Ed Faron Pleads Guilty
Ever since Mr. Faron was arrested and his dog seized I have been reading online about the travesty that the HSUS had brought down on a “legitimate” breeder of pitbulls. And while I am no fan of the HSUS, it appears that they finally got one right.
Unfortunately, Mr. Faron only received 8-10 months in prison for his 14 felony convictions. Apparently that was part of the negotiations that lead to the plea agreement. The good news is that Mr. Faron is barred from ever breeding or caring for dogs again.
What is also unfortunate is that now the focus has turned to the disposition of the seized animals, when the reality is that the law dictates they be destroyed. But that does not stop those like Ledy VanKavage and the Best Friends Animal Society from getting their names all over the press. Ledy is an attorney. As such, she knows that the judge does not have a choice in this matter. I believe, ethically, she should respect the law and advise Best Friends and their members to focus on changing the law that states these animals MUST be euthanized, rather than grandstanding over these unfortunate dogs.
By the way, I don’t think it’s unfortunate that these dogs will die. I think it’s unfortunate that these dogs are even in the position that they are in. I actually agree with HSUS on this one. These dogs (yes, even the puppies) must be euthanized.
Ed Faron is a twice convicted dog fighter, who has been breeding these highly sought after fighting dogs for decades. I believe he was very good at his trade and most likely produced only dog aggressive/people friendly animals. Those are the types of animals most desired by real dogmen. These dogs would never have posed a threat to a person, because Ed culled those genes out of his dogs. These dogs (yes, even the puppies) would, however, have posed a great threat to other dogs.
Furthermore, my concern would be, where would these dogs have ended up? No matter how good an adoption agency is, they can never guarantee the future well being of an animal. No number of home visits can assure that a dog won’t again be placed in harms way.
Since everyone likes to theorize about the future of these animals, lets assume Best Friends was able to take these dogs, “rehab” them, and place them in loving homes. My theory is that these dogs would never be safe. These dogs are the LAST of Ed Faron’s bloodline. Who knows what people, who would have previously paid tens of thousands of dollars for these dog, would do to get them now.
Just like the endless stories and updates about the Michael Vick dogs, Best Friends (or whomever theoretically “rescued” the dogs) would have them in the media at every opportunity. Because with media attention comes donations, which is the real reason that Best Friends is fighting a fight that they know they can not win.
But Michael Vick was nothing more than a backyard breeder. It was his celebrity, not the quality of his dogs, that made the dogs seized from his operation desirable. In fact, from what I understand from the coverage of his arrest, his dogs did not have a very good record. Ed Faron’s dogs, on the other hand, have been sought after all over the world and the Faron dogs would be targets for theft, or worse.
It is like when I used to seize pitbulls in Chicago and take them to Animal Care and Control. ACC did not adopt pitbulls from their facility, partly because if they did every gangbanger in the City would be lined up to “adopt” one. It is wrong to remove an animal from one abusive situation, just to allow it to be subjected to another one.
February 18th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
It’s good to see you back posting.
I disagree in a lot of ways with your notion of who would end up with these dogs if they had, for instance, ended up in a shelter or rescue.
The dogs, no doubt, would have been almost instantly altered — making them 100% useless as breeding stock. There wouldn’t be many “dogmen” or “gangbangers” lined up to take home an altered dog — much less one that would also likely be microchipped so that if the dog ended up found dead somewhere, it could be traced back to the adoptor.
I always thought this was more or less a myth that was perpetuated by many in the rescue community — and it has prevented many a dog from being adopted out.
If someone wants a dog for fighting purposes, they’re going to get one that can breed, they’re going to get one intact, and doesn’t come with a chip that has a trail that leads right to them.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Brent,
Again, I’m indulging in the “what if” game so don’t take everything in this post to heart. My speculation is based on a dog fighter wanting a dog that can win fights. Ed Faron has been breeding game dogs for decades, so the assumption would be that any of the seized dogs, altered or not, would be a good dog for such purposes.
