The following reports are presented in reverse chronological order, with the most recent appearing first.
Nadas and Sean meet in Utah for a tearful reunion and farewell
Nadas transported safely to Utah. He is doing well at his new home.
Protest Rally at Capitol Building in Salem - Demands Livestock Law be Changed
Commissioners spare Nadas - with cruel conditions
California Organization Offers to Take Dogs That Chase Livestock
Burglars break into shelter where Nadas was once held
Commissioners meet in secret. Again refuse to spare Nadas
Commissioners will no longer read mail - 2700 letters received
Attorney Babcock to file new lawsuit to stop Nadas' death
Oregon Supreme Court refuses to hear appeal
Sign online petition to help save Nadas
Audio tape of animal control hearing sheds new light
Medford newspaper prints mean spirited attack on Nadas' owner
Nadas' owners interviewed on radio - hear the actual interview
Internet message prompts Jackson County to indicate they've moved Nadas.
Harrassment of Ark Online editor by Medford talk radio
Number of people boycotting Jackson County Reported Low
Jackson County refuses request for photos of Nadas
Jay Leno expresses interest in Nadas case
Texas Livestock organizations want Nadas spared
Other websites provide links or carry Nadas story
Oregonian Newspaper coverage lacking
Oregonian Newspaper does print one pro-Nadas letter to the editor
Sean goes to Utah to see Nadas for a final reunion and farewell
On March 3rd, Sean Roach was flown to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah by Hard Copy for a final visit with Nadas. It was the first time Sean and Nadas had seen each other in nearly a year and a half, since Jackson County officials had prevented anyone from visiting Nadas while incarcerated. It was clear from the tearful reunion that a strong bond between Sean and Nadas had survived the cruel ordeal perpetrated by Jackson County officials. Nadas quickly recognized his old friend Sean, and was all over him, passionately licking his face in a reunion that brought tears to the eyes of those who witnessed the event.
Collectively, we all have joyfully breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Nadas' life has been spared, however after seeing Sean and Nadas together, it is clear that the cruelty of forcing separation of the two by Jackson County officials is an abomination. These officials do not deserve to keep their jobs. We only hope that the citizens of Jackson County remember this tragedy at election time. We sure will, and expect to follow the results of the elections when the time comes.
Nadas arrives in Utah on Feb 18th in good spirits
After nearly 12 hours in a shipping kennel, Nadas arrived in Las Vegas at 9:30 pm and was picked up by staff members of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary who then drove him to their sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Nadas exited the kennel wagging his tail and he is evidently in excellent health and good spirits.
Nadas was originally to arrive in Las Vegas at 3PM, however the first leg of the flight, from Medford to Portland, was delayed due to the lack of cargo space on the plane he was to orignally have been put on. He arrived in Portland by late afternoon and was kept in a baggage holding area until he was boarded on a 7:30 pm Alaska Airlines flight to Las Vegas. The baggage handlers in Portland were excellent, making certain he was well cared for and had plenty of water. For security reasons, however, he was not permitted to leave the kennel during the long 12 hour ordeal ending with his arrival in Las Vegas. (I know I couldnt have lasted that long )
According to Raphael dePeyer of Best Friends, Nadas was in excellent spirits after his 4 hour drive from Las Vegas to Kanab, Utah. He characterized Nadas as a "real sweetheart" and "a very well mannered well behaved dog", a very different picture than Jackson County Oregon officials had attempted to paint during his incarceration. Other staff members agreed, indicating that Nadas was interacting well with other dogs and already had a new girlfriend!
Protest Rally held in Salem Oregon
A rally was held on Saturday Feb. 14th at the State Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon to protest the death sentences meted out to dogs in Oregon for chasing livestock. No harm came to any of the livestock involved.
