A week has gone by, in which I am still puzzled over the actions of the Roscommon County ACO. I try to push the issue aside and get back to work. Already, my actions of the past few weeks have delayed the release of a new book that was supposed to be published by February 29. We push the publishing date back to the end of March. This delay incurrs losses of several thousand dollars for AudioCraft Publishing, Inc. (In short: many people aren't happy, including bookstores who were expecting to have the new release in their stores and on their shelves.)

And I continue to wonder: where did those six dogs go? What rescue? I feel a responsibility to do what I can to help, but I don't know where the dogs are, and, in fact, know very little about them. I spend most of the morning of Sunday, February 4th, searching the internet for animal and pet rescues in Michigan. There are many.

Finally, at about noon, I find a disturbing link. A rescue in the Bay City area is pleading for help for 'SIX STARVED LABS'. I stare at the link, knowing full well that I've just found out where the dogs are. I click on the link, and, sure enough, it's what I've been searching for.

(Note: in case the site becomes unavailable, here is the exact wording from the site, cut and pasted in its entirety)

I was contacted by animal control the other day with a worker actually pleading with me to help them with these dogs. The owner starved 6 of his own dogs nearly to death. Some are so weak and thin they can hardly stand, others are very frail.

Duke weighs 39lbs and is 8yrs old
Huey weighs 39lbs.17 months old
koda3yr 39lbs He is the worst, I wish you could see pictures because it would make you seriously ill.
Midnite 4yrs.49lbs
Milka 2yr 39 pounds
Rocky5yrs.57lbs.

The owner is being prosecuted thankfully and I have agreed to help with what I can. I am DESPERATE for dog crates for them Dog food, and any donations for vet care.

Please contact XheatherleeX@hotmail.com for drop off's for food and crates

Please make any checks out to Riverside animal Hospital
mailing address is 4359 N. Seymour Rd Flushing, MI 48433

Do NOT mail donations to the P.O. Box please send them DIRECTLY to the vet Please.

Please please please help me to be able to help them

(end web page)

My rage skyrockets; I am beyond furious as I recall what Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop told me, stating that the dogs were 'fine', and that they've 'all been cared for'.

However, according to Heather Smith (website posting above), they are in terrible shape. Why would MacKillop turn down my offer? A week has gone by, and I could have been seeing to it that all six dogs would have received the proper medical treatment they needed, etc.

I e-mail Heather Smith and let her know that my wife and I will provide whatever is necessary to assist in the care of the dogs. I tell her that whatever the dogs need, they will have it. I follow through with this promise on

by calling Riverside Animal Hospital in Flushing, Michigan, and pay the $976.00 vet bill the labs have (so far) accumulated. I learn that the dogs are getting better, but have been *seriously* neglected/abused.

Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Dave Sabin charges Lawrence Edward Baumgart, 46, of Roscommon County, with 1 charge of animal cruelty-abandonment. A warrant is issued for his arrest.

Also: Local NBC affiliate 7 & 4 reporter Jen Carlson does a story on Thor.

Photo of Thor taken 2/08/07. He has gained approximately fifteen pounds:

We've arranged to meet Heather Smith and some of the foster families taking care of the labradors at PetsMart in Saginaw, where we meet a few of the labradors. They are all still very thin, and some still have scars/wounds from their abuse, but they are getting better. One, in particular, is so terrified of men that I can hardly go near her. Another one still has an open wound on its tail. Several of us wind up with bloodstains on our pants as a result. Meanwhile, I have asked that foster families create 'wish lists' of things the dogs need: food, water, bowls, treats . . . whatever. Myself, my wife, and Heather Smith do a little shopping, and I am only too happy to oblige. PetsMart tab: $840.00

Photo of Anna (formerly Koda) taken at PetsMart in Saginaw, 2/11/07. Now that she has proper care, her serious eye infection is healing.

Thor's story is covered by local CBS affiliate 9 & 10 News. Because of Thor's *extreme* aversion and fear of men, Ted Haller and crew, and myself, have to be very careful to keep a safe distance from the dog. Just getting within a few feet from him makes him shiver and try to get away. In the photo below, notice how Thor remains tightly huddled next to Cheryl Postma.

Photos taken during 9 & 10 News interview, 2/12/07:

Over the next few weeks, the condition of the other six labradors are improving. Through the foster families, I learn that a couple of the dogs are *deathly* afraid of men, just as Thor is. Two of the dogs are terrified by stairs. All have serious food issues. I am told that several of the dogs must be restrained from eating their own feces and drinking their urine, and it is difficult for the families to constantly monitor this. Further, several fosters explain that the dogs literally 'attack' their food, and, if not carefully regulated, will eat until they were sick.

