Mannassas, VA - protest tonight 2/9 to help a neglected Pitt!!

[ehrnst]

If you live near Mannassas, we need your help tonight to protest the lack of action by animal control to rectify a horrific case of abuse, and we now have media coverage.

The rescue group that I work with in Northern Va has been trying for a month to help a Pit that has been left neglected outside, with NO shelter.

We have gone there, offered additional shelter, given him food/water and toys, worked with the neighbor who call the Animal Control almost every week to report this. And NOTHING has been done.

It's freezing and this dog is sleeping on the cold ground with no cover (he does not like the wooden box they gave him).

Our founder just sent this email out to us:

So after again calling Animal Control yesterday, I decided to contact the local news stations and Fox 5 News just called. I told them that if the dog is not confiscated or taken inside tonite, we will stage a protest tonight at 8 p.m. in front of the owner's house.

Sooooooo, we really, really need people to come out and do this. This is our opportunity to get some coverage and help for this dog AND many others. We need signs and people who are willing to march and chant. Fox likes this stuff and the person who called me said they'll likely stay involved.

PLEASE come join us. Let's make a difference for all these dogs out there who are kept in the cold. This crap has gone on long enough.

I will keep you posted as to what happens this evening/tomorrow with the dog and then our plans. We really need lots of people to be involved. Yes, we could get into some trouble with the police but I suspect the worse they'll do is tell us to get lost...and it'll all be caught on the news.

IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US - email me at my addy.

Shari

[RebelOne]

1. Please post this in Virginia at the State and Country forums.

[peacebuzzard]

2. Thank you for taking the side of the defenseless.

please let us know how the story develops.

It is criminal to keep the dog tethered endlessly.

[ehrnst]

3. Details about tonight now in the VA forum -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=183x4952

[ehrnst]

4. Need your help emailing the media

They may be backing off the story now. Our ally at Channel 4 is out today, and we have not heard back. Fox news 5 talked to the owner, and is now reconsidering - maybe they got ugly?

Now I assume that that stories like the wacko astronaut deserve more air time than a puppy who is being left to freeze to death will full knowledge of the authorities that are there to prosecute.

They need to know that this is political.

Here are the email addresses - they need to know that this is indeed news.

Julie Carey is with the Channel 4 VA political desk - she needs to know that this is a political issue, and that people with companion animals think that this is NEWSWORTHY!!

[e-mail]

[ehrnst]

5. Update: The puppy is now out of there!

The latest is that the dog was picked up by police yesterday late afternoon. The owner was supposed to come to the police station to talk to them about the dog, but never showed. Sue (Founder of Homeward Trails Animal Rescue) has been working with the local authorities and the Human Society to try to resolve the situation. Her hope is that “Tyson” will be released to Homeward Trails. She said the police captain has been very responsive and wants to do what’s best for the dog. She said she would keep everyone posted.

We had about 60 people last night to protest in front of the house. The neighbors were so grateful that finally something was being done. Sue saw Tyson at the police station and said he looked happy and he is very sweet.

[peacebuzzard]

6. Ehrnst, as always, you come though for the downtrodden.

thank you thank you. glad to hear the pooches plight had relief.

[ehrnst]

7. UPDATE: DOG IS IN BACK ON THE CHAIN - calls needed now!

Tyson, the poor neglected Pitt is back in the yard and on the chain (right before the ice storm!!). Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is asking that people FLOOD Captain Mosher and the mayor of Manassas Park with phone calls.

Here is a news story on the protest Friday night, reporting that Tyson was in the custody of police:

http://www.manassasjm.com/servlet/Satellite?c=MGArticle&cid=1149193129638&pagename=MJM/MGArticle/WPN_BasicArticle&path=!news


We must keep calling the Mayor's Office and the police to express our dissatisfaction over this situation. The Mayor personally said he would do what was in Tyson's best interest and he has not. The law/code for "humane seizure" states that a dog can be seized by law enforcement if the dog's health and safety is in immediate danger. This may not be the case at this very minute, but it will be this evening when he is sleeping on the frozen ground. Look into hypothermia and the time, affects and results...with an ice/snow storm coming, this is our most serious threat in addition to the continued low temps.

Call the Mayor now, as he has the authority to order the dog seized:

Frank Jones: Mayor of Manassas Park:
703-856-5019
email: [e-mail]

Later this afternoon, Call the police, and remind them that a snow storm is dangerous for a dog left outside with the minimal shelter Tyson has:


Capt Travis Mosher # is 703 361 1136
email: [e-mail]

[peacebuzzard]

8. Yikes! What kind of resolution was that?

Poor baby. How did he weather the storm?

Emailing now.

[ehrnst]

9. Update:

Tyson is now no longer at the home. The owner has moved him.

We can only hope that he is in a place that is sheltered. We have him in our hearts, but are devastated.

We are now working on getting the ACO that refused to act replaced. The Police Captain is supportive, and we've connected him with HSUS on ways to give his officers some more room to act within the local animal ordinances. And we're working on education and legislative changes in that county.

Poor Tyson. We hope that the publicity surrounding the case will impel other people to come forward and report such cases. It's hard not to be overwhelmed when you see something like this and know that it's the tip of the iceberg.