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Dept. Of Justice Not Yet Releasing Details On Beulah ASPCA Case
July 28, 2018
Few details have been released after law enforcement and a humane society group spent much of Wednesday at a Beulah home.
State and local law enforcement, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office have said they were not involved. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was on scene at the home in the 7000 block of Beulah Road.
Emily Schneider, director of media and communications for the ASPCA, told NorthEscambia.com the ASPCA was providing support to law enforcement authorities, but she referred all further questions to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Multiple inquires to the Department of Justice for comment went unanswered after two days.
The happenings were reportedly part of an ongoing investigation. There were no reported arrests.
We will update you on NorthEscambia.com when further details are released.
Pictured: Law enforcement and the ASPCA conducted an operation of some sort Wednesday in the 7000 block of Beulah Road. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
35 Responses to “Dept. Of Justice Not Yet Releasing Details On Beulah ASPCA Case”
They may have show dogs but I think it’s a coverup just in case something like this happened if there was no evidence of dog fighting I don’t think ECSD would have wasted time and money like this, they have to have something, and if it’s proven this is going on then I hope they get the max sentence.
This kind of abuse will continue as long as unwarranted seizures can drive people into the poorhouse to stand up for their rights. The state legislature needs to be asked (frankly the federal government would be better) so that these actions require all costs to be paid by the “agency” doing the seizures and making charges. I’ve worked with such organizations – one poor dog and they take the whole lot. Many who have wone their cases (and in Pinellas county many of the seized birds died because they didn’t know how to take care of them…they had the audacity to send a bill for the care of the animals. In Texas the man who won his case couldn’t get his horses back because they sold them. People are having to sell their homes to fight having their animals taken – often when they arent home. The bird case in Pinellas was shady – circumventing the animal control that saw no merit to the case. Many in these organizations have ulterior motives and the end justifies the means mentality. They have no business taking the law into their own hands. They are not graduates of law enforcement agencies and burdening USDA with hundreds if “tiny cuts” regulations they keep getting rubber stamped because they sound benign is playing into letting them take the burden off USDA and ding the policing themselves. They have nothing to lose and lots of money. it is a travesty of justice if they continue to win by virtue of the bigger pocket and PR. Get laws passed to stop them from seizures sans punishment and payment of all bills when the defendents win their case.
Thieves! You stole these dogs from loving owners. Exercise equipment and dog show trophies are NOT dog fighting paraphernalia! The ASPCA just wants to see the end of our breed! I have met some of these dogs in person, participating in sports and in the show ring. The bond they had with their owners was undeniable and it is CLEAR that they were well loved, and taken care of. Also was clear they were NOT fighting dogs.
This is definately NOT Animal abuse these were folks who showed their Pit Bulls at dog shows and have the Ribbons and Trophies to prove their accomplishments. The exercise equipment is used to get the dogs into show quality. All animals were cared for and loved like family members, this is Abuse by the ASPCA and has torn this poor family apart. Their literally selling everything just to get their dogs back, as the ASPCA is charging $60 A day to house their dogs, times the number of dogs they have. In 10 days that’s now $600 A dog and you know it will be months until they get A court hearing. The only victim is this poor family who will be over wheeled with thousands of dollars of Bill’s just to get their pets back.
Wonder why people risk the appearance of being involved or contributing to an illegal operation. Think about the stress, cost of defense, possible fines, harassment and affect on children.
Why are Pit Bulls still being breed? They have killed children …used for fighting and…danger to society… Its not about rights…its about common sense.
People, absolutely no difference than what ECSO does to (some) people. No evidence, boost the charges up to the max where they’ve already spent thousands on bail and lawyers, scare them to death with jail or prison so they take a deal for probation and thousands more in fines, classes, etc. Or, you have enough money to fight it all the way and the state drops charges right before trial. It has nothing to do with truth, evidence, or justice. It has to do with conviction rates and perception. The state can have zero evidence, yet if they can make you look like a bad person, jurors here will convict. Dumb.
This is just another case of trampling the rights of pet owners. It is becoming commonplace and is a travesty of justice. Wake up people. This is just a continuation of the constant attack on our freedoms and Constitutional rights. There was no merit to this seizure and the DOJ knows it. They just string the cases out hoping to get innocent people to plea. It forces defendents to spend tons of money, and months to years of court, or plea in order to end the situation quicker. It isn’t justice; it’s extortion and it’s disgusting. Ignorant speculation is not probable cause! I hope the ASPCA gets more than embarassment from this. They need to start paying all legal fees, for trauma, and suffering they cause people and animals, because I garuantee the dogs are very unhappy and confused! These seizures need to end. It is innocent until proven guilty and there is an important reason for that- protection of the innocent from this type of abuse of authority!
They haven’t released any information because they haven’t got a case! The ASPCA are all incompetent and got the DOJ running blindly into situations in which all their actions were unwarranted and unnecessary. This is why you investigate before you go all gung ho. Both the ASPCA and the DOJ should be held both liable and accountable for their actions.
Just curious I have been to dog shows never see pits at any of them so where do they show them?
What an absolute waste of tax dollars!!
Sure seems odd to me that trophies and ribbons from dog shows are now paraphernalia get a life these people DO NOT fight dogs y’all need to wake up and look at how the ASPCA is going in and stealing peoples dogs every day with crazy fake evidence and then they aren’t held accountable in the end
I happen to know these people personally and they do not fight their dogs. They are show dogs. None of these dogs have scars on them that dogs would have if they are made to fight. But nobody wants to say anything about that.
Nwfl Linda, Sue B. I can assure you there is no abuse or fighting in this case. This is a family that loves and cherishes their dogs as another family member. They take pride in conditioning (the treadmills you see in the pic that the puppies love to run on) and showing them off. There are four little girls a mom and dad that are home distraught right now because their family members have been taken from them and are sitting good knows where probably feeling scared and abandoned.
