Hooray for Merry and Michelle too! I Michelle don't try to downplay your help. Just having your ideas as an attorney have helped Hideyo hang in there. It sounds like finding Merry was a Godsend. I hope all of this pans out. It's sad (no offense intended to any attorneys or those in enforcement)......... but it IS sad how easily 'regular' people can be treated in these situations. Most people are very rightly afraid of going to jail and afraid of the large attorney fees that add up so quickly. It's certainly not one of America's 'best' systems, but then people in other countries have no 'system' at all.
It's easy to say I would fight if this happened to me. But if it came to criminal charges that might land me in jail, or court/attorney costs that might cause me to lose my home anyway. I don't know what I'd do. I admire anyone who will stand up for what is right in these kinds of
situations!! Go Hideyo!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tonya
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Nina <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
HOORAY for Merry too!! And of course let's not forget your part in all this. Michelle, (don't argue with me), please take a bow.
N
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:Yes, Merry, Hideyo's attorney, called me yesterday to tell me what her hopes are for the case (I had referred Hideyo to her) and said she was so glad that I referred Hideyo to her because she had seen several people harrassed by animal control in Albuquerque into giving up their cats and she could not get those people to fight back because they were so intimidated by the criminal charges, etc. She was so glad to meet Hideyo and see someone willing to stand up to animal control, and to be able to help her get rid of the bad ordinance (still not final, but she seems very hopeful). She is so impressed by how feisty, energetic, and smart Hideyo is, and so happy to be working with her.MichelleIn a message dated 1/7/2006 2:20:04 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:You know, Hideyo mentioned about how other caring people have had to relinquish/find homes for their animals when faced with animal control regulations about numbers. I've heard of abominable stories from other rescuers too. I remember listening in horror as one very dedicated woman told me about having to pts several cats that were sick/old that no one else would take. I don't care what I would have had to do, that would not have happened in my house! Hideyo is such an inspiration to all of us. It just goes to show you what can be accomplished, when you dig your heels in and just say NO! She may be the groundbreaking force in changing the ordinances in her town and, who knows, maybe an example for other states to follow. I don't want to jinx anything here, I know Hideyo's trials and tribulations are far from over, but isn't it just amazing what she's done so far? I don't know what I'd have done in her place, I'd probably be posting from some underground hidden location, if I were her. She instead has chosen to hold her ground and fight for herself, her furchildren, and all of us that pray for the day that animals are no longer treated as "property" and are finally given the respect and rights due to the loved ones they are. HOORAY for Hideyo!!!
Nina