Photo of Thor taken 2/22/07:

All the while, I am growing angrier and angrier. Why is Baumgart only being charged with one count of animal cruelty-abandonment? Why did Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop make a deal with him, when he clearly had an open and shut case (six of them, in fact) in Roscommon County? After all: the dogs were in such poor condition that he made the decision to remove the animals. Michigan animal cruelty statute MCL 750.53 is summarized:

There was no reason to make a 'deal' with Baumgart. In fact, the dogs should have been seized, and Baumgart should have been arrested, according to the statute above. Although he has the authority and the DUTY to make an arrest, he chooses not to. His answer is to get the dogs out of the Roscommon Shelter, ASAP.

Why?

And remember: MacKillop is vice president of the Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers. Let's not forget:

Meanwhile, Larry Baumgart, through his defense attorney, waives his preliminary exam. A pre-trial date is set, in which he appears before the judge. A trial date of Friday, May 11th is set. Clearly, he thinks he can win his case. (UPDATE: TRIAL DATE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 22nd.)

During this time, I gather statements from the individuals caring for the starved labradors, including Riverside Animal Hospital in Flushing who treated the dogs after they were taken from Roscommon County. Read these statements for yourself, and remember: Roscommon County Animal Control Officer Terry MacKillop told me these dogs were 'fine'.

I remain in contact with not only the rescue organization that initially took in all six dogs, but the foster families and those who have adopted the dogs as permanent members of their home. Kate, who has adopted one of the chocolate labs, writes to tell me that her dog is doing better, but suffers a few injuries that apparently won't heal. All foster families indicate that they are certain the dogs suffered much more abuse than just starvation, as several describe the dogs' horrific fear of men. In fact, two months after Thor was 'discovered', ASCC director Cheryl Postma writes on her website:

"I am sure that there was much more to his past than just starvation. He is terrified of men. There is a great difference between a dog that is simply not socialized and one that has been terrorized. He is leery of strangers but is clearly curious and wants to meet unknown people as long as they are female. A man within 100 yards is cause for concern. This dog will hurt himself or run over anyone or anything if need be in order to stay away from a man. After more than 2 months in our home Thor will still not allow my husband to touch him. Paul has never raised his voice or made one threatening move towards this dog. Imagine what type of past experiences Thor must have had in order to develop such intensive and lasting fear. A trip to the vet's office is a harrowing experience for him (and me.) He cowers under the bench. Urinates and defecates on the floor and shakes so hard that I can feel it through the floor. His heart rate goes crazy and his body temperature shoots up. Fear actually makes him sick. I try to act confident and as if there is nothing to be concerned about. I know that if I get upset and try to comfort him he will feel my distress and that will make him more afraid. All I can do is make the visits as quick as possible. No matter how hard I try to keep calm I am exhausted by the time we get out of the vet hospital. Sometimes it takes as long as 24 hours for him to calm down and relax again."

Thanks to the efforts of Cheryl Postma of the ASCC, and Dr. Paul Mesack and the staff at Grayling Hospital for Animals, Thor has turned into a 'miracle' dog. Although he still deathly afraid of men and is suffering from various ailments brought on by severe starvation, he is now expected to live.

Photo of Thor taken 3/13/07:

A source who wishes to remain anonymous comes to me with an interesting piece of information: I'm told to check the records in Roscommon County, as Larry Baumgart has just been reissued a kennel license . . . even though he is facing animal cruelty charges in Crawford County.

I e-mail Mr. MacKillop this note:

Terry:

It is my understanding that you granted Lawrence Edward Baumgart, Roscommon County, Michigan, a kennel license for 2007, after he has been arrested for animal cruelty.

Is my understanding correct, or have I been misinformed?

Chris Wright
(231) XXX-XXXX
cell: (231) XXX-XXXX

MacKillop responds:

Mr Wright

Sir
Any request must be in writing or FOIA.
Thank You

Roscommon County AC & Shelter
685 S Main
Roscommon, Mi 48653
Att: Mr. MacKillop

He can't just tell me yes or no? Does he think I won't find out?

No Problem. I understand the Freedom Of Information Act. (FOIA) I also understand that I've been given the runaround enough, and I make my attorney aware of what has transpired over the past several weeks. He becomes an active consultant in this matter.

The Crawford County Avalanche runs a story about Thor and the coming animal cruelty-abandonment trial. There are several egregious errors in this story. I don't fault the Avalanche; they are simply reporting the 'facts' as they were told:

Crawford County Avalanche: "Baumgart is accused of abandoning a yellow lab, which was discovered in a woman's car port on South Stephan's Bridge Road."

