New Charges to be filed against Tiger Ranch

[kittycats_delight]

I found it out on the cat channel. Here is the link if you want to have a look.

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Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary Owner Will Face New Charges
Pennsylvania officials will file new animal cruelty charges against Linda Bruno, owner of Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary.
Posted: April 5 2008 2 a.m. EDT


The day after a judge dismissed animal cruelty charges against Linda Bruno, owner of Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary in Frazer, Pa., the district attorney’s office said it will re-file the existing charges, along with new counts of animal cruelty. With the new counts added to the existing charges, Bruno will face 491 counts of animal cruelty, the Valley News Dispatch (Pennsylvania) reports.
Bruno was charged with 14 counts of animal cruelty last month after the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raided her 29-acre Tiger Ranch property on March 13 and removed 406 cats. District Judge Suzanne Blaschak ruled that Bruno’s attorney was not provided enough information to file a plea or mount a defense against the charges, and dismissed them on Thursday.

In a news release from the Allegheny County District Attorney Office, spokesman Mike Manko said, “Based on the concern raised … by the magisterial district judge, this office will once again review the materials and re-file the charges in a timely fashion.”

Manko said the district attorney’s office had reviewed the evidence, criminal complaint and affidavit related to Bruno’s arrest. The office will re-file the original 14 counts along with 477 new counts of animal cruelty. Misdemeanor charges will account for 208 of the charges, with 283 of the counts being summary offenses.

The misdemeanors will include one count each for the 106 cats found dead on the Tiger Ranch property, as well as a count for each of the 102 cats that have died or needed to be euthanized after being removed from the property.

[Medusa]

The misdemeanors will include one count each for the 106 cats found dead on the Tiger Ranch property, as well as a count for each of the 102 cats that have died or needed to be euthanized after being removed from the property.

In my humble opinion, it's this line that speaks of the tragedy of it all. There were 106 dead cats and she still didn't see the necessity of asking for help? If she didn't know about it, that alone speaks for itself. If she did know about it, that's even worse. I am no person's judge but I lose faith in people when I read of stories like this. In fairness, I believe that this woman started w/the best of intentions but somewhere along the line she lost sight of her goal to help cats and, rather than show humility and, most importantly, love for those cats, she turned a blind eye to the appalling conditions there. Who could possibly think that one person alone could care for 500 cats? I have my hands full w/7 and it's all I can do to afford their food and vet care. I would love to take in more cats. Perfect world: I'd help them all. But I can't. Financially it isn't feasible and even if I could, I wouldn't because I'm astute enough to know my limitations, difficult as that may be to admit. I certainly don't want to act as this woman's jury either but somehow the message has got to get across to people that cats and all animals are not disposable and that, if you're going to take responsibility for them, then that's exactly what must be done.

[rebeccahowes]

I realize that she needed help. I am sure that she also realized she needed help. But, where would she really turn for help. Everyone dropped their cats off at Tiger Ranch. Does she tell them no and they go and kill their cats or drop them off down the street? Even the shelters dropped off cats. I heard that a van of 50 cats from another state was dropped off every weekend. You guys, lets be more compassionate for Lin Marie. I have strays that stand at my door in the winter. I let them in because I feel sorry for them. I feed them and love them. I provide them shelter, but I have no money for shots or spay and neuter. I truly believe that at least I gave them something they would have never had. Lin Marie gave these animals something instead of nothing. That is exactly what they would have got. Nothing! I guess she should have delivered them to Pittsburgh to the kill shelters. Come on! Let's be fair. We all love cats. We will do whatever we can to help any cat that comes our way. That is all Lin Marie did. If we want to blame someone, why don't we blame the people who took all of their cats to Tiger Ranch?

[Sprinter's_mommy]

You both have very good points. I've heard so many people say "well, now who do we take our cats to for a cheap spay or a place where we don't have to pay to drop off an animal we find" I think tiger ranch was over-publicized and referred from other places, rather than these other resources that have been mentioned in our other threads.
Meow!!

[Medusa]

Everyone dropped their cats off at Tiger Ranch. Does she tell them no

Yes, that's exactly what she should have done. When I was actively involved in rescue, I called shelter after shelter, even in other states and was turned down because they were filled to capacity. That meant that I had to work even harder to find quality, permanent homes for the cats that I had rescued. Because she was running a shelter and she wasn't just an individual who helped stray cats, she had the legal and moral responsibility to do the right thing for those cats and that meant saying "no" when she was full. To not have a competent staff to help her from the beginning spelled failure for her efforts and illness and death to so many cats. If there are no legal consequences to her for this situation, she may feel that she can open another "shelter" again and we can only assume that, given her past performance, she will probably do the same thing again. As I've already said, I'm no person's judge but I am a realist and someone who has 500 or 700 or whatever the number is of cats, has got to realize that one person cannot handle that load alone. C'mon!

