Jonean Crowle, Animal Rescue Team and Refuge - Gulfport, Mississippi

Mar 22, 2010: Animal shelter informant faces felony charge

By ROBIN FITZGERALD

Sheriff’s investigators have charged John Maas with felony malicious mischief in connection with damages at a no-kill shelter after it was shut down over an animal cruelty accusation.

The felony charge came as deputies investigated a misdemeanor complaint that Maas confronted the shelter director and her son Saturday night and allegedly broke the son’s nose.

Deputies arrested Maas on a simple assault charge at the former location of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge on Wolf River Road. They added the felony after damages were found.

Maas is accused of drilling holes in the tires and radiator of a moving van and in 100-gallon tanks that were used to water the animals, said sheriff’s investigator Kevin Hicks.

Maas, 47, of Ocean Springs, was a volunteer who called authorities about conditions at the shelter, which had no covered building or running water. The sheriff’s animal-control staff raided the shelter on March 16 and arrested its director, Jonean Crowle..." More

Mar 21, 2010: Whistleblower charged with simple assault

The volunteer who called attention to the plight of several hundred animals at the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge has been charged with simple assault..." More

Mar 18, 2010: Refuge operator faces 10 animal cruelty charges

The director of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge faces 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals after a raid at her no-kill shelter by Harrison County Animal Control.

Harrison County prosecutor Herman Cox said Wednesday an arraignment will be in about a month. Cox tells The Sun Herlad that each count can carry jail time of up to 60 days and a $500 fine. He said Jonean Crowle of Pass Christian could have faced a charge for each of the animals authorities found Tuesday on the property 205 dogs, 75 cats, five goats, a pony and a chicken..." More

Mar 17, 2010: Humane Society prepares for mass transfer of shelter animals

By DONNA MELTON

Volunteers on spring break from a New York college spent today watering and feeding animals as authorities with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Harrison County Animal Control and the Humane Society of South Mississippi made preparations for a mass transfer of the pets from a dirt pit off Wolf Ridge Road.

Jonean Crowle, director of the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge, faces 10 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals, said Harrison County prosecutor Herman Cox. An arraignment date will set for next month. Each count can carry jail time of up to 60 days and a $500 fine, he said. Crowle could have faced a charge for each of the animals authorities found on the property, which consisted of 205 dogs, 75, cats, five goats, a pony and a chicken, he said.

Jode’ Braxton-Hignight, development and PR director for HSSM, said the cats will be moved later today to the Harrison County Farm, which is operated by the sheriff’s department. She was not sure when the other animals would be moved..." More

Mar 17, 2010: Animal Shelter Head Arrested

The director of a South Mississippi no-kill shelter could face misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty for each of the more than 300 animals she vowed to protect.

Harrison County deputies arrested 58-year-old Jonean Crowle of Pass Christian at the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge. Sheriff Melvin Brisolara tells The Sun Herald that Crowle was charged with several counts, and more are expected.

Brisolara said authorities found about 225 dogs, 80 cats, some goats and a pony on the property, which is on less than an acre of land Crowle has been using while searching for a larger location..." More

Mar 16, 2010: No-kill shelter founder taken into custody

By DONNA MELTON

A woman with the South Mississippi Animal Rescue Team and Refuge has been taken into custody by the Harrison County Sheriff's Department following an investigation into animal cruelty complaints at the refuge.

Jonean Crowle, the refuge founder, was put into a patrol car in handcuffs about 1:45 p.m. Animal Control official Brad Necaise said he couldn't comment on the charges but that a press release would be issued.

More than 300 cats and dogs are housed at the no-kill shelter in the county, where sheriff's deputies converged this morning following complaints of animal cruelty.

