Great response by BCFD. Business was handled very professionally and the fire was maintained and extinguished very quickly! Precinct 12 was also operating like a gem! Great job by all!

Tom, I agree. I've been impressed as well with BCFD and the volunteer companies' response and professionalism.Tragic day.

Totally inappropriate photos. I know Mary very well, and I hope to God she never sees this article. The rescue community is currently flagging all of the photos of bodies.

Truly a sad situation death and injury is alway hard to look at when a being is is killed especially any bieng of the family man such which is what domestic canine means . Does the rescue community have a stance on that many animals in one location ? It sounds like a case of someones empathy interfeeing with sound decision taking.

Do they have insurance? Is there any fund set up yet?

Pat,

Thank You I am a dog lover myself. I was pretty certain she was not a" hoarder " because they don't give dogs up or hold them for better homes just themeselves . Iwas concerned about the number of dogs for a residental operation . It looked like a case of debilitaing empathy gone bad and about 12 animlas died as a result. In other words did she have the staff to maintian these animals or just an indominable love and will? For sure had she not rescued them they would be dead by now anyway so I applaud the effort in the ideal, maybe not in practice. It is all very sad for her I am sure. I always try to remind my rescue friends dogs do not occur in this form in nature, it is not the same as saving a deer or a fox. Dogs need to be better regulated so they do not over populate they are not a manufacture of nature but of man. If we do not see that difference as Pivotal then people will be allowed to mate them and 8 pupies at a time they will grow in numbers and continue to overwhelm the resources that could go to a sensible and manageable number.

I cannot believe you would take & publish pictures like this. This woman & her children are going through a horrible tragedy & loss. I pray to God they never see these pictures. You must have a very cold heart to put these horrible images up. You should work for the National Enquirer or some other publication that gloats over other people's pain. You'd fit right in with those vultures. Did you not give a single thought about how Mary or her children would feel if they saw this heartbreaking picture ? Shame on you.

As for the comment about hoarding, Mary has been responsible for saving the lives of & adopting out over 1,000 pets. She is a rescuer. Hoarders do not adopt out animals, hence the lable. Anyone who slams her & her hard work in this way is despicable.

Where did it say she was a hoarder in the article I missed that?

. I know I commented that it was clear she was not a" hoarder" because "hoarders" don't give dogs up. I did say I think the number of dogs is not a managable number for one person. Furhter I am unclear whether you can have that many dogs in a residential community . Key word unclear do you know the law I am unclear? Yes for the welfare of the dogs and the community the number of dogs in one location is very important and there is a legal limit. I do know the AVMA would say the numbers would increase the potential for a bite incident by 5 times that of a single dog owner. So rescue or not you have to look out for the welfare of all concerned even when your heart is in the right place.

If you have a kennel licence you are ok. It depends on the amount of property as to how many dogs you can keep in one residence. All of the animals was well taken care of. Mary is a very nice woman. She does a good job at saving animals.
To try and start calling her names like animal hoarder at a time when she needs the most help is very heartless. Get the facts before you start pointing fingers. As running a Ferret and Reptile Rescue my self. it is not the easiest job in the world.

If people wasn't so irresponsible with their animals, people like Mary would not have to save so many animals. I think she was well with in her means to keep the amount of animals she had. There was 14 total cats and 13 total dogs. There is places with ten times more animals then that and they plan to keep them all. If you call Mary a hoarder you also call the ASPCA and Barks hoarders as well.

Thank you Mary for the great job you do. This world needs more people like you.

On a side note this News Article should be renamed, as it was not at least a dozen dogs killed. It was 9 dogs and 13 cats that did not make it out.

Geoarge,

I still have not seen any indication that Mary was called an animal" hoader" Her loss and the pain she is suffering speaks for itself. What does her good intentions have to do with the question. Is the number of dogs she has on that residential property within the law or not. If it is outside of the law then any dogs that died above that number where put at risk. Animal Control sets these numbers to be animal friendly. The question remains do you know how many dogs can you have. BARC and ASPCA I believe have a commercial location and also a limit that they must abide by so I don't understand how the question is out of line. Do they have spinkeler requirements things like that that could have saved that many animals?