[rebeccahowes]

[QUOTE=Medusa]Yes, that's exactly what she should have done. When I was actively involved in rescue, I called shelter after shelter, even in other states and was turned down because they were filled to capacity.

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That is very sad. Since you were turned down because they were filled to capacity, what were your options? Turn them away? Let them walk the streets starving? Get hit by cars? I guess your way was the best. Just let them go on their own. That was the best solution. If there is no room anywhere, just let them go and fend for themselves. Great options! I live in the city of Butler. My landlord thinks I have two cats. I have 13, working on getting six of them homes because they are kittens. No one seems to want adult cats these days. I don't care if 1000 cats walked up to my door, I would never turn one of them away. When you look into their pretty adorable faces, how could you turn them away. Should I say to these adorable cats "sorry, but I already have 13; therefore, I cannot feed you. Go away right now"? That is very sad. You make it sound like you can only handle a certain amount of cats and then you are through. There are many people in this world that can handle many cats. We are called cat lovers. I do not stop to think about whether I have too many to handle, I stop to think about how many more I can help. Even if it was a million, I would be there. I don't stop to think about whether I can get their shots. You have to understand that all the strays in the world will never get shots or be spayed. If they are lucky enough to show up on our doors and we pay attention to them, at least they got some love before they die. How can you even put a number on how many cats that you would help. That is so sad.

[Medusa]

Did you even read the rest of my post? My next sentence was "That meant that I had to work even harder to find quality, permanent homes for the cats that I had rescued." And that's what I did. As I mentioned in a previous thread, at one period in my life, I had 8 indoor cats of my own and 27 outdoor cats. I provided large, quality dog houses for them, each w/heating pads and covered w/blankets to protect them from the elements. I fed them twice a day, gave them warm cream to put fat on them and I paid out of pocket for all of their shots and vet care, plus I had every one of them spayed and neutered. When I placed them in homes, I had vet papers to prove it and I gave the new families a month's supply of cat food and vitamins.

I am not a child, which means I don't think like a child. Only a child would think that s/he can save all the cats. Sometimes a cat would show up only to eat, find a warm bed for the night and then move on. They were too feral to tame or to place in a home. I also do not have an inflated ego to think that my way is the only way. I've learned a lot from my PT family; I've also received encouragement from them when I was ready to give up. And I can only hope that I've done the same for others here.

And, btw, your veiled insult "There are many people in this world that can handle many cats. We are called cat lovers." did not go unnoticed. To doubt my motives and/or my sincerity regarding cats and cat rescue because I dared to comment on Tiger Ranch is insulting. The best determination of future behavior is past behavior, meaning that if this woman, as sincere as she may have been, is allowed to run another shelter, the same thing will probably happen again. That shelter became a death camp for those cats. You accuse others of being judgmental. Take a look at yourself, why don't ya?

[rebeccahowes]

I do not stop to think about whether I have too many to handle, I stop to think about how many more I can help. [I][U]

All cat lovers should feel this way. If you don't then you should question whether you really are a cat lover. You have a choice. Do I stop helping cats after a certain amount come to my home, or do I help every cat that come to my home. I would never, could never, turn one single solitary cat down in my life. That was Lin Marie at Tiger Ranch. Everyone took their strays and cats they did not want to deal with to Lin Marie. Now she is a bad person according to some peoples eyes. That is so sad. She did what any other cat lover would do. She really did not have options. She could not call the pounds. The pounds gave their cats to Lin Marie. If she said no to anyone, really, where would those cats go to. I know of people that drown their cats, drop them off at other peoples houses, and shoot them. They leave them out somewhere to starve and fend for themselves. Lin marie just tryed to give the cats and their owners hope and now she is a criminal. This just breaks my heart. Put yourself in her place. Could you, would you, turn down any cat that needs you? I never could.

[Medusa]

To say that all persons should think like you is unreasonable and to accuse them of not being cat lovers is insulting. I can't be sure but I don't recall anyone calling Lin Marie a bad person. A misguided one, perhaps. I'm not going to continue to reply back and forth on this forum about my motives or anyone else's. And I'm not going to continue defending myself or my position. I don't have to. My record speaks for itself. Every one on PT that has posted regarding this situation at Tiger Ranch has been doing cat rescue for years, probably longer than you have, and they probably have more experience than you do, too. You don't know everything; none of us do but most of us are adult enough to realize that and we humbly learn from others and don't insist that others think as we do and insult them when they choose to do things differently. Take a lesson from those of us who have been there.