Wayne Pacelle, Vice President of the Humane Society of the United States was the keynote speaker. Also speaking were Sean Roach, Nadas' owner, Gail OConnell-Babcock, director of WATCHDOG, Bob Schlesinger, editor of ARK ONLINE, and Linda Rowe, a Medford Oregon activist. Attorney Robert Babcock chaired the meeting.
Speakers urged that the livestock law be changed in light of the epidemic of dogs being put to death. Although Nadas was spared, other dogs sentenced to die under this state law will not be so lucky and there is much work left to be done. Speakers also gave thanks to the thousands of people across the country, and, as a result of internet exposure, around the world, who worked so hard to publicize the plight of Nadas and to force his release.
Plans to draw up a statewide initiative were announced. Volunteers are urged to contact WATCHDOG at (503) 590-0292 to help with the petition drive.
Commissioners spare Nadas - Brutal conditions attached
Jackson County Commissioners met Feb 12th at 4:00 PM to pass an animal control ordinance that spared Nadas. Burke Raymond, county administrator, finally acknowledged that the county has the right under state law to pass their own ordinance. Previously, county officials have denied that they have this power and claimed they were bound by state law to kill Nadas.
The ordinance was applied retroactively to spare Nadas however under severe conditions. Nadas will be placed at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah. Sean Roach will be required to pay for transportation to Best Friends Sanctuary, but will be prohibited from having any future contact with his dog. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary will be prohibited from placing Nadas for adoption and he will have to live out his life at the sanctuary.
The ordinance also has severe provisions for future offenders. The burden of proof will still be on the dog owner to show that his or her dog did not chase livestock. The dog will be killed within 2 days of impoundment unless the owner requests a hearing. No proof is required of the County that notice of the impoundment was actually received by the owner.
An animal control hearings officer will be the one to determine whether or not the dog chased livestock. The hearing is to "be informal" which means there will be no prescribed procedure for determining the validity of the complaint. The ordinance makes no provision for discovering the truth to any allegation.
Last Chance For Animals Offers to Take All Dogs That Chase Livestock in Jackson County For a Year
California based Last Chance For Animals (LCA) has made a proposal to Jackson County officials, to take all dogs that have chased livestock (including Nadas), and remove them for adoption in California. The offer would apply to a maximum of 50 dogs. As a condition of the offer, LCA would work with the county and ranchers to implement an ordinance that provides strong penalties to irresponsible dog owners.
Below is a copy of the proposal:
A Proposal to the County of Jackson in the State of Oregon
Be it declared on this sixth day of February, 1998 the non-profit corporation Last Chance For Animals offers its services to Jackson County, Oregon to permanently remove dogs from the state of Oregon that are identified by Jackson County Animal Control as guilty of chasing livestock and therefore sentenced to be destroyed.
Recognizing the County's desire to protect the rights of ranchers by eliminating nuisance and threatening dogs to minimize harm to livestock, Last Chance For Animals, with the consent of dog owners and county officials, will remove such dogs from impound within 48 hours of notification and will place the animals into homes outside of the state of Oregon at no expense to Jackson County upon Last Chance For Animal's acquisition of the dogs. Such an arrangement will last one year with the following conditions:
Based upon past records, it's reasonable to expect up to fifty dogs will require relocation, and Last Chance For Animals commits to relocating up to fifty dogs within a year's time.
Based upon public outcry and past records, the current law calling for the death of dogs killing, harming, or chasing livestock is not effectively addressing the problem. Jackson County officials commit to amending local codes within one year's time to create a more effective ordinance that protects the rights of ranchers, encourages dog owner responsibility, and seeks to reduce dog death rates by order of the County. Such an ordinance may outline severe fines payable to the county and compensation of damages payable to ranchers for owners whose dogs harm and/or chase livestock. For example, a $500 fine per incident would quickly result in a severely reduced rate of dog owner carelessness.
Jackson County will not destroy a dog for chasing livestock without first contacting Last Chance For Animals and giving the organization an opportunity to relocate the animal to another home. Jackson County will not expect Last Chance For Animals to assume ownership of a dog without previous owner's consent.