In Chicago, dogs that were good fighters were commonly stolen by other dog fighters. That would be my concern if any of these dogs had been given the opportunity for placement. The media would have provided their locations and dog fighters, who we all know are many times involved with other criminal activity, could then steal them.
You had a great post on this too. Keep up the good work.
John
February 18th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Mr. Keene,
You raise a reasonable concern with respect to the security of the Faron dogs in your “what if” scenario. That said, I am not aware of ANY dogs confiscated from fighting busts being stolen from a rescue/foster situation; which doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened, but it doesn’t seem to register as a common theme in these situations.
Yes, dogfighters are said to steal dogs from one another, and even Animal Shelters (which up until a few years ago weren’t much on security in many towns) to get their dogs back, but many of these dogfighters seem to have their “yards” in the middle of nowhere and on a lot of land - prime pickings for thieves.
And I’ve got to take issue with this statement”
“These dogs (yes, even the puppies) would, however, have posed a great threat to other dogs.”
In my pursuit for knowledge of all things pit bull, I have read MANY books written by “dogmen.” I suspect you’ve read many of the same books that I have, and a few more. In most, if not all, of these pit dog books there is constant mention of “cold dogs.” Often, the cold dogs are referenced as belly mates (or a parent) of dogs that went onto win several matches and “proved to be game ones.”
Certainly, the dogs in the hands of dogfighters are bred, conditioned and encouraged to do one thing - fight - yet many of these dogs, when it came down to it, were said to have no interest in fighting…and more so, the pit dog books often state that it was the rare pit bull that was the epitome of a true fighting and game dog.
And in closing, I offer a statement of yours that I am in full agreement with:
“I think it’s unfortunate that these dogs are even in the position that they are in.”
Indeed.
Donovan McBee
February 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Best Friends has done more good for pit bulls with their rehabilitation of the Vick dogs that H$U$ has done in their entire existence. Organizations rescue pit bulls EVERY DAY but that won’t make the news - don’t blame Best Friends for that. Showing the world that these dogs deserve our compassion was SORELY needed.
Vick dogs just backyard bred? Hmmm, everyone was saying what horrific killers they were in the beginning. But NOW they’re just mutts…
And yes, no dog fighter wants an altered dog and no one would have had to know where they came from…I can’t believe you’re buying into that.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Michelle,
In general I do not have a problem with Best Friends. But in this case they are grandstanding. There should never have been testimony by them or HSUS, as the judge was bound by law to order those animals destroyed. It was a waste of the court’s time, and has resulting in much unnecessary consternation.
In fact, Michael Vick’s dogs were poorly bred. Read the indictments and you will see that he routinely LOST money on fights. Likewise, why do you think he killed so many with his bare hands? Because they were not good fighters. Only HSUS was calling those dogs vicious killers. However, in Virginia the judge had the option to rule on their fate. You know the rest.
Lastly, I most certainly can buy into my own theory. Based on my experience in Chicago, dog fighters routinely stole dogs from one another. In reading about dog fighting seizures across the country it is often reported that the dogs are being held at undisclosed locations for fear of theft. And, as I said in an earlier reply, a dog fighters primary mission is to find a dog that will win fights. Breeding is a secondary use for these animals. Altered or not, if the dog wins it has value to a dog fighter.
So my theory is, had these dogs been “rescued” by a humane organization, the endless follow-up stories about them would make their whereabouts known to anyone who wanted to know (with good or bad intent).
Returning to my earlier statements that these were well bred game dogs and dog fighters want dogs that will win fights, that could create a situation where these dogs would be vulnerable to theft.
Please remember, this is really a moot point. These dogs never had a chance at survival (in the hands of Mr. Faron’s customers or with the County). I’m just looking at the other side of the “these dogs could have lead a happy life” coin.
