Comments on: Puppy Buyers Ask Why Maine Animal Welfare Program Did Not Act When Concerns Raised

By: sandi

sandi — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:43:01 +0000

I am 61 grew up in Somerville, Massachusettsat one time it was hard working families, many LEGAL immigrants, now it is a sancutary City. Yup high crime rate, many that are on welfare are breeding the so called yuppie designer dogs. We are seeing the same thing here in Fall River, New Bedford, where the low lifes live.

Does not surprise me

Sandi

aka ancona

By: Don Earl

Don Earl — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:47:21 +0000

RE: “We canâ€™t use hearsay, and thatâ€™s about 90 percent of what we were getting”

Beg pardon, but an eyewitness account is NOT hearsay. That should be enough for a warrant, or at least it would be for any other kind of crime. Since a judge has to decide to issue the warrant in the first place, it’s really up to the judge to decide if there’s probable cause or not. If they asked for the warrant and were turned down, that’s one thing, but if they didn’t ask, that’s something else.

If they’re busting down doors on their own intitiative, without a warrant, that’s another deal entirely.

By: Velvet's Dad

Velvet's Dad — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:55:06 +0000

“Back off stalker”? Gee, I hope that was said in jest, for Linda was only trying to point out that the laws protect all of us. Our system of justice is predicated on the principle that before the law the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, thereby putting the burden of proof on the accuser.

Can anyone honestly say they would want to live in a society where the reverse is true: presumption of guilt until you prove your innocence? That is one aspect of a police state.

Our system underscores why the accuser must get the facts before proceeding. Due process and fairness can only exist where there is presumption of innocence. Otherwise, we’d return to the era of the Salem Witch trials and all would be at risk.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 01:45:44 +0000

I agree with Athena and most of the other views on here. They needed to shut those people down.

By: Athena

Athena — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:45:12 +0000

I applaud the shut-down of the three puppy mills…that is wonderful news! However, when people report someone for animal abuse, it seems to me that ANIMAL WELFARE needs to check it out. They say they need more evidence…are we supposed to go into the person’s home and take pictures, essentially doing the job for Animal Welfare? They say they can’t just go around breaking down people’s doors…maybe just knocking would be a good start. If entry is refused, then there’s probably a good reason why. Animal Welfare can’t use hearsay…SOMEONE has to report the abuse and I’m pretty sure it’s not going to be the abuser. What I really don’t understand is the fact that state law prohibits state officials from entering the home because there was no license…what? Abuse is abuse, license or not…
I just think these animals suffered needlessly because Animal Welfare let this go on for far too long.

By: kaefamily

kaefamily — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:37:17 +0000

Hilarious bickering :-P

By: Nora and Rufus

Nora and Rufus — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:02:57 +0000

BACK OFF STALKER!

By: Linda's Cats

Linda's Cats — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 19:15:12 +0000

I’m sure Nora, you treat your dogs great. but you have address on other sites, that you have concerns when animal welfare people come into a situation and take a dog that is *not* negelected. or a dog that the owner feels shoudl die in his care, and not left in some cage cause the animal control officers think that the dog “isn’t cared for”, even when the owner has papers showing the dog is getting vet care and “hospice” type care.

The point is, you need to be careful (we all should agree) when you accuse someone to insure that it truly is animal abuse. we’ve seen on these news stories how often animal control is “out of control”.

Personally, I love the laws of this land, and understand that for us to have the ideas of “innocent till proven guilty”, and right to privacy, and rights to warrant for search of our homes - sometimes it does mean bad guys get away with it.

By: Nora and Rufus

Nora and Rufus — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:50:23 +0000

In response to “Linda’s Cats” comment. Nora’s 3 Aussie dogs sleep on a clean queen sized bed with their owner everynight and they stretch out on a soft clean beige carpet every night and watch TV in the living room with their owner (after all, they are also bathed and trimmed and groomed monthly by their owner) and they enjoy every day cooked chicken breasts w cooked baby carrots and hard boiled eggs mixed with their daily portion of EVO dry dog food. They are very tired after their daily 1-2 hour runs at the acres large dog park that is 5 minutes away. I DARE anyone to say they are not treated well. I WELCOME any officials who would want to check out the above mentioned conditions.

By: nancy freedman-smith

nancy freedman-smith — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:34:50 +0000

Norma Worley and the state of Maine have shut down three puppy mills since August. As someone mentioned, you can’t just waltz into someone’s home. If you read the story you will see that the neighbors never ever even saw any dogs over there. In this case it appears to be more of a case of hoarding. The dogs were former breeding dogs who were old and neglected. Very sad. I commend the state of Maine for taking action in these three abuse cases. The state needs to be VERY careful about dotting all i’s and crossing all t’s. It has been a very expensive venture for the state. One that required leasing a huge warehouse and converting it into a temporary shelter for all the dogs. There are more of people in the this state who think that Norma has overstepped her bounds and should be stopped than those who think she didn’t act quick enough. I think she is doing a great job.

Nancy Freedman-Smtih

By: Linda's Cats

Linda's Cats — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:22:57 +0000

Hello guys, it’s one of the draw back to living in a country that protects her citizens’ rights. Heresay is almost never enough evidence for a police action to occur, save allegations of child abuse and maybe spousal abuse. You need first hand evidence and generally need it by credible witnesses.

It’s sad, of course, but the alternative is worse. That cops can just come into your home or onto your land any time some tom dick or harry says “Nora doesn’t treat her dogs well”.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:42:39 +0000

Seven complaints were not enough? Didn’t hold a state license so couldn’t investigate? Why didn’t they investigate the fact that she was engaging in commerce without one? What a buncha idiots. I have no respect for elected officials. I hope Animal Welfare Program Director Norma Worley loses her fricking job! She sure has not been doing it! Exactly whose welfare is she in charge of protecting? the obviously mentally ill women who has been torturing and killing dogs for years?

By: Nora and Rufus

Nora and Rufus — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:32:14 +0000

Why in the world would these TWO women’s eye witness testimony not be enough “evidence” to search this puppy mill? Those Maine officials should be ashamed. For God’s sake, the complaint was 3 years ago. Just imagaine how many dogs suffered and died in that time!!!!!! SICKENING and SHAMEFUL! That is the Officials NEGLIGENCE.

By: catmom5

catmom5 — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 12:30:22 +0000

With that much concern, seems like they could have sent someone to buy a dog from the woman to gather evidence. Those poor dogs . . .