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Dear HSHA Supporters:

We are writing to you today to address concerns about the recent article in the Patriot News regarding a federal lawsuit seeking a monetary award from the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, Inc. ("Humane Society") that was filed by Attorney Andrew J. Ostrowski of Susquehanna Township .

As you know, our mission is to build a better community for pets and people. For example, as part of our outreach to the less fortunate, we provide a Pet Food Bank so that members of the community who cannot afford food for their pets can continue to keep them. It is less well known, that in serious cases, where homelessness or other hardships makes it impossible for members of our community to care for their pet, we accept surrender of the pet and provide the pet with necessary love, care and feeding.

The fact is that the allegations in the Patriot News article are misleading or plain wrong. Most importantly, the Patriot News article fails to mention that Attorney Ostrowski's lawsuit seeks an award of money damages from the Humane Society.

We must and will protect Mr. Thomas' privacy and will not disclose the particular facts that led us to agree to provide needed love, care and food to Baron. But we can tell you that, contrary to the allegations in the Patriot News article, Mr. Thomas' dog was not "seized." The Patriot News article makes it clear enough that Mr. Thomas was someone in need of help. We worked with Mr. Thomas to provide that help.

We believe that the federal courts will promptly resolve the matter and we look forward to a speedy resolution.

Thank you for your continued support and for the many encouraging messages we have already received from you.

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area

Read the article

We live at Exit 10 on I-83. We suspect most of the stray cats that come here have been "discarded." We have three of them as outside pets.

In past years, there have been many more appearing, some as singles, some as mothers-to-be. We have had most of them spayed or neutered.

Recently we gave two kittens to responders to our ad; however, promises to return the two large Havahart traps that we sent the feral kittens ("teenagers") in were not kept.

This month, we trapped two more with rented traps and had them spayed at York SPCA and Animal Rescue.

This past week, two more -- one weeks-old kitten, and one adult -- appeared.

Being retired, we can't keep on trapping and fixing. We would like to keep feeding our three original pets as long as they live, but have no way to do so without strays sharing the Friskies. Other than "our" three, there are about 6+ more.

At least two or three of the cats, including the youngest kitten, could be inside/outside pets.

So, we have reached the end of our rope. Any help will be appreciated.

Warren Wetzler
York, PA
717- 428-2017
Wetzler1@aol.com

I just want to say that today, 5/18, at 1:30 p.m., on my wife's way to work, at the entrance to the fire station on North Sherman, she found a black and white chihuahua mix that had been hit and killed in the middle of the road.

She moved the dog so other speeding drivers wouldn't run over him.

She carried him door to door until she found a neighbor that pointed out the owner's house.

The driver had hit the dog in the head with the car and kept right on going.

TOM S.
SPRINGETTSBURY TWP.

From Humane Society of the United States:

Lisa Mullins didn't know she was purchasing a sick puppy when she bought her bulldog, Otis, from Bulldog Ravine. The Internet seller had a flashy website depicting cute, healthy puppies, concealing the true nature of its business.

It wasn't until after Otis became seriously ill that Lisa realized she'd been had: He came from a puppy importer who has reportedly sold unhealthy bulldogs from puppy mills. Sadly, Otis died at only 8 months of age.

Like many Internet sellers, Bulldog Ravine owner Brenda Moncrieff may have operated under more than one business name, using more than one website to market English and French bulldog puppies. These alternative business names and websites may include: B&E English Bulldogs, Heavenly French Bulldogs, APlusBulldogs.com, MNMBulldogs.com and GreenacresBulldogs.com.

If you have purchased a sick dog from any of these businesses, or any other such business or Internet site that markets French or English bulldogs, or if you otherwise have had a negative experience with any of these businesses, please contact HSUS immediately.

If you have friends, neighbors, or family members who have experience with any of these businesses or sites, we would also like to hear their stories. Please share this info with them and ask them to contact HSUS if they are willing to share their stories.