My real desire would be to see Ledy VanKavage focus her efforts on preventing the next 127 dogs, that are not part of a high profile case but strays and turn-ins, from being euthanized in the gas chamber. Or working to change the law that tied the judges hands in this case.
To put up such a false fight over these dogs, in my opinion, is disingenuous.
February 20th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Re: JohnKeene Says: February 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
“…working to change the law that tied the judges hands in this case.”
I could not agree more…and I wonder how much public pressure it would take for the HSUS to join in a push to amend these laws?
February 24th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Best Friends Grandstanding? Please. How do you think that laws get changed? Wouldn’t it be by the way of making the “people” aware of what is going on with HSUS’s protocols and how they are using the “system” and it’s lack of definition of what exactly a dangerous animal is? Perhaps HSUS destroys
the dogs because it is more financially practical after they sieze
them…wouldn’t want to deplete their excessive funds that the “people” donate to them so that animals will be treated humanely.
The Ed Faron case and all of the media attention that Best Friends has stirred up is changing HSUS’s protocols as we speak…HSUS is in negotiations with animal welfare groups now…meeting in April with Best Friends. How do you think THAT came about? Does Best Friends need money to accomplish such wonderful deeds? You bet.
Every dog has a separate/individual personality. Every dog has a right to be evaluated by proven methods from experienced animal behavior anylists. Every time someone tries to do the right thing and fight for change by asking the “people” to get educated and involved..someone has to jump in and try to discredit them without any research or science to back that up. Opinion is not science.
I volunteered to help care for those Ed Faron dogs. I fell in love with them. I helped nurse some of the puppies back to health when they were dying from cocidia only to be forced to bring them in to be killed when it was time. Those wonderful, playful, funny and affectionate dogs deserved a chance to live and breath out their natural lives.
Do you think I am on this internet blowing my horn for money or fame? Hell no. I am here shouting to everyone that I can who will listen that what happened to these pit bull dogs was wrong, sad and depressng. I don’t think I will ever completely get over it. It has changed me forever.
Could they not save one single dog and study it to see if their “theories” were correct? Could they have been less arrogant and “know it all” to at least spare lives of just a few of the dogs? The dogs were being victimized on both sides of the fence with no hero to step in and try and save them. I contacted everybody I could across the U.S..including Rebecca Huss (representative for the Vick dogs) and Best Friends was the ONLY organization that stood up and did something.
Maybe change is coming in how pit bull dogs are treated from dog fight busts because so many of us are raising hell. Maybe the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Maybe you are just playing the devil’s advocate but I say, “KUDOS to Best Friends”.
Anyone who is interrested, your attendance would be appreciated at the candle light vigil being put on by Best Friends out of Utah right here in Raleigh, N.C. on March 3 (Tuesday) 7:00pm at the Bicentennial Square which is located right across the street from the Legislative building. We will be remembering those precious dogs who died..hopefully so others can live.
Bring candles.
February 24th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Shelia,
I feel that Best Friends was grandstanding through their efforts to save these particular dogs. These particular dogs were bound for the gas chambers by statute. None of them could have been saved, not even the sweetest among them, because to do so would have been illegal.
I don’t have an issue with using what happened in this case to expose either the faulty logic behind the statute, or the behavior of the HSUS. Just don’t put up a phony fight over a situation that you know can not be changed.
Good luck in getting the laws in NC changed, but don’t hold your breath on HSUS changing their ways.
February 25th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Well I agree with you on the HSUS statement, John. I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. They are getting so much bad press right now that they HAD to do something to redeem themselves in the public eye. But I’m not buying it. They have a pattern of making empty promises from what I’ver heard from people who have dealt with them.
As far as the N.C. “dangerous dog” laws are concerned, it defines dangerous dog as such:
§ 67-4.1. Definitions and procedures.
(a) As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise and except as modified in subsection (b) of this section, the term:
(1) “Dangerous dog” means
a. A dog that:
1. Without provocation has killed or inflicted severe injury on a person; or
2. Is determined by the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control to be potentially dangerous because the dog has engaged in one or more of the behaviors listed in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
b. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.