George this sounds like and excessive amount of animals for a residential location. What is the law? These pets are dead? How many would have been saved if the number had a reasonable control? The anwser is either none because the amount was within a healthy managable number or it was overcrowded and then no matter how well intentioned ,a contributing factor in to the magnitude of this tragedy. I remember a house fire that killed 7 people in NE Baltimore because they were overcrowded. This was the fire that lead to smoke dectors being required. Also there is the humans in the area that are imposed to higher risk of injury as outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association standards.

There are no sprinkler requirements that go along with any kennel license. By law with out a kennel license you are allowed up to three dogs in Baltimore County. With a kennel license the amount of dogs you can have is regulated by the amount of land you have. There is no set amount with a kennel license. They have to inspect your land as well. Also when you agree to a kennel license you agree to them coming out to check your property at anytime they wish.

To be completely honest, I did not even see the firemen make a effort to go around to the back of the house to save any animals. However I understand first priority of the fire dept. is to save human lives and gain control of the fire.

The Fire Departments first and foremost responsibility is to save human lives period. Still they will make all efforts to save any living thing becasue that is who they are. That is another reason why not maintaining the proper number of animals could have gotten them killed in a life saving effort. Do you know if the property at the time was complient by having 27 animals if it would have been inspected that day or after the fact? That is the question I have. The number sound excessive but may be complient. The inspection process must have placed a number on dogs and cats as you say for this size property. SO the simple question still is inspections aside was it complient?

To be honest I have no idea the amount of animals she is allowed to keep. I did not see her paperwork. But as she deals with BARCS , the ASPCA, and I believe the Baltimore County Animal Control she was well with in her means as they do check up on people who they release animals to. On a second thought The fire dept. removed the animals so she would have been fined if she was over the limit. Channel 13 came out today to investigate a case of animal hoarding today but they quickly turned their story around on the 6 O' clock news. They told the truth on their story today. Most people have no idea that she is a legitimate animal rescue. She operated by the law. No Neighbor ever complained about her. We all love Mary and what she does.

I can tell you that her yard was always clean and there was no oder, so she kept up very with the animals. She also had volunteers that came by to help as well. The reason that no attempt was made to save the animals on her behalf is she was not home.

I will give animal control a call tomorrow and find out how they operated. I was wondering where all these comments about hoarding came from. So you are saying the news investigated it and did or did not set the record straight? I will watch channel 13 tonight maybe they will run the story. I must be honest if thatmany pets are allowed in a residential situation even with a kennel Lic. I am shocked by that number of pets. My first thought would be WOW that sure sounds like to many. Again it may also be perfectly legal but I was unaware of anybody implying hoarding because I have only followed ot here on Patch and some bloggers got that straight from the first thread that she was a rescue.

I will do that.

@Tom I do not want to make a false claim on the amount of animals she is allowed to have on her property. As I stated I did not see her paperwork. The only people that can state the exact of animals she can have is Mary her self and Baltimore County code enforcement. That is why I said I could not comment on the amount of animals she can have. I do know she was with in the law. I know Mary as I spoke with her a few times, I do not know her personally. She is neighbors of very good friends of mine.

@ Tony You can call but I do not know if they will give you a answer unless you have the size of the property. Let me know what you find out as I do not know everything. I only stated what I knew as facts. As for Channel 13 yes they came out and was questioning about animal hoarding. They set it strait that she was a rescue and linked to her website on petfinder.com
Here is the WJZ video: http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/03/28/house-fire-kills-dozens-of-animals/

Their first questions on the scene today was we are investigating a case of animal hoarding.

To Tom and Tony, you both sound as though you just want to stir up shit! Maybe you need to check out her website or speak with the ASPCA which Mary is affiliated with. No. She is not a hoarder, she runs a legitimate rescue organization. Be sure to DVR the news on channel 13, since yo u probably will want to rewind it and pick apart every word said. Tony, how would you like to lose everything you own and then have everyone try to get you in trouble? I think not!! By the way, maybe you should check out more legitimate news sites!

