Because of the disturbing events regarding the Pilchard farm, which were reported on Friday, March 16, 2018, my Office began its work in close cooperation with the efforts of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Wicomico County Humane Society, Animal Control, animal welfare groups and concerned citizens. A complete investigation is being conducted in order to understand what happened.
Given the large number of horses, the necessary forensic testing and rehabilitation, the community is asked for its patience. While we wait for the hard work of the investigators and experts to be completed, I encourage the community to reach out and express sympathy through volunteerism and acts of charity to all those affected.
While I cannot comment on the specifics of this matter, please know that the story of these horses will be told. It is the right thing to do to care for animals, and the welfare of the horses is the number one priority. We will all have to wait for all of the facts to be known, and then justice will be done.
Your State’s Attorney,
Jaime L. Dykes
23 comments:
Who investigates the Sherriffs CONDUCT?
Contributory negligence? Dereliction of duty?
Too late. You screwed up and animals died. I am disgusted.
Patience is needed as far as the investigation is concerned...what is very much needed id for our county officials to enact laws that provide more protection for the animals that depend on our care for their existence. Abuse is rampant in back yards all over this county as well as large scale operations. Stricter laws, stricter enforcement and harsher penalties are needed.
Problem number one...you have the Sheriff’s Department involved. THEY should be the ones being INVESTIGATED. They responded to that property 81 times and did nothing. You need an INDEPENDENT investigation and let the chips fall where they may. As long as you involve the sheriffs department in the investigation, you will have a bias and allow them to explain and whitewash their errors.
Can't you at least tell the public approximately what percentage of the not mentioned number of horses were found dead? Starving? Injured? Healthy?
Coming out with a Statement of Transparency that tells the public absolutely nothing just shows that you are not going to be transparent at all.
We feel lucky to have heard the word "horses".
Meanwhile, homeless cats have their little shelters and bowls stolen from them by the cops, I guess when you are little you don't matter, right?
The wicomoco human society and the garbage at animal control are to blame. None of the filth that works there does their jobs. Remember the puppy mill. It only turned into what it did because of that fat garbage slob who is too busy shoving cheeseburgers down his throat instead of doing his job. And now this.
Dykes needs to step up and investigate the Sherriff!
9:04 AM Good One!
Let's see if Dykes makes the right call, critical of Lewis it may determine her election.
Don't know why people keep blaming the sheriff. If the proper laws are not on the books their hands are tied. And most of the time they responded it was because the horses were loose and the horses wandered onto other people's property and pooped or destroyed their flower beds etc, not criminal offenses. The police also had no right to search the property, if they could have searched legally then something could have been done. The police also called in animal control, dept of agriculture and an equine expert, and they said things were ok, so again the police can't legally do anything. So mayve put part of the blame on those who supposedly inspected and said everything was ok. And put the majority of the blame on the owners of these horses who let this happen.
This is total bull****. Nothing will be done. Mike Lewis says the sheriff's office was called multiple times to go there regarding loose horses. I would roam too, if I was starving. Well, horses don't starve overnight. They saw it and did nothing - same as in the puppy mill. She was caught years ago regarding hoarding cats. Nothing was done. It's disgusting! As soon as all of the hoopla is over regarding this & the next big animal abuse case is in the news, all is forgotten about the previous cases. It's a revolving issue which is always pushed to the back of the file cabinet. Oh, that's right - she and others will be banned from owning any animals ever again. What a joke!
State should take over animal control,it happened in Delaware and they do a lot better of a job also
Lewis calls himself a animal lover.I wonder how many of the deer he shot did he ever love or say a prayer over.He did it for sport and the thrill of the kill.Animal lover is a totally false statement.
Really Madam State's Attorney I will say to you what should have been said to you and Little Mikey. Shut up you look stupid. Just shut up and clean this mess up. Yes the Sheriff's Office is culpable in this horrific death of beautiful animals. Yes there are laws governing the treatment of live stock as well as pets. People should investigate just what did happen to the Pomeranian Puppy Mill owners. NOTHING just like nothing will happen here except Lewis and Dykes looking like complete idiots. DO YOU JOBS. If she was Black her ass would be charged right Mikey.
I have seen several videos provided by various sources since WBOC broke this story. I did not see one horse that appeared to be skin and bones or starving. A few horses were out multiple times - not a hundred. Some reports said all those horses were on 2.5 acres, when the truth is the farm is about 200 acres, part of which is woodland. Problem is everyone knows all the facts and how much tar and feathers should be used on the Pilchards BEFORE the investigation is completed or if the Pilchards are physically or mentally able to stand trial if charged. You folks need to let the authorities do their job. Much of the comments being posted on the blogs is gossip not facts. Sadly, many any missed the mark on this, family neighbors, passerby's, authorities who visited the property. Now you folks are being judge and jury without waiting for the facts. Now there are plenty to blame for not knowing there was even a problem.
11:24, You are soooo Right!!!
What is this about the Seed/Feed Business
suppose to send food over for the horses??
Was that checked out to see if it was
being done ? If No, Why not?
I do not have a good feeling about all
this at all ! I think there is Neglect and
lack of Responsibility from Authorities and
it's due to fall on several shoulders !
Was this woman still on probation?
Did she have a probation officer go to her home?
What did the officer report?
Did people say they had called the Humane
Society, Animal Control or Police about neglect there?
How long does it take 18 " of manure to accumulate?
How much was there in 2015, is that reported, were
pictures taken of the property, horses, living conditions?
Let's see them !!
2015' inspected by 3 Authorities. It's entirely
possible those 3 Authorities should be inspected.
Can't Sheriff get a Search Warrant to go inspect again
since he didn't think the 2015' inspection there
was " OK" ? Since he was that concerned then, looks
like he would have had it inspected again.
County needs to get laws on the books to protect animals more, hold people accountable for their job and make them
back it up with absolutely no doubt they have done all
they're suppose to do !
I sure hope our States Attorney , does everything in her
power to find out Laws, people involved and push
to get the Real Truth out as I, and many others just do
not "buy what's been said. " Those horses should have
been helped before now.
This County is corrupt in more than one way. Cover up! Why was this woman not made to pay a penalty for her misdoings?
Why was the case not prosecuted?
How much are Taxpayers going to be responsible for ?
What the Hell happened to the Puppy Mill Case??
Most likely the same that happened to the Pilchards,
NOTHING!
Ask him how many cats he has shot just because he hates cats!!!
Yup. That’s a fact.
If Dykes looks the other way on Mikey she needs to be looked into for corruption and outed at first chance.
What's the use in even pressing charges. Go to Maryland Judiciary Case Search. Just one case against her had over 45 charges of animal cruelty. None were ever prosecuted. Not one. Why?
Invite an investigative reporter to do story on Sherriff's role in all this
Replied! All this letter is is a tug to pull on heartstrings to boost votes. She is no better than the rest of the screwed up buddy system in Wicomico. They are all bringing the town down fast.
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