Daily Herald, Letters to the Editor, 11/25/08

Pet Rescue case problems shameful

Hopefully, Dale Armon and Penny Horak, of the Pet Rescue Inc. of Bloomingdale and Hebron, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for their unconscionable disregard for the "law" exhibited in their behavior toward the unfortunate animals placed in their so-called care.

The death and suffering of countless innocent animals can be traced to lack of veterinary attention and the despicable conditions to which they were subjected under the management of these two women who fit the classic profile of "hoarders" and who have for 25-plus years viewed complainants with disdain and labeled them as those of "misguided zealots."

I pray there will be no more continuances due to the technicality of "notice to defendant" overlooked by both the DuPage state's attorney's office and the state.

This small misstep not only caused a month's delay in the trial, but also subjected the animals to yet more "prison" time. In the case of the dog Puji, it may have actually cost her life.
Inspections of the shelter turned up nothing even though dogs laying in their own feces and urine were not walked for 11 hours at a time. Mice infestation was everywhere and animals languished in their cramped dirty cages without vet care their silent cries for help going unanswered while written records on each went uninvestigated.

Endless amounts of documentation and complaints were presented on a "silver platter" to state and Bloomingdale police yet never acted upon. Shame on all involved for allowing this to continue.

Sharon A. Seremek
Itasca


Governments need to help animals

I am writing to express my concerns that the DuPage County State's Attorney and the Bloomingdale Police Department are not doing everything possible to protect the animals that are suffering terribly at Pet Rescue.

Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

These living, sentient creatures can't help themselves. Governmental agencies need to do what is morally right for these animals and do so in a timely manner.

Fran Stenberg
Oak Brook