Contrary to what was said, and popular belief, the firemen did nothing to rescue the animals. They only stopped us from trying! I also thought that they were SUPPOSED to save all types of lives, but they made no attempt what so ever to save the animals, even after they were told that she is an animal rescuer. They just looked at us like we were crazy. All the neighbors on this street tried to tell the firemen that there were more animals in the house.

@ Brenda, please explain how I am stirring "shit" up . The ironic part is that the people defending "Mary" are the only ones who have called her a hoarder. All I would like to know is the law. If that means I am stirring up " shit" then so be it!

@ George Please list the names of people in this thread that have called her a hoarder. As for it being anyone business about the number of animals she had, I am not saying that she was over the limit which is why i asked what the law was, but if she was over the limit then the animals that should have not not been there would not have died! I have never made the accusation that she was a hoarder but there is a reason why laws on things like this are put into effect. If she was within the law then fine, I would just like to see the law. I will wait to hear what Tony finds out tomorrow.

After more looking into laws in Baltimore county there is no limit on the amount of cats you can have as long as it is not a public nuisance. On the kennel license, "If a private kennel license is permitted, the owner might keep as many as 10 dogs, not counting puppies younger than 4 months, according to zoning regulations." She did have a few puppies. So she was with in the law just as I said.

Thanks for the information in quotes from Councilman Sam Moxley

@ George, can you post the link please?

Also i didn't see the list of names from this thread that have called Mary a hoarder?

What this lady Mrs Mary is going through is horrible. I love dogs and my dad and my uncle where was a firefighters. Just as you have a special worry for animals so do the loved ones of those that respond to others tragedies . Just like the animal rescue they will move on to the next tragic circumstance and carry the cumulative effects of all of them, this drives you stronger to get it right at the next incident. If a firefighter would have been killed responding to this incident there could be no justifing it. Let me be clear the rescue agenda may be losing the battle in the dog overpopulation battle and wuite possiblly making it worse. This could have been a dual tragidy where human life could have been lost. No cause can justify that. It is wonderful to respond to this crisis with empathy as long as your empathy does not debilitate your empathy. From what I am reading it has and the lack of sensibility in some of the responses is dangerous by default

@ Tony. I could not have said it better myself!

& differnet numbers where called to determine it is a issue to be determined by code enforcemnet. Meaning they need to determine is a they had a kennel lic. B if they had more then 10 dogs did they have a hearing to grant exceeding that number. Where the issue becomes one where sensibility is the concern is there are no limits on the number of cats you can have. B the number of cats would not count against the total number of animals. The issue is confined to dogs. Puppies also do not count up of to 4 months of age in the dog number count. Code enforcement held the position that since the issue is over there is ineffect no violation. I have requested an invetigation and have a meeting with my councilmen to address this so that someones good intentions can not skirt sensibility and endager our public servants and the community at large.

To Ron, thank you for removing some of the photos. They were extremely hard to look at.

@ Tony: I am glad you have resolved the questions. Considering 2 of the dogs saved were puppies and you said yourself that cats don't count, then Mary was within the guidelines. The majority of her dogs were puppies, some with their mothers also. If cats aren't counted toward the total, then what's the problem? When is your meeting with the councilman? I'm sure there are a few people who would like to be present. If you really feel that you must do something...why not donate clothing or household supplies? Better yet go to MASrescues.org and make a donation. But seriously, when is the meeting with Johnny O? Also maybe you need to use this wonderful thing the computer does, it's called spell check. Sometimes it's a bit hard figuring out what you are trying to say, because it isn't spelled right.

@ Tom- you are a one line antagonist. You throw out one line statements that stir up emotions, and then claim everyone else is being too emotional. Check out Facebook, 1st article of the day is this story. Seriously, try checking into other news sources, I don't think this is a reliable news source.

In a perfect world, homeless pets would be taken to a perfect facility
with lots of space and very soon they would find perfect homes ready
and waiting. In the real world, unfortunately that is rarely the
case. Perhaps Mary didn't have the space and help for a "perfect"
facility, but she provided a decent one and helped many, many animals
to find good homes; the alternatives for them can be so much worse
(have you ever heard of "high kill shelters" so common across some
sections of the country?).