This proposal is available for immediate implementation.
Burglars Break into Jackson County Animal Control Shelter
Someone broke into the Jackson County Animal Shelter on the evening of February 5th. Authorities believe the break-in was an attempt to free Nadas.
However, authorities had announced in early January that Nadas had been moved to an undisclosed location. Either the break-in was unrelated to Nadas, or the burglar or burglars were not aware that the county had moved him.
Nothing was taken as a result of the break-in. One dog sustained minor cuts from glass from a window broken by the burglars to gain entry. There was additional damage to an external wall. A preliminary damages estimate was set at $3500.
Commissioners Meet in Secret. Again Refuse to Spare Nadas. Secret Meeting to be Challenged
Jackson County Commissioners Jack Walker, Ric Holt, and Sue Kapillas met in closed session on February 5th. They released a statement to the press indicating that they had decided not to consider adoption offers to save Nadas. Individuals and organizations from around the nation have offered to adopt Nadas and dog owner Sean Roach has offered to give up Nadas if his life can be spared. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest santuary of its kind in the nation, offered to take Nadas.
The Commissioners turned down the offer from Best Friends, citing worries of future legal liablity if Nadas was to get into trouble again, and claiming that Nadas was not adoptable. However, as attorney Robert Babcock pointed out, it would be rather simple for Best Friends to sign a release of liablity. As to Nadas' adoptability, a volunteer with Jackson County animal control had recently written to the Medford Mail Tribune indicating that they "walked, brushed and played with Nadas". "Sounds pretty damned adoptable to me" Babcock says.
Babcock plans to file an action challenging the closed meeting and asking that it be declared void. State law mandates that decisions by the county board must be made in public. Closed hearings are permitted for discussion purposes only.
The Commissoners continue to dig for flimsy excuses to justify killing Nadas. This latest episode should show how absurd they have become.
Commissioner Jack Walker will stop reading mail, claiming unproved death threat
Commissioner Jack Walker reported that he received a death threat from someone he claims was going to attend the protest. According to the Medford Mail-Tribune, Walker said that he and county officials will no longer open anonymous mail. "We're just going to put them in a big pile," he said.
According to the Mail-Tribune article, county officials have received approximately 2700 letters to date about Nadas.
However, the Ashland Daily Tidings reported on Feb 5th that Jackson County Sheriff Bob Kennedy investigated the letters and determined that they were not threatening. Previously, the Commisioners have claimed to have received threatening letters but when asked by Nadas' owners' attorney Robert Babcock to produce them, they were unable to do so.
New Lawsuit Planned to Save Nadas
On January 28th, Robert Babcock, attorney for Nadas' owner Sean Roach, announced his intention to file a lawsuit against Jackson County officials for violations under federal and constitutional law.
According to Babcock, Chapter 42 Section 1983 of the United States Code provides legal remedies for the wrongful taking of Nadas in violation of Sean Roach's 4th, 5th and 14th amendment rights under the US Consititution. Nadas was taken from Mr. Roach's residence without a warrant. Mr. Roach was not home at the time of the seizure.
The 4th amendment provides federal protection against unlawful search and seizure. The 5th amendment essentially extends the federal protection of the 4th amendment to cover issues under state law. And the 14th amendment provides protection against the deprivation of property without due process of law. Nadas, considered as property under the law, was impounded by order of a county administrative hearing. The hearing followed none of the conventions of the legal system that provide for due process.
Babcock will file suit against animal control officer Andy Lane, Colleen Mazuk, Director of Jackson County Animal Control, and Gary Stevens, Jackson County environmental services manager, who oversees the animal control department. Andy Lane was the individual who seized Nadas. The other officials are responsible for setting the policy that provided for the unlawful seizure.