Unethical puppy sellers like Bulldog Ravine typically promise purchasers that they only sell healthy dogs who have been raised in a home, but often these people are in the business of selling unhealthy puppies from miserable puppy mills. They also may promise pedigree papers that they cannot deliver.

WBRE Eyewitness News' reports about these practices and Bulldog Ravine are available in Part One and Part Two of a series on its website.

If you believe that you have been victimized by puppy mill pushers, please tell us your story.

Thank you for your continued support in our campaign to stop puppy mills.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

From The Fund for Animals:

Today, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and its parent company, Feld Entertainment, Inc., will finally stand trial to face charges for the inhumane treatment of its Asian elephants in violation of the Endangered Species Act. The case has been more than eight years in the making.

In U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., The Fund for Animals and other animal welfare groups -- which together filed this groundbreaking lawsuit against the circus in 2000 -- will lay out overwhelming and tragic evidence demonstrating that circus employees used abusive training and discipline methods to control these highly endangered and extremely intelligent animals. Among the allegations, the circus is charged with routinely hitting the animals with sharp bullhooks and confining and chaining them for prolonged periods -- sometimes for days at a time while the animals travel between venues in cramped rail cars.

Their suffering has been -- and continues to be -- immense.

Together with our partners we have fought long and hard to get this case to court. Along the way, we were forced to fend off stall tactics and repeated attempts by Ringling Bros. to have the case dismissed. It's promising that the elephants finally have their day in court.

I encourage you to follow along as the trial progresses by reading daily courtroom updates from our legal team. And because it's costing several hundred thousand dollars to take on Ringling's army of corporate lawyers, I'd be grateful if you are able to make a special donation to The Fund for Animals today.

We know you join us in looking forward to the day these animals are out of harm's way.

Thank you for caring about animals.

Sincerely,

Michael Markarian
President
The Fund for Animals

From Daniel Rechelbacher, www.thechaistory.blogspot.com:

On June 22, 2008, my 10-year-old Lab mix, Chai, sustained a severe injury from a product that the company Four Paws produces. The toy I'm referencing is the pimple ball with bell (Item #20227-001, UPC Code #0 4566320227 9).

While chewing on the toy, a vacuum was created and it effectively sucked his tongue into the hole in the ball. From speaking with my vet , this likely occurred because there is not a second hole in the ball preventing the vacuum effect from happening. I became aware of this when Chai approached a friend at my home whimpering, with the ball in his mouth. She tried unsuccessfully to remove the ball but the tongue had swollen and could not be released.

He was taken to his regular vet, Dr. Timnah Lee, for treatment. He was admitted and kept sedated for a period of three days during which time they were treating his wounds and waiting to determine how much of his tongue could be saved. On June 26, 2008 , Chai had his tongue amputated.

He was kept in after-care for an additional three days. On Sunday, June 29th, I brought Chai home from the vet with a barrage of home care instructions, to last for an additional 7 days. His next visit was to have his mouth re-examined and have the feeding tube in his neck removed.

On the way home from the vet we stopped at Petland Discount where I purchased their product to speak to the manager on duty. Up on meeting Chai and seeing his condition, he removed all of the balls in question from the shelves. He also gave me the customer service number to their corporate headquarters to request that they refuse to continue purchasing all Four Paws products, but I have not called them as of yet .

Additionally, I shared my story with friends who have a French Bulldog named Petunia. Upon hearing my story, their eyes widened. They explained that the same thing happened twice in one night with a smaller version of the same ball to their dog. Fortunately, they were able to pull it off before the tongue swelled, but not without tremendous effort and pain to the dog. They recalled how horrific it was to hear their dog screaming while they had to pry the ball from her tongue.

To date, my veterinary bills total over $5,000 and I will have regular follow up appointments for some time. Additionally, Chai now requires a much more expensive form of food because of this injury, averaging a pproximately $200 per month.

