PWR Responds To Daily Times Article

Pocomoke Wildlife Rehabilitation regrets that the Daily Times found it necessary to issue this article without fully investigating all the circumstances and interviewing James Stanley. PWR after receiving information that the article was already written despite assurances recorded with the reporter was forced to seek a Protective Order from the State of Maryland denying the reporter harassment and the ability to print any information in regards to the story. This Court Order was granted at 4:00 pm on February 4, 2009 in the Wicomico District Court. Service then was completed and notification was presented to the editors of the Worcester County Times and the Parent paper the Daily Times in Salisbury, MD.

The newspaper despite the order decided to risk contempt, imprisonment and fines to go ahead and issue the article. The article was repeated February 13, 2009 in the Daily Times.

PWR stands by its claims that the information is untrue. The Times primary source is currently under investigation for Cyber stalking, harassment and issuing a Death Threat to Mr. Stanley.

Another hearing is scheduled in Wicomico District Court on Tuesday February 10 at 9:30 am for further matters and a permanent order against the reporter Jenny Hopkinson and the Worcester County Times.

While the hearing was concluded and while the Death Threats did not come directly from the reporter but from her sources there is not convincing evidence to continue the protective order. This matter is under appeal currently.

The Birds the paper describes were in a compost pit left behind as per Department of Agriculture specifications from an illness that occurred in October 2008 in which 14 birds were infected. The Department of Agriculture's Nanticoke Lab in Salisbury had itself killed 2 of the birds for testing and found the diseases and response for PWR. These all are Domestic Birds and not under the control of the Department of Natural Resources. DNR only controls wild animals. DNR was at the property when PWR moved its animals to its new location. It found at that time there were no animals under its jurisdiction and left the property as it was not required to remain.