Please Sign This Petition

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by TeeBuccs

To fuel the fire, the Pinenallas County Criminal Court (courtesy of Ken Burke) was conducted Friday 10/31. The criminal court sided with the horrible horrible woman (the alledged breeder, AKA puppy mill abuser) Teresita Hughes. The criminal judge was informed by the defendants attorney that a civil court had ruled 60 of the healthiest dogs were to be redturned to Hughes and this judge upheld that ruling. The abuse and details were never allowed into testimony in either the civil or the criminal cases to date.

So....sadly it looks like 60 of these dogs - who by the way have now been living happily and healthy in foster homes for over 7 months will have to be returned to this evil monster.

I urge anyone with two spare seconds who truly is compassionate and cares about aninmals to continue to write FL legistlators and complain and plead for justice for these helpless creatures.


kburke@pinellascounty.org

Clerk of the Circuit Court Homepage

Thank you for posting this update!!
Maybe we should start a new thread with this information.
I can't bare the thought of them being ripped out of the homes they've known for 7 months to be returned to her.

[Mom of 3]

Originally Posted by MyPeanutAbbyGra

Thank you for posting this update!!

I can't bare the thought of them being ripped out of the homes they've known for 7 months to be returned to her.

This is how I feel too. I can't believe this ruling. It makes me sick. Poor babies. We tried, and will keep trying.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

up, up and away...
let's help those who can't help themselves.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by TeeBuccs

To fuel the fire, the Pinenallas County Criminal Court (courtesy of Ken Burke) was conducted Friday 10/31. The criminal court sided with the horrible horrible woman (the alledged breeder, AKA puppy mill abuser) Teresita Hughes. The criminal judge was informed by the defendants attorney that a civil court had ruled 60 of the healthiest dogs were to be redturned to Hughes and this judge upheld that ruling. The abuse and details were never allowed into testimony in either the civil or the criminal cases to date.

So....sadly it looks like 60 of these dogs - who by the way have now been living happily and healthy in foster homes for over 7 months will have to be returned to this evil monster.

I urge anyone with two spare seconds who truly is compassionate and cares about aninmals to continue to write FL legistlators and complain and plead for justice for these helpless creatures.


kburke@pinellascounty.org

Clerk of the Circuit Court Homepage

Thanks for the update, horrible news, I'm trying to find where this story is located, the original site has not posted this update, and I'm trying to find more information on it, can you link something about this update?

[yml]

Give the dog or dogs I am in care of to someone and say it ran away before I would let her get them back...This is a disgrace!!!

[Mom of 3]

Originally Posted by yml

Give the dog or dogs I am in care of to someone and say it ran away before I would let her get them back...This is a disgrace!!!

I know what you mean. I would have to do something sneaky too. It's like a parent(mother or father) that should not have the kids because of whatever reason they were taken away, and the courts give them back to the parents. Makes you want to run with them. I feel so sorry for all these dogs. Set up nice in a loving foster home, doing great, and then ****BINGO*** you take them all away from it. What a shame. I think that judge needs his head examined!

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Mom of 3

I know what you mean. I would have to do something sneaky too. It's like a parent(mother or father) that should not have the kids because of whatever reason they were taken away, and the courts give them back to the parents. Makes you want to run with them. I feel so sorry for all these dogs. Set up nice in a loving foster home, doing great, and then ****BINGO*** you take them all away from it. What a shame. I think that judge needs his head examined!

What makes me really angry is that the evidence wasn't presented in court. Why not??? Couldn't the judge have seen that these babies have flourished outside of the greeder's home???? Didn't he take into account all the health problems they had when they were in her care?????

[Mom of 3]

See, I don't understand that either. And why give her 60? Why not 1 or 2? This whole thing sounds fishy to me. Something is wrong with that judge.
I don't know why he didn't hear the whole story.

[TeeBuccs]

Go to this site

Pinellas Records Justice Information - Adult Name/Case/SPN Lookup

Under name type in: Hughes, Teresita (there has to be a comma between last name and first name). Then hit submit. Click on the gavel image under "Link To." Then click on the document icons under "Link To."

The only way these healthy dogs are going to win is continued public outcry! Be vocal - not just on here but with FL legistlators and the Clerk of the Court, local media and tv stations. Get them interested in this case. If you google "Teresita Hughes" you can find all the media links to the stories - the photos of the poor dogs and the deplorable conditions. Appeal to people's sense of guilt - this is an election year - KEEP THAT IN MIND ALSO WHEN VOTING for local politicians...support those that support animal rights and reform acts to protect them!!!

[TeeBuccs]

Mr. Burke, (Clerk of the Circuit Court, Pinellas County, Florida) (kburke@pinellascounty.org)


I would like to know why criminal chargers against Teresita Hughes for the April 2008 Puppy Mill Raid were not levied since she was charged with 46 counts. In 2008 I find it hard to believe that such a prestigious and highly visible state like FL would not do everything in its power to ensure violence and mistreatment of living, breathing creatures is not tolerated. I certainly hope by now your office is aware of the case to which I write about, and the pending judge's award to return 50% of the rescued and medically treated animals back to the original "breeder." It seems the organization that conducted the rescue (Suncoast Animal League) has not been given a fair opportunity within the judicial system to present their case and argue why these animals should not be returned to their abuser. From what I can tell, in neither civil nor criminal court, has evidence about the torture and mistreatment these creatures endured been entered into record or been reviewed by a judge. This in and of itself is CRIMINAL.