Additionally, I now have to re-teach my dog to eat, drink and adjust to life without his tongue. Feeding him takes me about 90 minutes twice a day and for at least this first week he is not to be unattended for more than 20 minutes at a time.

I sent this information along with the reference to the French Bulldog to Four Paws, Inc., and it is their position that there just aren't enough instances to do anything about this. I told their insurance company's case manager that was not a good enough excuse. It was inferred that my dogs value wasn't much and that his pain and suffering don't count as he is just a piece of property.

For more information, visit www.thechaistory.blogspot.com.

From Humane Society of the United States:

This year has been the most momentous year for animals in our organization's 54-year history.

Take a minute to see what was achieved for animals this year:

My husband and I recently adopted a dog from Canine Rescue of Central PA. He's working out great and we now have a wonderful pet, but I am appalled by Canine Rescue's bookkeeping and manners towards us after we adopted.

I paid the adoption fee with a check. Several weeks went by, and it was never cashed. I grew a bit concerned (was it lost? stolen?), so I called and left a message for them.

From Bob Rudy:

Both congratulations and my sympathy go out to Mike Argento for his touching and well-written story, "A greyhound like no other" (YDR 10/10/08).

Anyone who has ever lost a companion animal can relate to the way only a pet, especially a dog or cat, can enrich our lives. Studies have shown how pets can lengthen and increase an individual's quality of life.

I've lost my PUPPY! She is a 5-month-old chihuahua with floppy ears, is tan in color with a smooth coat.

I miss her very much! Have been searching for her since September 29. She was lost in the Manchester Apartments area, Manchester.

I am 8 years old and this was my first puppy. I have saved my allowance for a reward. If someone has her, can I please have her back?

Jordan Vogel
Manchester
(717) 266-1889
frane726@comcast.net.

On Friday, Sept. 12, my sister from Cumberland, MD, called me to say that her husband of 25 years had collapsed at work and she was meeting the ambulance at the local hospital. I got in my car and left right away to be with her.

A short time later ,she called me back to advise that Joe did not make it. He had just turned 54 years old and now he was dead. Joey was very active in helping his community in LaVale, MD. He was a lifetime member of the LaVale Fire Company, and the rescue squad. He so graciously was willing to give of his time for others. It takes special folks to make those sacrifices.

Later that week, the rest of my family joined me at my sister's to help her through her loss. We are a family with a dog, two cats, and "Izzy" the iguana. While we were away from home helping Mary and attending Joe's funeral, somehow Shadow, our black cat, managed to get past the kind folks attending to my animals at home, and she was unknowingly left in the basement/garage area where it was dark.

From Bob Yarnall, president of the American Canine Association:

The Professional Dog Breeders Advisory Council, along with Carl Gilgore, announced today the filing of a federal civil action against Dennis Wolff, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; Susan West, director of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement at the Department of Agriculture; and Kristin Donmoyer, a Pennsylvania Dog Law Officer.

The federal civil suit alleges that since 2006, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, through the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, systematically targeted and unfairly treated commercial dog kennel operations, particularly in Lancaster County, PA. The suit outlines a pattern of abuse by officials from the Department of Agriculture, and alleges violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution.

"Unfortunately there are times when the courts must intervene to stop the abuse of the executive branch of government," said Bob Yarnall, president of the American Canine Association. "Since 2006, the Governor has directed the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to target commercial kennel operators and to find reasons to shut legitimate businesses down. While there are rightful interests in enforcing regulations and the Pennsylvania Dog Law, creating SWAT teams of dog wardens and ignoring the deficiencies in kennel operations other than commercial kennels is fundamentally unfair and patently discriminatory."

The federal civil action sets forth several explicit examples of abuse by the Department of Agriculture, including the issuing of citations for infractions of dog breeding regulations and the Pennsylvania Dog Law. Based on the Department's annual report to the General Assembly, in the year 2007, kennel operators in Lancaster County were more than three times more likely to be inspected, more than 10 times more likely to be cited for violations and over 100 times more likely to receive a warning.

