Rescue has a horribly difficult job. And even though we have one of the best funded rescue programs for any breed club life can be very difficult !
One of my very favorite Rescuers lives in Texas and for obvious reasons I won't use names. There is a puppy miller in her area that keeps my friend very busy pulling dogs from kill shelters and caring for them. after years and years of this they met up at a dog show. My friend had pictures of the latest two dogs dumped out of this woman's breeding. She walked up to her and asked her if she recognized the dogs?
The woman cussed at her and pushed her out of the way. My friend is in her 60s but she was now angry and follwed the Miller. they ended up arguing ringside which of course is a major no no. Two of the miller's friends stepped in and began berating my friend. Of course she is as tough as nails and did not back down. The whole incident lasted less than 5 minutes. Later that afternoon my buddy got word she was being benched. ( having to report to a disciplinary committee) She went and admitted to cussing. She did not know the other folks swore up and down they were innocent of any wrong doing dumping all of the blame on the Rescuer. She was suspended from AKC activities for a month and given a 500.00 fine. The others skated on by with zero consquenses !! The fine was paid by an annoynomous donor and the suspention served. almost 2 months passed and a deputy knocked on my friend's door. She is being sued by the puppy miller who claimes she was attacked, and lost puppy sales because of it !! The man who was with the miller claimed to be in fear for his life and hired a body guard to protect him from this 60 yr old !!
My friend pours every dime she has into her rescue work. She often does without to care for the dogs. At times she may have over 100 at her place, all are cared for , vetted and eventually placed if at all possible. She told me she planned on showing up sans attny as she could not afford one. That would be a disaster, so I pushed my luck and fund raised for her on our breed list. I ended up being moderated for not dropping it as quickly as the list owner thought I should. Small price I can deal with it. But the monies were raised, just enough to cover the retainer, a hotel room and help for the Rescue while my friend was in court.
I had advised her to get the venue changed to a court closer to herself, she ignored that advice out of concern for any wittnesses who would be able to help her out. My friend lost the first part of the case being given a modified restraining order to allow her to go to dog shows. Next it is the damages portion of the suit and I will have to try to raise money once more!! The miller and friend got up and lied under oath. our atty made little effort to object yet every time my buddy opened her mouth she was stopped and shut up. Her evidence was not allowed in and one of her supporters was handcuffed for saying she did not want any gum!!
This moron suing claims to be an ethical breeder but on her own website she has had as many as 6 ( six) litters on the ground at the same time!! Her suit was so poorly written she did not even get her facts straight, we all thought it would be thrown out based on this alone. Instead of saying she was exhibiting at an AKC show she claimed it was UKC and she was judging!! The lies were seemingly endless.
I felt hurt that my friend did not pick up a phone to let me know how the court date went. I got everything 2nd hand until 5 days after. I am angry that this other woman is considered a victim by the judge. Either he knows her or he knows nothing about raising dogs !
I would like to convince my parent club to establish a legal fund for emergencies like this one. But everyone is hanging on to every penny in today's economy.
Sorry about venting but I really am still so darn angry !!!
Bonita of Bwana