(2) “Potentially dangerous dog” means a dog that the person or Board designated by the county or municipal authority responsible for animal control determines to have:
a. Inflicted a bite on a person that resulted in broken bones or disfiguring lacerations or required cosmetic surgery or hospitalization; or
b. Killed or inflicted severe injury upon a domestic animal when not on the owner’s real property; or
c. Approached a person when not on the owner’s property in a vicious or terrorizing manner in an apparent attitude of attack.
So John, doesn’t that legal definition leave a little “loop” room? I’m asking because that is the way that I understand it. Best Friends had gotten their lawyer involved..and these dogs needed a lawyer. Not all dogs in a dog fighting operation are used or have ever been used for fighting. While it is true that that only “game” dogs are allowed to breed…there are only a few actual dogs that turn out that way…as I understand it. That’s why only two of Ed Faton’s dogs showed major scarring that might be obtained during a dog fight. The females were mostly breed dames and had been bred over and over again until their body showed those aweful body stressed signs.
My point is, with a lawyer..if Wilkes County Judge Wilson (traveling circuit judge) or HSUS had allowed it, there are loops in N.C. laws so that it could be argued that not many of the dogs had actually been fought…and certainly not the puppies. Even though they had been bred for dog fighting qualities, few of them actually turn out that way…especially with a champion breeder as particular and knowledgable as Ed Faron.
I guess you can tell that this issue is a very sensitive one for me. I have been moved by my anger and sadness of what is happening to innocent animals across this country. This time I had a seat up front and personal..and it rocked my world.
The goal here IS to change the N.C. laws. I am not trying to be a wise guy here…but what WOULD the best approach be to make people aware that the laws must change? And couldn’t the dangerous animal laws in N.C. be interpreted by a lawyer in a way that could have helped the Ed Faron Pit Bull dogs?
March 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 am
Shelia,
I don’t see how you can find any wiggle room in the following statute:
“b. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.”
Once Ed Faron plead guilty to running a dog fighting operation the dogs were defined as “dangerous”.
As I stated before, using what happened to these dogs is a great example to be used to raise awareness of the issue. Unfortunately, awareness isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The general public is very fickle and has probably already moved on to another issue.
Good luck,
John
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
John wrote, “The general public is very fickle and has probably already moved on to another issue.”
Yes, I know. I haven’t.
“b. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or any dog trained for dog fighting.”
Maybe the wiggle room in my mind is hopeful thinking. But I do get your point and have started to realize what HAS to happen here. The important focus should be to change / re-define /broaden the definition of “dangerous animal” to include exceptions to the blanket rule. Each dog should be individually evaluated and what happened to the Ed Faron pit-bull dogs and many dogs like them acrocss the country is not acceptible…
I will be in Raleigh, NC (with Best Friends reps. candle light vigil for the dead Wildside Kennels dogs) on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 7pm / 16 West Jones St. (Bicentennial Mall, north end) . Join me…It is time for change in animal welfare laws.
March 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
“…even the puppies must be euthanized.”
how can you possibly justify this statement on a blog called “cruelty is a crime”?
What could be more cruel than killing puppies, who had willing, expert, adopters?
March 4th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Emily,
While the death of a puppy may invoke strong emotions, the act of killing is not inherently cruel.
It is the manner in which an animal is treated (in life or in death) that is my concern.
