UPDATE 5/27/03 on the Montana Collies
Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt, reporting from Deer Lodge Courthouse in Anaconda, MT
*Permission to crosspost*
The second trial in Justice Court – the State of Montana vs. Athena Lethcoe-Harman and Jon Harman, charged with 181 counts of animal cruelty – began today. Jury selection was completed at 2:10 pm. Three women and 3 men will determine guilt or innocence. One woman alternate will also hear testimony.
Opening statements began at 2:35 pm. Prosecutor Merle Raph, assisted by Joe Coble again spoke about the truck containing the animals being stopped by customs officials at the Port of Sweet Grass on Oct. 31, 2002. Scott Albers, defense attorney, interrupted constantly as he had done in the first trial and spent much time hanging on the judge’s bench. In his opening statement, Scott Albers described “alpha bitch” to the jury, explaining all Ms. Harman had to do to manage the dogs on the truck was to say: “Be quiet”; “Jump here”; “Go there.” He explained away any problem with ventilation for animals on the truck by saying, “They just stuck their nose in the aisle and the dogs had plenty of air.”
Basically Albers is still blaming the delay at the Port of Sweet Grass by customs officials for the disgraceful condition of the animals, however, in this trial in a disjointed, convoluted way he also placed blame on the terrorists who attacked the United States on Sept. 11, stressing the added burden that placed on border patrols.
Prosecutor Raph called three customs inspectors from the Port of Sweet Grass to describe the delay and inspection of the feces- and urine-filled truck, crowded full of collies and other animals. We heard again how diligently Ms. Harman walked back and forth all night from the ladies’ bathroom to the dog pens set up to hold dogs, transporting water for the animals in a 32-oz. drinking cup.
Court adjourned at 6:25 pm. Testimony resumes Wednesday at 9 am.
Folks, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I visited Camp Collie – Great Falls. Overall the animals are improving, thanks to the dedicated people of Montana and volunteers who have traveled to Montana from throughout the U.S. and Canada to volunteer at Camp Collie. Your donations of funds and supplies have made it possible for the animals to continue to remain in the care and custody of the Toole County Sheriff’s Office.
I was struck by the amount of blankets you all have been sending. One entire room is full of blankets, sent from all over North America. KEEP THEM COMING, PLEASE! There are three categories of blanket usage: 1. Blanket remains clean, leave it in the pen; 2. Blanket soiled, launder and sanitize to reuse; 3. Blanket very soiled, burn it.
As I visited every animal, I observed a sable rough bitch lying down in her pen tenderly holding to her chest a wad of BEAUTIFUL white, intricately crocheted afghan with hand-crocheted red roses displayed throughout. The long, hand-tied fringe spread daintily around the collie...what a beautiful picture. The layers of this beautiful afghan blanket cushioned this pretty girl on the cement floor. Her papers were used appropriately at the other end of her 5 ft x 10 ft kennel purchased by AWCA with your donated funds. Hanging from her pen by the double-end snaps you sent was her 6-qt stainless steel water pail we also purchased with your donations.
Even though you can’t go to Camp Collie in person, know that your support of these animals is in evidence constantly. Your positive energy and concern is everywhere, as are the supplies you enabled AWCA to provide. The bills continue to come in. We continue to need your donations. Thank you.
Calmly,
Jean Levitt, President AWCA
Lisa King, AWCA Director AWCA Rescue
Officers and Members of AWCA
If you would like to assist AWCA with this rescue effort, you may send a check to:
Bethany Burke
AWCA Treasurer
2807 Lee Trevino Court
Shalimar, FL 32579
Make the check out to AWCA and in the memo area note: collie rescue-medical, collie rescue-stainless steel, or collie rescue-general.