Representatives of the Humane Society of South Mississippi were called in by animal control after the complaint came in to the Sheriff's Department..." Link

Photo: AMANDA McCOY

Virginia Robinson, Raven's Hope - Preston, Mississippi

Mar 11, 2010: Skeletal remains found at raid site

GARY PETTUS

Rescuers who seized scores of dogs from a Kemper County animal adoption organization this week also found about seven dead animals and skeletal remains scattered across the property.

They found about 170 dogs and four cats Tuesday during the raid on Rav-en's Hope in the rural community of Preston, Sheriff James Moore said Wednesday.

"We have a few more (animals) to get at the house; there are still some hanging around there," Moore said about the three-acre site located on Mississippi 495.

Responding to complaints about the site, sheriff's deputies arrested Virginia Robinson, 56, who operated Raven's Hope at her home, where she kept the animals in what rescuers described as filthy, crowded conditions.

She was charged with disorderly conduct, but since has met bond of about $200, and been released, Moore said..." More

Mar 10, 2010: Update on Animals Seized in Preston

By: Andrea Willams

Workers with the Humane Society of the United States brought in at least fifteen more animals from Raven's Hope Animal Sanctuary in Preston Wednesday.

Over 150 dogs and cats were seized there Tuesday. Now those animals are in a safe place and are receiving care.

As of Wednesday morning, four veterinarians had been called in to examine the animals.

"Basically, as far as body condition, they're in pretty good shape," said veterinarian, Dr. William Calvert. "We have a lot of skin problems, but everything else, they're looking pretty good."

With many of the animals in relatively good condition, the mission now is to get them to shelters so they can be adopted.

Officials with the HSUS say the animals will remain housed in a safe location for about the next one to two weeks, while they search for shelters that can house them.

The owner of Raven's Hope Animal Sanctuary, Virginia Robinson, bonded out of jail on a disorderly conduct charge. The 56-year-old has also relinquished custody of all but three of the dogs...." More & video

Mar 9, 2010: Animals Seized in Preston

By: Andrea Williams

Officials in Kemper County updated the number of animals being seized from Raven's Hope Animal Sanctuary in Preston, Miss., to more than 160.

Many of the animals appeared malnourished. Feces, discarded boxes and garbage were found piled on floors and furniture inside the house on Highway 495 where the owner, Virginia Robinson, also lived.

More than two dozen people from the Humane Society of the United States conducted the seizure in cooperation with the Kemper County Sheriff's Department.

Officials with the Kemper County Sheriff's Department, the Mississippi Animal Rescue League, and Humane Society of the United States conducted the seizure of mostly dogs and a few cats.

An estimated 100 animals were seized. County officials and others with the Mississippi Rescue League say this is one of the worst cases of animal neglect they've ever seen.

"She has about 3.5 acres here, and all around, inside the house, behind the house, down this side of the house, some of the animals are all up in the woods," said Sheriff James Moore.

"She considered it a non-profit rescue," said Deborah Boswell, executive director of the MARL. "And I'm sure that the donors would be absolutely appalled that they were sending money to support a situation where so many animals are suffering and have such inadequate care."..." More

More photos: here

Animal cruelty bill gets mixed feeling

by Emily Le Coz and Danza Johnson

An attempt to make animal cruelty a felony in Mississippi has won the support of those closest to its helpless victims.

But not all animal lovers agree.

Senate Bill 2623 passed the full Senate in a 47-1 vote last week. If it becomes law, it’d make it a felony to maliciously “torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve, disfigure or kill any domesticated dog or cat.” And it’d be punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Mississippi is one of only four states without a felony animal-cruelty law, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Idaho, North Dakota and South Dakota are the others.

Offenders now face misdemeanor charges that carry a maximum $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

The problem with weaker laws, said Tupelo-Lee Humane Society Director Debbie Hood, is that animal advocates and law-enforcement officials have little means to punish offenders. And Hood said she gets five to 10 abuse reports daily, some of which deal with multiple animals.

