30 days in jail (60 more days if he violates probation);
$4,000+ in fines, court costs, and restitution;
200 hours of community service to be served at either the Roscommon or Crawford animal shelters;
2 years probation;
No ownership of pets during probation
On July 10th, 2007, a message was sent around the world: you can abuse animals in Roscommon County and get away with it, but animal abuse in Crawford County WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Judge Burmeister went as far as to say that he was 'dumbfounded' that Baumgart's kennel license was renewed in Roscommon, and that it was clearly a 'mistake'.
9 and 10 News covers Baumgart Sentencing
Today, July 11th, 2007, it is exactly six months to the day that Thor was rescued. Below is a short video of Thor, courtesy of Cheryl Postma, Director of the Animal Shelter of Crawford County . . .
This battle is not over, and now the attention will turn to Roscommon County, where six more labradors were found in starved, emaciated conditions. Beginning yesterday:
***A new, thirty-second radio commercial is airing 20 times each day on three radio stations in the Crawford/Roscommon County areas. These commercials direct listeners to this website to find out the facts for themselves.
This is the billboard in Houghton Lake . . .
The billboard in Roscommon . . .
And a nice note of thanks at Grayling Hospital for Animals . . .
Quite a few people from around the country have sent Dave Sabin (Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor) well-deserved letters of congratulations. Today, I received this e-mail from Mr. Sabin:
"I would like to thank all of those persons who have written to me in support of and with thanks for the prosecution in the abuse case regarding Thor.
I do not perceive my prosecution as special, only warranted. The legal profession does not have a Hippocratic Oath as does the medical profession, however our rules of professional conduct include the provision that a lawyer is an officer of the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. I hope to always satisfy that provision as that is my responsibility.
Your thanks should also be directed to Chris Wright and all of his family and friends who have not only kept you in the "loop" of information, but as a concerned citizen he has supported this prosecution each step of the way. I personally want to thank Chris and his family and friends, Thor's Warriors."
-David R. Sabin
Mr. Sabin says that this prosecution wasn't 'special, only warranted.' He is right on. If you happen to reside in Crawford County, Michigan, you will know that this is the way Mr. Sabin deals with ALL cases that come across his desk. He's a fighter for what is right.
And, while I appreciate his tip of the hat to myself (and to all who are fighting for Thor and the six labs), it is men like Mr. Sabin who are on the front lines. Thank you, Mr. Sabin.
On to unfinshed business:
Regarding my FOIA request for information in Larry Baumgart's file:
I have received 63 various pages of information, and I continue to go through it. There are several interesting things of note: for instance, in October of last year, Mr. Baumgart took a black lab to a vet. This dog was in extremely poor shape. Instead of treating the dog, it was euthanized due to the owner's 'financial constraints.'
(If he couldn't pay to get one dog healthy, how could he properly care for the others? And how did the black lab get into such a deplorable condition in the first place?)
According to one document, in June of last year, Baumgart had 10 labradors and 6 dachshunds. We know what happened to eight of the labradors . . . what about the other two?
Most importantly: How long will it be before officials in Roscommon admit that animal abuse occurred in their county, but did nothing about it? What will it take?
Readers of this site know: MacKillop had nothing to do with the discovery of the six starved labradors. He didn't 'link' anything. Remember: I personally called Detective John Wybraniec to alert him to my suspicions. Detective Wybraniec then called Terry MacKillop, who then went to Baumgart's. MacKillop HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LINKAGE OF THOR AND THE SIX OTHER ANIMALS! If four private citizens had not followed up and found out where Thor came from, the six starving dogs in Roscommon County would never have been discovered.
The article in its entirety:
I have stated numerous times in this site that I will not cease my efforts until there has been justice served in Roscommon County. In Crawford County, the case is over. In Roscommon, it is just beginning. And again: please keep writing letters, keep spreading the word about this site and the injustices in Roscommon County. IT'S WORKING!
JUMP TO:
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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