Well said, Southerndogmom, well said.

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I have difficulty believing this is even happening, that an antiquated piece of a legal system is actually being upheld in an attempt to punish someone who alleviated an innocent being's suffering. Tammy has my respect and all my best wishes for a positive outcome. I hope Pennsylvanians and others will beat a path to demonstrate on her behalf, and on behalf of animals everywhere. I hope it will be impossible for the community and the media to ignore and will force a positive change.

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I still hold the opinion I held back when this happened-she is one of my few human heroes.
It takes class and heart to "do the right thing", which Tammy has plenty of. Given my geographic location, I can only be there in Spirit and in heart-but I will "be there" backing and supporting Tammy in any manner I am able.

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Dogs are property in most states. Some cities have ordinances which amount to Good Samaritan Laws which allow someone to take the property to render emergency aid or ordinances which elevate the status of a dog from simple property which is "owned" to property for which a human is considered a "caregiver."

Tammy took the dog. She has never denied having done so. But she took him to save his life and she did save his life. Without going into my legal argument as to why her taking him does not actually amount to "theft," I must say that my biggest issue with the DA in Blair County is his selective prosecution with taxpayer funds and resources. He appears to have made it a personal mission in his life to prosecute the woman who took the dog to save him while at the same time not even bringing criminal charges against the very people who caused him to be in a condition near death for all the world (and the entire neighborhood) to see and hear (and thereby be traumatized enough to call for Tammy's help as a rescuer).

The DA has sought to bar all of Tammy's physical evidence: photos, video (both before and after), veterinary reports, etc. My personal opinion is that he has done so because if the evidence is introduced in her case, the very people who elected him will want to know why the "owners" were never prosecuted.

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Tammy Grimes has almost single-handedly put the plight of endlessly chained and penned dogs on the map. We must stand up for her now, the way she has stood up for every dog that lives its life in solitary confinement. She is a hero being treated like a villian by the legal system - we've got to let them know that practice is not "okay" with their constituents. I don't live in PA, but if I did - I'd be pretty upset to know my tax dollars are going towards the prosecution of an angel like Tammy!

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Please make a final push on this petition as I would like to submit it to as many people and media outlets as possible:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/dismiss-charges-against-tammy-grimes-and-press-charges-against-animal-neglectorabuser

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The judge entered a gag order following jury selection so Tammy is precluded from making any futher comments about her case.

When Tammy first took the dog to save him from what she believed was imminent death, there were some very heated exchanges on the network which actually caused the thread to be edited. A first in BF network history, if memory serves.

I work in the legal field. I know that dogs are technically considered property in the eyes of the law. But I know that Tammy would not have been able to live with herself had she left Doogie to die. She acted to save his life and should be thanked for having done so. The Arnolds have never been charged, let alone prosecuted, for leaving the dog outside to die. He was not a rusting Chevy which would eventually just fall apart. He was a living, breathing being.

I'm thankful Tammy took him and he had six months of love from his foster mom before he passed peacefully.

May the jury acquit Tammy of the charges and may she not be punished more than she already has. She has paid a very high price for her decision and would make the same choice again if forced to do so.

Keep the faith, Tammy. We believe in you. Hold on.

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Tammy did the morally, ethically and spiritually correct thing. How twisted that legally she is being put to trial for her actions. Thank you Tammy for your courage. As we all know, just because something is "law" doesn't mean it is right. Not that long ago women and men were property under the law. I hope one day we look back in wonder and abhorrence that animals were once considered property, too.

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Laws are supposed to protect & support. In Calif. we have a law that states that a dog cannot be on a chain for more than 3 hours a day. Sometimes not very inforceable but there. Not all laws are good; in Nazi Germany & other Nazi occupied countries, there were all kinds of laws that were wrong. Tammy may be the one that makes the judicial system take note & change. I admire you ,Tammy, & I will write Justice Doyle & mail it off tomorrow. Keep your chin up. Geri

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Will be there for Tammy in spirit and praying for the true and just outcome of this case. It took a lot of courage and heart to remove that dog from certain death, I hope that the judge and jury have the same amount of heart and courage to do the right thing.

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Tammy, you have thousands of people behind you and on your side. You will prevail. Good luck!!

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This legal stand by Consiglio is what i call a Grand Canyon case if you were asked to describe words always fail. It's like the western "The Magnisifent Seven" That poor town needs some help

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I have commented to Tammy before that I hope that her case can lead to some reconsideration of laws which consider companion animals property. That doesn't happen on its own accord, of course. The only way laws ever change is when legislation is entacted changing the laws. Our courts are stuck with the laws on the books and while there is some limited leeway in interpretation of the law, if a law says a dog is property with no more rights than a discarded sofa or vehicle, a dog is property.

