A very kind person from the south shore area has sent a letter to the Chronicle-Herald and was nice enough to forward it to me. Given the Herald's recent tendencies, I am not expecting it to be published, so I posted it with the other letters on supportbrindi.blogspot.com.
She writes,
"First of all, it is now very interesting that people such as Bob Ottenbrite are now on record as saying that Brindi is a good dog...
"What I don't understand is why all these animal advocates are not also advocating for the owner's rights here. Under the law, Ms. Rogier is entitled to the same rights as others who have been charged with animal control by-law offences and that is to pay the fines and have Brindi returned to her. Others with much more serious offenses all have their dogs with them today. Since Brindi's incarceration, Ms. Rogier has been subjected to all manner of financial and emotional torture. Her visits with Brindi at the SPCA were initially banned, then severally curtailed with numerous written conditions attached that I'm not sure were even constitutional...
"Who authorized Mr. Ottenbrite "and others" to make arrangements for a suitable home for Brindi? As I understand it, Ms. Rogier is still Brindi's owner, an owner who has fought tooth and nail to first, save her dog from a wrongful execution, and second have her returned to her own home where she is well loved and cared for. Who else has stood by Brindi these past two years, literally putting everything on the line for the love of this animal? What kind of home could be more suitable than the one Ms. Rogier can provide for Brindi?"
I really appreciate this letter. I have been trying to get the same message across for so long, it's kind of a surprise to see it in somebody else's words. This battle is difficult enough. I thought proving that Brindi is not dangerous (too dangerous to live...) was the issue. Being held to a different (unwritten) standard than all other dog owners in Halifax is a bit much. Since I am going to be fined, as the by-law requires, I just don't see why the issue of ownership is being forced into court in a case that does not involve major injuries to anybody.
I get suggestions from people all over - "Show that photo from the SPCA to the judge!" Done; also sent to the media and the council and the mayor. "Send that list of other dog owners' offenses and penalties to the council and to the court!" Done, in the first; the judge declined it in the trial, but I can show it in the sentencing hearing.
In fact, to make it easier for everybody, I should probably post a list of all the things I have done and others have done on my behalf: letters to the Dog Whisperer, Ellen, Oprah, and various other animal-loving celebrities; contacts to the Animal Legal Defense Fund; calls to lawyers by the dozen; letters to every level of government; some even wrote the prime minister (which took me aback, frankly).
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A Year-Old Appeal to HRM From Qualified Trainer Ready to Help: "I support her return"
NOTE: This letter was sent to the lawyer for HRM who was then prosecuting the case. He was replaced by outside counsel Geoff Newton a few months later.
Mr. Efthymiadis was not granted access to assess Brindi on Feb. 27, although permission was granted and all parties were notified the day before of his schedule and the 10 am appointment.
Mr. Joshua J. Judah, Municipal Solicitor
HRM Legal Services
P. O. Box 1749
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 3A5
April 16, 2009
Dear Mr. Judah:
Today I am writing with a plea for restoration for a dog named Brindi. My name is Ted Efthymiadis, I am a professional dog trainer located in Halifax Nova Scotia. I studied professional obedience & behavior with Tarheel K9 (www.tarheelcanine.com),
which is located in Sanford North Carolina. Tarheel K9 specializes in teaching dog trainers the skills to train dog obedience, dog behavior, drug detection, search and rescue, dog behavior modification, police protection among others. My dog training days go back four years, I starting specializing in dog obedience. My love for dogs soon evolved to training protection, behavior modification and drug detection. I now specialize in training with dominant and aggressive dogs. The (CAPPDT), Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers has certified me as a professional in good standing.
Many months ago, I heard of Brindi's case in the newspaper. In all honestly, I was shocked that this dog had not been release within a month of being detained. From what I have heard and read of Brindi, I am absolutely confident this dog is able to be rehabilitated within 3 months or less, ultimately I believe this dog is capable of being a good member in her community. I have personally worked with dogs much more aggressive than Brindi, with great success. My business generally caters to larger aggressive dogs like Boxers, Cane Corsos, German Shepherds and Pit Bull's. On a scale of 1/10, Brindi's case at most would be a 5/10.
I have had personal contact with Brindi's owner at length and I am confident in her willingness to change the way she handles her dog. She seems very interested in learning how to properly deal with her dog and trusts my professional opinion in dealing with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Because I believe so dearly that this dog should not be held any longer, I support her return to her owner, and am willing to offer, and monitor to the fullest extent of my ability, a full rehabilitation program for this dog and owner free of charge.