“Why even bother to prosecute if they’re not going to be punished for a crime? I think that’s what’s wrong with Mississippi,” Hood said. “These puppy mill breeders, there’s nothing we can do. In Mississippi, they would get a $50 fine, and they would have been told, ‘You can’t do that.’”..." More

Kathy and Tom Phillips, Clarksdale-Coahoma County Animal Shelter - Mississippi

Jan 27, 2009: Police: No charges against ex-animal shelter director

NICKLAUS LOVELADY

Clarksdale police will not charge a former animal shelter director accused of hoarding hundreds of dog and cats.

The Clarksdale-Coahoma County Animal Shelter remained closed Tuesday as officials strategized on where to place the animals and how to reopen the shelter.

Clarksdale City Attorney Curtis Boshert said the city owns the building and contracted with Cathy Phelps over the past 12 years to operate the no-kill shelter. He said the city's budget for the shelter was about $20,000 annually.

Although the shelter was supposed to be for the city and county, Boshert said the shelter did not turn away any animals.

"We know some were being brought in from outside the county. They didn't put any down, and that's how we got this overloaded," Boshert said.

Phelps was not available for comment Tuesday.

A complaint reported to In Defense of Animals led to the discovery of 340 dogs and 40 cats at the shelter. The shelter was designed to hold about 60 animals, said Doll Stanley, regional director of investigations for the animal rights group.

Stanley said the animals were living in deplorable conditions. Many were maimed and exposed to diseases. Some lived in those conditions for years, she said.

"You don't store animals. They're living beings," Stanley said.

Stanley presented her findings to city officials, and they confronted Phelps. On Friday, Phelps resigned, Stanley said.

City officials hired a new shelter director Monday. The city is working to frame new policies and procedures for the shelter. Included is whether the shelter will remain no-kill and establishing a maximum number of animals it will be allowed to take.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals already moved about 180 animals to animal shelters in Atlanta and Florida...." Link

Jan 25, 2010: ASPCA Takes Charge of Clarksdale Shelter

by: Dennis Turner

Clarksdale, MS - FAST FACTS:

• Shelter operators tried to run "no kill" shelter
• 400 animals found in shelter meant for 60
• ASPCA, other groups clean up, remove animals

The situation at a Mid-South animal shelter has become so bad, city leaders called in a national group to step in and take care of a growing problem.

The Clarksdale shelter was closed Monday, so volunteers could get a handle on a situation that left more than four hundred animals crowded into a space meant for just 60.

Hundreds of dogs and dozens of cats shared space in what volunteers called a dilapidated metal building just hours before animal lovers from around the country descended on the Clarksdale-Coahoma animal shelter to take charge and clean up what they called a horrible mess.

It left animal lovers here almost in tears. "I didn't really know all this was going on. I just found out this morning and it's upset me," said Linda Taylor of Clarksdale.

She says Kathy and Tom Phillips had done their best to run a no-kill shelter and ended up with more than they could handle.

"The smell was overwhelming. The room we are in now, was crowded with animals, there were feces, it was a horrible environment for these animals to live in," Said Tim Rickey of the ASPCA.

Over the weekend, town leaders finally stepped in.

Clarksdale Police Chief Greg Hoskins called in the ASPCA to help address the many problems. They in turn, put out the word, and groups responded from around the country.

Some of the volunteers weren't quite ready for what they found. "This is one of the most dire, horrendous situations I've ever seen," said Linda Ware of the Atlanta Humane Society..." More & video

Punish the offense or treat the illness?

By Tim Kalich

Our readers’ reaction last week to the rescue of several severely malnourished dogs was decidedly mixed.

One sentiment, arguably the most common, was one of outrage, calling for the prosecution of the animals’ owners on cruelty charges.

Another side felt that, as awful as the dogs appeared, the focus should be on getting the owners help. Their obvious mistreatment of the dogs may have been the sad but unintentional result of compulsive hoarding.

Then there were those, like me, who felt torn in the middle.