And BTW, in the real world, most domestic animals other than personal pets live
in barns, and in the real world barn fires happen. Even in the most
elaborate barn facilities, the animals are restrained in some way, and
when fire happens, it can be impossible to reach and rescue many of
them. In fact, I believe that such a fire occurred not long ago in
Cecil County in which some valuable horses did not survive. Fire is always a tragedy
regardless of the surroundings.

The events that happened this weekend were tragic, for Mary and her
family and for the animals that were lost, but life will go
on. Instead of carping and arguing in a public forum without actually
knowing either the "facts" or the "rules" why not follow Mary's
example and try doing something positive.

@ the lady who correctly said about my spelling sad to say that is after spell check I am horrible. I did write a e-book on this subject and of course it is edited www.dangerousbydefailt.net it alos has graphic photographs of my son injuries. I live in Towson I meeting with my councilmen on the issues having to do with the dog attack on the little girl in dundalk and my son. The reason has to do with the American Veterinary Medical Associations task force on canine aggression and Human-canine interactions. I am hoping to address the fact that they state ( regardlesss of breed) that the incidents of bite occurence goes up 5 times in households that maintain two or more dogs. In my sons and the dundalk girl both incidents involved a two dog households This means that these owners visit a differnt public saftey threat. I have no issue with anything other then that they should be insured under their homeowners in the event of an attack .

My sons bills where 85,000 just for hospitial add to that PT and he is disfigured for life. I can't belive anyone thinks it rightfor the dog owner to be in asituationwhere all they can offer me is I am sorry. As far as this poor women who suffered this horrible event, it is not about going after her. It is for rescue people to remember that is what the firefighters are especially the volunteers. Also remember that the number of dogs is allowed based on the fact that not everybody would have that many. If they did they would reduce the toal number we can all have. This means those who have the chance to pursue there intrest at that level have an obligation higher to the individual dog owner and non dog owner alike. You may edit everything I write as I believe your observations about my poor spelling are fair and correct as stated. I doubt that you will come to a different conclusion on my points. I will be happy to give you my pass word if you want to edit it more.

In the shortest of terms anyone given the oppurtunity to have more dogs then the average person has a higher duty to the public. 2 anyone who owns a dog and it is not covered under thier insurance does so with disregard to the public. If it is not ok to make the work environment safe and the work equipment safe and then remove workers compensation protection or to make cars safe and drivers trained and not be able to remove automobile insurance. Then at 4.5 million bites each year it is not cool to own a dog for which you can't cover the risk. Also about the firefighters and the law. Under the law animals are property. Why would anybody be against property insurance in a situations 5 times greater for harm much less a single dog owner?

@ Brenda all I have asked is what the law states. I am not throwing out one line statements to stir things up. If that were the case I would air here and accuse Mary of being something she is.not. I don't care about anyone's feelings on here and I have seen other news reports. I wanted facts because triple in the world today have their priorities mixed up. To send a fireman in to try to save dogs while.the house was ablaze is just a dumb comment. Had it been a human being then sure you make every attempt to save them with your safety in mind. Brenda if you don't like what I have to say then why read it? You are free to come on here and post as am I. People get defensive and call others names due to ignorance or fear that the other person may be right. I have asked what the law is because even in such great tragedy the law is the law. I have said before if she was within herimits then fine. If not then animals died unnecessary. As for facebook, I do not partake in social networks because I believe it is yet another way for sick people to access children.

Sorry for spelling errors but typing on an Android with big fingers is not an easy task

Tony, I thought your name was familiar. Were you the one who spearheaded the push for breed specific legislation against Pit Bulls a few years back ? I remember that well as I was part of the huge group that fought against it.

As far as statistics about number of dogs owned being relevant to number of dog bites, have you looked into the ratio of single dog households compared to multi dog households ? Seems to me that would have a huge bearing on the validity of that argument.

Yes Tina that was the incident but I did not spearhead for BSL. I testified that we needed to accept that any dog prevention program for bite acknowledges inherently that the there will be bites. At 4.5 million unusually I testified that we must have in a place a plan to compensate for the that outcome because it is fundamental to all Public Health and safety models. As an example workers compensation which has three prongs, safe equipment/environment, trained workers and compensation to address the foregone conclusion that accidents/bites will happen. BSL turns a public health issue into a referendum on dog owners rights. Actuarial approaches tackle the issue as a public health matter which all reports agree it is.

