Well, Animal Control came out to my friend's house and investigated. I don't know what they found or what they said but I do know my friend is upset. Look out for the knife in the back.
No, she didn't say anything to me directly or even at first. So I thought, well, maybe they didn't come out. Or that she doesn't suspect me or both.
What she did was to pull a martyr act. Like she was in physical pain from her chemo. So I asked her if she was in pain because she acted like her back was hurting again. No, she said. Not that. Other issues? Physical issues? No. Just issues. Finally--it came out.
"Someone called animal control on me and told a bunch a lies about me. But everything is all right now." She kept saying "lies, lies." What kind of lies? What did they say? "That I was letting my dogs run loose and everything. That they are being kept outside in all kinds of weather with no shelter."
Well, for those of you who read my previous blog on the subject, that was NOT what I told Animal Control. I told them that the dogs were being cooped up in small travel carriers and allowed little to no exercise. That's a LONG WAY from "letting them run loose."
But I didn't say anything. She said, "I have been rescuing dogs for 18 years and NOW there is a problem?" Well, there have been several high-profile animal abuse cases in the news lately, mostly involving dog-fighting and puppy mills. She said "My dogs are all fixed and are too old for breeding." Again, that was not in the complaint I filed with Animal Control.
What I SUSPECT happened is this: the Animal Control officer came out, saw how many dogs she had and asked to see their licenses and shots. If you have more than 10 in this county you must also have a kennel license. I bet that she could not produce the records. I also suspect that Animal Control (who are no fools) saw how the dogs were being housed and told her in no uncertain terms that she needs to house them better. To build a kennel with runs. And I bet that they told her they will be back to see if she has complied and if not, that is a misdemeanor offense. As in fines and possible jail time.
So who is the liar here? I know what I have seen when I have gone over there and I know that others have seen the same thing. The only difference is that they were willing to turn a blind eye. I am not.
She is more upset about the fact that "someone" reported her to Animal Control than about the nature of the complaint. For if there truly was no reason to call them they would just come out, say Ma'am, there must have been a mistake and we are sorry to disturb you, and that would be the end of it.
I had Animal Control called on me once, but I knew they were coming. One of my cats had bit me severely enough that I had to go to the ER and get treated. It really was my fault, I was trying to break up a fight when I got bit. They told me at the hospital that Animal Control would have to come out and talk to me and I said fine. The officer came, I told him the circumstances of the cat bite and he was fine with that. No problem. Or at least I thought so at the time. But perhaps I should be like my friend and hold a grudge against the hospital. I mean, how dare they?
So I think this is not over and there will be more fallout. Perhaps it was my imagination but the atmosphere at church seemed a bit chilly this morning. I hope that I did not look or act guilty. Although I am pretty sure that if she knew it was me there would be Hell to pay. The funny thing is that her husband hasn't said one thing or another about this issue--and if he was siding with her he'd be chiming right in at the injustice of it all. She kept saying, "Someone called Animal Control on ME." Not on "us". That also tells me there is more to the story than is being told, because when I made the complaint I said "both" and I did not name names, just gave the address.
So we shall see what happens in the coming weeks although I have a feeling how this is going to play out.
No, she didn't say anything to me directly or even at first. So I thought, well, maybe they didn't come out. Or that she doesn't suspect me or both.
What she did was to pull a martyr act. Like she was in physical pain from her chemo. So I asked her if she was in pain because she acted like her back was hurting again. No, she said. Not that. Other issues? Physical issues? No. Just issues. Finally--it came out.
"Someone called animal control on me and told a bunch a lies about me. But everything is all right now." She kept saying "lies, lies." What kind of lies? What did they say? "That I was letting my dogs run loose and everything. That they are being kept outside in all kinds of weather with no shelter."
Well, for those of you who read my previous blog on the subject, that was NOT what I told Animal Control. I told them that the dogs were being cooped up in small travel carriers and allowed little to no exercise. That's a LONG WAY from "letting them run loose."
But I didn't say anything. She said, "I have been rescuing dogs for 18 years and NOW there is a problem?" Well, there have been several high-profile animal abuse cases in the news lately, mostly involving dog-fighting and puppy mills. She said "My dogs are all fixed and are too old for breeding." Again, that was not in the complaint I filed with Animal Control.
What I SUSPECT happened is this: the Animal Control officer came out, saw how many dogs she had and asked to see their licenses and shots. If you have more than 10 in this county you must also have a kennel license. I bet that she could not produce the records. I also suspect that Animal Control (who are no fools) saw how the dogs were being housed and told her in no uncertain terms that she needs to house them better. To build a kennel with runs. And I bet that they told her they will be back to see if she has complied and if not, that is a misdemeanor offense. As in fines and possible jail time.
So who is the liar here? I know what I have seen when I have gone over there and I know that others have seen the same thing. The only difference is that they were willing to turn a blind eye. I am not.
She is more upset about the fact that "someone" reported her to Animal Control than about the nature of the complaint. For if there truly was no reason to call them they would just come out, say Ma'am, there must have been a mistake and we are sorry to disturb you, and that would be the end of it.
I had Animal Control called on me once, but I knew they were coming. One of my cats had bit me severely enough that I had to go to the ER and get treated. It really was my fault, I was trying to break up a fight when I got bit. They told me at the hospital that Animal Control would have to come out and talk to me and I said fine. The officer came, I told him the circumstances of the cat bite and he was fine with that. No problem. Or at least I thought so at the time. But perhaps I should be like my friend and hold a grudge against the hospital. I mean, how dare they?
So I think this is not over and there will be more fallout. Perhaps it was my imagination but the atmosphere at church seemed a bit chilly this morning. I hope that I did not look or act guilty. Although I am pretty sure that if she knew it was me there would be Hell to pay. The funny thing is that her husband hasn't said one thing or another about this issue--and if he was siding with her he'd be chiming right in at the injustice of it all. She kept saying, "Someone called Animal Control on ME." Not on "us". That also tells me there is more to the story than is being told, because when I made the complaint I said "both" and I did not name names, just gave the address.
So we shall see what happens in the coming weeks although I have a feeling how this is going to play out.
