This letter was sent to Palmer by an attorney. PLEASE READ & SHARE Save Buck & Bill from being killed I am writing in regard to your offices handling of the Buck & Bill (Karen Erskine) case. It is my fervent hope that you will agree to a modification of Judge Sniffens order, and reach an acceptable resolution of this matter that does not involve killing these two family pets. I understand that you do not have a legal obligation to do so. You won. Manatee County wants these dogs to be killed, and you have an order allowing you to do so. However, I believe that you have a moral obligation, as well as a civic duty to the citizens you were hired to serve, to review this case, and acknowledge that to kill these animals would be a miscarriage of justice. Karen Kirsch Sarasota, FLI am an attorney and animal lover. I heard of this case on social media, and have been following it for about a year. I also happen to be married to a veterinarian, and so I am more in touch than most, I think, with animals and the legal proceedings that sometimes surround them. When I first heard of this case, and learned that there was an order that the dogs were to be destroyed, I assumed that there were some facts of which I was not aware. This is because, as I am sure you are aware, it is almost unheard of for a first-bite dog to be destroyed, in the absence of a vicious temperament or a really serious, devastating injury. As I am sure you are also aware, the normal protocol is for the dog to be quarantined (usually at home with the owner), verification of up-to-date vaccination is made, and, if necessary, other restrictions are placed on the dogs/owner (must wear a muzzle in public, etc.). However, as I have researched the facts of this case, Manatee Countys zeal to see these dogs killed is a mystery to me. Heres what I think is well-established: these dogs are mature, Australian Shepherds (not known as a vicious breed, I might add). They are owned by a nationally-ranked dog trainer, who has owned them since birth. They have NO PREVIOUS BITE HISTORY of any kind. The dogs are certified therapy dogs, which means that experts have certified that their temperaments are of such a calm and gentle nature that they can visit sick, disabled or traumatized people. The dogs were at a home in Manatee County that was burglarized, and they got out. They bit a 15 year-old boy, who was driven to the hospital, received several stitches, and is now running track for his high school team. The family of this boy initially filed an affidavit in this matter stating that the dogs should not be destroyed. After retaining an attorney to pursue a civil suit, the affidavit was withdrawn. One of the dogs was captured at the scene, but the other had returned to the house. A Manatee County employee went to the home, and without permission, a warrant or probable cause, entered the home and seized the other dog. These animals have been at Manatee County Animal Services for more than 400 days. In a concrete run. They are well-behaved at the shelter, and my understanding is that the shelter staff does not fear them, and, in fact, groom them without use of a muzzle. I dont know if you are aware of this, but a shelter environment is among the most stressful in which a dog can be placed, particularly for an intelligent breed like an Aussie. And yet there have been NO incidents involving these dogs in the more than 400 DAYS that your county has been holding them. Now to the proceedings. The hearing officer was a real estate attorney. There was never an actual finding that the dogs were dangerous. Jim Minix has stated that dogs are not sentient beings (really?), and has behaved unprofessionally and vindictively throughout this proceeding. Ms. Erskine has offered to take the dogs back to her home in another county, and to agree to an order barring her from ever bringing them back to Manatee County. Another individual has offered to take the dogs to a 350 acre farm in Tennessee, where they can live out their remaining days on that property with a qualified caretaker. But Manatee Countys position is that the ONLY acceptable option is to kill these dogs? None of this makes any sense. Are you really going to take advantage of the poor legal representation afforded Ms. Erskine that resulted in missing a filing deadline in an effort to make it look like Manatee County has followed the law in this case? Lawyers miss deadlines all the time - all it takes is an agreement from opposing counsel to hear the case on the merits in order to proceed. Will you really feel like you have honored the spirit of the law, and furthered the cause of justice, by punishing this woman, and the dogs she loves so dearly, because her lawyer missed a deadline? I certainly hope not. Manatee County is quickly earning a reputation as a municipality that cares little for animals and their welfare. Your Animal Services Office is widely regarded as hostile to rescue organizations - preferring to kill dogs rather than have them adopted or rescued. I have been personally involved with the animal services offices in Hillsborough and Sarasota County, and I have to say that the hostile and anti-animal attitude of Manatee County is unique and disturbing. The country is watching this case, Mr. Palmer. The country is waiting for someone in Manatee County to really look at the facts of this case, and apply some compassion and common sense. I hope that you are that person. I urge you to find a way to let Ms. Erskine take her beautiful, loving, furry family members home with her today. Manatee County has had them for far too long. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope that you will choose to do the right thing. Karen Kirsch Sarasota, FL Unlike · Reply · 17 · 3 hours ago
Posted on: Thu, 27 Mar 2014 22:40:58 +0000
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