"I thought about leaving a comment yesterday and I didn't. But I have had trouble with the sonerset county animal control. And I know that I was in the wrong (I let my two dogs out to do their busness) we lived in the country and next door are chickens, well they took off chasing the chickens, I called for them but they were gone. I went in side to get shoes on and go out to look for them. I did find them.
When I came home from work I had a note on my door letting me know that they had been to my house looking for my dogs. It was about 6:00PM and I desided to wait till I got to work the next day to call. When I did call they informed me that they had just left my house again and they had my dogs, and that I had to pay a fine to them back. I got off work early to go and get my two dogs from the Somerset county animal shelted. I was tring to get my pets back before my girls got home from school and found out they were gone. But that was not happening when I got their to pick them up they asked me for their shot records. I was like what? You didn't tell me that on the phone you said I need to pay the fine. This did not set well with me becuase I know that I could not get home and bring the shot records to them before they closed. They would not even let me see my pets. At this time now that I have alittle atitude, the lady that was their starts to inform me that one of my dogs had bitten someone, but they were not pressing charges. This to me sounded alittle fishy.
So I leave without my pets and not even being able to see them. I get home to figure out that their shots expired three week ago. I knew then that I was going to really pay now. The next day I call work tell them I'll be in late I go to get my pet, when I get thier I recieve a new fine (I knew I would because of the shots) But I also had to pay for them to be in that naste place!! (I have alwas gone to the wicomico county animal shelter and it has never looked and smelled like that place, even when they were in the old building.)
But what really got me the most was that lady who tryed to make me feel as if I were a bad person. She threatened to take my dogs the next time and said I would not get them back if she found them running again(she never caught them in the first place she came to my house and removed them from the chain ) then she asks if I have had them spade, I told her no that they had papers and I may breed them. She lets me know that I can not breed them with out filling out a form for them. Also if they pick my dogs up and they are in heat they will not return then to me (just to make sure I was hearing her right I asked her "untill they come out of heat" no she said for ever!!
Now ontop of all this I have yet seen my pets,and I have been told that I have to take then down the road to a local vet and get them there shots updated(had no problem doing this) they bring my pets out and I can tell that they are scared but oh my god the smell of them was beond me I drive a mercedes and I really didn't want them in my car(they ride all the time) but not only that I had to stop at the local vet I was embarrassed to take my pet in their. I did question thier actions but I move out of the county so I dropped the issue."
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
39 comments:
No offense,but if you can afford to drive a Mercedes,pony up some bucks and install a fence in your yard.Its cruel to chain a dog and in fact its illegal in some municipalities.
I live in rural Somerset County and it seems like alot of the dog owners here think its "OK" to let their dogs roam because they are "in the country".Guess what?It is not "OK".I do not particularly want to wreck and run my car into a 6 ft drainage ditch because your three-legged dog,who has already been hit numerous times by cars,wants to chase me!Yes,I am not kidding-most of the dogs already have injuries from chasing cars because they have IDIOTS for owners.Animal Control should come get your dogs if you care that little about them.
Ditto that blutojthetotmom! Couldn't have said it better myself!
ANIMAL CONTROL IS NOT ALOUD TO COME ON ANYONES PROPERTY UNLESS INVITED TO BY THE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND OR ANY OTHER STATE. ITS CALLED THEFT IT THEY ARE REMOVED
I think people that are so hung up on NEVER letting a dog off a leash or a chain should be walked around on one for a week. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your animal go out to run a little bit. This lady admits they ran off, which they do sometimes, but is not one of those people that let the dog roam the country side. Maybe Blue whatever should re-read. She went after them when they ran off. They didnt harm anyone and the Animal control idiots stole them from her yard. Hopefully the person that was bitten was the idiot stealing them from the yard. I would love to see them try that with my dogs! They wouldnt stand a chance against them when they are rightfully protecting our home!
i agree with blutojthetotmom, if you really want to have your pets, install one of those invisible fences (do it yourself kit is about $80-100 bucks at Dicks sporting goods). Once your pets are trained, they will never leave the yard and will welcome having the boundaries.
