On Sunday afternoon, Jamison admitted he trespassed on his neighbor’s property at 107 E. Center St., Burket, to video the deplorable conditions of the puppies and their environment. “We hadn’t seen anyone there for at least two weeks. I’ve seen this before over there and never wanted to get involved, but my conscience stepped in this time,” he explained. “This woman is a habitual animal abuser! I want her prosecuted!”
As Jamison’s video shows, a shelter for the puppies was placed beyond their reach. A kiddie pool filled with green water was the only source of food or water available to the animals. “They were starving to death,” he said.
Jamison said he is disgusted with not only how the puppies were neglected, but how little the county seemed to care. “I talked to a dispatcher who told me it was an animal control issue and would have to wait till Monday. So I called Indiana State Police and they said it was Sunday and didn’t have a trooper in the area.” He added, “They told me if I didn’t get anywhere with the county to call them back.”
Jamison said about 6 hours to 8 hours later when, still seeing no one caring for the dogs, he returned to his neighbor’s property and found one of the puppies dead. “The other one started to eat it because it was so hungry,” he explained. “I separated them and brought the one still living to my yard and tied it to a tree. I gave it blankets and food and water.”
Unable to avoid the problem any longer, Jamison exclaimed, “A crime is a crime and this pisses me off!” Jamison took the matter into his own hands and posted the video he took earlier Sunday to Facebook. That, he believes, is what prompted the arrival of a county deputy.
Unable to avoid the problem any longer, Jamison exclaimed, “A crime is a crime and this pisses me off!” Jamison took the matter into his own hands and posted the video he took earlier Sunday to Facebook. That, he believes, is what prompted the arrival of a county deputy.
The dispatch call log indicates KCSD Officer Joel Poppenfoose was dispatched at 12:40 a.m. this morning to Jamison’s house in Burket. “He saw both dogs and took pictures. He agreed it was neglect,” Jamison explained. “I just hope something is done. This can’t be ignored.”
Jamison said he has lived next to the woman at 107 E. Center St. since 2008. In that time, he has seen other dogs that have suffered similar fates. He recalled two full-blooded Weimaraner dogs that were bred, then also starved to death. There was also what he believed was a Chow that was starved, then dumped several miles away. “That one I picked up, took it back and chained it back up,” he said.
Jamison said he has lived next to the woman at 107 E. Center St. since 2008. In that time, he has seen other dogs that have suffered similar fates. He recalled two full-blooded Weimaraner dogs that were bred, then also starved to death. There was also what he believed was a Chow that was starved, then dumped several miles away. “That one I picked up, took it back and chained it back up,” he said.
According to Jamison, the woman who resides at the residence where the puppies were found has three small children and seems to disappear for sometimes weeks at a time. “I blame her parents just as much as her because they own the house,” he claimed. “I saw them out there sweeping the porches a couple weeks ago. They knew those dogs were there.”
The homeowners, according to Kosciusko County GIS records, are George and Tina Bailey.
Darla McCammon of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, said the puppy was brought to the shelter today in an extreme state of starvation. “We are in the critical 24-hour period,” she said, noting the puppy is getting fluids every few hours and being treated by a veterinarian. Whether the puppy will survive, is not yet known.
“We’ll be cooperating fully with Jerry Clase, who is very upset about this, and will be filing charges of animal cruelty and abuse,” McCammon added.
According to KCSD Sgt. Chad Hill, who serves as public information officer, the case is still under investigation by the county. When the investigation is completed, it will be forwarded to prosecuting attorney Dan Hampton’s office for review.
In Indiana, abandonment or neglect of animals is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by no more than 1 year in jail and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Only if the individual has a prior conviction for the same crime would the offense be a Class D felony. A Class D felony is punishable by 6 months to 3 years in jail and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
(StaceyPageOnline - Sept 23, 2013)
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