Judge Rules for Humane Society in Dog Dispute
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A judge has ruled in favor of the Moore County Humane Society in a dispute between the shelter and a Seven Lakes woman over ownership of a dog.
The case was heard in small claims court July 3.
Jan Anderson Dubey filed the suit, claiming that the Humane Society refused to return an American Eskimo dog to her after she dropped it off for a rabies shot. She said the Humane Society refused to return the dog to her because they said she was too old.
Humane Society officials said Dubey signed a form surrendering the dog. They said that if an owner came in seeking to get an animal a rabies shot, they would refer the person to a veterinarian or Moore County Animal Control.
Dubey brought the dog to the Humane Society on May 12 and said she attempted to get it back several times before filing the lawsuit.
Dubey said she only partially signed the form relinquishing ownership of the dog to the Humane Society.
The judge ruled to the contrary.
Dubey said she was told by shelter staff that the form was a “sign-in” sheet and didn’t read the form before she started to sign it. She contended that representatives from the Humane Society completed her signature, making the form invalid.
Representatives from the Humane Society failed to return phone messages requesting comment for this story.
Dubey said Tuesday that she is considering filing an appeal.
Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 692-2484 or tembrey@thepilot.com.
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Comments
tarheelborn 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Now I gotta tell ya. This is one of the most hurtful things I have read. We got a JUDGE ruling with a County Agency to KEEP a poor ole lady's COMPANION! What the H_ _ _ is going on here? GIVE THE WOMAN HER DOG BACK! I would be willing to wager the Judge was AFRAID to rule for the Lil ole Lady, because there are LAWS on the North Carolina books which MAKE IT A FELONY for Stealing someones Dog! WHO is the Judge? Somebody needs to take their Dog from him or her. Then again they may not like Dogs in the first place. Let's ask the PILOT to Interview the no count JUDGE which is an accomplice with the Moore County Animal Shelter in STEALING this poor lady's dog! We the People get so sick of ONE Person with So Much Overreaching Power, making decisions when they should just keep quite and dismiss the case, so the lady and her wonderful companion can enjoy what time they have left on this earth TOGETHER! AGAIN, Who is the Judge and are they up for Election this year? IF SO, VOTE THEIR SORRY BUTT OUT!
Courseaire 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Must have been a George Bush appointee.
DoubleHeroides 10 months, 2 weeks ago
@tarheelborn: You seem to know something more about this case than I as you seem to have already verified, proved, confirmed and firmly believe in the story given by Ms. Dubey that she left the dog there to get a rabies shot when the Humane Society clearly does not administer the shots to walk ins off the street. If you have more factual information about this case then please share it. From what I’ve read the woman has consistently been suspiciously contradictory in both her story, and in common sense logic regarding the events that lead up to her leaving the dog at the Humane Society. For instance, she claimed she was not allowed to bring the dog into PetSmart which is why she took it to the Humane Society. That is a wildly odd claim to make and for people to believe if they have ever made a trip to PetSmart where you can just waltz in the door with your animal.
dustyrhoades 10 months, 2 weeks ago
tarheelborn: If it was in small claims court it was heard by a magistrate, not a judge, as the story says. They're not elected.
bettertimes 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Take a chill pill Tarheelborn! Obviously, you did not read the original story. The woman's story doesn't make sense- at all. It sounded like she is a very 'confused' woman. Moore County Animal shelter did NOT steal this woman's dog. I hope they adopt the dog out to a loving responsible family that will keep him forever.
tarheelborn 10 months, 2 weeks ago
@dustyrhoades
You stated, ""If it was in small claims court it was heard by a magistrate, not a judge, as the story says. They're not elected."" IF YOU READ WHAT I POSTED, ((""are they up for Election this year? IF SO, VOTE THEIR SORRY BUTT OUT! "")) That is why my statement was posted as everyone read...
However the Story reads, ""A judge has ruled"", ""The judge ruled to the contrary."" All we know is exactly what the Pilot Printed.....
@bettertimes, ""It sounded like she is a very 'confused' woman."" Wouldn't YOU be confused if your longtime companion was TAKEN from you? "" Humane Society refused to return the dog to her because they said she was too old"". WHO IS TOO OLD, The Woman or THE DOG? Jeeeeezzzzzz sue wiz!