I do not believe companion animals should rise to the level of having the same rights as people. That would simply be ridiculous, regardless of what PETA may advocate.

But there must be some middle ground. Property does not feel pain. Property does not cry. Property does not die from lack of proper veterinary care or food or water. Property does not die from exposure. How can a dog like Doogie possibly be considered property in absolute terms? The concept is absurd to me. The charges against Tammy are theft of property and receipt of stolen property. If we want to be literal about it, the property has now stopped breathing. An autopsy has been performed to confirm the identity of the property and the remains were returned to the very people who left the property in their yard.

If you feel strongly about this case, don't wait to see what happens to Tammy Grimes. Band together with people in your state and work on getting the laws changed so that they provide for some Good Samaritan provision or provide for some form of limited rights for companion animals. I was thinking over the weekend...in most municipalities, animals must be licensed. It should be the people who provide care for them who are licensed. Violation of the license provisions would be penalized and future "ownership" of any companion animal would be forfeited.

If you were Tammy on September 11, 2006, what would you have done if you believed the dog was quite literally on death's doorstep? Would you have been able to live with your decision had you left? What if your delay of only a matter of minutes or even a couple of hours meant that he died due to your inaction? I know my answers. Do you know yours?

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I agree! We can make things better for the animals in our own states and communities. What a great tribute to Tammy's commitment to Doogie and animals everywhere. I support "animal rights" that would elevate the legal and societal status of animals as living, feeling beings with their own interests and needs worthy of consideration, needs which obviously differ from those of humans.

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Of course animals' status under the law would not be the same as a human being's. But there needs to be a guarantee of "certain unalienable rights"; proper food, water, shelter, medical care, exercise, protection from exploitation. Scotland just passed such a law, why can't we? And I think it is an excellent idea to license the "owners" of animals...maybe people would be alot less quick to throw away animals if they had to take a course in their care, and apply for a license.

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Tammy, good luck on Wed. You did the right thing, that is for sure. I will keep you in prayer this week with all that's going on with you. God bless you and all the hard work you do for the dogs.

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Tammy, We are their voice, you did the right thing.

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Being a dogger that was saved I am fully behind Ms. Tammy. Had it not been for a caring person that took me in then took me to Best Friends, I would probably be at the bridge now, never knowing the love of a forever momma.
Tammy did what any human would do who has a heart and a soul. My momma is so very mad at the in-balance of justice here. Ms. Tammy is being hung out and the people who did this to Doogie are left alone.....why are the scales of justice so skewed. It makes no sense to this doggie brain of mine.
Jiminy - who used to be all alone but now has his very own special person.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday) I will be watching, listening, hoping, and praying for justice for Tammy, for Doogie, and for living beings everywhere.

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Thanks for the link. I've been looking around all day for an update. I'm anxious to learn if any of the evidence was allowed in since the judge was on the fence about that a couple weeks ago.

I have a legal argument for why she should not be convicted of theft which I shared with Tammy but I don't know if her attorney will use it. If he does and she's acquitted, no one will be happier than Tammy and me.

What a terrible no win situation. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I think people think a judge or a case can change the law. Not so. The laws on the books are called "statutes" and are only changed through legislation. Juries make factual determinations based on the evidence and are stuck with the laws on the books.

May we all live to see the day when breeders have no demand for their "products" and when companion animals have some elevated status in our society above that of a worn out sofa.

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More news coverage here.

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According to the WJAC coverage, an "investaging officer testified there was no evidence of abuse or neglect." That must be Gotshall. I guess he testified today. And I guess he either hasn't seen the pictures or video or just chooses to ignore them.

How can it be that he is allowed to testify about the dog's condition and the veterinarian is not?

I hate this case with a passion. I support Tammy 110 percent but since I work in the legal field, I guess this just makes my stomach turn knowing how this is playing out. How can people lie like that and then sleep at night?

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I had hoped her attorney would let her testify and am glad she will speak. That can be a double edged sword and the DA will try to tear her down but I think she's ready for that.

You know, just looking at the single photo which heads this article says it all. The ground is wet. Tammy is wearing a sweatshirt. Jake aka Doogie looks thin. His feet are covered with mud. He's weak. His eyes are barely open. That doesn't even include the chain he was wearing and the crying sounds he made when Tammy was there.

How on God's green earth could Gotshall testify that the dog was fine? How could the Arnolds have just left him there?

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I totally agree, southerndogmom...
And what's more?
The obvious evidence of how he improved over time with proper care!

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And don't forget the nicely manicured lawn all around Doogie - the Arnold's managed to maintain that, but not a living breathing creature. Shame on the them and all PA lawmakers and politicians not doing the right thing! Karma's going to have fun with this one.

