Comments: Save a dog, go to jail?

“Tammy did a hard thing. I rescued an Aussie who showed up on our doorstep about 3 years ago. Although I NEVER kept her penned up, she chose to stay with us, her owner threatened to sue us because she would not respond to his calls. We did take her back to him, but a several months later, her owner was seriously injured by one of his horses and the SPCA gal who knew I already wanted my Gigi, had another neighbor call me and tell me to come get Gigi. She's now 8, spade (Old owner would let her breed to anything and sell the pups for beer money.) and enjoys her days with her other doggie friend and our 3 kitties. -M00ntlsnta” — M00NLTSNTA, Feb 27 2008

“Thank you, Tammy Grimes. You have done no wrong. The dog was suffering, you gave it a better life, even if it was just a short while. I, too, volunteer in animal rescue and understand how cruel and thoughtless people can sometimes be and the immense frustration that comes with rescuing animals. I saw the video, and that dog was in a terrible condition. Unfortunately, it appears that in the future if I should find a dog in this state, I should sneak in late at night, take the dog, take no photos or video and leave no evidence, just take the dog and run. It seems to me that you were trying to prove that you were helping, not stealing, the dog, but apparently lawmakers didn't see it that way. Why does that not surprise me?? The important thing is the dog is no longer suffering. ” — fuzzball420, Feb 23 2008

“Anyone with a conscience and a heart would have done the same thing Tammy did. The people she saved him from should be the ones senenced and forced to pay fines. The problem is, she forced everyone to see that not only was this dog neglected, but also that these things exist. People don't want to believe this is still happening to dogs all across the nation/ world. And most certainly, there is only a select few that are willing to take time out of their busy life to help the voiceless. Tammy did the right thing and for that she is an incredible role model for everyone. She is what a person is suppoed to be. She is my hero!” — cedarwater, Feb 20 2008

“I commend Tammy for taking the steps necessary to see to it that that dog did not die on the end of his chain. The real problem in this country lies in the fact that the laws continue to treat animals as property instead of living beings. There is very little progress that can be made in the anti-chaining movement until these "antiquated" laws are changed and we work to educate people on proper treatment of animals. It is about time that people open up their eyes to the plight that these animals are suffering day in and day out. It is a sin that society is still at a point in which a person is to be prosecuted for saving another's life. I am grateful that Tammy did what she did and this prosecutor and judge should be ashamed that they have carried this case this far. Lauren” — lauren742004, Feb 19 2008

“Kudos to you, Tammy Grimes.” — mslucy22033, Feb 19 2008

“What Tammy and Dogs Deserve Better are fighting against is truly one of the most overlooked or forgotten-about animal welfare issues out there: the practice of chaining dogs FOR THEIR LIVES, or for very extended periods of time — months or years.

When I got involved in DDB, I was shocked to learn that there are many groups actively working to KEEP dogs on chains, working AGAINST the passage of laws that would put reasonable time limits on how long “man’s best friend” can be chained by the neck in a junk yard or back yard. Breeders and hunters are the primary voices for continued chaining.

Something has to be done. The suffering is just too immense and current animal welfare laws in most places say it is perfectly fine to chain a dog to a tree, slap up a plywood doghouse and feed and water it only ever few days, leaving it there to pace the same patch of dirt and excrement for years on end. For some of these dogs, life in a research lab might be preferrable. Please join us and help change minds and laws: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org

” — monicahayde, Feb 19 2008

“Tammy is a heroine. We see all too often in our own area that dogs are left chained out and ignored. I would do exactly what Tammy did. It may be "just a dog" but it could easily be "just a child." What suffering do we ignore when we are dealing with lives? Bravo, Tammy, you did the right thing. I don't condone "stealing" animals, but it's obvious the dog was ignored and not taken care of for a very long time. Shame on those people. Shame on us for allowing people to treat lesser creatures in an inhumane way.” — debbie, Feb 16 2008

“i think this woman is a wonderful human being with a real heart and even though i don't have an org if i saw i dog in that condition i most likely would do the same thing she did and if she has a vet on her side along with photos and video of how this poor dog was living any judge that would put her in jail or make her pay any kind of fine for saving this dogs life should be fired as a judge. i wish her the best of luck with her case and keep us all posted on updates you are wonderful person!!” — angel, Feb 16 2008

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