Tammy got a call from Kim Eicher, a resident of East Freedom, Pa. on 9/11/06. Kim was crying because Doogie, a neighbor's dog hadn't gotten up since Saturday. She had been calling the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society since Saturday to no avail. Tammy explained that she is not a law officer, and Kim needed to call the Humane Officer again. She told her to make sure she left a very clear message, explaining the problem. A short time later call Tammy got another call about the same dog. This call was from a person who passes Doogie every day. At that point Tammy called Kim back to see if she'd heard from the Humane Society. Kim had not heard from them and she was very upset and extremely worried about Doogie, so Tammy promised to go and see what she could do. When Tammy's team arrived, they initially thought Doogie was dead, as he was not moving. He was weak and could not stand. Since there was no one home to talk to at the residence where Doogie was living, tied to a chain in the yard, Tammy made the courageous decision not to leave him lying there on the cold wet ground one moment longer. They took photos and video of Doogie. After you see the photos and video, you'll understand why Kim pleaded for help for Doogie and why Tammy had to do whatever she could to help him. They took Doogie to a veterinarian to get the medical care he desperately needed. As they arrived at the vet's office, a county humane officer was just leaving, about to go out to the residence where they had just found Doogie. Although the officer was not was not happy with their decision, he agreed that Tammy should get the dog the veterinary care he needed. The officer said they should call him on his cell phone afterward. The vet examined Doogie, documented the dogs general negligent condition, low weight, sores, missing fur, etc, and ordered medication. Tammy then called the humane officer and when he didn't answer, she left a message. He never returned her call. She took Doogie to her home and bathed him because the stench was so bad. As she was caring for Doogie, trying to do whatever she could to make him comfortable, a police officer arrived at her home, saying he wanted her to return Doogie. She refused, explaining that she had photos and video documenting animal cruelty, and the neighbor was also willing to testify. She suggested that the officer pursue charges of animal cruelty and criminal neglect against Doogie's owners but the officer was not interested in that evidence and he refused. He left and later returned with three other police vehicles. When Tammy again refused to hand Doogie over to be returned to the conditions in which she found him.... cold, shivering, malnourished, chained and near death, she was taken into custody. She was transported to police headquarters and charged with theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. She was treated like a common criminal, released on $50,000 bond, and ordered to appear at a preliminary hearing September 21, 2006. Tammy was willing to accept all consequences of her compassionate decision. Her statement is this: "I made a hard decision; I could not have lived with myself or looked myself in the eye if I were such a coward as to leave Doogie lying there dying on the ground for fear of what would happen to me. I see this case as a travesty against justice...the true perpetrators of a crime are the people who left Doogie to lie there dying for three days without doing right by him. I am very saddened that we live in a society where people have to be afraid to do the right thing, to help those in need, whether that need be human or animal. Arrests such as mine are a pitiful statement for America, and I ask all dog lovers to stand with me to insist that all charges against me are dropped and charges of animal cruelty are instead placed against the Arnolds of East Freedom, PA. The Arnolds who left Doogie to die. This video truly speaks for itself, and for Doogie. I did what was morally right; I stand by my decision to help him and will be proud of it until my dying day. No one can take that from me." Now Tammy NEEDS the Help of other dog lovers like you and I. I understand that the videos and photos are unpleasant and upsetting, but please view them so you know the facts. I know you'll agree that abuse like Doogie suffered must stop. Charges against Tammy Grimes must be dropped and animal cruelty charges should be filed against the Arnolds of East Freedom, Pennsylvania. Please, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html, learn the details and read how you can help. There's lots of information there regarding media and others you can contact to voice your opinion. You can read much more about the ongoing mission of Dogs Deserve Better at Dogs Deserve Better.org. Also see my article, Living As Prisoners ... Longing to be Pets from December 2005.
Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, was arrested September 11, 2006 for helping a chained and dying dog named Doogie in East Freedom, Pennsylvania.
Remember...
Doogie and other abused and neglected pets need your help. Tammy Grimes of Dogs Deserve Better needs your help.
Click Here for photo and video documentation, updates, plus information on who to contact and how to help.