Jackson County Commissioners Jack Walker, Rick Holt, and Sue Kapillas will also be named in the suit as additional individual parties responsible for setting policy that allowed for unlawful seizure and denial of due process.
Babcock will ask for an injunction to prevent the execution of Nadas, as provided for under Section 1983 of the federal code, to prevent the destruction of property. He will press for release of the property that was unlawfully taken (i.e. release of Nadas to his owner). He will ask for compensation to cover the costs of the unlawful seizure (i.e. the return of the $4000.00 Mr. Roach has had to pay in impoundment costs for Nadas). And he will ask for punitive damages. All are provided for under the statute.
Babcock hopes to complete preparation of the initial filing by the end of the week of February 6th.
Oregon Supreme Court Denies Appeal
On January 27th, the Oregon Supreme Court gave notice that it had declined to review the case against Nadas. The Court let stand, without comment, the ruling of the Oregon Court of Appeals that upheld the right of Jackson County to follow through on the death sentence.
This appeal was the final remedy permitted under the law. The result is that Nadas will now be put to death.
Previously, the court had issued a 21 day stay of execution to be effective after such notice to permit the filing of a motion of reconsideration, which is allowed under the law. Such motions, however, are routinely denied. Thus Nadas is now scheduled to be killed on approximately February 17th, 1998.
Disgusted people from around the world have contacted Ark Online and others who have been involved in the case. There is talk of an expansion of the Oregon boycott to produce a real economic effect. Such a boycott would remain in place until the law is changed, and the public officials responsible for the mean-spirited interpretation of the law are removed from office.
A letter writing campaign to the Oregon Supreme Court has been announced. See the URGENT ACTION section for details.
Online Petition For Nadas Available
Mesia Quartano has announced an online petition on behalf of Nadas at her web site:
Audio Tape of Hearing Sheds New Light
Several facts have come to our attention after we reviewed an audio tape of the original Jackson County administrative hearing in September 1996, that resulted in Nadas' death sentence. These include:
You don't have to take our word for it. You can listen to portions of the hearing right here at Ark Online by clicking on:
Listen to the Animal Control Hearing and current statements
At that hearing, Ms. Morgan stated:
"I don't want to see a dog put to sleep, but I don't think I should have to be liable, either for calling and having him chasing our horse and if he decides not to put him to sleep according to what I have I'm responsible for having to pay for him being impounded, and I don't think that's right".
Analysis
Ms. Morgan was referring to a section of the livestock law that states that any impoundment fees are to be paid by the owner only if the dog is found to have harrassed the livestock. Otherwise the fees are to be paid by the complainant, i.e. Ms. Morgan. Thus Ms. Morgan discovered she now had a financial liability if Nadas was set free.
Since impoundment fees paid by Sean and Sharon Roach have now totalled nearly $4000 and continue to grow, a strong motive exists for her adamant refusal that alternatives to Nadas' death be considered. In an interview conducted on January 10, 1998 with Ark Online, Morgan indicated that she is "tired that this has gone on so long" and "the law is just fine the way it is" and "the dog should be killed", a considerable change from the statement she made at the hearing. One might see that, for Morgan, the longer the case drags on, the greater the worry she will be held responsible for this ever-increasing expense.
Tape Contridicts Medford Mail-Tribune Article
The article by Alberto Enriquez that was essentially a personal attack against Nadas' owner Sean Roach (see story below), is fabrication and not supported by what is in the record.
Enriquez did not take the trouble to review the audio tape of the administrative hearing and there were elements of his story that were just plain wrong. For example, Enriquez states in his article "She (Morgan) says the badly spooked gelding would have run through the three-strand barb-wire and been severely injured had she not intervened immediately."
However, Morgan did not even see the horse being chased, she just saw him down at the other end of the pasture. There was no intervention. There was no impending damage as now indicated by Ms. Morgan. These are facts captured on tape that easily disprove statements in the Enriquez article.