blutojthetotmom NICE ONE!! pony up and buy a fence! yes I drive a Mercedes and yes I had a fence put up to keep the chickens out! and the dogs in, but both found ways in and out or around (what ever and how ever they did it) As for the chain my pet may stay out for 1 to 1 1/2 hours and that is to let them out for awhile, they are inside pets. When the somerset county animal control came and picked up my dogs my husband was taking our girls to school and was on his way back home he was off(sick I do believe) or he would have went to get them. I have never thought it was right to let you dog roam around anything could happen. Its not the owners fault when they run off. dogs don't always listen. And when they saw the chicken pop out from under the deck the took off and yes the fence gate was open and out the chicken and dogs went. I do not have a three legged dog! as for chasing cars are you kiding as little as my dogs are the car would kill them. AS for IDIOT owners I'm not one!
It doesn't surprise me that the area is filty. If I remember correctly, the Detention Center was in the same sorry shape when the WBI carried out their search and seizure, nearly two years ago. I think that it took nearly a month to get things halfway presentable again, after Henderson was forced out of there.
1:58 You are wrong! If something is wrong they can take your dogs! Maybe you should read your county and state animal LAWS!
Animal control requires someone with finesse, not some overbearing, obnoxious, supercilious, blow-hard. What were Somerset officials thinking when they hired this guy? If the new county executive wants to do the right thing, I'm sure some heads will roll at dog central.
Catching wild and diseased dogs is one thing, but taking someones pets and making it difficult for them to get them back is harebrained. Government rarely uses common sense and this is another perfect example.
blutojthetotmom you blasted me earlier in the week regarding the doc arrested for selling prescription pills illegally from his practice and home... No offense to you, but who cares that you drive a mercedes? You once again have missed the POINT... any true animal lover can vouch that at one time or another whether it's an inside or outside pet that sometime or sometimes they have either broken off their leash, or their yard runner whatever... I live in a nice rural area in Salisbury which is over run with stray cats that don't seem to belong to any owner just eachother as they seem to continue to breed... they come into my yard and when my dog is on her runner there have been times when she has actually broken the chain and collar and all have been left behind as she runs rapidally through several neighbor's yards chasing these stray cats.... does this make me a "bad" animal parent? NOT.. my dog is treated as a princess and all her shots are up to date and wears her tags etc etc.... the point this lady was trying to make was things like this do happen- in all counties... not just your rural Somerset... but it's how these situations are handled... she ran after her dogs just as I have done in the past for mine.. animal control came on her property and removed them from their chains and took them in- after the fact???? You really believe that is right? I don't know about the laws for these things in your county...but first and foremost- rudeness does not count. To be treated and humiliated as if you are a bad parent, not allowed to see your pets, to have to pay fines when the dog catcher wasn't the one that went running after her dogs to catch them... come on? Put yourself in her shoes... I think if more people in this world would take a moment and walk in someone elses shoe's for just a moment we wouldn't be so QUICK to criticize and make comments as if things like this have never happended to us... I bet your pet has once or twice gotten away and it's okay.. it happens.. they are animals, but to be treated as this woman states was both rude and unsettling... The car doesn't really matter because if you keep your animal's clean because that's what you do when you love them like children.. finding them a filthy mess at this facility is uncalled for....
Blutojhetotmon, I guess you don't drive very much in rural Somerset or you would be in the ditch all the time. I've had close encounters with deer, fox, raccoon, cats and other animals. Why should dogs be more of a problem then any other species of animal. Personally I believe it's animal cruelty to never allow them to run and exercise.
Blueperson -- You must be sipping the bubbly like your picture suggests.
It would be shocking if the dog pound were clean. It is true that the detention center under Henderson's watch was disgracefully dirty. I would assert that the Somerset County commissoners including newly appointed administrator Boston do not care about the inmates or dogs.