This is ridiculous!!!! You don’t win trophies for dog fighting stupid people!!!! You see those two tread mills? One is a slap mill and the other a carpet mill these are used to help condition your dog to get them in shape to look lean for show room quality. I’ve been training/ conditing my dogs for 10yrs!!! We also use spring poles, flirt poles and even sleds for weight pull. This makes me sick to my stomach knowing that so many of us that own these APBT are trying to make a better name / educate people on them due to the horrific bad mouthing society has given them for so long. I compete my dogs in show, weight pull, sled sprint, treadmill, and protective work. An APBT is not a dog you get fat and let sit on the couch!!! These dogs are and where breed to work. I hope this family sued the hell out of the ASPC!!!! No way in heck are these dogs being fought .
The dogs were taken from a loving a caring family. They will get their dogs back because they treat them with the upmost respect. Anyone that knows the family knows that they would never harm the animals in any way. The person that made the false claims needs to be arrested and charged for destruction.
Well, all I can say is be careful who you mess with. You may be good people who don’t do a thing wrong. Yet you cross someone knowingly or otherwise who has powerful friends, well, now there’s problems. You may win in the long run but what’s it gonna take to reach that point ?
Be careful who you mess with folks.
There not saying anything becuase they know there is no reason for the bust! This guy shows dogs. Adba registered dogs. There will be a HUGE lawsuit. Just wait. Comments were already made by higher ups saying the dogs were in perfect condition not a mark on them! So there trying to dig around and find soemthing before they HAVE to give the dogs back. Adba ribbons are trophies are not dog fighting materials. They took club shirts and hats! Hurry aspca.. Hurry try and find something before the lawsuit!!!!!!!!
I know this family and have seen how they raise their Pit Bulls. They are show dogs not fighting dogs. They were well fed, lived, exercised and well trained. The SPCA should have to pay for this poor families legal bills for confiscating dogs for no good reason.
To everyone that thinks this was animal cruelty get a life. These dogs were they’re family. Their kids. Not just dogs to them. They would never abuse these animals. And I wish that anybody who does not know them nor know anything about this case keep their comments to their self. This is ridiculous and should have never happened. Right now this family not only gotten their dogs tooken away but their kids.
I know This family and have seen how they raise their show pit bulls. They love their digs, feed them well, exercise them, and train them for show, not fighting. They are causing serious problems for this pour family financially. And their children miss their pets. Shame on you SPCA for removing these dogs for no reason, but a false accusation by someone.
This is very sad. These are show dogs and there was plenty of proof of just that. Don’t be so quick to judge without knowing the whole story.
Billy, the ASPCA was boots on the ground for a case in north Alabama a year or so ago. Over 300 dogs needed removal, evaluation, vet care, and placement. When the individual involved went to court, a representative was there in court every day to testify but was never called. Failure to adequately prosecute is out of their hands. Failure to have adequate laws involving animal abuse of all kinds is out of their hands. All they can do is advocate for and rescue when necessary. If they receive publicity that’s positive – so be it. Those ground crews do a fantastic, dirty, heartbreaking, and often thankless job. Every organization runs on money. They’re no different.
There is not severe enough punishment for animal cruelty. Anyone who can watch two animals tear each other to shreds for profit has some serious psychological issues.Not to mention the abuse and torture that goes into the training by using bait dogs.
Well as Morgan would say, Its a humdinger of a case
@NWFLA LINDA – We have one of the best investigators in the state right here in this county. Sgt. Stephanie Eddins has successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases in this county and she doesn’t lose in court. That’s why the sheriff’s office prefers her to work the big cruelty cases in the county. ASPCA has their place, but it is not conducting investigations.
@Denny – Possibly, but the federal government is supposed to notify local law enforcement whenever they conduct operations within their jurisdiction. In this case it should be the sheriff.
@NWFLA LINDA – Sheriff Morgan kicked the ASPCA out of Escambia county a couple of years ago because they overstepped. Looks like they may have done it again. It’s better to have local law enforcement work the cases.
ASPCA is only interested in the spotlight so they can make more money. They should not be here in Escambia County. They screw up more cases than they help.
Joseph, in some cases they can do better investigations and in some cases discretion is important.
To be perfectly honest, embarrassment doesn’t matter if the end result busts up what certainly looks like a dog fighting operation. The big rescue organizations often get a bad rap but from personal experience, the ASPCA does a fantastic, hands on job. Sheriff Morgan might even welcome outside eyes and investigators to root out a cancer in the community that his resources could not address. Whatever it takes to take down the criminals who profit from dog fighting enterprises. Whatever it takes, it’s worth it.
If questions were referred to DOJ, then the FBI may be the investigative agency. They get involved with issues crossing state lines. Could be a dog fighting ring with bets by residents of other states, maybe done online?
Sue B…….I hope so too but I’m afraid I’m not very confident…Escambia County seems to turn away when it involves animal cruelty.
@SueB. If the ASPCA is involved, not likely. The last case they worked in Liberty County with more than 40 animals was a flop. They housed the animals here in Escambia county, wasted our tax dollars, and did not get so much as a misdemeanor conviction from the case. The only charge was child abuse which the Liberty county sheriff’s office charged.
Well that explains why the ASPCA set up camp at the Escambia county animal shelter all week. I drove by the shelter a couple of days ago and saw several ASPCA vehicles and trailers parked there.
This is the ASPCA thumbing their nose at the sheriff’s office because they think they can do better investigations than law enforcement. What an embarrassment for the sheriff to find out this way.
I hope that if this involves abuse/cruelty that the charges are harsh as well as the punishment