To the other issues it was called into question about Patch posting the pictures. However BARC still runs the pictures of Phoenix the Pit Bull that was horribly burned and then died as a result. Next they call into question the actions of the Fire Department that could have contributed to the death of these poor creatures. By all accounts Baltimore County Fire Department did their job. If for no other reason because pets are in fact under the law property. Next then did the kennel owner account for her actions? There are a reported 17 dogs involved, 12 died. Did she have a variance to have more dogs then ten is the question? Or are they under four months old and do not count because they are puppies? If we hold the fire departments feet to the fire, so then must be the kennel owner pending a procedural review.

Lastly Tina what is your view on Insurance? I did not release pictures at the time to embellish the horror of my sons attack. When I testified at the BSL hearing it was as a Public Health interest. You have seen the pictures now or can at www.dangerousbydefault.net Are for getting rid of the car insurance requirement if you can prove you are or a good driver? Do you think that " Total responsibile "dog ownership is singularly care and feeding or assumption of risk as well.

Being part of the animal hospital team that responded, I can tell you that all the firemen there were extremely helpful and sypmathetic. They went above and beyond to help us respectfully remove the animals that parished in the fire. Infact the only disrespectful person I took notice of, was the author of this artical. After repeatedly telling him I did not have time at that moment to answer his questions, he was caught trying to open the back of our SUV to take photos of the dead animals. Not to mention, it wasn't Belair animal hospital; it was Academy animal hospital.There were alot of animals in the house, so I understand the confusion of the hoarder issue for some people. However, I have worked with Mary for 10 years and can tell you she is a dedicated organized animal rescue operater. Because of Mary, hundreds of would be euthanized animals, are in loving homes. The animals in her home were being temporarly fostered until adoption. Lets all try to remember aside from the devistating loss of those animals, an amazing woman and her family has lost everything.

Kristine,
Thank You for that on behalf of those brave Firefighters. Still it seems many have rapped themselves up in their own chains. They talk in circles around the questions. Were these dogs 17 dogs all puppies? As far as this poor lady, I to am suffering the finacial hardship and pray that those who have concern for her welfare and her cause will support her on all levels financially and emotionally. What is your view on addressing the actuarial responsibility of owning pets as well as their care? Did this lady have insurance to help her? In my case the dog owner did not I did.

Kristine,
First, you are patently wrong. I never touched any part of the SUV and certainly never attempted to do so and never attempted to open the door to take photos. I have no idea how or why you are making that patently false accusation. Second, as a journalist, I was doing my job to gather the facts at a terrible local tragedy. As such, I was trying to ask animal care responders where they were from and determine the number/type of animals killed in the tragedy, certainly a heartbreaking incident, and painful personally for me to cover. As you can tell by this thread, there were errors in the initial reporting by a number of media outlets and questions remaining regarding the tragedy. Again, in no way shape or form after asking if you had a moment to speak, did I touch or attempt to open the back of the SUV - nor was I "caught" doing so. I would appreciate, If anyone told you such, they are not telling the truth, bottom line. I hope, as the professional that you are, that you promptly recant your accusation made here.

Tina I am trying to understand your question. Single dog households are greater in numbers but the bite frequency in home with more then two dogs is greater by 5 times. I don't see one as a trade for the other the issue is, what is in place in the event of an occurence that happens at a rate of 4,5 million ecah year. As a point of interest as I said. In my sons case and the most recent mauling in Dundalk it was a multi-dog owner household. I guess my question is what is your point are you for or against assuming the risk of dog ownership? It shoiuld be a simple yes or no or please elaborate.

Also to those who have concern on the issue. After I meet with my councilmen I will report back he may not support me from jump street so it will be mute. I hope to engage the rescue community not do something secretive. I would love for this to become a issue of proper public focus. I would hope that the rescue community will embrace and promote that responsibile ownership should encorage the same safety model standards as all those we use for humans. They all include and endorse being able to assume the risk for ones pursuits. Certainly any household that does not have a simple homeowners policy or the more expensive health insurance must take that into consideration to be called responsible.