John
March 5th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
All that I know is…I am heart broken and sickened that I could not save those precious dogs that I fell in love with while I cared for them those 2 months when they were being held. Strong emotions? I can’t even describe the heartfelt desperation that those of who cared for them felt when we earned their trust and affection knowing all the while that HSUS planned on killing every single one of them… tiny, large, puppy, new born…whatever. Living, breathing precious animals that never had a chance at having a quality life of giving and receiving love. It’s deeper than politics..it’s a barbaric and primitive law on the N.C. books, it’s an official definition of “dangerous animal” accepted by the authorities that is a lie…and it’s the innocent victimized animals that never had a chance at the life God gave them.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/state&id=6691824
http://news14.com/content/local_news/triangle/605893/group-hopes-to-save-dogs-from-euthanasia/Default.aspx
http://wake.mync.com/site/wake/news|Sports|Lifestyles/story/28736/pit-bull-lovers-hope-to-change-state-law-to-allow-dog-rehabilitation
http://www.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/group_holds_vigil_in_hopes_of_changing_nc_dog_fighting_laws/33002/
March 5th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
“the act of killing is not inherently cruel”.
If you say it matters how an animal is treated in life AND in death, how can putting an animal to death for NO reason not be cruel?
Are you saying that as long as the death is “humane”, it’s all good?
Motivations don’t matter in your moral universe?
If Faron killed his curs “humanely”, he’s the same as HSUS advocating death to his dogs, and that’s the same as my neighbor, an expert hunter who feeds his family on the elk he kills each year? And that’s the same as the officials in the Denver shelter who kill hundreds of innocent family pet “pit bulls” not because of bad behavior, but only because of their appearance? All these deaths are accomplished “humanely”.
What kinds of cruelty ARE crimes in your book?
March 7th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Emily,
These animals were not put to death for no reason, they were euthanized according to the law.
I have never said that euthanasia is “all good”, simply that it is not inherently cruel. In fact, humane euthanasia ensures that the animal not be treated cruelly.
I believe killing curs is illegal, no matter how it is done. Hunting and euthanization done at a shelter are not cruel or illegal by definition.
But what I feel is cruel is irrelevant. Personally I feel it is cruel for elephants to be used in circuses. I think it is cruel to confine cows to an industrial feed lot and feed them a steady diet of grain which causes constant indigestion. It is cruel to me to conduct animal research. But all of that is beyond the purview of this blog.
It is what each individual jurisdiction determines is cruelty that matters. And when someone violates those laws it is my belief that only law enforcement should respond.
Which brings me to probably the only thing you and I will agree upon. I questions the motivation behind the HSUS anti-animal fighting campaign. I believe they are more concerned with raising money than helping the animals.
John
March 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
John wrote, “Which brings me to probably the only thing you and I will agree upon. I questions the motivation behind the HSUS anti-animal fighting campaign. I believe they are more concerned with raising money than helping the animals.”
Even though you are not speaking to me, I wanted to respond to that statement.
BINGO!
April 7th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Wow. Aren’t you misinformed. How DARE you say these dogs be MURDERED. Even the sick HSUS said these dogs were friendly and well taken care of. He loved these dogs, my brothers dog is from Ed (Vader and Xena), and he is not aggresive at all. Our 2 yorkies are the aggresive ones!. These puppies and the adult dogs should not have been murdered. Why couldn’t they find homes for them like they did Vicks dogs?? I can’t express how much these dogs were friendly, when I went there you could pet every single dog. They were fed, loved, and cared for. You know nothing of this man, and the dogs, so who the hell gives you the right to judge him? You should go work for the HSUS, you have no soul like them!!
April 13th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Shannon,
I am not judging Ed Faron. The actual Judge in the case already did that when he accepted Mr. Faron’s plea of “guilty” to the charges of dog fighting.
Likewise, it is the law in that County that mandated the dogs be euthanized subsequent to such a plea.
We live in a nation of laws which must be followed. Which is the point of my original post.
Best Friends was grandstanding. Their attorney should have know that the judges hands were tied. Do not compare this case to that of Michael Vick. The judge had no choice.
If you do not like what happened to these dogs, work to change the law!
