Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest

Updates

Attorney Mitchell Wins Schoendorf Dangerous Dogs Case and Saves a Desperate Situation

On 11-21 a hearing was held before Judge Robert Austin at the Spokane County Superior Courthouse to decide a Motion filed on behalf of Patty Schoendorf and her daughter, Emily Kaeding, whose dogs were impounded and declared to be dangerous by SpokAnimal. Attorney Cheryl Mitchell asked the Court to declare Spokane's dangerous dog ordinances unconstitutional and release the two dogs seized and held by SpokAnimal for more than three months. Advocates voted to help out by furnishing the owner $294 from our litigation fund to help pay the $14/day boarding fee for the two dogs pending the court hearing.. The dogs had been held by SpokAnimal for several months..

The animal control officers claimed the 2 dogs killed a cat but Patty Schoendorf said the dog catchers got the wrong dogs and she was not given all of the written documents and evidence against her at the hearing to determine if the dogs were dangerous.

Judge Austin ordered SpokAnimal to release the dogs and the city to pay the legal bills. Dogs now free--attorney's fees pending.

A video of the reunion of the dogs with their families can be seen at
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/media/video/?ID=1424

Advocates Offers Reward for Return of Stolen Center Nursery Bunny

This is the scene of the theft of Sugar Bunny, at the Community Bldg. Children's Center over the July 23rd week-end.  Although some fliers protesting the departed Ringling Brothers circus were left behind, there were no other clues.  We do not like the idea of keeping a single animal cooped up like this, but the theft was WRONG so Advocates offered a $250 (later $50 added) reward for information leading to the arrest of the thief.  So far no one has come forward with evidence of the criminal act. The reward is still in effect.

Lawsuit Against City Over Records Settled--OR IS IT? (You may answer on our Contact page without identifying yourself.)

Do you believe the following conditions, requiring use of the internet, are being met by this sign which was posted in an inconspicuous wall in the office in mid-July?

As part of the Settlement agreement :

"The CITY shall also implement a citizen complaint procedure applicable to services by SpokAnimal or any provider of animal control services for the City of Spokane. These procedures shall include the following:
The City would require SpokAnimal (or any provider of animal control services for the City of Spokane) to post a sign in a conspicuous central location, preferably the front desk or reception area, at any and all shelter locations, informing the public that they have the right to file a complaint regarding animal control services.

SpokAnimal (or any provider of animal control services for the City of Spokane), would make available a written complaint form to any person who requested one."

On Friday, May 25, 2007, Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest President, Chris Anderlik attended a meeting at the Center for Justice where she received a check in the amount of $10,000 from the City of Spokane. This amount represented a settlement between Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest and the City of Spokane in connection with the lawsuit filed on behalf of Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest by the Center for Justice.

Animal Advocates' attorney, Cheryl Mitchell, had repeatedly requested copies of complaints against SpokAnimal C.A.R.E., from the City of Spokane, starting in 2003. Instead of going to court, the City of Spokane agreed to pay a total of $40,000 to settle this matter. The City did not admit any liability. Proceeds of the settlement were as follows: $10,000 to the Center for Justice for their legal work; $10,000 to Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest; and $20,000 to Cheryl Mitchell for her legal work from 2003 through 2007.

Pictured from left to right are Cheryl Mitchell, the attorney for Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest; Bonnie Beavers, Attorney at the Center for Justice who worked on the case on behalf of Animal Advocates; Chris Anderlik, President of Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest; and Breean Beggs, Attorney and Chief Catalyst for the Center for Justice.


Pictured is Cheryl Mitchell, filling out the paperwork to complete the settlement procedure.

The Center for Justice on May 30, 2006 filed suit against the City of Spokane alleging violations of the Public Records Act. It represented Animal Advocates, which had been asking the City for records regarding the SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. shelter for more than three years. The complaint alleged that the City had failed to meet the requirements of Washington State law in not providing records requested on behalf of Animal Advocates by Attorney Cheryl Mitchell.