At the hearing, Morgan clearly stated:
"When my daughter tells me that he was chasing the horse, I didn't see him actually chase the horse, but the horse was down at the end of the field, and the dog was running out of our pasture into the neighbors up towards where he lived. I've seen him, and his owner has seen him in the other pastures and probably in ours, because I've seen him out there calling for him."
Thus Ms. Morgan never saw Nadas in her pasture since she states he was probably in theirs since he was running in a direction that seemed to indicate he might have come from there. Ms. Morgan was not qualified to comment on the "chasing" episode.
According to details presented at the hearing, the only witness to the chasing and Nadas' presence in the Morgan's field was 13 year old Amanda Morgan who gave the following verbal account:
"I went downstairs to our office and opened the blinds and I saw our horse running by the window and directly after it I saw the dog chasing the horse so I went outside on to our deck and I yelled for my mom to come down and I yelled for the dog to get out of our field and he then ran behind our shop which is behind our house, and I yelled for him to leave again and when my mom came out he ran into the bushes towards where he lives."
Nadas was sentenced to death simply on the force of this statement above, and a statement by animal control officer Andy Lane, who stated that this was the second complaint against Nadas, that another neighbor had complained the previous December that Nadas had been chasing cattle. However, the other neighbor's name was never mentioned, nor was any evidence of this prior complaint ever presented. No citation had been issued nor any record of this prior complaint recorded. Mr. Lane admitted that he gave a verbal warning only.
Since the livestock law does not provide for "second chances", one must question why, if Nadas was supposedly chasing cattle on this first occasion, was he not picked up at that time?
In an actual court of law, such a decision as condemning Nadas to death would not have been possible given what was presented. Sufficient evidence was not presented. The statement about the supposed prior cattle chasing would have been inadmissable. And Sean Roach would have been permitted to cross examine Amanda and Michelle Morgan, something that was not permitted under the rules of Jackson County administrative hearings.
This is what we mean when we say that this action was an abuse of government power.
Interview with Sean and Sharon Roach by San Francisco Radio Station is on the Internet
An interview with Nadas' owners was conducted by Jackie Dove of San Francisco Liberation Radio on January 12. You can listen to an edited version by clicking on Please Don't Kill My Dog.
The interview is available courtesy of The Radio Project Website
Medford Newspaper Prints Mean-Spirited Attack Article about Nadas' Owner
On Friday, January 9th, the Medford Mail-Tribune enganged in yellow journalism at its worst, by running a story by "reporter" Alberto Enriquez claiming to report "the other side" of the Nadas story. Rather than objectively reporting the other side, the article was a clear and very personal attack on Nadas' owner Sean Roach, that is probably libelous in content we are told. Clearly demonstrating that emotions surrounding the Nadas case have gotten out of hand, Southern Oregon's premier newspaper has taken to name calling as a diversion from the real issue of whether Nadas should be saved. You can read this despicable piece of writing that has been recently given a less offensive online title: Horse owner says she's not villain in Nadas saga
How do we know that Enriquez was not objective? He called our editor, Bob Schlesinger, purportedly to interview us for the story. Schlesinger spent about 45 minutes on the phone with Mr. Enriquez. During that time, Schlesinger endured tirades by Enriquez against Mr. Roach and those of us who have been critical of Jackson County government. However, Enriquez seemed to have little interest in the the real issues involved in the case.
According to Sharon Roach, Enriquez called on Sean Roach and verbally abused and berated him. Journalism 101 teaches a budding reporter to present a balanced report on a controversy, and to verify the information given by sources. However with clear access to parties on both sides of the issue, Enriquez apparently decided to opt for propaganda, not journalism.