Further evidencing the disparity is the fact that similarly situated counties, such as Lancaster County and Allegheny County, whose kennels housed 85,000 dogs and 82,700 dogs respectively, received significantly different treatment from the Department of Agriculture. From January 1, 2006, to May 31, 2008, 76 kennel condition citations were issued to Lancaster County kennels; zero citations to Allegheny County kennels. Similarly, Bucks County kennels and Montgomery County kennel operators also received zero citations during the same period, despite housing over 40,000 dogs each.

"There is an undeniable pattern of abuse by the Department of Agriculture in enforcing regulations and the law that is intended to protect all dogs -- not just dogs in one part of the state," said Yarnall. "By treating similarly situated individuals differently, targeting kennels to drive them out of business, and unequally applying the law to certain kennels, the Department has violated the equal protections and due process clause of the United States Constitution."

The federal suit also raises questions concerning the conduct of the State Dog Law Officers, namely Kristin Donmoyer. The filing alleges that in late 2007 Ms. Donmoyer accosted Carl Gilgore, a volunteer at a commercial kennel, during a kennel inspection. Recoginiz9ing the disparate treatment that commercial kennels receive during the inspection process, Mr. Gilgore attempted to videotape the inspection being made by Ms. Donmoyer. At that time, he was threatened with arrest, in violation of Mr. Gilgore's enumerated rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The lawsuit seeks to have the federal courts declare the actions of the Department unconstitutional, as they represent a violation of their federal rights, award $1 in nominal damages for Ms. Donmoyer's unconstitutional threat of arrest, allow breeding kennel owners to videotape inspections of their property, and require that similar standards for inspection be applied to all other kennels, consistent with applicable regulations.

"The Association takes this necessary action in order to provide for the uniform application of the law, to preserve the rights of our embers, and to invite the Department of Agriculture to work with us to promote the best breeding operations in the nation -- based on a collaborative effort, instead of a punitive one," said Yarnall. "We have and will continue to support appropriate changes that will improve kennel conditions."

BOB YARNALL
AMERICAN CANINE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Hi everyone,

I am walking in the Grateful Dog Walk on Sunday, September 28, to raise money for the "De-Sex in the City" spay/neuter program of the Central PA Animal Alliance. My goal is to raise $1,000 -- and I'm not even half way there.

Please help me reach my goal--every dollar counts!

You may donate online at www.firstgiving.com/zellaanderson or you may send a check payable to CPAA to 1802 Silver Pine Circle, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

CPAA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, so all donations are tax deductible.

Thanks so much for your support!

Zella Smith Anderson, Esquire

"We find beauty in the most incomprehensible places and otherwise homely faces. It is our gift to see beyond the dirt, terror, sadness, and defeat and find the true soul that lies within. We are Rescue. "

August 1, 2008

To The Editor:

Common sense has gone to the dogs when it comes to regulating dog kennel operations in Pennsylvania. Last year, the Department of Agriculture tried to push through unworkable and impractical regulations that were so bad that a record 16,000 comments were filed.

Since that effort failed, the Department and Governor are back at it again -- this time with legislation.

From Main Line Animal Rescue:

When Oogy was four months old and weighed thirty five pounds, he was tied to a stake and used as bait for a Pit Bull. The left side of his face from just behind his eye was torn off, including his ear. He was bitten so hard a piece of his jaw bone was crushed. Afterward, he was thrown into a cage and left to bleed to death.

A study published by The Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science says dachshunds are the most aggressive breed followed by Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers.

Watch the news report video.

...I think it's encouraging that pit bulls are the most numerous breed type in the US currently, yet don't account for the most bites, even including the preponderance of inaccurate identification.

