I'm not a violent person, but if someone tried to do this to me...

[ch3v3ll3]

There would be some serious.fucking.consequences. This makes me sick to my stomach to think about.

She is the eyes of the blind, the healer of suffering, abused children; yet her own life now hangs in the balance. The story of Lady Marie Bear as tragic as it is infuriating. In November, an officer from the Nelson County Animal Control (http://nelsoncounty.com/animalcontrol/) of Lovingston, VA, seized Lady Marie Bear, a rescued dog who had been assisting in healing work benefiting abused children, and put the dog on death row.

Months prior, Lady was homeless and abused, escaping the traps of the Nelson County Animal Control in search of a loving and caring home. That she found with Glen Marie Friend, street missionary at Messiah’s Embassy in Lovingston, and her other pets. Not only did Lady become a loving part of this family: she also proved to be a healer to the suffering children and people helped by her owner’s missionary work.

For reasons unknown, a female officer from the Nelson County Animal Control of Lovingston suddenly raided Friend’s residence on Thanksgiving Day and demanded that Lady Marie Bear be handed over to her because she had reportedly bitten a person. When Friend demanded evidence of this, or a warrant to take the dog, the officer had none.

That did not stop her from forcing her way inside the house and seizing Lady. Since then, the dog has been held in the Nelson County Animal Control shelter. When Friend went to see Lady at the shelter, she was told that the dog would be euthanized without any trial, or even an evaluation; and no evidence of the bite incident has ever been provided to Glen Marie Friend.

Having worked as a criminal defense paralegal for decades, Friend says that animal control is in violation of local law by keeping Lady Marie Bear in its custody without reason. She says the shelter seems bent on killing her for no good reason at all.

Friend has filed an appeal to try to free Lady Marie Bear. Her appeal is scheduled for a hearing in early March. Meanwhile, The Lexus Project (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Le...34397299923522) has taken on the case to help save Lady Marie Bear from unjustifiable execution and return her to her owner.

Supporters of Lady Marie Bear have started a facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-L...27688457325682) launched for the purpose of spreading knowledge about the case. The page includes details of the incident, as well as contact information of concerned authorities.

Here's a picture of Lady:



I know we have quite a few dog lovers on IM. Here's how to help:

Here is a petition site to show support for the dog and put pressure on the Animal Control of Nelson County

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-lady-marie-bear

Here is a chip-in site for the cost of court fees. A lawyer has taken on the case pro bono, but there are still costs associated with trying to go through the proper channels. I know times are tough, but any amount can make a big difference. I donated $15 dollars myself.

http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=928&url=saveladym ariebear

Here is the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Lady-Marie-Bear/227688457325682

Anything you can do to help, whether it's sending money or signing the petition or sending emails to media, can make a BIG difference.

[thedunhill225]

Thank you for posting this.

[ch3v3ll3]

Thank you for posting this.

Thank you for taking the time to read it.


I know this will sound ridiculous, but when I see shit like this happening I almost take it personally.

[ch3v3ll3]

Update

Found this on the facebook page today. Some seriously evil shit is going on in this town.

Response to "foster care" status:

Almost Home and Animal Control work together when its convenient. During a telecon, Gretchen from Almost home had referred the owner to Sandy from animal control for all medical treatment and licensing. Since Lady Marie Bear Friend had been an abused stray that Glen Marie rescued, she, as the new owner, wanted to ensure that all medical attention and treatment were given as well as licensing. When Glen Marie called Sandy, Sandy assured her this could be done. Subsequently, on June 30,2011, Glen Marie tendered care -- not ownership -- of Lady Marie Bear Friend over to Sandy persuant to her promises that services would be rendered in a minimal amount of time and Glen Marie could then take Lady Marie Bear Friend home! After numerous calls and no response from AC, on the 28 July, 2011, Glen Marie took children in the ministry with her to visit Lady Marie Bear Friend and determine her status. Horrified at her traumatized condition, after a short walk, Glen Marie told Sandy she was taking Lady Marie Bear Friend home with her. Although Sandy told Glen Marie that no services had been performed, she said she still wanted to help. She assured Glen Marie that if she would take the dog out under Foster Care, she would be able to run all expenses through the County. After Sandy's reassurances to Glen Marie and the children that signing the forms was just “a mere formality,” Glen Marie signed the forms.

