One of the best days of our lives is when We adopted our Loretta from Bonnie a fews years ago. We can not imagine that the woman we met would put a dog in harms way. We dont know how to feel as the stories come in. This is a tragic story in many ways. Something went horribly wrong.

Bonnie is an angel. In 2003 I had a rescue dog that needed an operation and I couldn't afford the vet bill. I also could no longer keep that dog in my small apartment. Without a qualm Bonnie had the dog operated on and she found a wonderful home for my sweet homely rescue mutt and for that I have been forever in her debt. Since I have a facepage with over 5000 friends as Barking Gourmet (I cater homeopathic dog food in Belmont Shore) I want to start a chip in for Bonnie and her associates defense fund. Bonnie's sadness and horror in that picture breaks my heart and she desparately needs all of our love and compassion. I will do what I can to help. Please feel free to contact me via email at barkinggourmet@yahoo.com or call me 562 212-6782. Once I set up the chip in fund, I could use some volunteers to hand out flyers in our beach communities. If everyone who benefitted by adopting a dog or having a dog adopted by Hearts for Hounds would donate $10 we could help turn this around.
Also, if anyone has connections to getting this story to Rosie O'Donnel or Ellen this would be a big advantage to getting Bonnie and her friend the help they need right now.

We adopted a dog from Bonnie three years ago and was a 100% positive experience. We love Bonnie and all she stands for.
One of us dontated a $2500 bonus we received to her, that is how much we thought of her and still do. Can a group of us go to this place in support of Bonnie and show face and support and even adopt some dogs? Fly, drive, get there anyway you can. Just not sure where to go and when. I would like the city(s) that dont know her, see the love and support she deserves. If whoever put this website out could determine a place and time for those who can go to support her, please post is so we can make plans. Debi Rikli (drikli@roadrunner.com)

Every person accused of a criminal offense has a right to mount an active and competent defense. I hope Sheehan and her companion are able to do so.

The reports that they left town with these animals between the first official visit from LB Animal Control and the second scheduled visit (apparently without notifying LBAC they were leaving) troubles me a very great deal. If true, it smacks of an awareness of guilt and an intentional attempt to evade authorities.

The fact of the deplorable conditions in which these animals were transported troubles me even more so. Perhaps Bonnie and her companion truly had the best of intentions, but it still sickens me to think that they transported all of those animals all of that way in the conditions that have been described here and in the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Hi John, I feel details are still missing in the chronology despite various media accounts. But I am going to put together that which I know based on the city calling me back after hours tonight. There was no harm or medical problem with any of the dogs at Hearts for Hounds Thursday, nor were any dogs removed, as they would have been for their safety. There were too many dogs, significantly more than the 75 allowed, and that was the reason for the return visit scheduled for Tuesday. There seems inference in a couple of stories that Sheehan and King-McCracken were beating a hasty departure but that her friend told me the city of LB knew well in advance she was taking the dogs to Virginia. Yet the Commercial Appeal had obviously been told something else because it words that as Sheehan and K-M "made it out of town." Her moving the dogs was read differently by supporters, as an attempt alleviate the over-population at Hearts. More coming.

Fantastic article Nancy! And you are completely right, EVERYONE was aware that H4H was relocating to Virginia. In fact they had to keep pushing the date back because of all the preparations needed for a relocation of this size. H4H had been asking for donations, crates, blankets, etc for the past year. I have not adopted a dog through Bonnie, but I have worked with her at various adoption events. I also have kenneled my own dogs with her, as do my parents bring their 2 dogs to her for boarding & grooming. She is a saint for dogs. Period.

I think those are excellent questions that I share, John. I watched a TV link last night and read H4H's wall at Facebook with some answers about Tennessee transporting laws, and a question of why the H4H pair had what appears almost double the amount of dogs they reportedly left with. Also, apart from the conditions, there was a question raised about whether there was a license secured there for that amount of animals/a shelter. Many questions, fewer answers, but we'll all try and keep each other informed.

http://www.wtkr.com/news/wreg-uhaul-truck-animals,0,1563807.story

I live in the Memphis area, and have been following this story. I would like to point out a few things. One of the animals found in the UHaul had died. Considering the amount of time it has been reported they had been traveling, it would have been impossible to allow for stops to properly walk, feed and water the animals. There has been reports from Virginia that neither residences of these women would have been adequate to allow housing of that many dogs. Also, no local rescue organizatons in Virginia had been contacted regarding their move from California (and it is my understanding that the custom is for these groups to work together). Finally, a person associated with a Virginia rescue organization was interviewed and said that it would have been necessary to have some sort of certificate of travel for each animal, and there were none. Whatever the reason they chose to travel with the dogs in the manner they did, it is gross neglect and endangerment on their part.
Our community has stepped up to house and care for the animals and are in need of donations. In my opinion if you want to contribute to this situation it should be done to help with those costs. Collierville Animal Shelter 603 East South St. Collierville, TN 38017 901-457-2670.