The picture of the emaciated dog, now known as Little Doll, produced feelings of disgust for anyone who would let an animal suffer like this. Little Doll didn’t get this bony overnight. It took weeks, maybe months of neglect to get to such a pitiable condition..." More

Year-End Study Names 2009's "Five Best States to be an Animal Abuser"

Animal Legal Defense Fund Releases Annual Report Ranking Animal Cruelty Laws Across the NationFor immediate release

Contact:Lisa Franzetta, Animal Legal Defense Fund

Stephan Otto, Animal Legal Defense Fund

SAN FRANCISCO – Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, and North Dakota are the five best states in the country to be an animal abuser, according to a new report released today by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF). Based on a detailed comparative analysis of more than 3,800 pages of statutes, tracking fourteen distinct categories of provisions, the report recognizes the states where animal law has real teeth, and calls out those like Kentucky – the single worst in the nation again this year for animal protection laws – where animal abusers get off easy. The annual report, the only one of its kind in the nation, ranks all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories for the general comprehensiveness and relative strength of their respective animal protection laws.

Why are these five states in the dog house when it comes to getting tough on animal abuse? The legislative weaknesses seen in the states at the bottom of the animal protection barrel include severely restricted or absent felony animal cruelty provisions, inadequate animal fighting provisions, and lack of restrictions on the future ownership of animals for those convicted of cruelty to animals. Many state laws have improved since ALDF’s last state rankings report was released in 2008; Arkansas, for example, was one of the worst five states last year, but jumped up to 25th overall in the country in 2009 due to a host of statutory improvements. On the other end of the spectrum, this year’s “best five for animals” list remains unchanged from the 2008 list, with California, Illinois, Maine, Michigan and Oregon demonstrating through their laws the strongest commitment to combating animal cruelty; Illinois was the very best of the best for the strength of its laws protecting animals...." More

Puppy mill operator facing misdemeanors

Allison Cardona, ASPCA director of disaster response,

holds a basset hound rescued at a Jasper County

puppy mill last week. More than 40 dogs, who

suffered from various diseases and malnourishment,

have been sent to the Oxford-Lafayette

Humane Society in Oxford, Miss.

By David Owens

Local agencies are still reeling from the weekend discovery of a Jasper County puppy mill, that housed more than 40 malnourished dogs.

The seizure brought in the New York City-based American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other state-based animal welfare groups.

Allison Cardona, ASPCA director of disaster response, said puppy mills are ongoing problem not just in Mississippi, but throughout the nation.

“Every time you buy a puppy from a pet store, it comes from a puppy mill operation,” she said. “There are places all across the country where profit is put over the actual care of the animal.”..." More

Dogs seized from Bay Springs caregiver

Authorities have removed dozens of dogs from a Bay Springs caregiver after concerns were raised about the animals’ well-being.

Jasper County Sheriff Kenneth Cross said more than 40 dogs were seized and were in conditions ranging from dehydration to being underfed and having matted hair.

He said the woman who’d long raised the dogs had fallen ill, leaving the care-taking duties to her son, who Cross said has been cited for animal neglect.

Cross estimated another 30 dogs, deemed to be in good condition, were left at the site.

Allison Cardona, director of disaster response for the ASPCA, said the seized dogs were being held at a temporary shelter and eventually would be made available for adoption..." More

Filthy Pearl home demolished

PEARL, MS (WLBT) - The home of the Pearl couple accused of hoarding animals is no longer standing. Crews knocked it down Monday morning because it was deemed unfit for human habitation.

In April, authorities discovered over 30 cats and dogs inside the home of Paula and Gerald Keyes. Four dead dogs were found in a freezer in the garage. And officials say all flooring was soaked with urine and feces.

The Keyes lived in the home on Upper Drive with a four year-old child. Some neighbors say they're glad the home is gone.

Connie Seaney told us, "I'm just grateful. Just really grateful. I just feel more comfortable and I'm not afraid anymore and I think it's just wonderful."