We recently conducted an interview with Jessica Bethany, Sean Roach's ex-girlfriend. She no longer associates with Sean (they split up a year ago), and has no vested interest in his welfare, however when she saw Enriquez's article she was outraged. Bethany had spent considerable time with Sean and Nadas at Sean's apartment up through the time Nadas was seized, and she maintains that the neighbors in the story are way off base. When she contacted Enriquez to complain, she said she endured a verbal attack on her character from him. She complained to us that Mr. Enriquez did not even know her, had never talked with her before, and yet hated Mr. Roach so much that the hatred now extends to anyone Mr. Roach associated with. The Mail-Tribune would be better served to keep such blatantly biased writers from its news pages.
It appears that by attempting to discredit Sean Roach, Mr. Enriquez and others who wish Nadas to be killed believe they can turn the tide of public opinion. However this is nothing but a childish diversion from the real question - why can't alternatives to death be considered for Nadas, who has hurt no one. Sean Roach has agreed to give up his dog for adoption if it means Nadas' life can be saved. Sean has agreed to this after spending thousands of dollars on legal appeals. Does this sound like the picture of the horrible monster dog abuser that Enriquez tries to paint in his article?
Tell the Mail Tribune what you think. Letters to the Editor can be sent to letters@mailtribune.com and general comments to the paper can be sent to tellus@mailtribune.com.
Internet Message prompts County to Move Nadas to Undisclosed Location
According to an article published in the Mail Tribune of Medford Oregon on January 6, Jackson County officials may have moved Nadas out of the county animal control facility to an undisclosed location. County officials cite the receipt of a copy of an email message that they interpreted as suggesting an illegal rescue attempt and they indicate that they have contacted the FBI. However a subsequent message by the original author appears to indicate that rather, a public demonstration as well as a series of news conferences is what was actually planned. Ark Online has received copies of both messages which are reprinted as follows:
"Do you have any contacts in OR or nearby that are real activists & would be willing to help save Nadas? I need especially an OR person who knows where he is being kept, the lay of the land, etc. Need three people. I will go out to coordinate and help."
The second message says:
"Since there have been very few responses to my first appeal, I'd better specify exactly what we have in mind. The intent is to have a major demonstration to save Nadas. I need to know where Nadas is being held (directions to give people) and if the facility has a PUBLIC walkway AND is in an area where there are a lot of people who could see. Also, news conferences are being planned for major cities in OR and need at least three people to handle those. Activists are needed who are familiar with animal issues and the whole mishandled Nadas situation."
The author of the messages was Bob Nixon, a Republican candidate for county office near Chicago, and a professor at Prairie State College in Illinois. Mr. Nixon indicated to Ark Online that he regrets the misunderstanding of his first message, and that he still believes that a large demonstration by the public will be very effective in mobilizing public opinion to put pressure on officials to save Nadas.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
Evidently the first message above was either misconstrued by County officials to indicate some kind of break in attempt, or they are deliberately using it as justification to moving Nadas to some unknown location for some unspecified purpose. They do not quote or refer to the second message. If Nadas has been moved, one can only hope that Nadas' safety can now be guaranteed. According to Jackson County Assistant Counsel Steven Rinkle as quoted in the Mail Tribune article, "The ALERT (email) appears to be a solicitation to commit a crime in Jackson County by 'rescuing' Nadas from the Jackson County animal shelter. Jackson County takes such threats very seriously". However one can only surmise how county officials can make the jump from a public outcry of support for freeing Nadas to an illegal break in. We believe that they are using this incident for their own publicity purposes. We also believe that the Roach family and their attorney have the right to know where Nadas has been moved to and whether he is receiving adequate care. We believe that this behavior on the part of county officials reveals an underlying paranoia that has characterized their actions of late, and most certainly is not what one would expect from public servants.
