township Police Department (I know, Freedom, isn't that ironic?). He wanted me to return Doogie, which I refused to do.Here's what I need from you all. View the videos and photos, below. I think you'll agree with me that this is NOT acceptable in ANY kind of humane society, and we cannot allow this kind of animal abuse. We MUST stand up and STOP accepting this to be ok for people to do to their dogs, and STOP jailing those who are trying to help them!

"I could never look myself in the eye again, much less sleep tonight, had I left Doogie there dying, shivering in the dirt. I will spend the rest of my life in jail as opposed to handing him over to be abused further by these people.Please, contact ALL media with these photos and videos. Get justice, for Doogie and for me. Do NOT allow this treatment of those who are here to help, and who actually care. Call the Pennsylvania Humane Society and tell them you expect them to stand with me against this kind of abuse."

Doogie laying on the ground, neighbor crying in background: