By BERNIE HORNICK
A member of the state Dog Law Advisory Board is blasting the official response to a dog-care case in Lower Yoder Township as “absolutely wrong’’ and unsatisfactory.
Videos on YouTube showed two seemingly malnourished St. Bernards – one with his head cocked permanently to the side – living behind a storage shed off Sons of Italy Road. A third dog on the scene seemed to be better off.
Advisory board member Tom Hickey of Delaware County received a tip and became involved.
He said the Cambria County Humane Society wrongly gave responsibility for investigating the case to the West Hills Regional police.
“What I saw Friday was a complete breakdown of the system,’’ Hickey said. “They (the Cambria County Humane Society) said they had 12 things to do and couldn’t get there right away.’’
By law, the nonprofit humane societies – not the dog warden nor local or state police – are responsible for investigating claims of animal neglect and cruelty, he said.
The Cambria humane society was closed Monday and Executive Director D Black could not be reached for comment.
The case came to light when Tammy Thayne – founder of Dogs Deserve Better – became involved. Videos of the dogs on a property on Sons of Italy Road went out over the Internet.
“Everybody has a little bit of soul-searching on how they reacted to this case,’’ Hickey said.
Hickey found fault with:
• The humane society.
“They’re the ones I hold accountable,’’ Hickey said.
“They said they were very busy, and I understand they have a lot of volunteers. But if you say you’re going to do it (enforce dog laws), you got to do it.’’
The animal agency reportedly told Hickey that they rely on the police.
“That’s absolutely wrong,’’ he said.
• West Hills Regional police.
Officers should be able to contact the Cambria County Humane Society, even after hours, Hickey said, and drop the case off on them.
The society – not the police
– is the agency empowered to get search warrants and investigate these types of cases, he reiterated.
“It is not uncommon for police departments not being completely up to speed on dog issues,’’ Hickey said.
• Tammy Thayne.
Hickey noted that Thayne did not get around to looking into this case until weeks after she was notified.
Thayne said she was called three or four weeks ago about the dog problem on Sons of Italy Road. But she said the call only referred to matted hair on the canines and nothing further.
Thayne, of Blair County, also has a beef with the system.
She has gotten in trouble with the law previously over her animal rights advocacy.
“Here’s my point: I was told repeatedly by the DA and the judge to call the police (in these situations),’’ she said.
“Now, a dog paid with his life. Someone has to be responsible. The law was clearly being broken; veterinary care is mandated by law. Nobody will help these dogs.’’
Thayne said she still believes the police have a duty to investigate.
“Now, there’s no legal way to get help for a dog that is not your dog. As a dog owner, I find that repugnant,’’ she said.
