Falsly accused of aggression

Ok guys tell me what you think of this. We live on a military post, my family sacrifices for this country just so we can be treated like common criminals in our home. I am angry and no one will do anything about this. In fact they will not renew my waiver and so we are having to let one of our dogs live with a friend until we can rent or buy a home. PFC T in this statement has an intact male APBT who they leave in a kennel and have left for 7 days at a time with no food or water while they went on leave. There dog has become aggressive but nothing has happened to them.

During the week of December 19,2005 I went to SAC to register my puppy. I do not use the post vet for my animals due to inadequate care to my pets and had my puppy micro chipped at Elizabethtown Animal Hospital. While there I spoke with D ( the vet tech ). I let her know that my dog Phoenix had passed away and that my American Pit Bull Terrier Apollo was getting hip surgery on January 2, 2006. D asked about my Springer Spaniel Ceasar and I let her know he was ill ( he is 9 yrs old ) and that we would be putting him to sleep sometime after Christmas. She nodded her head said “ after Christmas” and left.

On January 3, 2006 my American Pit Bull Terrier Apollo came home from having surgery. I ran up to SAC to see if anyone knew how to do T Touch massage for after surgery care so they could show me. D said she did not know and asked how Apollo was and who did his surgery. She then said “ be careful that hip could pop out easy”. I found this strange because there is nothing that can pop out after an FHO surgery. I left and decided to take my dog to Louisville to learn how to do the massage.

On Friday January 6, 2006 our Mayor was at my home around 11:15 am. She was here to do her weekly inspection because I have a waiver for 4 animals. A few minutes later I see SGT P from my husbands unit and SSG S and Capt. I standing outside talking to my husband and Mrs. C. I went to pick up my puppy by the door and heard Capt. I say “oh so she is scooping up and hiding pets”. I was simply picking up my puppy so she did not try to run out the door when it opened. Capt. I immediately had an attitude when walking into my home which I found intimidating and very disrespectful. She introduced herself and said she was here to do a surprise inspection because my waiver was up and I had 4 animals. I immediately got out my waiver and showed them that it was not expired and it was good until February 14, 2006. There should be a copy of it in Ceasar’s file as my husband and I took it to SAC in March 2005 were SSG S made a copy and put it into Ceasar’s file in front of us. I was then inform that PFC T had complained to D at SAC that I had to many animals and that I was making the complaints on PFC T about her dog which I never made a complaint on. Then they all walked over to my dogs who I had crated at the time. I told them several times Apollo had just had hip surgery 4 days before and to not get him upset. He is supposed to stay laying down and quiet. Capt. I immediately told me Ceasar was not micro chipped. Ceasar has been micro chipped since the age of 4 yrs and is now over 9 yrs old. I told her yes he is micro chipped and she asked to scan him. She scanned him and then said why isn’t it in his records then. I had to point it out to her on the top of the very first page. She said “oh ok I didn’t see it”. Then she scanned Levi my Chihuahua and said he has no current rabies. I told her yes he does he had it done in Michigan and was not due until February 2007. When I registered the dogs I gave SAC copies of my dogs shot records and heartworm tests which they seemed to have lost out of all of there files. Of course I was upset and could not remember right then where my dog files were. She then wanted to scan Apollo’s micro chip which had been done here on post as well as Levi’s. Apollo was not being aggressive but due to his hip surgery has trouble standing and refused to come out of his crate. Capt. I made me hold his head off to the side while she scanned him. Apollo did nothing wrong and did not deserve this treatment. Then she told me Apollo had no rabies info on post. I told her I had had his rabies done at his off post vet in December 2005. She asked for the records but again I was upset and couldn’t think where they were. She then scanned Raven my puppy. She wanted to know why she was not registered on post and where was Phoenix? I told her Phoenix had passed away a few months ago and that I had informed SAC and just registered Raven in December 2005 with SAC. She seemed lost and didn’t have a clue. Capt. I asked me where my cats were. I told her I have no cats. I did in October 2004 to November 2004 when we first moved here. I figured because they were fixed and declawed and did not go outside it was ok. As soon as I found out it was not I found them both homes. D knew about this as I asked her if she knew anyone who was looking for fully vetted pre spoiled cats. Then I was drilled about why Apollo had not gotten his therapy dog certificate yet. I tried to explain he was set up to take his CGC on February 2006 but could not due to his hip problems and then surgery. She wanted me to provide paperwork from his classes for his CGC test. I let her know I have been training dogs for 11 yrs and did not need a class to train them and that I had my Springer Ceasar CGC and TDI certified but he is now retired. The Capt. I let me know that D from SAC had told them to be careful because my “pit bull” was aggressive. I was very angry because Apollo has never shown aggression to anyone or anything. Capt I said that “they are banning pits and rotts on post soon and there was a question to my dogs temperament. I informed her that I do not know why D would say such things because Apollo has never shown any aggression to anyone and in fact had not even been to the clinic since early last year. She continued on about Apollo being aggressive and I finally said I would have him temperament tested. She told me I could bring him to SAC and have it done by D. I told her NO I will pay a professional and besides they are already biased towards my dog and will not be touching him. Then I was informed that someone was accusing me of stealing dogs out of yards. I was shocked and asked them to repeat it. I asked who would say that and told them I wanted to see written statements. They ignored that and went on about it. I told them I would never steal a dog and that I hardly ever leave the house unless its to go to the store, vet, or walk my own dogs. SSG S said to many dogs were ending up at SAC that do not belong there. I let them know I did call the MP’s out a few times in the summer due to 3 separate dogs that came under my fence and that I had caught one dog that some packers were afraid of and had the MP’s take it home. I would have returned the dog myself but was unsure of were it lived. SSG S said he knows that its first instinct to protect the dog but from now on just call the MP’s. I said Ok but you are standing here telling me I should call the MP’s and at the same time yelling at me because I supposedly call all the time and to many dogs are going to SAC. He shrugged his shoulders at me. Finally Capt. I said my dogs look great and there bedding and crates were clean. Then they left.