If you delve into statistics about pitbull attacking humans, you will surely be surprised to discover the fact that pitbulls tend to be among the most rare attackers. That's right, despite public opinion, a dog of any other breed is much more likely to attack you than a pitbull. This menace to his peers would behave like a spoilt kitten with strangers, and can be bribed even without a treat.

No serious fan of pitbulls would deny their aggressive behavious towards other dogs but lets us ask a couple of disconcerting questions. Who organises pitbull-fights? Is it the pitbulls? Hardly. Who benefits from these fights? What happens to these animals after the fight - assuming they survived it, of course. If this particular breed is banned, will people live better. If there were no pitbulls, and, indeed, no dogs, wouldn't people have found another way to satisfy their beastly passions?

Do we have the right to blame pitbulls for our own cruelty? If your pitbull is always on a leash, and someone else's dog is let loose, some 100 yards away - who is the irresponsible owner?

Consider this - the unnecessarily powerful cars we drive kill more people in one month than a century of dog attacks on people would do. Why is it we think that eliminating a breed would make us live in paradise? Who kills - the gun, or the man who pulls the trigger? Truth is not always pleasant but if humans claim to be the most intelligent species living, they should muster the courage to face the truth and accept it!

-- Judith Frazier, York, PA

Do veterinary hospitals deeply care about the welfare of the animals they're treating? I think most do.

But are some animal hospitals more concerned with how much money they can nickel and dime from a pet owner? I know of one that does, and my recent experience with Yorkshire Animal Hospital has shown where their main priority lies when caring for man's best friend.

I am e-mailing you because I'm very angry about what I just heard. A cat was hit by a car at 5 a.m. today at College & Richland Ave. Employees at Bickel called 911, and were told that nothing could be done.

They called again at 6, and again were told they couldn't do anything. Meanwhile, that poor animal was crying in agony. Apparently, it took until 9 a.m. for someone to get it to the SPCA.

I was under the impression that the city contracted with an animal control person to handle off hours. If this is not the case, then why isn't it?

If the city can't do anything about hurt animals, then at least tell people to call someone who cares enough about them, who can rush them to the Animal Emergency Clinic.

There should be a reference system for cases like this.

MARGARET REIS
YORK, PA

From Kathleen Rauhauser, York:

This is to update my letter. The commission has decided to NOT proceed with banning Nanday birds. But this is just one small victory.

I learned the Game Commission is paid for by the hunters, not taxpayers. Also someone who testified Sunday pointed out that banning a domesticated pet bird is NOT the role of the Game Commission but that of the Agricultural Commission.

What distressed me the most was to learn that animal rights people have been working to destroy instead of rehabilitate injured animals and the prediction of pets in the home will some day become extinct.

If you are a pet owner, or just someone who does not want the government in more of your life, then this is a topic you may want to watch with vigliance.

Editor's note: For more information on this subject, visit BirdChannel.com and Bird Board

From Kathleen Rauhauser, York:

Do you have an exotic pet bird? How would you feel if the Commonwealth of PA told you it had to be destroyed? Well, that could very well happen in the near future.

The PA Game Commission is considering a proposal to ban in Pennsylvania ALL Nanday Conures without "grandfathering in existing Nandays" which means if they were "grandfathered in," Nandays that are currently in PA could be exempt from the ban. So if this regulation is passed and you have a Nanday Conure, your beloved pet Nanday will have to be killed or escape to one of the 48 states where it is safe to be a Nanday Conure. As would Nandays in pet shops, living with people moving into PA, and ones in shelters.

When I first heard about this, I thought Nandays must be huge, dangerous birds that are attacking people and swooping down to carry away small children. But, upon looking into the matter, that is definitely NOT the case. What I learned was that Nandays are beautiful, intelligent little birds about the size of a large parakeet that can be taught to speak. They are the most popular type of conure kept as pets.

Why then do some want them exterminated? As far as I have been able to determine, the Game Commission is not giving any valid reason for the proposed ban.