Ok. Here is my opinion and EXACTLY what I would do. Go and HIRE the VanCamp Law Firm. They actually CARE about their dog's. Heck even their receptionist has her sweet little dog companions right there in the LOBBY of the FIRM! This lady needs to allow Jim or Tom to appeal on her behalf to a HIGHER court and take their sorry A _ _ to the cleaners and make the county PAY for all the traumatic stress they are putting she AND HER Dog through being deprived from the Love , Care and Companionship each bestow upon the other! MAKE THE COUNTY, which (""Representatives from the Humane Society failed to return phone messages requesting comment for this story.)"" PAY and PAY DEARLY! End of Story!
JD 10 months, 2 weeks ago
JUDGE ruling with a County Agency
No tarheelborn (GO DUKE) the Humane Society is a not-for- profit no kill shelter not affiliated with the county. Source (notice the .org and not .gov address)
The more you know...
herecomesthescience 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Once again the "every other word in ALL CAPS" theory proves right, the more you see it, the more nuts the poster is. Just sayin.
tarheelgal915 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Seems to me that the lady surrendered the dog to the human society then found out from the breeder that the dog should have been returned to the breeder if it was to be surrendered as per her contract maybe she was afraid of being sued for breech of contract by breeder and decided to try and get the dog returned to her. Either way something is fishy about her story who drops a dog off or even expects to leave a dog for a rabies shot. Having owned dogs for many years I can honestly say a rabies shot takes less than 2 mins to give takes longer for them to fill out the paper work for the rabies tag etc but the whole process can be accomplished in minutes. As far as not being able to enter Pet Smart something is fishy there too I have never seen the Dog Nazi standing at the door checking rabies certificates to enter the store. Banfield offers rabies vaccines inside pet smart and having taken my dogs in for vaccines I have had to enter the front door with an unvaccinated puppy to get to the Banfield area and have never been stopped by the Dog Nazis. Something about the ladies story just does not ring true.
bettertimes 10 months, 2 weeks ago
@ tarheelborn - the dog was not 'taken' from her. The lady brought the dog to the humane society - she walked in the door and left her dog! Nobody that I know of in their right mind leaves their dog for a rabies shot that takes all of 2 minutes - and keep in mind - the establishment doesn't even give rabies shots. Read tarheelgal915's comment - She hits the nail right on the head. You must be a friend of Dubey.... or one of those people that can't use common sense.
Courseaire 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Petsmart is a dog friendly store and allows you to bring your dogs inside. They also do exams, grooming and doggy daycare. It'd be real difficult to provide these services if you couldn't bring your dog inside.
dustyrhoades 10 months, 2 weeks ago
All we know is exactly what the Pilot Printed.....
Well. there's your trouble, right there. I do hope they print either a clarification or a correction soon.
Small claims court is presided over by magistrates. Not judges. Magistrates are not elected. Argue all you want that "I read it was a judge!" that's not going to change.
pinewoodnc 10 months, 2 weeks ago
I wonder why the Humane Society is so adamant about keeping the dog. If the woman wanted her dog back and had changed her mind, then just charge her a fee and give her back her dog. Sometimes older people get confused or they make decisions rashly. We all know that this can happen with older folks. Someone needs to consider that this dog may be attached to the woman and just keeping the dog away from the owner is being cruel to the dog. Unless this lady has observantly been cruel or has neglected or mistreated the dog, than I have to greatly question the Humane Society's actions of refusing to return the dog to either the woman or the breeder.
Thatcher 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Amazing thread. Seems to me that folks who want the court to order that the dog be returned to Ms. Dubey can adopt it for a nominal amount and give it to her. Saves thousands of dollars in legal fees, and Ms. Dubey gets her dog back.
JustThinking 10 months, 2 weeks ago
Someone just go and adopt the dog and deliver it back to the lady! The HS people are huge jerks!
BUZZ88 10 months, 1 week ago
maybe the humane society had already adopted the dog out before she came back?
skylinefirepest 10 months, 1 week ago
No problems with the HS. Got a rescue from them right now that we've had three years already and through the years we've adopted many rescues from them. I agree something fishy about the ladies story. I tend to stand with the HS on this one.