June 22, 2007

As part of the City of Spokane's SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, section 3a reads: "The City would require SpokAnimal (or any provider of animal control services for the City of Spokane) to post a sign in a conspicuous central location, preferably the front desk or reception area, at any and all shelter locations, informing the public that they have the right to file a complaint regarding animal control services. " The following photos and the fact that no complaint forms were available at the desk show that they have not fulfilled this important part of our Agreement.

Top: A zoom-in-view from front customer service counter

Lower: Light reflecting sign taken while standing at service counter, says:
City of Spokane
Animal control problems/complaint forms are available on line.
Visit the City of Spokane's website:
www.Spokanecity.org
See Service clerk on forms.

Tasered Calf Lawsuit Goes to Superior Court

Tasered Calf Lawsuit

At the Friday March 2 Hearing on the Tasered Calf Lawsuit before Judge Sara Derr, Judge Derr will decide whether to appoint a special prosecutor to replace the Spokane County prosecuting attorney assigned to the case. Attorney Karp argued that there is a conflict as the County prosecutor's office had refused to file charges against the 2 sheriff's deputies.

She also must make a decision on her earlier ruling allowing Chris's citizen's petition to go forward.

In April 2006, a former Advocate witnessed two Spokane County sheriff deputies as they applied Tasers to a Black Angus calf for over 7 minutes. The calf had escaped from a farm in Greenacres to a grassy area along the Centennial Trail. Chris Anderlik agreed with Attorney Adam Karp to file a citizen's cruelty complaint which was heard by Judge Sara Derr in District Court on Monday, January 22, 2007.

The Spokesman Review: of January 23, 2007, wrote "Judge OKs charges in calf death: There is probable cause to formally charge two Spokane County sheriff's deputies with animal cruelty in connection with the Taser death of a black Angus calf last spring. The Spokane County District Court Judge, acting on a citizen's petition, ruled there is sufficient evidence to charge the sheriff's deputies with second-degree animal cruelty."

"This is a first for citizens of Spokane County" said animal rights attorney Adam Karp, of Bellingham. He said he knows of no other citizen's complaint cases in the state that have been allowed to go forward with these components: the defendants are in law enforcement, the victim is an animal and the prosecutor opposed filing charges. The case ultimately could go to a jury.

One of Karp's expert testimonies is from Temple Grandin, who is internationally known for livestock behavior and handling and has appeared widely on major TV programs such as 20/20, CNN, Larry King, NPR, plus articles and books: "The calf would have suffered greatly by having the Taser applied for several minutes. Since it was shot in the side of the body, the electric shock would not cause insensibility. When electricity is used in a slaughterhouse the current is passed through the brain, which will cause instant insensibility. Immobilization by freezing the muscles is extremely aversive and should not be used to restrain livestock."  


A Black Angus Calf

Chris Anderlik was quoted in the Spokesman's "In their Words" of January 29:  "I don't think they had any thought of being malicious. But this animal was tortured mercilessly." 

Spay and Neuter

As of October 15, we were involved in the charity spaying/neutering of 90 cats and 15 dogs. Many thanks to Pet Savers, SCRAPS, Spokane Humane Society, Animal Clinic at Liberty Lake, and Indian Trail Animal Clinic.

Spokane County Dog Park

Canine companions were able to stretch their legs and lose the leash when Spokane's first Dog Park opened October 4 at Gateway Park in eastern Spokane County. Credit for this 3.4 acre fence-enclosed area goes to the combined efforts of the Spokane County Parks Department and to Nancy Hill, Executive Director of SCRAPS.  As many as 50 dogs and their human companions have peacefully shared this new freedom. Some of our members have worked with, donated to, and are using this great facility.

Magazine Outreach

The Animals' Voice, an attractive animal rights publication not attached to any one group, resumed publication this year. We placed 3 two-year subscriptions into the Main Street Valley, North Spokane, and Liberty Lake public libraries. We hope you'll visit and learn something about animal rights from its pages.

Donation Acknowledgements

Special Thanks to:
Walt's Mailing
9610 E. First St.
Spokane

Copyright © 2002-2007 Animal Advocates of the Inland Northwest. All Rights Reserved.