Saint Bernards Suffering, Matted, in Johnstown, PA
Attempts to legally get them help.

Rest in Peace, Boy.

Thursday, July 30

Friday, July 31 - Tragic Update

 

Tuesday, August 03 - Outraged PA Resident Video

 

Tuesday, August 04 - WJAC News Report

Wednesday, August 05 - Tamira Thane 2nd Update - Controversies

7/31/09. Tamira C. Thayne founder of Dogs Deserve Better, went to the scene of reported dog abuse in Johnstown, PA around 7 pm, Thursday night, July 30, 2009. She and a fellow rescuer witnessed a tragic scene of three poorly cared for dogs, two of them St. Bernards, living behind an apparently abandoned storage building.

The dogs' condition reportedly appeared poor at best. Upon further investigation one of the dogs was found lying in a dog house, appearing dead until gently nudged serveral times. The dog lifted it's head and appeared to be having difficulty getting up.

After a few minutes, the rescuers saw the dog, now in the distance, come out of the dog house and struggle to approach them. "His head is sideways!" said Thayne. "Yeah, his head's always like that." said a local resident.

Thayne then called the West Hills Police department and asked for help.

In the first video above, Thayne stated, "During my trial, I was repeatedly told by the cops, the D.A. Consiglio, and Judge Doyle, that I should have let the cops handle it, that 'Why didn't I just call the cops?' I knew the answer to that. I knew the cops would not help you, but today I set out to prove just that."

Her plea for help via phone to the police proved useless. She asked if someone was going to come out to investigate. The officer purportedly was vague and then refused to give his name and badge number.

Shortly thereafter, a policeman pulled up in a cruiser and discussed the matter with them from inside the vehicle. He indicated that the state dog warden would have to come out in the morning and pick up the dog. Thayne then retorted, "The dog warden doesn't do cruelty. Only the humane officer does cruelty."

When asked how to get in touch with the humane officer, the policeman indicated that there was no humane officer. In the video he seemed surprised the hear that there was one. He said, regardless, animal control has no authority to go on private property.

He reiterated his recommendation to call the state dog warden, Mark Miller, in the morning. The policeman said that he didn't think the dog warden was on duty, and that he doubted that he would even come out for this.

The following day, Thayne returned and had a confrontation with the caretaker of the dogs who ironically stated that the sicker of the three dogs passed away over the night. What a coincidence, you may be thinking. And all the dogs were gone as well. Watch the video above.

Many individuals have called local television stations and other organizations to voice their opinions and disgust.

If you are wondering how the PA state statutes define animal cruelty, 18 PA Cons. Stat. 5511, Pennsylvania Animal Cruelty Statute states in part that...

Cruelty to animals is defined as: “wantonly or cruelly illtreats, overloads, beats, otherwise abuses any animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise, or abandons any animal, or deprives any animal of necessary sustenance, drink, shelter or veterinary care, or access to clean and sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against inclement weather and preserve the animal's body heat and keep it dry.” This is a summary offense with a fine of $50-750 and/or imprisonment up to 90 days. 

For the entire statue, go to http://www.animallawcoalition.com/dog-fighting/law/176

If you are outraged and wish to express your concerns, while at the same time making a difference, call the following numbers and express your disgust. When enough critical mass is reached, laws will be changed so that law enforcerment and court officials will be empowered to investigate, make arrests and prosecute.

West Hills Police Department 814.255.4145
Cambria Humane Society 814.535.6116
Mark Miller (Dog Warden) 814.623.3945

Also, in more general terms, to express the need for better laws to aide law enforcement and court officials in investigation, arrest and prosecution ot violations of animal crulety statutes, contact your representatives in the PA General Assembly http://www.legis.state.pa.us/

Rockney Shepheard
Dogs Deserve Better
rocky@dogsdeservebetter.org

Television and Newspaper

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