Hello All, Good news....please read and cheer, and thanks Vicky Shelley Gonzales Bigfork, MT
UPDATE 2/4/03 on the Montana Collies Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt *Permission to crosspost* The American Kennel Club has suspended the AKC privileges of Athena Lethcoe-Harman and Jon Harman for the next decade. The 10-year suspension carries with it a $2000 fine. Kim Eberley, AKC Executive Field Agent, determined the minimum standard of care and condition required by AKC for the animals was not met. According to Toole County Undersheriff Don Hale, Mr. Eberley visited Camp Collie on Feb. 3 and today, and inspected 54 male and 2 female dogs. When his investigation was concluded, he had enough evidence to warrant his findings. Undersheriff Hale escorted Mr. Eberley to the truck this afternoon. The Harmans have the right to appeal the suspension at a legal hearing, and to be legally represented, continued Undersheriff Hale. A new trial date has not been set. A reminder: Undersheriff Don Hale requests that only phonecalls, emails and faxes that will enhance the prosecutorial efforts be sent. I will keep you informed. Calmly, Jean Levitt, President AWCA ===================== Marion's notes: This is BIG news. It of course brings up more questions, chief of which is, if the AKC didn't need a guilty conviction in a court of law to begin with, then where the hell were they the night after Halloween?????? Why did they have to wait so long, and put the county through these three grueling months of constant care, considerable time, effort and expense, and a jury trial??? Still, they got the deed done, finally, probably under considerable public pressure -- and now there is no reason for Athena to go through with another trial. It remains to be seen whether the county will still press charges against her and try to recoup some of the costs incurred while caring for 188 animals. Does she plea bargain in an attempt to just walk away with a slap on the hand, and leave all her animals behind...... will she get fined big bucks ..... does she get any of her dogs back even though they can no longer be breeders.... will she plea bargain to leave them behind in return for no fines being levied against her? And what about the Collies themselves?? If they stay behind, I'm sure the wheels have already started turning to get the spay/neuter process started and get them shipped out elsewhere, to other shelters, to get adopted from there. Here is where the HSUS and possibly the AWCA play a big part. More to come tomorrow, hopefully, although I don't know whether this will make the newspapers yet. I'll check tomorrow and let you know. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