Fact: The dog wasn't 'discovered' by just anyone. It was Larry Baumgart's mother who 'found' the dog. Are we expected to believe that she had no prior knowledge of this dog? Larry Baumgart has already admitted that the dog belonged to him. There are only a couple of logical conclusions that could be drawn by this.

Crawford County Avalanche: "A Roscommon County resident gave authorities information that lead to the charge against Baumgart."

Fact: Completely false. Yours truly was that person, and I reside in Cheboygan County . . . three counties north of Roscommon. Why is it that residents from 80 miles away, including my father and an off-duty police officer from a neighboring county, had to do the jobs of animal control in TWO counties?

Crawford County Avalanche: "The Roscommon County Animal Control Officer, Roscommon County Sheriff's detectives, and Crawford County Sheriff Deputies investigated the case."

Fact: Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop didn't do any 'investigating'. In fact, a little foresight from him probably could have prevented this whole situation. To my knowledge, no Crawford County Sheriff Deputies investigated the case, except for the efforts of undersheriff Shawn Kraycs, who followed through on his promise to me to follow up with animal control, and Roscommon County Detective John Wybraniec, who took my concerns very seriously and followed through by immediately contacting Terry MacKillop with the information I provided. However, in contrast to what's printed in the Avalanche, the only real 'investigating' was conducted by three citizens and an off-duty police officer.

Crawford County Avalanche: "Baumgart has a kennel license and raises labs and doxins (sic). He agreed to relinquish ownership of the other six dogs as part of the pending case in Crawford County."

Fact: While it is true that Baumgart has a kennel license and raises labs and 'doxins', the statement that follows is completely false. At the time Baumgart 'relinquished' ownership of the six labradors, there was no case pending in Crawford County.

I learn that it is the Roscommon County Treasurer's office that actually issues kennel licenses, after Animal Control submits a kennel inspection. I call the Roscommon County Treasurer's office and ask if Larry Baumgart has been issued a kennel license. I am told that he was issued a license on March 9th, 2007.

Now that I have positive confirmation that Baumgart has been issued a kennel license, I drive to Roscommon County and appear in person at the County Treasurer's office, where I request a copy of Larry Baumgart's newly issued kennel license, along with the inspection report. Through the Freedom of Information Act, I have every right to do this. Although the woman at the treasurer's office produces the license and I see it in her hand, she *denies* my request for a copy, stating that I must go through Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop.

WAIT A MINUTE! MacKillop DOES NOT issue kennel licenses . . . the TREASURER does. That's why I went to the Treasurer's office in the first place! It is not within MacKillop's jurisdiction to comply with this FOIA demand . . . it's the Treasurer. I am complying with federal law: appearing in person, demanding a public document . . . but I am denied. This is clearly unlawful.

Before I leave the parking lot of the Roscommon County Building, I am on the phone with my attorney. Before the day is over, he has put my FOIA demand in writing and sent it to the Treasurer's office. He receives a response within days, and we now have a copy of Larry Baumgart's kennel license and the inspection report. Keep in mind that this individual is being charged with animal cruelty/abandonment in Crawford County, and that, within the past few weeks, had six starving dogs removed from his 'kennel'. Yet, he now has been granted a new license, and, according to the report, he presently has eight dogs in his 'kennel'.

With more information still needed, my attorney sends an FOIA request to Terry MacKillop for any and all public documents relating to Larry Baumgart, complaints, details of the six labradors when they were brought in . . . all of it. I am sick of the game-playing, and I want to get to the bottom of what's going on.

Over a week has gone by, and I have still not seen the requested paperwork from Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop. I call and make an appointment to see Robert Bennett, Assistant Prosecutor of Roscommon County. He agrees to meet with me later that morning. However, when I arrive and begin to present him with the facts of this case, his response is unbelievable.

Home/Welcome Page

LABS & LIES - Chapter 1: A Shot in the Dark

LABS & LIES - Chapter 2: It Doesn't take a Rocket Scientist

LABS & LIES - Chapter 3: And Then There Were Six

LABS & LIES - Chapter 4: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

LABS & LIES - Chapter 5: Rattling Cages & Furious Rages

LABS & LIES - Chapter 6: With Labradors and Justice for All

LABS & LIES - Chapter 7: Black Friday

LABS & LIES - Chapter 8: Puppygate (UPDATED 5/27/07)

LABS & LIES - Chapter 9: GUILTY! (UPDATED 6/22/2007)

LABS & LIES - Chapter 10: Justice . . . Crawford County Style (added 7/11/07)

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