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I believe Tammy will testify today. And I do hope her attorney will clear up some of the smoke and mirrors problems used by the DA. Yesterday a cop got on the stand with a Doogie thong purchased from CafePress as part of the DA's position that she took Doogie as a publicity stunt and to make money.

If any of you have ever purchased items from CafePress, you'll know there is a standard clothing line they use. When a nonprofit submits a design, it goes on a range of items from t-shirts to baby bibs to, yes, thongs. I support another rescue in PA call Pets Come First. Their CafePress store includes thongs.

The vet was allowed to testify as was an assistant in the vet's office. It appears at one point that there was laughter in the courtroom and part of the room was cleared. I sure hope it wasn't any of Tammy's supporters because if so, they're doing more harm than good. She and I talked at length about "the show" and courtroom demeanor because she's under a microscope. And her supporters who are able to be there are under that same microscope.

What a fiasco. I certainly hope the result of this trial does not deter Tammy from her mission. And I certainly hope the citizens of Blair County will think twice before the DA is re-elected, not to mention thinking twice about laws related to companion animals.

Sorry to give a speech. This case is under my skin.

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She did nothing wrong-she saved a suffering dog.
She would not be persecuted had she acted to save a suffering child, but then the law would have moved quickly as well, had Doogie been human.
How very sad.

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This BITES.
http://network.bestfriends.org/News/PostDetail.aspx?np=21367&g=ad870a87685248948775bcdf5848a2f5

This trial was nothing more than a vendetta.

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I WORKAT A SHELTER HERE IN LOS ANGELES,CALIF. AND HONESTLY I THINK I WOULD HAVE DONE THE SAME BECAUSE I CANT KNOWINGLY SEE AN ANIMAL IN BAD CONDITIONS AND REPORT IT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE BUT NOTHING EVER GETS DONE SO IN SOME CASES YOU NEED TO DO THE ULTIMATE THING EVEN IF IT MEANS GOING TO THE SLAMMER.

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I’ll never understand the arbitrary application of laws. So in Blair, PA saving an animals’ life is a no-no... eh? Let’s hope the people on this jury have the heart and courage to do the right thing. My prayers will continue that common sense prevails and the end of this nightmare is in sight for Tammy.

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I pray that this case will be the beginning of civilized protective laws for living, feeling, breathing animals.
Tammy, you are a wonderful example to all the world! Blessings as you go forward with your courages fight for exceptional proper moral behavior.

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Southerndogmom, your comments are excellent and insightful. I am of the opinion that if technically Tammy has broken laws and is being prosecuted for that then of course, ishe cant avoid her legal obligation but this is a good opportunity to point out the absurdity of those laws and to press for change.

I think the comparison between the treatment of Vick and Tammy is a good one. Unfortunately we are dealing with different states.

My prayers are with Tammy that she will have a good legal outcome and that this case will forward changes that reflect a much more enlightened understanding of the difference between a dog or other living creature and a car or air conditioner.

Best wishes, Tammy and all those in Pennsylvania working on her behalf.

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Tammy Grimes is a modern heroine for sure, a Dog Warrior, that is, a warrior for dogs! I just went to the web site to the Cafe Press store and purchased her newest art piece called Dog Warrior, with her famous quote about not stopping till she is dead! Nothing will deter her from her mission, and many others have caught her passion for chained and penned dogs so that even if she would be sent to jail, it would only increase the appeal for the message and mission. The dogs and her friends will give her courage for this fight.

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It all comes down to the next few days. Let's all send our prayers and wishes out to Tammy during this trial hope that true justice prevails!

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Thinking of you today, Tammy, and praying for the only proper outcome.

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Always with you Tammy- in Spirit, in heart and in the joined fight for the dogs who have no voice.
This trial is simply trying to shut you down.

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Looks like there will be trial coverage here. Perhaps people in the area who are seeing local media and even attending the trial will report in. I am hoping for good outcomes here -- that Tammy's trial will be a springboard for positive change.

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AMEN.

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I still think that if the judge doesn't allow the evidence for animal abuse, Tammy should turn around and sue the state. I think it's a violation of her rights to not allow her to present the situation fully and honestly. Plus, I'm becoming one of those humanistic/cognitive psychologists, and I think that the reason for the "crime" is always relevant to the "crime." But I don't really know how all that legal stuff works, so she might not have a ground to stand on...

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She can't sue the state. Judges and prosecutors have absolute immunity under the law. She can't sue the lower level people because she lacks standing to do so. I do believe she filed a criminal complaint against the Arnolds which can be done under PA law in her capacity as president of DDB. I don't know the status on that and it may not go far. One legal battle at a time.

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Yikes! Here's the (very minimal) WJAC coverage. Other coverage here.

I don't understand it either. Hey, that's just Day 1 of testimony. Much more to come, hopefully with better results for the humane side of things.

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