Best Regards,
Ted Efthymiadis
902-489-4269
Friday, March 12, 2010
Messages Nobody Likes to Get
Warning: Don't read if you want to stay in a good mood. These are just for the sake of documentation, not for pity. I find them very perplexing, among other things.
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:18:36 -0800 (PST)T
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post ""Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case! < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/lets-adopt-canada-is-on-case.html> ":
Now that really carries a lot of weight,a USA web site. Well sweet cheeks this is Canada,and we had enought of your crap.Make sure you have your permits for the protest on March 6. I am sure HRM will bend over back wards to ensure that you do. LIKE HELL.
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:41 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "If I had listened to the SPCA in 2008 and obeyed H... <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-i-had-listened-to-spca-in-2008-and.html> ":
Your ass is grass.....you lost the battle go buy a pet rock.
Posted by Anonymous to FREE BRINDI <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/> at March 4, 2010 7:39 PM
------ End of Forwarded Message
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:41 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "If I had listened to the SPCA in 2008 and obeyed H... <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/if-i-had-listened-to-spca-in-2008-and.html> ":
Your ass is grass.....you lost the battle go buy a pet rock.
Posted by Anonymous to FREE BRINDI <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/> at March 4, 2010 7:39 PM
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ Forwarded Message From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:44:41 -0800 (PST) To: Francesca Rogier Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on "Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case!.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post ""Let's Adopt! Canada" is on the case! < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/lets-adopt-canada-is-on-case.html> ":
It will be over on the 9th however Fran will not like the results.
There are rescues outside the Province who will pick up Brindi on the 9 th and head for parts unknown.
Posted by Anonymous to FREE BRINDI <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/> at March 4, 2010 4:44 PM
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:26:44 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":
I'm praying that you move to Cuba,as we citizens of NS are sick and tired of you. Don't worry about your dog we will look after her for you!
------ End of Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:26:44 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":
I'm praying that you move to Cuba,as we citizens of NS are sick and tired of you. Don't worry about your dog we will look after her for you!
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:31:54 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
;Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":
Just stick the needles in already, one for the dog and one for a noisy owner.
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:31:54 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
;Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Humane Halifax hits the streets for Brindi < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/03/humane-halifax-hits-streets-for-brindi.html> ":
Just stick the needles in already, one for the dog and one for a noisy owner.
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:59:02 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Voice of the people ??.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Voice of the people ?? < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/02/letter-to-editor-x-2-who-is-this-about.html> ":
One fact you left out is you are not a responsible dog owner.
In fact you are not a responsible citizen of NS.
You brought this shit on yourself,by ignoring the regulations as per owning dog which you could not control. You have wasted thousands of dollars of tax payers money,yet you as a non resident are entitled to health care,and freedom of speech,however its time you STFU and got to hell out of NS as we don't need trash like you!!!!!
------ End of Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:59:02 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Voice of the people ??.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Voice of the people ?? < http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2010/02/letter-to-editor-x-2-who-is-this-about.html> ":
One fact you left out is you are not a responsible dog owner.
In fact you are not a responsible citizen of NS.
You brought this shit on yourself,by ignoring the regulations as per owning dog which you could not control. You have wasted thousands of dollars of tax payers money,yet you as a non resident are entitled to health care,and freedom of speech,however its time you STFU and got to hell out of NS as we don't need trash like you!!!!!
------ End of Forwarded Message
Well, you get the picture. I can't print some of the others because they contain foul language.
Friends are pretty sure some of these are from Wayne Croft, who lives in Mill Village and has been openly taking shots at me on Facebook for a year. But I don't know the man and can't say for sure. I can say one thing for sure, though: non-residents are not entitled to free health care.
Friends are pretty sure some of these are from Wayne Croft, who lives in Mill Village and has been openly taking shots at me on Facebook for a year. But I don't know the man and can't say for sure. I can say one thing for sure, though: non-residents are not entitled to free health care.
Here is a comment from January 17 that I chose not to publish at the time (here posted as received, no changes were made in message text):
------ Forwarded Message
From: noreply-comment@blogger.com
Date: Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:06:10 -0800 (PST)
To: Francesca Rogier
Subject: [FREE BRINDI] New comment on Another Christmas.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Another Christmas <http://freebrindi.blogspot.com/2009/12/another-christmas.html> ":
Brindi should go home before the SPCA losses the city contract, I'm told an old friend of Lori Scolaro and former shelter worker is getting the new contract. So there is more inside hate from animal control to kill this dog with or without the spca. They have made it easy for her friend to take over while stiffing the spca, who still want to work with HRM with "alternate" provisions!! Wait for it everyone......
------ End of Forwarded Message
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