Again I'll ask where are you getting your statistics on single dog homes compared to multi do homes. IMO, through over a decade in rescue there are far more multi-dog homes.

Tina I said it earlier in the thread the report was produced for the CDC by the AVMA to address the 4.5 million on average dog bites. It is titled American Veterinary Medical Association Task Force on Canine Aggression and Human-Canine Interactions. As far as BSL I am in the media and said that I personnaly belived that maulings are a breed Specific Prolem. I also went onto add that my sister has a Pit Bull and it is clear that we must address the actuarial realities of pet owneship. This is what I testified it is on the record. I have no intention of putting the screws to anybody so not wuite sure your protest. I arrive at my position as a public health and saftey issue and the accord that was concluded at the hearing on BSL All concluded any dog can bite and education was the best tool. Do you know what a Actuary is?

To my personel belief this is a breed specific problem that has to do with following first what the term breed means. Secondly by the acturaial model that tells us that we must apply a all else equal to ecah breed in the circumstance. For instance all else equal same child, same law breaking dog owner in my sons attack you will get a different result with different breeds This is also true of training aptitude. That is to say that if everybody had beagles for a year the death and mauling toll would be different then if the same good and bad owners had Pit Bulls this is a acturaial fact. Any safety model that says it is all in how you train a pet or excludes the pet from the equation is to no standard you or I am aware or you can produce. Still even with that observation I remained objective and have keep it irrelavant to the more important issue. Asking people to endorse that all pets owners should be able to account for the actions of their pets. It has no value without a bond.

I would hope you would endorse my efforts and respect the objectivity that I have maintained on the issue. I can think of no reason for animal rescue to exclude people considered for adoption of a pet that could not protect themselves with health insurance and homeowners insurance. This would be considered At Risk behavior in light of the 4.5 million dgo bites as reported by the CDC. It is all in the report and it does not endorse bsl either. You will find it is everything that was sited by your well organized gathering in response to BSL. The report said it is a Public health issue. If you can produce any public safety model that does not have a compensatory component. This is education applied. I hope you agree or can direct me accordingly.

It may be helpful to read the thread from the begining and of course account for my poor spelling and sentence structure. What I have continued to drum is to define responsibility by all three componets applied to public safety models. If you are for removing the compensatory componet it is as incomplete of an approach as if you had compenstion and removed training or had good training and bad nurturing of the pet. Please share your plan with me or if I am able to get another hearing on this matter? I think I remember you , you could offer much value to a positive outcome.

@ Tony I gave up trying to explain it to you. I posted the numbers above and you still go and change them to your own made up numbers. I already see no matter what I say you will not be happy. You will try and twist my words. I thought your name was familiar. I was also a part of the group that stood to fight against the BSL case here in Baltimore. I feel better talking to my wall. No response is better then a twisted response. Your out for vengeance its ok I understand. However do believe I will be there fighting against the ridiculous laws I seen you stand behind when it comes to how I can and can't own a animal.

George the report at the top of the page is the total I responded to. If you know different in a official report as to number and ages I would like to see get the vets to post it. Surely an official identification of the dogs had to be log in at the vet. I want you to be correct I hope you are. Second there was unofficial reports about firefighters turns out officially they did the correct job I wanted that to be the case and I am glad. There was blame as for the reporters actions. He has officially responded I am glad. My son was involved in a incident. As a result an attempt was made to introduce BSL I endorsed any attempt to resolve the issue and a public review. You can talk to Baltimore County animal control to verify my account. Upon listening to the debate all testified education was key. I expressed that yes I do think the problem is breed specific but at the very least we should consider mandatory insurance. It is on the record. It is in the book and my entire approach is if you can’t own it and account for it within existing codes or by positioning yourself to compensate a victim for the risk you are not a responsible dog owner. You either agree or disagree? That is the topic that started this “responsibility” did the dog owner do right? Did the reporter? Did the Firefighters? Then I went on to define “responsibility” objectively

George is it possible you did not count the dogs that lived from the shed and the niegbors who got thier to help. remember the question is how many dogs where on site not how many died? Next if you are familiar with the hearing you say you attended you have heard of cage rage. Where these dogs in cages or pens when they died? Go to my free e-book and go to page 61 and you will see the brief chapter I wrote about the hearing it is titled " Dog and Pony show" You will see my feeling about BSL and also my position on how to cope with dog attacks.