I have dealt with Jim Henderson on a similar matter. He waived the fine in lieu of a donation to a rescue. I even took my daughter,shes 12, and let him explain the departments actions. He was very good with her and I appreciated that.
The problem with this post is that this person isn't accepting the fact that it doesn't matter how many times your dog breaks the law, it's when they get caught that matters. Too many people want to blame the system when they break the law. The law is clear- keep your dogs on your property or risk having animal control pick them up, and if they pick them up, accept the fact that you broke the law.
By the way, I know for a fact that they would appreciate any volunteers that could help around there, so instead of condemnation how about a little action.
If her dog actually bit someone and the shots had expired they, by law, have to keep them to have them tested to be sure they don't have rabies. So the lady at the desk that told her one of her dogs bit someone was obviously lying. They won't go to your house to get them (at least not in wicomico) unless it was a vicious attack, but they will ask you to be sure you keep that particular dog for at least 10 days and watch for any developing signs of rabies infection.
1. Waived the fine? Sounds like the judge and the jury scenario. I hope you got a receipt 4:43
2. Keep them on your property? That's where they were when they got picked up.
3. Volunteers? The personel that work there get paid to do the work, why would any one ever volunteer to work there? I resent my tax dollars even being used to fund the place.
I don't think you are helping Jim Henderson by saying that he waived a fine 4:43. That would be like a cop waiving a fine for a speeding ticket for a donation to the troopers widows fund. Highly illegal. If Henderson did that, I suggest that his superiors discipline and/or terminate him immediately.
If you think for one minute tha the so called Pound is dirty then maybe you should stop by there sometime and see 4 yourself and stop badmouthing the shelter As a matter of fact i think for myself that it has really changed for the better. And one more thing If you would keep your dogs on your property then maybe they won't bother you. For the person who started this blogg when was your incendent? I am sure it was not when these fine news folks started.
Is this really about Somerset Animal control or is it really about James Hederson? Just more pileing on from the past couple of weeks! Besides, did an adult really write that? Sheesh. I'm not a spelling or grammar expert but that was horrible!!!!
If your dogs weren't doing or have done somthing wrong then they would have still been there when you got home. I am sure accidents happen but in your case i see why they took your dogs. Maybe to protect the community until you and the shelter made contact. But you got your dog back correct? That should be what matters. Right?
Ok I will point this out. You were warned that they were looking to take your pet the night before but you husband was still dumb enough to put them on a chain????
I live in Rural Somerset county as well and I have had animal control out this way a few times for barking dogs...all they do is bark and there is nothing i can do about it unless it is after 1000 at night. What about people who work nights who try to sleep during the day?....insane
Some people are never in the wrong.
One of the problems with today's society, never admitting to doing anything wrong.
No wonder our kids are out of control.
what a bunch of idiots!!!! First when did this incident occur,, what year, who did you speak to ? does anyone else think this is odd that these particulars are not mentoned? Was Mr. Henderson even on staff there? He hasn't been there a year so how can he be blamed for what happened preceeding his new position there. Next, have any of you folks even visited the facility? I have, and i am here to say it is clean and the animals are well cared for. I have even groomed a few for them. The staff that is there now really cares what happens to these animals while in their care. I do know for a fact that they list their animals on petfinder and work with numerous rescue groups such as GRREAT (Golgen Retreiver Rescue And Education) who you can find on the web and many others to numerous to name. I have also found that this new staff will go out of their way to help resolve an issue,,they are here to work with you ot against you. So unless you can say you have been there and took a tour and asked about policies and procedures (which i am sure they would be more than happy to accomidate) You should just keep you mouth shut and mind your own business. It seems to me that the only ones griping are the ones either in another county or that have never stopped by just for a look. Get a life!!!!
5:27
1. As supervisor of the department Jim Henderson IS judge and jury. Enough said.
2. Stupid comment. "they took off chasing the chickens, I called for them but they were gone". Poster's words not mine. Do you really think this department was staking this house out just in case some dogs get loose? Most people are smarter than that. The was obviously a reason animal control was called.
