I was wondering about this a couple of days ago, thanks for the update.

That will be very unlikely to happen. If the breeder looses her court case, and depending upon appeal and such, the judge will likely award the SPCA full ownership of these dogs; and if so, the SPCA will maintain custody and the responsibility for the placement of these dogs.

I hope you had a safe trip this evening and that your return is also uneventful. I am praying for all of those pups and you, too. I will be thinking of you tomorrow, and my heart is always with you. I hope you are feeling better. Be well, dear friend. I am never further than a phone call away, and if you need me, no time is ever to late to call.

You have done a lot of traveling to be there at the trial today, and you have anguished over these pups for a long time. I have worried about the emotional toll it has taken on you. You have fought so hard to help these pups, and I have thought of you a great deal today. I hope today wasn't too difficult for you to bear. I truly respect and admire all that you have done to help both of the breeds you lost.

Thank you Lisa, and thanks so much for the call last night. I am home safe and sound, and once I wrap my mind around todays events I will post.

Hubby told me Magic would not go to bed last night. He insisted on sleeping by the front door. Only 24 hrs gone, and the pups are by my feet and following me everywhere! Gosh I missed them so. We shall have to have some special loving time tomorrow. Do you think a bath and grooming fits the bill?:p:p

It was a Pro forma appearance/date
 

So very briefly yesterdays court date was a proces pro forma to set yet another date in Feb 2014 which again that date is a proces pro forma for the case in question.

It was not a trial at all.

It is now my understanding that some of the dogs at the SPCA have been placed in foster homes; so at least they are out of that place for now.

Poor Magic and Razzle. I'm sure they missed you terribly and you them. It must have been a wonderful, special reunion. I'm very happy to see that some of the pups are placed in foster care. Take care of yourself, Gail.

I have hesitated to post but now I am going public in this forum. Margarita Golsaya did plead guilty to a violation of one section of the FEDERAL Animal Cruelty Act. For this she is on essentially probation for 730 days - can not own more than 2 sterilized dogs - must allow the SPCA to verify her situation - can not be involved in breeding or brokering dogs for 730 days. No fines were levied. But she now has a criminal record at the very least.


I spit at Canadian justice!

There certainly was no justice for the poor 19 BRTs. I know how much you agonized about this, and how much you did to try to help all of those pups. You made a significant difference in Vlad's life, provided the surgery and medical care he needed, nursed him back to health, and taught him so much. He is now healthy and in a loving home because of you. I share in your sadness about these pups and that their lives didn't matter more to the legal system's justice, but I celebrate your kindness every day, your gift of friendship, and all that you do to better the lives of pups through your outreach of knowledge and compassion. I treasure the times reading and hearing about your adventures with your canine and human loved ones and have learned so much from you. Please know that you make a significant difference in the lives you touch and impart beauty wherever you go.

Oh gail, I just read this whole thing through. I am so sorry, how difficult- and here it is two years later. I remember when you brought Vlad in....I hadn't seen this thread before though. Oftentimes it seems like the paperwork and beaurocracy really gets in the way of helping others, people, animals, sigh. I know we established these things for the greater good but so often they only seem to get in the way. I am so sorry for all of your personal suffering and for the suffering of those BRTs. Know that you put out more effort than most would and did what you can and that even though one sad situation has slipped through the gaping cracks of a damaged system that every day you are working with dara even, you are creating something better, you are improving, you are working to better the entirety of one group as a whole in everything you do to support your own girl and create what should have been there for those other dogs. All we have is our own hands and our own voices and as small as they seem sometimes, every choice we make, every word we speak echoes into the lives all around us and makes a difference there. You make a difference every day and every choice you make, every life you touch is a lasting impact, a ripple that moves another piece of the puzzle, so just keep on being who you are and know that you are truly making an impact even when it feels hard or disheartening. Thank you for everything you have brought here, that has impacted me and many others. You are appreciated.

Thank you for your kind reply. We are no discussing how to make this public - for we know once we do - there will be a whole lot of dissension - and whatnot going on. But at least breeders and fanciers will know what happened with the court case - and be forewarned.