On September 11, 2006, I helped a dog left to die on the end of a chain in a yard, a useless 'piece of refuse' who could no longer stand or even bark. Despite video and photo evidence of cruelty, as well as eye-witness and vet testimony, no charges were ever filed by either the police or the humane officer against the dog's caretakers. Private criminal charges filed by myself and Dogs Deserve Better remain 'in limbo', probably in a 'let's avoid this' stack of charges on the DA's desk. Instead, I was arrested for 'stealing property', and refusing to give it back when it was demanded of me. I was convicted and will be sentenced on February 22th...for standing up for 'just another piece of Pennsylvania garbage'.

Tammy

2/22/08. Today Grimes was sentenced to 300 hours community service for a 'people organization', because 'people are dogs too'. She was also ordered to pay for the cost of the trial. (Note: this is not court costs, but trial costs, two different things. Trial cost covers the jurors lunches, the sheriff's wages, and the bus driver's salary.) This was justified by the judge because she said that Grimes chose to go to trial over ARD, therefore she should have to pay for it. Isn't it every person's right to go to trial? Does that right come with a price tag? Interestingly enough, according to Grimes' attorneys, this is not only NOT OFTEN done, but RARELY done. The costs were around $1700.

She was also ordered within 10 days to take everything Doogie related off of any site she 'has control or influence over'. We will be appealing most if not all of the sentencing asap.

The absolute worst part of it all was the way she was treated by both the DA and the judge. The saddest thing is that they actually seem to BELIEVE the horrible things they said about her. They seem to actually BELIEVE that the taking of Doogie was a publicity stunt by Grimes, so that she could be a 'hero'. That the Arnolds are 'victims' of her lies, and that 'the dog was just old'.

The DA said he was shocked this was her first offense, because her disrespect for the law and it's officials is like his worst hardened criminals. He also said that everything on the DDB site is a lie, twisted by Grimes to make people believe her. He was seriously ticked off that the Arnolds received Valentines and a brochure this Valentine's Day. Yet, at trial he insisted DDB should try to educate them, so which is it? Do you want them educated or not?

The judge said that Grimes was no Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr. That she has disgraced herself and her cause, as well as her supporters by her actions. That two wrongs don't make a right. (If she's admitting there were 'two wrongs', then why are the Arnolds still not being convicted of abuse?)

We are saddened by the state of affairs in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Saddened by the people 'in control', and saddened by the beliefs they put out into the world.

Pictures and video do not lie. If it were a he said/she said situation, we could understand how they would believe the Arnolds when they say the dog was just old. But with the abundance of evidence of neglect, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for the behavior of both DA Richard Consiglio and Judge Elizabeth Doyle. Pictures and video DO NOT LIE.

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Juctice?? I don't think so!

The criminals are free- no charges

The innocent is convicted!!!!!!!!!

Well there's heroes in America
And there's one named Tammy Grimes
She saved a dying dog out there
The law says it's a crime!

There's good citizens and criminals
It seems they mixed 'em up
Why can't you save an animal
Without being dragged to court?

We can't understand it
Why compassion is a sin
This isn't how God planned it
Love should be part of everything

Because dogs deserve better
And good people sure do too
Oh every creature matters
The law must speak for you!

© Maria Daines/Paul Killington
All Rights Reserved
(mcps) ASCAP
2008