Bflat 10 months, 1 week ago
Because this dog is involved in a dispute, can it even be adopted?
Baselice 10 months, 1 week ago
Most of the comments printed here are based on speculation not facts. How about the Pilot allowing Moore Humane to tell their side of the story without slanting it for a change. Hey Pilot, how about printing some of the positive things that Moore Humane brings to this community. Hey Pilot, how about the cooler that was left on the doorstep at Moore Humane during the night about two weeks ago. Hey Pilot, do you know what was in that cooler? How about 6 black lab puppies approximately 6 weeks old. Hey Pilot, do you know how Moore Humane handled that?? Well, the puppies were taken in and vetted and are now in foster homes. Hey Pilot, do you know where those puppies will go after foster care? Hey Pilot, how about they will be transported to Charlotte to the Biffle Foundation(yes Greg Biffle-NASCAR great). From there, the Biffle transport will take those and other puppies to the North Shore Animal League in NY to be adopted. Hey Pilot, did you know that Moore Humane takes puppies has them vetted and transports them every few months to the Biffle Transport? Hey Pilot, guess how many puppies avoid euthanasia because of Moore Humane transporting them to Biffle? Hey Pilot, do you know what the Humane Society deals with on a daily basis? How about injured strays, surrender of animals, distressing calls of animal abuse and neglect, adoptions, emergencies and oh, having to survive without the help of tax dollars!! Hey Pilot, did you know the driving force behind all of these things has given 20+ years of her life to see that Moore Humane continues its good work? Hey Pilot, did you know that Moore Humane spays/neuters/vets/trains/shelters/saves hundreds of cats/dogs per year? Hey Pilot, how about printing some of these things? Oh, and by the way Pilot, these are all facts...you can look it up!
Courseaire 10 months, 1 week ago
Hey Baselice, did you read that representatives from the Humane Society failed to return phone messages requesting comment for this story? Oh, and by the way Baselice, this is a fact...you can look it up!
Baselice 10 months, 1 week ago
Sorry Courseaire...you are not correct. The Humane Society was supposed to meet with the Pilot to discuss the story but the Pilot already printed it. You really shouldn't believe everything your read!! Next!!!
AnimalLover 10 months, 1 week ago
What a witty comeback, Courseaire! Did you ever stop to think that the HS couldn't comment on this story due to ongoing litigation? IMO, I think Baselice has some very good points to make. And like you, SkylineFirePest, I too have adopted from MHS. This woman's story is REALLY fishy! The administration, staff and volunteers of Moore Humane are second to none, when it comes to the health and well-being of the unwanted animals of Moore County. And they are always consummate professionals anytime I have ever had contact. Their dedication to the animals of our community is top notch. And that is a fact... you can look it up.
bettertimes 10 months, 1 week ago
Kudos Baselice! I as well have adopted through the M.C. Humane Society and think they are caring people that volunteer a lot of time. I too wish The Pilot would print stories from time to time about the good that these people do - guess that wouldn't create a ruckus so they don't print it. The stories could actually help find those animals good homes and more volunteers. As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to fill out an application to do some volunteering with them!
AnimalLover 10 months, 1 week ago
Way to go, bettertimes! I have volunteered there as well as adopting. They have ALWAYS been on top of their game! But they could ALWAYS use more volunteers, and financial support from the community. It truly is the best animal welfare group that I have ever encountered. Hey, Mr. Embry, how about doing a few stories highlighting the good work that they do? Baselice's mention of the puppies left on their doorstep would be a great place to start. What was not mentioned was the fact that they were left in a stinking bait cooler with the lid shut down tight. Originally, there were seven puppies, but by the time they were found, one had died, presumably by suffocation. What kind of hard-hearted, black soul does that? This is but one example of a majority of stories the staff and volunteers have to deal with, on a daily basis. I am amazed by how much cruelty these people see, yet still maintain faith in humanity....
Bflat 10 months, 1 week ago
Does anyone know if the story published in the print edition prior to July 10, or just here online?