There is nothing on the foster care agreement forms that states that the dog could be picked up at anytime..NOTHING. On one form was the statement that if the dog had to be removed from the home for any reason,it was the foster care provider's responsibility to call and make arrangement for the return of the animal to the Nelson County Animal Control office. NO WHERE DOES IT STATE THAT ANIMAL CONTROL HAD THE RIGHT TO BARGE INTO THE HOME OF GLEN MARIE, VISCIOUSLY SEIZE AND DRAG LADY MARIE BEAR FRIEND OUT AND CRUELLY CONFINE HER WITH NO DOCUMENTATION.THERE WAS NO NOTICE, NO REPORTS, NO WARRANT – NO JUSTIFIABLE CAUSE TO TAKE THIS DOG.

The original document said nothing about the dog having to be adopted in two weeks..however … a forged altered document was presented to the Court with a written notation to this effect – without anyone's initials by it. At no time – either expressed or implied -- did Glen Marie ever transfer ownership of her dog, Lady Marie Bear Friend over to Nelson County Pound!

Here are e-mail addresses of people to contact:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Here are the e-mail addresses where we can send a message. Please, be polite and respectful. We can get our point across in a professional manner.

[homonunculus]

Advocates for Ladie Marie Bear:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-L...27688457325682

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Le...34397299923522

-S

[homonunculus]

Petition site for her:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-lady-marie-bear/

-S

[dillinger09]

Petition site for her:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-lady-marie-bear/

-S

Signed. Thanks for posting this. This is only about 2 hrs away from me, I'll do some digging around, but if there is a public hearing on this, I'll see if i can make it.

[SkinnyMike42]

Corrupt officer on a power trip. Beyond fucked up.

[SkinnyMike42]

Signed the petition..

I don't understand how some of these evil people are the way they are. So many scumbags on this planet. What possible benefit did this officer think she was going to get from doing this? It is now public and it is only a matter of time before her name is released...she still has the opportunity to save face and she should do it.

Also, there was no warrant...I wonder how much worse this situation would be for the owner if he/she resisted the entry by the officer (which was within the right of the owner since there was no warrant). Sounds like a very corrupt locality, so I am betting a ton of other, more serious, charges would have been pinned on the owner if they had indeed resisted.

[homonunculus]

Thanks for signing, guys.

I've read / heard of several stories like this. Some of the worst are the animal control employees who work in the shelters an abuse the animals there. There is a HELL HOLE out in San Bernardino, CA called Devore (animal shelter) that has quite a rep. Google it and you'll read some horrible shit, for sure.

-Scott

[ch3v3ll3]

Quick Update: some damn good news

LADY MARIE BEAR HAS LEFT THE BUILDING....SHE IS SAFE AND SECURE AT A WONDERFUL RESCUE"S HOME UNTIL EVERYTHING IS FINALIZED. OUR THANKS TO ELLIOTT PARK..HE IS THE ACTING ATTORNEY FOR THE LEXUS PROJECT ON THIS CASE. TIME TO CELEBRATE...MORE WORK TO DO BUT LADY MARIE BEAR IS SAFE! FINALLY...AND TODAY IS THE OWNERS BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Good to hear. :llama:

[AutoKal47]

Thanks for posting, happy to read the good news

[thedunhill225]

Saw that. Nice when right prevails....even if it takes to long.

[SkinnyMike42]

What is going to happen to the power trip officer who was responsible for detaining the dog?

[wrestle445]

What is going to happen to the power trip officer who was responsible for detaining the dog?

3 days paid suspension.