3. What about hospitals and nursing homes? Or is it just because somebody you don't like runs the place. An axe to grind maybe?
5:34
Please CITE the law that was broken. Go ahead, post it.
RIGHT ON!!! 7:35 You hit that nail on the head! These people are dwelling on the past not the present!
2:32
I have to disagree with you about the invisible fences. My brother has one. They do work great, unless the dog is head strong, as some are and go after something. His spotted a rabbit in the woods and took off. The invisible fence didnt work. If this would have happened when they were not home the dog would have been on the other side of the invisible fence and not able to get back home.
you drive a Mercedes?... good for you. that was just about the only word spelled correctly in your posting.
I'm sorry if anyone disagrees with me, but it is kind of irresponsible to let dogs run loose ,even in the country. Accidents happen and dogs do get out,but it is much safer for them to be fenced in when outdoors.Chasing cars is not the only danger either.Even the best dog will bite someone if they are teased and then you have opened yourself up to liability, because your dog was not confined.Some bozo could decide to shoot or poison the poor dog.Worse,the dog(s)could get into something (pesticides,animal carcasses,etc) that will hurt them. There is a myriad of bad things that can happen and its up to "doggie parents" to keep them safe.
You are correct 7:25. Jim Henderson has never admitted any wrong doing. Even after being forced to resign in disgrace from the detention center, he wants to blame the inmates.
Hospitals and nursing homes are private enterprises 7:57. Unlike the county facility which is run with tax payers dollars.
3:26
Okay I'll go real slow here. Who pays for all of the people who go to the er for a cold? What about low income health care? Tax dollars. Got it? Good. How do most residents in nursing homes pay for their care? Tax dollars. Got it? Good. So, in your opinion, volunteering in a for profit, privately owned business is okay, but a non profit county animal shelter is not worthy?
BackfinBerlin, you sound like the tipical liberal in that you want to change the focus of the argument to protect your friends. I'll go real slow on this one also. This post is not about voluteering, it's about Somerset County, it's commissioners, and animal control. Got It yet? Henderson was forced to resign from the Detention center because he tortured and abused prisoners. The commissioners hired him as dog control for political reasons. Any decision that he makes as dog control will always be questioned because of his background. He should be replaced immediately. Got it yet?
Anyone at the helm of dog control will ruffle a few feathers but having Henderson is a position like that is just asking for trouble and lawsuits. I can't imagine what the commissioners were thinking when they hired him.
Listen, this post is about a concocted story made up to make someone look bad. How long has this investigation of Henderson been going on? Why hasn't he been charged? What happens is some whiny ass punk gets locked up for doing criminal activities, and the first person that shows some authority over them becomes the accused. If and when charges are filed on Henderson , I will be the first to admit That I made an error in judging him. Remember this, The people alleging this abuse were either there as CRIMINALS or were DISGRUNTLED SUBORDINATES. Why would the commissioners risk putting him there if he was guilty of doing everything he is accused of. I just checked and he has not been charged on any of these allegations as of now. Is he such a powerful figure in Somerset that he has everybody by the balls? Common sense tells me no way.
By the way, how do you get liberalism from my comments? Believe me, I'm as conservative as they come!
Let me remind you backfinberlin that the Wicomico drill academy investigation is still active and the allegations were made in 2004. Allegations made against Henderson were made in 2007. It will be a long time before any resolution on this case. You ask a good question as to why the commissioners would hire him if allegations were true. That is the main problem in a nutshell. Why did they? Maybe they should reveal the real reason and who voted in favor of the hiring and who, if any, voted against it. Why should that be a secret?
It does seem strange when the commissioners can vote in open session on hiring the top position "Administrator" but have to go into a closed secret session in order to vote on who gets the dog catchers job. Can someone please explain?
I don't think anyone is capable of explaining. It would be much to embarrassing. Maybe a slime ball politician like Bill Clinton could do it but our local elected officials are incapably of such a task.
Post a Comment