They all stood in my home and discussed PFC T case. SSG S said “PFC T has had 4 I mean 3 tickets on this dog?” Its funny to me PFC T spent all day Thursday cleaning up and rebuilding there dog pen after several complaints knowing full well I was getting inspected the following day and that they would see the mess. I have one FALSE complaint and SAC in immediately at my door. To my knowledge, the knowledge of my building coordinator SSG M P, and the knowledge of our Area Mayor M C I have never had any complaints on my dogs since we moved here in October 2005 until now.



On a few occasions when I was still using SAC for my pets D has complained to me about A and S R who used to live in (address) where PFC T now lives. She told me personal information about how many dogs they have had, why they got rid of them, and how untrained they were. She also told me a one time when I went to ask advice about SGT H’s beagle digging under my fence that myself, D P, and M C were just causing trouble with peoples dogs and my waiver was in jeopardy over it. I do not feel she should be giving me anyone else’s names and information due to the privacy act I have had several people tell me she was giving out my information to them as well. I simply wanted advice because SGT H’s dog was loose several times a day and digging under my fence. I had spoken to him several times and finally had the MP’s get the dog but it did not stop. I was at the time told by D that every dog brought into SAC from Littlefield Loop was being blamed on me. Of course I did not call in all of the dogs but I did call in a few which is my right as the regulation states you are to have control of your dog or it will be taken to SAC by the MP’s.

I feel at this time that I am being forced to move off post due to false complaints and accusations. I am also being forced off post due to my dogs breed and the accusations from D that he is aggressive. I will be having Apollo professionally temperament tested on Tuesday February 10, 2006 which is costing us $75. I will also be providing SAC with copies of this test, more copies of vet records, and copies of vet statements and residents statements concerning Apollo’s temperament. I feel my family and dogs are being unfairly targeted. We are being forced to spend money to prove our dogs innocence when its supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.