I do not know their ages, Often times a rescue only has a guess of age. So I will only state the number of dogs. If you read up on my first and second post you will find the number of dogs. I do agree with responsible ownership. I encourage it on my Pit Bull website. I am very sorry your son was attacked. However don't hold all owners responsible for an irresponsible owner. That owner should have been held accountable. Not the law abiding tax paying citizens.

Let me be very clear there was no dogs in a shed. The dogs were hiding behind the shed scared from the fire.

George I was treated kindly at the hearing I have no doubt regardless of the agreement or disagreement with me on that issue that people were sorry for my son. The issue is back on to this thread and brought up under the word “Responsibility” How do you define responsibility? You must follow and existing safety models just like a beloved school bus driver who has an accident. I stated that the number of animals seemed excessive, I still feel that way but legally she may be ok. The simple point is if these where children in a day care they would investigate identify and report on whether the conditions of the day care where met. I know this for a fact because I had a friend who had a child die of SIDS while in their day care. They like Mrs. Mary are wonderful people and suffered and still do as she will. Still they had to account for the loss of life, this is where I think you are not being objective, the same in my sons case and the little girl in Dundalk. For me people offer true sorrow but support no mechanism or compensation component to put teeth in their words so it is hollow. I want not only your sorrow but to see rescue community support in place insurance before you adopt out a dog. Further the same for anyone who does rescue and has this many pet in their care. Does this make sense to you?

George , I suffered this double standard in my sons situation where people say what will get them their agenda, instead of hold their standards to proven safety models. No one has called BARC out for the pictures of Phoenix yet objectively that would be consistent if they did. In safety model where humans would have died again different standard. Why do you not speak for these animals objectively? These are tuff standards ,I know but it is a tuff thing having a child nearly killed, losing a baby to SIDS or losing over a dozen animals. I assure you if it was a kennel that did doggy care I would demand that formy dog. If you hold a consistent standard with an objective safety model you will see they way. If you see the way and do not act that you have rapped yourself around your own chain and are even more dangerous then a roaming dog.

Also it is the law abiding citizen who pays taxes and has to pay for the irresponsible citizens who would put thier passions before" responsibility"

Ron- I stand by what I said. I will say this..I did not personally witness you messing around with the truck, but one of my team members did. I don't see why he would single you out and have no reason not to trust his word. Also, after reading older posts, I see that you actually posted pictures of dead animals. Thankfully, enough people complained and flagged them as inappropriate so they are no longer up. As far as i know, you would be the only journalist who posted pictures of that nature, so please excuse my prejudice against you.

Tony, I wonder if you truly know how a rescue works. Someone like Mary could pull 10 dogs on a given day for instance. Of those 10 perhaps five will be going on transport out of state, 3 could be going to foster homes, 2 could be staying with Mary. On another day 5 more dogs could come to Mary's house because she is overnighting them on a long transport. She could have dogs that need one on one medical care that their regular foster can't do & will keep them til the treatment is finished. It isn't quite as simple as Mary owned X amount of dogs. Especially with foster animals, as they come & go on a regular basis as they are adopted or move into a better suited foster home, etc. IMO, if the animals Mary had were receiving the care & treatment they needed, numbers are irrelevant.

It seems you are still stuck on the Pit Bull issue & seeing as you have a connection to dogsbite, a group that has been totally & thoroughly discredited I assume you are still buying into the same old BS about Pit Bulls. You do know that the dogs that attacked the little girl in Boston Courts were not Pits, right ?

BTW, using stats from the CDC is folly, because their figures have been picked apart & found to be incorrect.