[Emeraldgreen]

Rebecca, it is very clear that you love cats with all your heart and would do anything to help them. I just wanted to note that while Medusa wrote that she was turned down, shelter after shelter, she also said "That meant that I had to work even harder to find quality, permanent homes for the cats that I had rescued"
I've only been on here since July but the people posting on this particular thread who are upset and/or angry about the Tiger Ranch issue are also cat lovers. They are cat rescuers and also very passionate about it. I'm only pointing this out because this and the other thread about Tiger Ranch is getting quite heated.
I think everyone can agree that the care of the cats is what matters and that Lin Marie became overwhelmed to the point that some cats did not receive enough care and it fell apart. I think her heart was in the right place when she started but it's too much for one person. She needed to ask for help or to say no because each cat she took in meant that one already in her care was going to suffer.
I'm certainly glad that you are there for your cats and the ones that show up at your door. They need you. But at the same time, that is why I feel motivated to get some help your way because it's something that can spiral out of control so quickly as more and more litters are born. Your heart is obviously as big as Texas but your home and your budget may not be able to handle the increasing numbers of cats that will begin to appear.
I think Lin must have a big heart too but she needed more help.

[rebeccahowes]

You have such a sweet heart. I have never met you, but I can tell just by your words alone. I never meant to insult anyone by my postings, just as noone ever meant to insult me when I offered free kittens. I am just so sad that Lin marie could be found guilty when all she ever did was love cats. If somebody came to my house right now, they would find me guilty of not taking care of my cats. I cannot get them spayed or neuterd, or shots, or worm medicine, and sometimes I cannot even control their fleas, but I love them with all of my heart. The only reason why I cannot control the fleas or worms is because I can't catch two of the feral cats. So even if I put flea medicine on all of the other cats, I can't help the other two therefore; it spreads back to the others. I know that Medusa is upset with me and I am so sorry. I do not want to offend anyone on PT. I have been taking care of cats and kittens since I was 8 or 9. I just cannot turn any cat away no matter what. I know that Lin Marie felt the same way and I am only trying to defend her because she is not here to defend herself. I know that alot of people seem to find her unable to care for cats or maybe they think she is crazy, or ect. I don't know, it just seems that more people should stand by her side, and it makes me sad that some people are against her one way or another. I have pity for her and my heart goes out for her and all of the cats that were not taken care of properly. But I am just as guilty because I still have six cats that do not have their shots and have not been spayed or neuterd. Believe me, I don't like it at all. I would give anything that they were taken care of, but I will never turn them away or any other cat. I put a big bowl of cat food on my porch every day. By the evening it is all gone by the strays that show up. I am excited that I fed a cat that was hungry. If that cat wanted to come in my home, I would let it in, in a heartbeat. I could never promise that cat that I could get it's vacinnations or fixed. But that is ok. I gave it something and that is all that matters. Bottom line is that I am on Lin Maries side and I kind of get upset when people put her down. God Bless, Rebecca

[Catty1]

I hope that the publicity Lin Marie is getting can be used, somehow, to encourage funding for shelters and rescues.

As you said once, Rebecca - there are enough of both - but they need MONEY to function at their best!

I would hope someone like Oprah might have her on the show, and help all people realize that shelters and rescues don't run for free.

I don't know where you nearest pet store is - but I wonder if there could be some sort of exchange or sponsorship, example, the store arranges spaying, neutering and shots for the strays you help, and in turn you had out coupons or flyers for the store when people adopt (and the store could help with that also).

Just thinking of some kind of private enterprise sponsorship.

{{{hugs}}}

[Medusa]

To let a cat into your home w/out even the promise of immunization, as you yourself stated, is NOT ok. It is irresponsible and is a danger to your other cats. And flea infestation is serious. Cats can die from it, especially kittens. And if you can't afford to have them altered, then the problem will just continue to spiral out of control and the next thing you know, you'll be in the same situation as Lin Marie was. No one questions your motives and we bristle when our own motives are called into question. And no one engaged in name calling either, as you've repeatedly implied that we've done w/Lin Marie. We all know how heartbreaking it is to see a stray cat, hungry and cold w/no place to lay its head. But there's more to cat rescue than assuaging your conscience w/putting out a bowl of cat food. If you can't see that, then nothing I or anyone else can say to you is going to make a difference. And that's unfortunate for the cats.

To say that all cat lovers should feel the way you do and then to imply that, if they don't, then they're not cat lovers at all is insulting. You may feign innocence if you like but I have a good command of the English language and I know an insult when I hear or read one. And that's the last I'm going to comment on that subject.

[moosmom]

God Bless you Mary!!! You called it as you saw it. Nothing wrong with that!!

[jennielynn1970]

Thank you Mary, and Donna! I'm not the only one reiterating the quality of care vs. quantity of cats issue.

I wish people would understand that being responsible for the pets you have, before you take one more, is what is necessary.

Can you feed them all? Can you get them all neutered and spayed? Can you make sure they are all treated for the illnesses, and make sure they are up to date on the vaccinations? If you can't do that, then that's not helping them. Maybe it makes you feel virtuous and superior to say that you are helping "X" number of cats, and because we don't take every stray in we're not animal lovers in your eyes. I really don't care if that is what you think, because I know that if I'm taking in a stray, they are getting quality care. If I can't care for them, I won't be helping them by taking them in.

The issue is still quantity of animals vs. quality of care.

Like I said in the other thread, you cannot, realistically, save them all.