First off, lots has been happening. Let's take a look at Thor's progress. As you can see, thanks to the care of ASCC Director Cheryl Postma and the Grayling Hospital for Animals, Thor is doing very well. Still *intensely* afraid of men . . . but he is actually acting like a real dog:

Thor with his new pal, Mallory:

Mallory plays rough!

In May, I mentioned on this site that the remains of what could possibly have been another dog were found near Judith Baumgart's house (where Thor was originally found). The person (a Crawford County Commissioner, no less) who made this discovery seemed fairly certain that the remains he found in a plastic garbage bag were that of a dog, but he couldn't say for sure, because the carcass was so badly decomposed. I was in California at the time, so I asked my Dad to go and get the remains. By the time he arrived, the animal was gone . . . but the bag was still there. The bag was sent to a lab, where it was concluded that what had been in the bag could very possibly (and probably) been a dog . . . but there wasn't enough usable DNA to prove it 100%. While this proves nothing, I find it oddly coincidental that it was found so close to the very place where Thor was found.

Photos of the bag(s) that we suspect contained at least one dead dog. The circled red area shows the approximate area where Thor was 'found.':

Meanwhile . . .

Roscommon ACO Terry MacKillop made a ridiculous request for $432.00 for my FOIA request. My attorney sent him a 50% deposit as MacKillop demanded, and MacKillop replied with a letter saying, in essence, that he'll 'get around to it when he can'. (I'm not making this up! Download and read his letter for yourself!)

To this date, (June 22nd, 2007) I have had no response from any of these commissioners.

BUT IT GETS BETTER!

The NACA (National Animal Control Association) has just awarded Terry MacKillop with the 'Employee of the Year' Award! Congratulations, Mr. MacKillop! A hero to starving dogs everywhere.

Which brings us to today.

Today, it is with GREAT PLEASURE that I announce that Larry Baumgart has been found guilty of one count of animal cruelty in Crawford County. A couple of highlights: The defense testified that Larry Baumgart LOST his dog, (whom he called 'Boo') on December 28th, at his mother's home. At the time, the dog was healthy and fit. A dog was found at his mother's 14 days later, but wasn't recognized by his mother . . . even though she knew her son had 'lost' his dog. Defense claimed that Thor (Boo) became emaciated during those fourteen days.

Fortunately, 5 veterinarians testified that it was virtually IMPOSSIBLE for a dog to lose 50% of its body weight in two weeks.

A couple of major highlights: Judge Burmeister made a comment during the trial to the effect that he 'didn't know why charges haven't been brought in Roscommon County'. A SITTING JUDGE HAS NOW STATED, ON THE RECORD, PUBLICLY, THAT ANIMAL CRUELTY HAS OCCURRED IN ROSCOMMON COUNTY! In fact, even the defense said that any neglect and abuse occurred in Roscommon, therefore the jury should not find Baumgart guilty! Add to that: two veterinarians who saw the six labradors testified under oath that the dogs were in 'deplorable, starved conditions'. Seems like everyone knows that a clear case of animal cruelty occurred in Roscommon County, including the defense . . . yet, according to Roscommon Animal Control Officer Terry MacKillop and Prosecutor Mark Jernigan, there 'wasn't enough evidence' to pursue animal cruelty charges. WE WILL SEE ABOUT THAT. Get ready . . . we're just getting started. There has been justice for ONE dog: we have six more to go . . . maybe more.

I personally want to thank Crawford County Assistant Prosectur Dave Sabin for the enormous effort he put into this case. He presented a solid, fair prosecution that accurately laid out the facts. Judge Burmeister conducted a professional courtroom. Also thanks to the witnesses who testified on behalf of Thor. A special thanks to the vets from Grayling Hospital for Animals, and Dr. Michele Koan from Riverside Animal Hospital in Flushing, Michigan. Each had to lose an entire day of work to attend the trial. Lastly, thanks to the many people who have taken a personal issue with this case. Thanks for your e-mails and for writing letters.

Don't think for a minute that this is over. As I mentioned above: At least seven dogs were being starved in Roscommon County. There has been justice for ONE. There are six other dogs (and possibly more) that will not be swept under the rug. I will continue to update the world through this website, and if you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.

So, what's next?

By all means, keep writing letters to Roscommon Commissioners, legislators, and others I've mentioned on this site. Keep calling. Let them know you want justice for the starved labradors in Roscommon County.

JUMP TO:

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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