I for one believe in the U.S. Legal system but above and beyond that, believe that our state representatives are compassionate individuals who can make a difference day in and day out. My sincere hope is that you will assist the custodians of these animals with getting the chance to tell the whole story regarding the lives of these animals and prevent Ms. Hughes from continuing to torment and mistreat living, loving and caring companion animals.

I have followed this case very closely from the day 120 dogs were rescued from a private residence in Tarpon, FL and have questioned how these dogs were allowed to live under the conditions in which they were found. I plan on sharing this story with every humane organization throughout the country - for we as a country need to discourage and prevent these "mills" from continuing. I see FL as having a chance to make a positive impact on this nationally visible and highly emotionally charged effort. Now is the time to decide - FL can either be an example of doing the right thing, or the state will be viewed as one who looked the other way and allowed greed to supersede justice. In the year of the national Presidential election, with politicians all rallying around the topic of family values and how to make our country the best possible, how does the United States, and the great state of Florida, allow these activities to go unpunished? How was her private residence zoned for such a large number of dogs? Were local zoning restrictions and laws followed? And, in the case where an animal did perish, what was the disposal method - as this represents biohazard conditions in a residential neighborhood. These are just a few important questions to ask and answer.

Won't you please help animal lovers around the country take a stand? Please help the compassionate folks taking care of these irrevocably damaged puppies help them and prevent them from being returned to their abuser again. History time in and time out has proven that it repeats. There is no evidence, based upon the circumstances of this rescue and the attitude of Ms. Hughes in her contempt and treatment of the animals she owned, to assume she will not continue to treat these animals (and any future ones she acquires) inhumanely. Any civilized human being who watches the news reports or reads the articles pertaining to this rescue clearly can recognize the indignity we have allowed these dogs to suffer. Would you want to be in their situation? They now have seen human kindness via foster homes for OVER 8 MONTHS NOW, have had their wounds heal, allowed them the freedom to walk on grass, and receive some nurturing kindness. Do we yank this away from them and just pretend like it never happened? How do we sleep at night, all of us, for enabling these atrocities to continue? Enough is enough - where do we draw the line?

Michael Vick was punished in the court of public opinion and through our court system. Why? Simply because he is famous? Many more, non-famous faces are out there thriving at the expense of innocent animals - and until they are prevented from profiting from such poor behaviors, we as a society are doomed to repeat the same patterns. We are the greatest nation in the world, yet in some ways act as barbaric as other less industrialized nations. This is not the image I want for our country - but if every state continues to just look the other away from the hard topics (not so pleasant realities of the world in which we live) - vs. doing some leg work and taking a stand - we are doomed in the long run.

The case of this so called "breeder" - well it outrages me that she is to receive her dogs back. The entire case was predicated on a little known document enacted in 1977. No one really knew the existence of this document requiring the county commissioner also sign off to approve the removal of animals from a breeder or dangerous environment. I venture to say from what I have read, this clause in fact has NEVER been enacted upon. Surely there have been other cases of animals being removed from harmful and fatal living conditions, yet a technicality such as this has not been employed. Back in 1977 the world was a different place - many of us kept doors unlocked and didn't worry about children playing in the front yard. Times have changed and so must we, to accommodate the dangers of modern-day. Now is the time to enact a change - one that is symbolic of important ethical values.

Simply put, this case disgusts me and it really and truly is up to the folks working within Florida's judicial system to review ALL OF THE FACTS and do the right thing. A positive stand on this issue will elevate all of those involved in the court of public esteem and certainly go a long way again towards reminding the public of how great our government and legislation system can be - only if SOMEONE would actually do the RIGHT THING for once. Please help the animal league, the foster homes and families - but most importantly these innocent dogs! They need you!!!

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,



T.F.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Mom of 3

See, I don't understand that either. And why give her 60? Why not 1 or 2? This whole thing sounds fishy to me. Something is wrong with that judge.
I don't know why he didn't hear the whole story.

I agree. In any case, 60 is still to high a number for any one person to take care of properly.
Thanks TeeBucs for the letter, I will be sending copies of that to all on my mailing list.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by TeeBuccs

Go to this site

Pinellas Records Justice Information - Adult Name/Case/SPN Lookup

Under name type in: Hughes, Teresita (there has to be a comma between last name and first name). Then hit submit. Click on the gavel image under "Link To." Then click on the document icons under "Link To."

The only way these healthy dogs are going to win is continued public outcry! Be vocal - not just on here but with FL legistlators and the Clerk of the Court, local media and tv stations. Get them interested in this case. If you google "Teresita Hughes" you can find all the media links to the stories - the photos of the poor dogs and the deplorable conditions. Appeal to people's sense of guilt - this is an election year - KEEP THAT IN MIND ALSO WHEN VOTING for local politicians...support those that support animal rights and reform acts to protect them!!!

Thank You so much for the link!! And yes, we need to be very vocal and not just here on YT.
I will follow up..
I've already written to Mr. Burke and to the Sun Coast Animal League (asking what I can do to help)

Thanks again!!!

[DvlshAngel985]

Let us know if there is something Sun Coast thinks we can all do to help.

[Wabbit]

OMG Tammy that is horrific!!!! I cannot believe they were to give her back those dogs!!!! There is no justice in this world...not even for helpless, defenseless animals!!!!! I'm right behind you!!!!

[Luckys Momma]

I signed.