The Keyes pleaded no contest earlier this month to over 100 misdemeanor charges between the two of them..." More & video

Oct 14, 2009: "Animal Hoarding" couple fights to keep their home

By Cheryl Lasseter

PEARL, MS (WLBT) - On Wednesday, Paula Keyes videotaped the crews pulling all of her family's belongings out of her house, against her will.

"I'm gonna turn it over to some attorneys because I intend to sue the biohazard company and the City of Pearl," she says.

The city's mayor and board of aldermen have voted to demolish the house, deemed unfit for human habitation. Gerald and Paula Keyes were arrested back in April when authorities discovered unsanitary conditions inside. At least 28 animals lived in the home with the couple and their son, Dakota, who just turned four. Gerald and Paula both spent a few months in jail, and pleaded no contest to the charges. Dakota remains in the custody of D.H.S.

"He's in a foster home right now. We're gonna go to court, fight to get him back," Paula says. "They have refused to let us back in the home to get what's left in there."

Paula says she and Gerald were given 30 days to clean their property, but they were in jail for most of that time. She says they really only had 27 hours to work on it, which she says was not enough time to remove the 60 percent of their belongings that remained inside before Wednesday's clean-up.

Paula has submitted several appeals regarding the house demolition. All of the appeals are handwritten, and it doesn't seem they're making much of a difference..." More & video

Apr 21, 2009 Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty Ordered To Clean House

JACKSON, Miss. — A Pearl couple charged with 31 counts of animal cruelty has been given 30 days to clean up their home, which police said was covered in animal feces.

Earlier this month, investigators confiscated 31 animals from the home of Bennie and Paula Keyes in the 2200 block of Upper Drive in Pearl. Police said they found Feces covering the floor of the home and feces inside the animals’ cages. Officials also found animal corpses in the refrigerator.

Most of the animals had to be euthanized because of poor health. The three surviving dogs and a cat have been adopted…

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, the couple is each charged with one count of child neglect for keeping a 3-year-old in the home. Police haven’t said if the boy is Bennie Keyes’ biological child.

Bennie Keyes is also charged with 31 counts of failure to provide sustenance to animals, one count of possession of a schedule 3 substance, 27 counts of possession of animals above the city limit, one count of unsanitary conditions and one count of disorderly conduct. All of the charges are misdemeanors…” More, Video & Slideshow

Apr 3, 2009: Pearl man faces 28 counts of animal cruelty

GANNETT.COM BY CHRIS JOYNER AND HEATHER CIVIL

Mississippi — A Pearl man is in custody charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty after police removed dozens of dogs and cats in poor health and unsanitary conditions from a home at 2229 Upper Drive in Pearl.

Pearl police arrested Gerald Keyes around 10 p.m. Thursday after responding to a domestic disturbance call placed from inside the house.

A 3-year-old boy also was taken from the house and hospitalized for observation.

Investigators are still on the scene. In addition to the animals still alive, about eight frozen bundles believed to be animal remains were removed from a refrigerator inside the house.

Police believe more animals may be buried in the back yard. They say Keyes apparently has been practicing veterinary medicine without a license…. More

Apr 4, 2009: 28 animals found in squalid Pearl home

3-year-old living in feces-laden house with sick dogs, cats; cruelty charges faced

Pearl Animal Control officer Heather Rogers said the smell of urine was overpowering at Keyes’ home, and feces was on every surface inside the house.

“On the couch, on the floors, kennels and crates,” she said. “Not only were there animals living in those conditions, the child was living in those conditions.”

The house was declared unfit for human habitation, Pearl police Capt. Ronnie Conerly said.

Conerly said late Friday afternoon he had discovered records that officers responded to a call at Keyes’ home in 2005 requesting a welfare check on a juvenile. At that time, officers noted a bad smell and found 20 to 30 cats in the home. The investigation was turned over to Animal Control.