John
April 16th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Update yourself on the disposition of seized pitbulls in raids. There is now a new program to evaluate and place for adoption. See how many people took the Vick dogs.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
first off, it’s Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bulldog or Bulldog, not “pitbull”. get it right…
secondly, a lot of the crap some of you(Donovan included) have to say is FAR from the truth. real deal dogmen have never and WILL never steal a dog. they have their own lines and don’t need to stoop so low as to commit a petty crime. only shitty hood thugs like that horrible excuse for a dogman Vick would do that. people like Vick are a plague to the dog game
Shannon, i am truly sorry that you knew those good dogs as well as you did and had to hear about all this, and i feel bad that all those good dogs had to go to waste, but they’ve gone where all the good pit dogs go, some making a scratch as we speak!
now Donovan, please enlighten me as to what “books” you’ve read written by dogmen? i’ve never heard the term “cold dog” representing a dog who is/or is the parent of a good game dog. and most not being interested in fighting? my APBT is FAR from game stock and wants to scrap with every mutt, mongrel and breed he sees his size or bigger!
May 14th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
blahblahblah…those that know the history of the bulldog will not comment on the said article or Ed Faron, but know the bulldogs in his hands, will help keep the breed true to game. Dogmen I salute you.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Sad to say there is a chance Ed’s dogs could have ended up in the wrong hands. That’s just a chance you have to take in the adoption biz goes for children as well. In my eyes it is a chance worth taking! That also goes for any other dog exspecially any APBT you let out of your site. It can get stolen as fast as it could run away. I think we all know ABPT’s come up missing everyday. I know of several and the only one I ever got back the authorities were no help! I waited 45mins staking out the house before they came outside N I stood on there porch and said either you are gonna bring out the dog or I will come in and get it! Now what’s it gonna be? He brought out the dog! N I would have went in! N probely got shot! Because of course it was some drug dealing thugs that im sure gave a hype some shit to steal my pup. Not real dogmen! Real dogmen as someone has said got there own lines and respect other APBT owners as well as there dogs! Thou as someone also said. That would be petty thugs that are the whole reason this breed is in the position they are in today! N I will say I am a firm believer that even the most animal aggressive dogs can be socialized. The real truth to it all is that Ed as well as other legendary breeders of the APBT come from a generation when yet morally it may not have been right! They had respect and love for there dogs and the breed in general. Unlike these street wanna be dogfighters that are all about $$$ and could careless if there dog ends up on the bottom of a river as long as they win the fight! The fact of the matter is these laws do need changed and yet I hate to leave the fate of anything in the hands of one person. Judges should have the right to consult professionals and a jury or a panel of judges to alter a law due to a specific case. Laws should be changed now and owners and lovers of all bully breeds need to stick together and fight with the heart there animals would fight for them and do everything in there powers to keep these dogs out off the wrong hands. That goes for even those dogmen who currently or at one time or another may have fought them because even they have love for the breed but the fighting has to stop! Or our dogs will be gone! The only thing close to a full blood APBT you will be able to get will be a mutt! N one more thing! Lets not question the fighting Quality of Vick’s dogs. I think we all know he had the money to buy the best dogs! Now weather they were trained to fight at a the level he was fighting is the reason why he lost so many fights! It’s all a shame! N lets not forget that it’s Memorial Day weekend end and The American Pit Bull Terrier is an American War Hero!!!!!!
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm
N O’yeah this is the truth! Best Friends has done more good for pit bulls with their rehabilitation of the Vick dogs that H$U$ has done in their entire existence. Organizations rescue pit bulls EVERY DAY but that won’t make the news - don’t blame Best Friends for that. Showing the world that these dogs deserve our compassion was SORELY needed. U cant judge HSUS everywhere but its safe to say from what I’ve read and the comments of the director! That Wilkes HSUS is the type that gives HSUS a bad rap! Wilkes Animal Control Director Junior Simmons told the judge that some of the dogs that were puppies when they were seized in December are already showing aggression toward each other. REALLY NOWAY THERE NATURALLY ANIMAL AGGRESIVE DOGS! MAYBE U SHOULD GIVE THEM TO BEST FRIENDS OR SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE IN TRAINING THESE ANIMALS!!!!
