To the Good People of Our Community
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who replied, after reading our tragedy on the sbynews.com. We thank each and every one for their thoughts, suggestions and comments that were posted.
I would like to give all concerned a little history on our family of dogs. Ace (deceased Black Lab) came to us as a gift from my son and his girlfriend, almost 4 years ago. They were concerned our old girl Holly would not be here much longer, she is 14 years old. We also have another yellow lab. Sadie, she is almost 8, she was a gift from my mother in law and now deceased father in law Linda and Buster Elburn from Rock Hall MD.
Bernie (deceased chocolate lab) was the baby of Ace and Sadie, Sadie had a difficult delivery. Bernie was first born, with a heartbeat. But, was not breathing. My wife did CPR on him for 45 minutes. He was a healthy boy after that. My wife had to have that pup after all they had been threw together. That was her baby.
I am an avid hunter and outdoors men. Sadie(in her prime) was the best waterfowl hunting dog I’ve ever had. Until she taught Ace . My goal over the years was to teach kids how to hunt, They also fell in love with our dogs. Bernie was just starting to hunt, he had potential to be an awesome hunting dog.
Everyone knows this tragedy could have been prevented. The way our dogs were killed, and the
way the Landowner handled the situation is inexcusable, unacceptable and should not be without consequence.
On Monday, I was stunned to see there is a Bill In The House, to prevent this type this type of tragedy to happen to others in the future.
I would like to thank the following local agencies and businesses in our community, Joe Albero… sbynews.com, Worcester Animal control, Wicomico Humane Society, Woody’s Pest Control,
The Bank of Delmarva, and the rest were are not aware of.
I would especially like to thank John and Robin Holloway for the services they provided to bring my boys home. My boys are up on the mantle above the woodstove.
We are so blessed for all our community has done for us during these heartbreaking times.
Thanks to all, God Bless Good People.
Sincerely,
John (Chuck) Van Ess
New Posts to fall below.
25 comments:
Your story made a huge impact on me. So senseless. I have two labs as well and live not to far away from you. It has been all I can muster to tamp down the rage I feel at the landowner who took your beloved pets from you unmercifully.
As a pet owner of a chesapeake I am sitting here crying for your losses.What a tragic end to their lives. My heart still goes out to you and your family.I still can not comprehend someone so mean to do that to any animal.God Bless You and your family!
To the Van Ess family; I was absolutely heart broken when I read the story on Joe Albero's blog site. How anyone could do this to these poor inocent animals is beyond me. Hopefully this individual will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. I did forward the original blog to the ASPCA which I support as well as the HSUS. I graguated from Towson High School class of 55' and was a close friend of a Bob Van Ess and wonder if there is any connection. Again, I am so sorry for your tragic loss.
Big hugs to you and your family.
I really hope that charges have been brought against the person that did this horrible thing. I know what it is like to lose an animal. It almost like losing a person. I really hope this guy rots in hell for this.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your dogs are part of the family and to lose them is hard.
What is the basturds name who shot these dogs. I would like to spread his name around so everyone in the community could shun him and treat him with the disrespect that he has shown others.
My condolences to this family; such precious dogs and so inexcusable; I sure hope the guy that killed them has to pay for his crime. We have two dogs who are just pals with each other, and it looks like, from the picture, that these two dogs were close as well. My heart goes out to the owner; such a nice letter of thanks from him at such a difficult time.
Does anyone know the date of the original post? I would like to read the full story. I am so very very sorry for your loss.
Holy crap, I just realized I had been keeping track of this story the whole time and I know Mr. Van Ess. Wow I even had him come into my work place the other day and I had no idea it was him. I am so sad to hear this he did not deserves this neither did his dogs.
The original post states the name of Ty Chatham as the perp. Whether this has been verified, I do not know. My heart goes out to the Van Ness family for their loss as a fellow hunting dog owner. And the Holloway's helped me out as well with the death of my 2 year old son covering the cost of the funeral, but this... well... it just tells us who they are! God will keep blessing you, and don't give up on your dreams of teaching kids how to hunt and the value of a good dog. It's Nature, it's fun, and it's life! I hope after this Mr Chatham changes his ways!
The name could be Grover Todd Chatham.
The man that did this to the family is Grover Todd Chatham Jr
This was a really sad story and cannot imagine losing my pet to some maniac like Mr. Chatham. He needs to be punished to the max for shooting two innocent dogs for no reason!
Joe
Can you give us some updated info on the individual who murdered these dogs?
Let me play devil's advocate if I may. Every story has 3 sides. We are only seeing one side. I am a dog lover, have 2 now, and have buried my other rescues as their time on this earth has ended. Leaving this big lug of a man in tears as I gently laid their bodies into God's earth. However, if these dogs were running loose constantly, and creating issues with neighbors and other animal life, well then we have another possibility. Let's hear the other side. Anyone?
Grover Todd Chatham needs a real good old fashioned a$$ whipping. Sometimes the "law" needs a little help.
NO Devil"s Advocate! I can't even believe you feel that way. Ever heard of a wrong way and a right way? I would like to know where he is employed, my business would surly go elsewhere. I can't suport anyone who knows what he has done and continues to employee him or support him in any way.
Just because my neighbor's kids run into my yard, does that give me a right to shoot them 652PM! Or their dogs/cats?
thomas augustus littleton, While I understand your frustration and position, I cannot publish your comment based on the language.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1086657607&sk=wall
this the suspect?
I am wiping my eyes as I am reading your letter. I am so sorry for what happened to your beloved dogs. There has to be stiffer penalties and jail time for abuse against animals. A big thanks to Joe for always be a friend to animals.
That facebook page says he works for Dept of public safety. Another state worker that thinks they can do whatever they please. Just think our taxes are going to pay for him and his wife.
Oh brother. Another state worker that is probably overpaid and underworked. And has time to shoot innocent dogs on his paid time off. What is the Dept of Public Safety? The Prison?
@6:52, you wan to hear the other side of the story? This man lives in the woods where dogs running freely should not be a problem. They were a chocolate and black lab....if you are such a dog lover you will know that labs are probably the most laid back type of dog their is. This guy shot the dogs in the head at point blank range. He did not fear for his safety, his son was one of the kids that murdered the cow with a screw driver....the family is sick and demented.
Joe
Unless I missed it, there is still no information as to weither or not this incident is being followed up by a law enforcment agency.
Can you enlighten us?
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