Apr 4, 2009: Two kittens, two puppies from Pearl home euthanized

Largest Dog Fighting Raid and Rescue in U.S. History; Nearly 500

Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task ForceWorks with State and Federal Agencies on Largest Dog Fighting Raid and Rescue in U.S. History; Nearly 500Pit Bulls Seized in Multi-State Operation

Sept 14, 2009: 4 Mo. men plead guilty in dogfighting case

ST. LOUIS — Four Missouri men arrested in a federal dogfighting crackdown in seven states have pleaded guilty in St. Louis to conspiracy and other crimes.

They are among the first convictions resulting from the largest coordinated multistate raids on dogfighting in U.S. history.

On Monday, 50-year-old Teddy Kiriakidis of Leasburg; 38-year-old Michael Morgan of Hannibal; 56-year-old Robert Hackman of Foley; and 34-year-old Ronald Creach of Leslie, appeared before U.S. District Judge Carol Jackson. They admitted their roles in breeding, trafficking, fighting and destroying American pit bull terriers.

In July, federal agents arrested 26 people and seized more than 500 dogs in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas..." Link

UPDATE- Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Rescue groups nationwide are working with the Humane Society of Missouri to care for the more than 400 dogs rescued in connection with the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. The dogs were seized in a multi-state raid by federal and state officers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. The fate of the dogs will be decided by the federal courts in forfeiture proceedings separate from the criminal cases.

Several rescue groups that have experience with the breeds of animals rescued have offered their help to care for and eventually receive some of the dogs. Groups involved so far in these efforts include Mutts-n-Stuff, based in Missouri; Our Pack, Broken Hearts, Mended Souls; PBRC.net; Whole Rotta Love; and New Hope Pit Bull Rescue.

We are very grateful that these groups have stepped up to help us care for and eventually give some of them a second chance,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of Operations for the Humane Society of Missouri and incident commander for the emergency temporary shelter. “We hope to place as many of these dogs as possible so we need more groups and individuals like them to contact us offering places for these deserving animals.”

While the groups involved in this situation are working independently, there is talk of forming a Pit Bull Rescue Alliance in a collaborative effort to save more dogs from fighting situations in the future. For now, these groups encourage others to join them in coming forward to take in the placeable dogs from this rescue when they are available.

Groups or individuals interested in receiving some of these animals should immediately contact the Humane Society of Missouri at 314-802-5712.

To read the full story, pictures and video: click here

Raid Uncovers Dogfighting in Eight States

By: LISA ACHO REMORENKO

U.S. attorneys in four of the states announced indictments accusing the 26 suspects of animal cruelty ranging from denying animals medical treatment to shooting dogs in the head when they didn’t fight well. Depending on the state where the cruelty took place, the suspects can get anywhere from 18 months to 10 years in jail.

Laura Maloney oversees the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department, Government Affairs, and Veterinary Forensics, including the ASPCA’s Mobile Animal CSI Unit. She is no stranger to dogfighting investigations as she is also the senior vice president of the ASPCA’s anti-cruelty division. Recently, I spoke with Laura Maloney to get more information about the sting operation.

To begin, Maloney wanted to give kudos to the Humane Society of Missouri. She said the Humane Society had been conducting undercover investigative work on this dogfighting operation for the last 18 months. They were the principal organization that coordinated the simultaneous dogfighting raid last week. The Humane Society of Missouri called on the ASPCA to aid in accumulating forensic evidence and to help evaluate the seized dogs. The ASPCA were also the ones who conducted behavior evaluations on the fighting dogs in Michael Vick’s case.

While Michael Vick brought dog fighting into the public scrutiny with his arrest and subsequent prosecution, dogfighting in American is far from eradicated. Last week, officers from multiple federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies made 26 arrests and seized more than 400 dogs in Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, in what is being considered the largest simultaneous raid of multiple dogfighting operations in the United States.