 

It gets better. We filed a complaint with the investigator general against the vet clinic and the tech that accused my dog of being aggressive. I just got a letter back stating that they are sorry for any misunderstanding between our family and the vet clinic but they will do nothing to any of them. I guess its time for more drastic measures. Feel free to pass my story on to anyone and everyone. I will fight this because it is wrong. Don't you like how they are spending your tax dollars?

 

It is so sad to hear that. You would think that the military would be more stand up about it. But I guess its like any other society, small minded and tight knit. Stand up for your rights and don't let them get away with it. Knowledge is power, try to read all you can on what the proper procedures are and what your rights are. Write down everything that happens in a journal of sorts. Dates, times, events ect.

Good luck to ya....

 

I have a notebook full from all of this. Apollo passed his temperament test 7 days after surgery with flying colors. He has never done anything wrong. We are going to fight this because it is wrong. I found out the other day after reading the pet regulations on post that they had no right to come into my home to inspect without a warrant and cause to think I was neglecting or abusing my dogs. They found nothing wrong and in fact in the letter I got today from IG it stated that my dogs are well cared for, healthy, clean, and they found no signs of anything being wrong. Poor Apollo is being blamed for things he never did and this makes me very angery. He is very well behaved and very loving.

 

Sorry to hear that, all this is going on. Some just want problems for others, and are not happy when nothings going wrong. They all sound as though, rude. Hope all goes well from now on, I wish you lots of luck. Hold your head up high.

 

Thanks we sure do need luck right about now. My husband is at this moment talking to his command about what we are going to do next. They will either stand behind us or they can get sucked into it. We are going to the congressman, senator, and the media. I am through dealing with a bunch of ignorant SOB's that think because they have a military title they can do as they please. They seem to forget that they can control my husband but I am a civilian and they cannot control me.

 

Congrats on winning the first battle. Don't forget there's a war against our APBT's.
We are all proud of you and your husband. Best of luck in everything, keep the faith.

 

Oh you dear, silly woman! They can control you & they will control you if they so wish - if you love your husband that is. Remember, they have a pawn that you don't - your husband's welfare. As the military memeber, he is responsible for your behaviour & if you act up or rock the boat, they'll tear your husband to shreds if they so desire. As a former military member & former MP, I've seen it happen too many times.

And don't trust your command. I've personally seen commanders say they'd help out one day & hand out discharge papers the next.

I hate to say it, but if you want to keep your pets, keep your husband employed & keep your sanity, the best thing you can do be helpful, positive & co-operative as you can & all the while try to quietly move off base.

Good luck!

 

Actually hubby is an MP also. At this point he could care less what they do. They are trying to hurt our family and that comes way before the Army in our eyes. I was in an abusive marriage before marrying my husband now. I left regained control over my life and remarried. I will not lose that again. My first husband was military as well and I have been living the military life for way to long. I know the in and outs and I know that no matter what my family comes first. My husband is willing to give up his career and will not be reenlisting until things are taken care of right. He only has 18 months left and if need be we will become civilians or he will move to a better branch of service. We should have stayed with the USMC after he served 6 yrs with them but we changed to the Army and have been regreting from the first day we stepped foot on this post 1 1/2 years ago. Being quiet will not solve the problem for the next person they screw over. I have hired a lawyer and will fight this with my husbands blessing.

 

You go girl......its nice to see that you will not roll over and offer your belly to the system. Stay strong and keep your head high.

 

Thanks, I am just not willing to bend for them at all. My dogs are my family and the only one that comes before them in my life is my son. The way I see it is that I brought them home and its my responsiblity to protect and care for them. They did not ask to live here with us.

 

I have Apollo signed up to take his CGC on Feb 18 through a private trainer. It will be about a month and a half since his FHO surgery and honestly he is doing so well I am positive he will pass. As soon as that is done on to his TDI. Then let them tell me he is aggressive. Its just more fuel for our side in this fight.