County official harasses us, then commissioners claim they are being harassed. Ark Online editor's personal experience with Jackson County talk radio
Jackson County officials reported on December 19th that they had increased security at their animal control facilities after allegedly receiving threatening letters. However, Bob Schlesinger of Ark Online received a threatening phone call from an individual whom we believe is a Jackson County official. Here is the account:
County Commisioner Jack Walker is often a guest on Ken Lindbloom's talk show, which airs from 4-5 PM on Thursdays on radio station KCMX, Medford Oregon. Mr. Walker was a guest on Thursday, December 18, so I called in. My question to the commissioner was how he could justify pursuing the destruction of Nadas, knowing full well that the public outrage over killing a dog that did no damage to livestock was sufficient to probably force a change in the law. My point was that he was doing the livestock owners a disservice by picking on the wrong dog since the ultimate outcome was going to be a loss of local control over the ability of ranchers to protect their animals from predators. Walker's response was to say that the matter was out of his hands, it was up to the courts. However he agreed that he could make a motion before the court to reconsider, but it was clear he didnt want to.
Walker then blamed the problem on irresponsible dog ownership and while trying to put the blame on the Roach family (a continuing vendetta by the commissioners), Walker said that this was the second time that Nadas had been caught chasing livestock. Since I know this to be a lie that they have been using to justify their actions, I called him on it - I interrupted with the words "Jack, that is NOT true. You know that is not true. I heard a tape of the hearing and I know what went on". At this point, the talk show host quickly interceded to cut me off, and said "Thank you caller" and hung up. I tried calling back but they would not pick up the phone since apparently they have caller id. They proceeded to take calls from ranchers that praised the county commissioners.
It turned out that talk show host Ken Lindbloom had picked up my number from caller id and proceeded to give it out over the air so that people could call and harass me.
About a minute later, I got a call from someone with a VERY LOUD THREATENING VOICE screaming at me that "YOU WEREN'T AT THE HEARING. YOU @#$&#@ YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT A DOG CAN DO TO LIVESTOCK?" and then hung up before I could calm him down to speak with him. Shortly thereafter I got a second call, this time from a rancher however I was able to calm this second individual down considerably and at least we discussed the issues although no one changed anyone's opinion.
I have reason to believe the first call was from a county government official since he referred to the fact that I was not at the hearing. This is certainly not behavior one should expect from an official.
I called the station and spoke to the station manager indicating that this was harrassment and that they had a liablity if they permitted people to use their caller id to get at people who called in to their shows. The station manager wound up chastising me for calling in to his station from out of the area to 'disrupt' a show.
Rick Holt, one of the commissioners, claimed that he and animal control officers are receiving threatening letters from animal advocates. On a broadcast by a Medford TV station on Friday, December 19, Mr. Holt waved several of these letters in front of the camera. This story was subsequently picked up by Portland television stations and the Oregonian newspaper. However, Sharon Roach, the dog's owner, recognized the letters that Mr. Holt had in his hand, since she had received copies of them. "They were not threatening letters", she said, "They were just letters from people asking them to free Nadas."
On December 23, I called Mr. Holt and asked for copies of any threatening letters, which we would be happy to post here. We are opposed to ANYONE making threats, regardless of what side of the issue they are on. However, rather than agree to send us any such letter, Mr. Holt warned me that Ark Online might be liable for any harm or damage that may result from emotions stemming from this case due to the way in which it has been presented. I told Mr. Holt that everything we print here is the truth, and I reminded him that it was I that had received threatening phone calls and that the commissioners had better examine their own liablity. Evidently Mr. Holt does not appear to be familiar with the US Constitution and the First Amendment.
Contact KCMX Radio and tell them what you think of the behavior of Mr. Lindbloom.
-Bob Schlesinger
Boycott of Jackson County rallies Nadas supporters but number of people boycotting still low
In a story published on December 20, The Oregonian reported that the Medford Visitors and Convention Bureau has received 147 letters, mostly by fax and email, indicating that the letter writers will no longer do business in or visit Jackson County. However, no economic effects of the boycott have been felt. According to Bill Ihle, vice president of corporate relations for Harry & David, their sales are up. A spokeswoman for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival says that she has seen only one letter threatening to boycott the festival.
