:( 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.

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

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

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?

I Would~
 

:thumbdownGive 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!

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?????

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. :mad:

Update to case...where you can find information
 

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!!!

Feel free to customize/tweak and use with FL legislators and others
 

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.

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.

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!!!

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

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!!!!

I signed. :)

Thank you to everyone who signed....
Now, please use the email addresses provided to write letters about your outrage at this decision!! Let your voice be heard on behalf of these helpless dogs.

This is the response I got from SunCoast Animal League:

No dogs have been ret'd-Please keep checking our website for any/all updates
Thank you

Not very informative, but good news nonetheless.

I would imagine they are fighting it tooth and nail, this is just horrible, think about all those poor foster parents too.

I have and it breaks my heart :( I can't imagine losing Abby or Daisy and knowing that they were going to a life of abuse...well, that would make do things I wouldn't normally do.

I just wouldn't return the dog. Maybe move to Canada? :D

I'll help with transportation!

I'd go to a tropical island :D

Bump, Bump...
Anyone heard any updates????

I signed!;)

any updates? Or at least info on how many foster moms moved to exotic places to keep the babies safe??

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.

Urgent update
 

The proper response to the above post is for anyone with a conscience to get involved. This woman should never be allowed to own any dogs - based on her lack of respect for their health and well being. It is a travesty that a criminal court judge never heard abuse evidence (representing the 46 counts filed against Ms. Hughes) simply because he was upholding a previous civil court judge's ruling. THIS IS ABUSE all over again for these animals.

The squeeky wheel gets the oil is the old saying. Here, it is the only shot these dogs have at remaining in loving foster homes. If everyone took 5-10 minutes out of their busy days to send a 2 pargraph email or phone call to Pinellas County FL legislators (congressman, senators, clerk of court, district attorney, etc...) it could make a difference. Can you sleep at night knowing that in your backyard this behavior is being condoned due the sneaky nature of one highly-skilled defense attorney representing scum? I know it is a lot of ask of folks, but if media outlets and court personnel hear from 50-100 folks about this issue - maybe, just maybe they will see the far reaching effects of this case and how impacted folks are. To me...they all think that silence means no one objects. A petition (albeit a good form of protest) is easy to ignore because it is peaceful and quiet. TIME TO NOT BE SO QUIET FOLKS or else these animals will be returned to this monster - end of story.

These dogs are running out of time - when I say that I mean they have less than a week before the final verdict is made to force these animals to return or the fosters to face legal charges for not obeying the court. They shouldn't have to be forced into this situation - the law should work for everyone - in this case it should allow the rescue workers (including local law enforcement officers onsite conducting the rescue) to be heard. The point of this case isn't about a technicality in a legal document - IT IS about the animals who were forced to suffer - let's not loose site of that. HELP KEEP THIS ISSUE ALIVE IN THE MEDIA, with the courts and with FL Decision Makers These dogs don't have time for us to sit back and do nothing.

Can you help? Will you help? Will you and folks you know please send emails or calls to folks?

I know this is about a month old, but does anyone know if this case was finally resolved? (and by resolved I mean the judge came to his senses and did not allow for that woman to get any of the doggies back!)