John Olexa
January 28th, 2005, 06:41 PM
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Officials in Hawley and Franklin County, Massachusetts, Ignore Dogs’ Suffering
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Please respond immediately and forward as appropriate.
PETA was alerted in mid-January about inhumane conditions suffered by a group of dogs—reportedly belonging to Franklin County resident Russell Newland—in a wooded area off East Hawley Road in Hawley. Photographs sent to PETA appear to substantiate claims that the dogs are kept on short chains, which tangle and prevent the animals’ regular access to several undersized, un-insulated wooden boxes, apparently meant to serve as shelter. The photographs also depict overturned water dishes, dishes filled with nothing but solid ice and snow, and dog food scattered about frozen muddy ground. Most alarming are images of one extremely thin dog who is said to be suffering from a condition causing bloody urine and diarrhea. We have also been told that these dogs receive little or no exercise or human interaction.
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 272 § 77, requires individuals to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and veterinary care for animals in their custody.
Reportedly, Massachusetts SPCA officials, accompanied by Hawley Animal Control, visited the location and “found no violations.” Local sources suggest that the dogs’ conditions were improved somewhat for the SPCA’s visit, but have again fallen into decline. Hawley Animal Control officer and Selectboard member Darwin Clark insisted to PETA caseworkers that the conditions at this location are acceptable and that “this is a case of people not minding their own business.” Other Hawley and Franklin County officials have ignored our requests to discuss this issue.
Please politely ask Franklin County and Hawley officials to immediately and thoroughly investigate the aforementioned property. Ask them to ensure that these dogs receive the food, water, shelter, and veterinary care that they so desperately need.
Impolite correspondence works against our efforts:
Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director
Franklin Regional Council of Government
425 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
413-774-3167
413-774-3169 (fax)
Anne Hamilton, President
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 898
Greenfield, MA 01302
413-773-5463
413-773-7008 (fax)
Darwin H. Clark Jr., Selectboard Chair/Animal Control Officer
Richard Desmarais, Selectboard Member
Phillip Keenan, Selectboard Member
Hawley Town Office
8 Pudding Hollow Rd.
Hawley, MA 01339
413-339-5518
413-339-4959 (fax)
Officials in Hawley and Franklin County, Massachusetts, Ignore Dogs’ Suffering
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please respond immediately and forward as appropriate.
PETA was alerted in mid-January about inhumane conditions suffered by a group of dogs—reportedly belonging to Franklin County resident Russell Newland—in a wooded area off East Hawley Road in Hawley. Photographs sent to PETA appear to substantiate claims that the dogs are kept on short chains, which tangle and prevent the animals’ regular access to several undersized, un-insulated wooden boxes, apparently meant to serve as shelter. The photographs also depict overturned water dishes, dishes filled with nothing but solid ice and snow, and dog food scattered about frozen muddy ground. Most alarming are images of one extremely thin dog who is said to be suffering from a condition causing bloody urine and diarrhea. We have also been told that these dogs receive little or no exercise or human interaction.
Massachusetts General Law, chapter 272 § 77, requires individuals to provide adequate food, water, shelter, sanitation, and veterinary care for animals in their custody.
Reportedly, Massachusetts SPCA officials, accompanied by Hawley Animal Control, visited the location and “found no violations.” Local sources suggest that the dogs’ conditions were improved somewhat for the SPCA’s visit, but have again fallen into decline. Hawley Animal Control officer and Selectboard member Darwin Clark insisted to PETA caseworkers that the conditions at this location are acceptable and that “this is a case of people not minding their own business.” Other Hawley and Franklin County officials have ignored our requests to discuss this issue.
Please politely ask Franklin County and Hawley officials to immediately and thoroughly investigate the aforementioned property. Ask them to ensure that these dogs receive the food, water, shelter, and veterinary care that they so desperately need.
Impolite correspondence works against our efforts:
Linda Dunlavy, Executive Director
Franklin Regional Council of Government
425 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
413-774-3167
413-774-3169 (fax)
Anne Hamilton, President
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 898
Greenfield, MA 01302
413-773-5463
413-773-7008 (fax)
Darwin H. Clark Jr., Selectboard Chair/Animal Control Officer
Richard Desmarais, Selectboard Member
Phillip Keenan, Selectboard Member
Hawley Town Office
8 Pudding Hollow Rd.
Hawley, MA 01339
413-339-5518
413-339-4959 (fax)