Oregonian publishes "sensationalistic" story that does not explore the real issues
In an article entitled Jackson County's animal shelter gets threats over dog's plight, the Oregonian newspaper finally published an article about Nadas on December 20th, however the story was only explored from the angle of alleged threats to the Jackson County Animal Control facility and personnel, and the Jackson County boycott. No mention was made of material provided to the author of the article of the county's cruel refusal to permit anyone to visit or photograph the dog, or county officials' continuing vendetta against the Roach family. No attempt was made to interview Sharon or Sean Roach. If threats have been received by county employees in the case, one would hope that greater detail of the nature of these threats would have been provided, rather than simple abstract statements that they had occurred.
With a large number of on-line readers, the following sites also featured the plight of Nadas:
Mesia Quartano's Mining Co. Animal Rights
Jackson County Refuses Request for Photo of Nadas and refuses any stay of execution
In a FAX to Sean Roach's attorney sent on December 11th, Steven R. Rinkle, Assistant County Counsel for Jackson County Oregon stated that the county would continue to refuse to permit any photographs be taken of Nadas nor permit anyone to visit him. This was in response to a request by Sean Roach for photographs of his dog, since he had only a couple of poor photos taken prior to Nadas being taken by the county. Rinkle stated:
"I have conferred with my clients, and been instructed to advise you that Jackson County will not permit an independent photographer access to Mr. Roach's dog for photographs, and will not permit Mr. Roach to visit the dog. However, in the event that the opinion of the court of appeals stands, Jackson County is willing to take photographs of Mr. Roach's dog prior to being euthanized, and to forward the photos to you for delivery to Mr. Roach. I also need to advise you that Jackson County will not consent to an extension of the stay of execution."
Jay Leno contacts WatchDog about Nadas
In a surprise phone call to Watchdog coordinator Gail O'Connell-Babcock, Jay Leno of the Tonight Show called asking for information about Nadas. Watchdog is a local Portland organization that does advocacy work for individuals who's dogs are impounded by Portland's Multnomah County Animal Control. It is not known what kind of action if any, Mr. Leno may take. Watchdog sent him background information on Nadas.
Texas Livestock Organizations Want Nadas Spared
In an email received this week from Nona Kelly, the owner of Morning Glory Farms of Hempstead, Texas, Ms. Kelly indicated that she had faxed a letter, signed by a number of Texas livestock organizations, to the Oregon Cattlemen's Association asking that they intervene to insure that Nadas not be killed. All who signed are members of the Texas Cattlemen's Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. The letter was signed by the following:
Needmore Land and Cattle Company
Cypress, Texas
Turner Tack & Saddlery
Cypress, Texas
Curtis Livestock Commission
Waller, Texas
Hockley Livestock Commission
Hockley, Texas
Don Edwards Auction Services
Waller, Texas
Oregonian finally publishes pro-Nadas letter
On December 17th, The Oregonian Newspaper broke its recent silence on the Nadas story and published a letter by Roger Troen, asking the Jackson County Commissioners, in the spirit of Christmas, to free Nadas. The letter appears below:
Dog sentenced to death should get gift of life
With Christmas, Hanukkah and a new year coming up, it seems a particularly appropriate time for the Jackson County commissioners to arrange a special holiday for Sean Roach and his dog, Nadas.
This young man has been suffering for 14 months, worrying about his beautiful young collie-malamute, which has been on dog death row since September 1996.
This gift of life would be not only for Roach and Nads but also for Roach's mohter, their defenders and thousands of supporters worldwide.
It would be a big win for everyone, from the 13 year old girl who testified she saw Nadas either chasing or running with the horse involved, to Gov. John Kitzhaber and the county commissioners (who would win the praises of countless Oregon citizens). And Oregonians would be seen nationally as thoughtful, caring, and resourceful.
Nadas should live and be reunited with his loving human companion.
Roger Troen
North Portland