Tina,
Just like Patch or face book and you and me in this thread I have no attachment or affiliation to any organization where my efforts are posted. This is the same in the 2007 breed specific bill and dogs bites who promotes and links my e-book. My e-book is free and anyone can post or promote it with out going to their home page. It is my website that has all my specific information. It is part of my personnel philanthropy. For example Johns Hopkins Hospital in response to my efforts for education featured my son an my self during 2010 National Dog Bite Prevention Week, in a Washington DC news report. Dogs bite has featured a few of my editorials , as with Patch I am looking for platforms not affiliations. Ironically and fro me why I will not have an affiliation outside of philanthrophy,( polictical or otherwise ) P.E.T.A supported BSL they actually contacted Gardina about it. If you go to "About Me" on my website you will learn I grew up next door to and learned to care for dogs assisting a residential rescue/breeder. Yo your question (Yes I do). You may even find the breeds he favored interesting. I also always have owned pedigree hunting dogs. Except for a four year gap when I could not reconcile the death of my all time favorite. I have a very specific view on breed influence because I train my own dogs and I know training is merely the redirection of instinct you will not get a beagle to do what my dogs do.

Pit Bull for instance is a term in the vernacular, it is like saying pickup truck or SUV. As an example the “American Bulldog” you refer to is mistaken by most to be the little Marine Corps mascot dog. Not the 60 to 120lb dog that looks like what you call a Pit Bull. These dog are like a full size pickup to a sub compact pick up. Google American Bulldog” . This is why the CDC was lobbied by animal rights organizations to stop tracking breeds in 1998. They felt dogs may be incorrectly identified by people lacking expertise on proper identity, There was no issue with the overall numbers I am aware of ( direct) me to the dispute. This is exactly why now the AVMA cited there number. You tend to respond in the testimonial form rather then the actuarial. My goal is constant, regardless of ones view the objective safety model demands a compensation component in place before you can responsibly own ,place or rescue a dog. Good intentions will not bring these dogs back and they are as dead as Michael Vicks dogs and my son and Amanda are as injured as any of his injured dogs. Yet in it all, all I have called for is that the risk be insured. Money backing the mouth. What is wrong with my approach?

The American bulldog is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). There are generally considered to be three types of American bulldog: the Bully or Classic type, the Standard or Performance type and the Hybrid type. They may also be called the Johnson type or the Scott type. These types are named after the breeders who were influential in developing them, John D. Johnson (Bully) and Allen Scott (Standard). American Bulldogs are thought to be descended from working type bulldogs found commonly on ranches and farms in the Southern and Midwestern parts of the United States. Several other breeds, including the English Bulldog, Pointer, Boxer and Saint Bernard, may have also been added in the recreation of this breed.

An American Bulldog.
Country of origin U.S.A.
[hide]Traits
Weight Male 27-75 kg (70-140) lb)Bully type can greatly exceed this weight and Height.
Height Male 50-71 cm (20-27 in)
Coat Short, harsh
Color Combinations of solid or degrees of white; all shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan
Litter size 7-14 puppies
Life span 10-12 years

[show]Classification and standards
UKC Guardian Dogs, Working Dogs standard

Dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Tina,
For the record I believe I blogged to responsible dog care as it pertained to animal fatalities, then responsibility as it pertained to double standard reporters and photographs, firefighter actions, dog owners with bites and animal rescue double standards actions and responsibilities. The off topic Pit Bull thing is in your court. I responsded because your judgements are not only wrong they can be disputed in the public record. This is why like you I post my full name. I have and did account for myself in the news with dignity , equity and objectivity at all times in the face of my pain. I still have not determined how your judgements of me or Mrs Mary changes the validity of the questions that must be answered so that something good for animals and humans alike can come of the education this opportunity can provide? That has been my quest and it is well documented. No ones good or bad intentions have influenced my resolve after what I have been throught and seen where there is multible reasons for the carnaged visited upon animals and humans alike. Not even yours, Mrs. Mary's or Michael Vick's.

Quite frankly, Tony, there isn't a thing that has to do with Mary that is your business. Now, be a good troll, and go find someone else to pick on. You are not welcome here.

Hmmmmmmmm surprise surprise! http://dundalk.patch.com/articles/update-10-dogs-13-cats-died-in-last-weeks-fire-property-not-licensed-kennel

ristine,
No dead dogs shown. Ron would not be the only journalist to publish such photos. His job is to chronicle an event that, in this case, happens to be tragic.