“They’re not just play fighting,” he said. “They’re starting to draw blood.”
DO WE NOT KNOW HOW SHARP PUPPY TEETH ARE?
Best Friends Animal Society, which operates one the nation’s largest animal sanctuaries, had contacted County Attorney Tony Triplett within days of the December raid. The group had offered to work with rescue agencies to place the dogs.
But when Judge Wilson asked yesterday if Best Friends had gotten involved at the last minute, Assistant District Attorney Fred Bauer told the judge that the group had called him last Thursday and Friday, and had called his boss, District Attorney Tom Horner, yesterday.
“That’s just totally misconstruing the contacts we had with the county attorney and the attempts we tried to have with the DA,” VanKavage said.
She said she left a message for Bauer a month ago, on either Jan. 13 or 14, and had made at least three attempts to contact the DA’s office. “I left a message for Fred Bauer and he never returned my call,” she said.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
I still miss those dogs and will never forget how their lives were snuffed out because of ignorance and fear of this wonderful breed. RIP Vader. RIP Duchess and Angel. Rip Henry and little Grimlin. RIP all you precious little victims of the arrogance of men.
June 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Really all this stuff on here is crazy! I can definitely feel sympathy for the dogs that were killed but it wasn’t HSUS or even the state of NC that got them killed. It was Ed Faron. Without the bust he would have gone on breeding generations of dogs who would have suffered horribly. They needed to be removed! I can tell you that perfectly healthy temperamentally sound dogs die in shelters every day- particularly pit bulls. Why not focus some attention on helping shelters with these dogs. As for the purveyor of this site, I could give you a dozen reasons why your argument about law enforcement being the sole force to do animal cruelty investigations is flawed but I would be on here all night. What I would like to know is what you have done lately in your investigations of animal fighting? Go on HSUS’ website and you will see just how many busts they have been involved with- both in animal fighting and other cruelties. What’s your record? It’s easy to put up a website and complain about others now lets see you go out and do some work! At least Sheila put her money where her mouth was and worked with these dogs knowing all along that they would likely be euthanized.
June 11th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Thanks for the useful info. It’s so interesting
September 13th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I agree and feel that humane euthanasia is a much better practice than putting them in homes. Dogs that were brought up fighting will never change. They will literally try to kill a dog at the drop of a hat without any signs of provocation. I know because I adopted one 7 years ago and dont suggest it for anyone. He is very sweet with me but anything can trigger him. I have no males left alive in the home so all is good. But no kids, friends or male dogs allowed. I really thought I could help him, which I have but I cant get him past the past. Its really tough.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
ITS FUNNY HOW YOU ARE JUDGING A MAN YOU HAVE NEVER MET. I HAVE AND HE WASNT A DOGFIGHTER. I WOULD KNOW BECAUSE I MYSELF CARED FOR THE DOGS. I WOULD HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. IT WAS A WITCH HUNT AND EVERYONE WITH A PITBULL NEEDS TO BE CAUTIOUS OF THE SPCA. BY THE WAY HE’S MY UNCLE ED
January 7th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Dee,
What don’t you understand about the title of this post. Your uncle PLEAD GUILTY to 14 counts of DOGFIGHTING. By his own admission he is a dogfighter.
John
February 24th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
JohnKeene,
In criminal proceedings, sometimes an accused is compelled to plea guilty in order to save himself from huge legal fees and unnecessary anxieties. It is a matter of weighing the pros and cons of slugging it out or just take the bitter option of pleading guilty with a bargaining agreement.
Not all those who plead guilty are admitting that they commmited the crime per se.
Floyd Boudreaux took the first option and won. But he is now broke and worst, all his dogs were euthenized. I sure hope Floyd would sue the county and all those responsible for such unjustice.
July 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
for all you people who think ed faron is a bad person you are wrong