Dear Mr Sharp, this is very troubling, why aren't you taking this more serious. Please reconsider and do something to prevent this from ever happening again.
It is 8/5/2007, I am signing this petition because Ms. Hedlund has been a resident of our apartment building in Bemidji, Minnesota for the last couple months, up until 8/1/2007. She lived in the basement area of our home with her dogs. During the time she lived in this apartment I personally never saw her take all of her dogs outside to use the bathroom. There were reports from neighbors that 9 dogs were living in the basement however I can only confirm seeing 5. Irregardless, she and her family locked these dogs inside the house for extended periods of time. When she left the premises the landlord and I had to rip up all the carpet downstairs, including the carpet all the way up the stairs to the entry way. The smell of ammonia and fesces was so horrible in our house we were worried that it was affecting our 1 year old son and the only thing that finally helped the smell was when the landlord poured bleech on the floors to sanitize them. I don't think anyone realized when he did it that there is a potential reaction between ammonia and bleech that can liberate chlorine gas (otherwise known as mustard gas!).While I was ripping up the carpet, I personally discovered animal bones inside the sauna stove and when I talked with the neighbors they told me they knew that Ms. Hedlund had a cat which was killed by one of the dogs (in their apartment) and left dead for days before they disposed of it. Nobody knew how they disposed of it (go figure - they burned it in the sauna stove!). If that is not strange enough, in the kitchen area of their basement apartment we discovered the lid of a bowl which had dead geckos/lizards that had been there long enough to become dried out and brittle.During the time that these people lived below us we spent many sleepless nights listening to what sounded like a pack of dogs barking inside our house. On occasion, we heard ferocious dogfighting, squeeling and crying sounds coming from the basement in the middle of the night. For the
If one can be removed for infractions far less minor for this, why then is there no action taken on the part of the AKC, particularly when it involves more than just the theft of an animal? Judging is in their vocabulary, but it certainly appears justice is not.
Mrs. F, I think this is the dumbest thing ever and I totally agree with your petition. Keep on going and I hope things like this don't happen in the future after this gets more recognition.
I dont know why she stole the dog, but if she was convicted in a court of law of stealing then she should be banned from AKC events. People are kicked out for just swearing, stealing and neutering some one else's dog, no matter what they think of the other person, is not right at all.
AKC is also starting to take it upon itself to be a inspection body rather then a registry and they are raising all their fees because of it. I can see why people are joining UKC and other registries.
AKC is also backing the new PAWS legislation which will allow puppy mills to produce as many poor quality dogs as they want while limiting show breeders to only 6 litters a year. I dont think AKC is representing its members anymore.
How pathetic that the AKC didn't think of this first. Are we the only ones looking at this case? AKC Open Your Eyes! You are supporting a Felon who is jepordizing your paying members! I will make sure that everyone I know hears about this - the grapevine reaches far and wide!
Ms. Hedlund should be permanently suspended. People are suspended for minor inconsequential actions. This was an illegal crime of significant proportions.
I agree that the person who stole and neutered the dog should be punished, in the court of law and though AKC. It is pathetic that AKC has not suspended her already!
wow! what an outrage. If this is all that happens to a person that does this, makes you wonder how many others would attempt this in the future. Siple slap on wrist shame on you AKC! She should be suspended for LIFE!!!
Since Ms. Hedlund was convicted in a court of law the AKC should further impose penalties for conduct prejudicial to all breeds. The court indicated support of Mr. Alford by ordering her to pay Mr. Alford $10,000.
If this happened to any of us, We would be devestated that AKC would not take a stricter stand. Clearly he has been convicted of these offenses. What more proof does the AKC need?
Unreal, I can't believe AKC won't suspend this person. It need's to look at this situation more seriously rather than brushing it off their backs.
AKC decision is wrong. If AKC wishs to make decisions based upon strict written word of the by-laws then it's time to ammend the by-laws to punish this type of behavior.
The AKC used to stand for integrity, the integrity of the sports, the integrity of the breeds and breeders. It used to mean something. These days the lowlifes of the world think nothing of thumbing their nose and biding their time, playing against odds and working your system. Why? Because they continually get away with it - even when they're caught in acts of extreme misconduct! Here again, is another one. "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
Shame,shame, shame on you, American Kennel Club.
