http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20121109/NEWS02/711099930
Woman admits to dognapping
By ERIC FRANCIS
CORRESPONDENT | November 09,2012
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A dognapping incident from the Springfield Humane Society resulted in a New York resident pleading guilty to petty larceny on Thursday.
Cynthia Poitras, 29, of Hoosick was sentenced to one day in jail and given credit for the time she served overnight after she was picked up Wednesday on an arrest warrant that had been issued because she’d failed to show up for court earlier this month.
Representatives of the humane society contacted Springfield Police on Sept. 14, reporting that a woman who had expressed an interest in adopting a hound-lab mix named “Gibbs” had been allowed to take the prospective pet on a get-to-know-you walk but then had been seen by another dog walker stuffing Gibbs in her car.
After police put out a bulletin to area departments, a police officer in Charlestown, N.H., spotted Gibbs the next day alongside a local road and picked him up. At the time Springfield Humane Society Executive Director Tom Browe said Gibbs was in excellent health despite his ordeal and would once again be listed for adoption. He is still on that list looking for a home.
The humane society was contacted a few days after the theft by a Charlestown woman with whom Poitras had been staying. She told police in a sworn statement that Poitras had shown up with a dog the previous week which she claimed was a stray and suggested keeping it and naming it “Gibbs.” The woman said she realized when she checked the humane society’s Facebook page that Gibbs had been taken, and she said the description given of the thief matched Poitras right down to the clothing she was wearing that day. Whether Gibbs got away from Poitras or was let loose by her is still unclear.
June Howarth walks Gibbs, who was back at the Springfield Humane Society on Monday. Photo: Vyto Starinskas / Staff Photo
I'd like to thank everybody that was worried about me.
ReplyDeleteHey Gibbs. Looks like that woman was the only one interested in you. Maybe it is the high fees that are keeping someone from taking you home? Grrrrrr!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyes. very high fees to take any of them home but, yet complane they are over housed with pets
ReplyDeleteIt is all about the money. If they qualify only a few that deserve to care for the pets at home and over charge those that want them, what happens? The shelter needs to be larger, more employees are required and and the costs for the care and feeding soar. But these non-profits are all about spending other people's money and skimming some for their own paycheck. The Bill and Lou oxen situation is the perfect example. Get enough bleeding hearts to fund you for a big sob story and you don't have to worry about living off your Social Security payments. Who could pick a better place for the grifters to operate than Springfield where the residents are used to being dependent on tax payer handouts, government projects and the town's "leadership" is making sure the town and its school system are completely destroyed before they move to another area ripe for the picking.
DeleteHow did this end up being a bash on the Humane Society? This was about a criminal act where the perpertrator was caught and thankfully Gibbs was returned unharmed. This woman should be charged and convicted. The Humane Society operates on a very limted budget receiving NO funds from the State or towns it serves. Adoption fees are charged to cover the expenses incurred for caring for the animals until adopted. If they simply gave animals to anyone who asked, they could easily be used for fighting, abuse, research labs, tied up outside as a lawn ornament or let loose (as Gibbs was)to suffer the consequences. Anyone who cares enough to rescue an animal cares enough to help support the Humane Society.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes...there are all of these excuses as to why they just can't give the animals away. It is all about the money. If they quickly gave the animals away they would have little to do and might lose their jobs. When you are dependent on spending other people's money(donations, my dear Lynn)you can come up with all sorts of lame excuses in order to keep the party going. Honestly, how many people are looking to adopt a dog "for fighting, abuse, research labs, tied up outside as a lawn ornament or let loose"? Anyone desiring to go down those rarely traveled roads does not need to get their animals at the Humane Society in order to do so. "Adoption fees are charged to cover the expenses incurred for caring for the animals until adopted" while restricting adoptions is ludicrous. Try giving the animals away or even better still pay someone to adopt them.
DeleteSo then if nobody adopts the dog, what happens does it get euthanized?
DeleteTastes like chicken......
DeleteHave a heart! The animals are vaccinated, fed, walked and sheltered. What, do you want dogs running the streets emaciated like in Mexico, Egypt and India etc. No. If you can't afford to reimburse the Shelter for an animal, let me say this, you won't be able to afford the vet bills. My dog's teeth cleaning is more expensive than mine. Blood work, anesthesia, doctor. Open your wallets! If you have a problem with the building addition, you can specify you want the $ to go to a specific program.
ReplyDeleteDo the parents pay for lodging children in state custody until they are adopted? nope, tax payers do
ReplyDelete