I adopted a dog from Hearts for Hounds 3 years ago and am aware of other successful adoptions. Darel, I'm not on Facebook or the other social sites, but want to make a donation when the address is announced.

I didn't know Bonnie very well at all, but was very aware of her work rescuing dogs from shelters and trying to place them with new families. We adopted Prudence from the SPCA last July, and when we went out of town in September I boarded her at Bonnie's on the recommendation of a friend. When Bonnie called to inquire about Prudence she started asking some rather pointed questions that I thought were strange. Turns out, she was asking about Prudence because she had RESCUED HER from the streets a few months before. She kept her for a few days before turning her over to the SPCA, which she was required to do by law. Had no one adopted her, Prudence would have gone back to Bonnie (per Bonnie's request) and Bonnie would have tried to get her adopted. So, when I took Prudence to be boarded for the first time at Hearts for Hounds, she saw Bonnie and wagged her tail...Bonnie called me in San Francisco to let me know Prudence was doing fine while we were away. I think Bonnie had the best intentions and may have become overwhelmed with the logistics of transporting all those animals across the country. It was no secret she was relocating - in fact, it was on her website. I know she was trying to find as many homes for these dogs BEFORE she left. People may want to consider writing a letter to the judge on behalf of Bonnie.

We adopted our dog from Bonnie about 8 years ago. She had a cast on her arm and pins in her leg when we got her and was a scrawny 2.5 pds. From what I was told H4H took care of the surgery not sure about the circumstances of how she came to need such a surgery. You wouldnt know she is the same dog now. But we had a good experience with H4H. Obviously we dont know the whole story yet, but no matter how overwhelmed Bonnie may have been I cannot understand thinking traveling with these animals through who knows what kind of weather for days in conditions like this was somehow acceptable in their minds. Another thing that was concerning to me (besides finding a dead dog) was that they said that dogs were left behind at her kennel in Long Beach. Again, we have not heard the full story , for example if someone was taking care of them at the kennel, but the Animal Care Services did take them from the faucility.
And as for donating to help for an attorney etc... I would have to agree with Kathy's statement:
"Our community has stepped up to house and care for the animals and are in need of donations. In my opinion if you want to contribute to this situation it should be done to help with those costs. Collierville Animal Shelter 603 East South St. Collierville, TN 38017 901-457-2670.
Which I would think Bonnie would also get some peace knowing that (her) animals are being well taken cared of.

What seems peculiar is for this TV station to quote a volunteer rescue person as an authority on things when I didn't see her title being a leader of any rescue group in Tenn. Several comments she makes, at face, are incredulous and at best, uninformed. 1. that these dogs should have remained in L.A. County as they were "highly adoptable." If that were the case 10,000 dogs a year wouldn't need killing by the county, plus 1,415 in Long Beach. 2. That they needed "climate controlled" transport. In the rich world of dog rescue? 3. That Bonnie stole a dog along the way. Apparently she lacked enough dogs. http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-144-dogs-and-a-cat-found-crammed-inside-a-uhaul-and-van-stopped-along-interstate-40--20120118,0,76018.story

I really dont believe she stole a dog along the way. If anything maybe it was lost and they happened to see it roaming the street and they picked up possibly.

I am joining a growing coahilition in Long Beach that is gaining in strength and in numbers and money is flying into the coffers to support the cause of Hearts for Hounds. NOT ONE CENT SHOULD GO TO THE OTHER GROUPS Please feel free to join us, email me at mikecarverindustry@yahoo.com

Mike Carver, what does gay bashing have to do with any of this? Were you praying for the 145 animals for those 2 days they were stuff in the UHaul? Is anyone in your area giving thanks for the volunteers caring for the animals and the communinty that has stepped up with donations for their care? All I've seen is a handful of individuals who "purchased" pets from these people trying to make a martyr out of her. She took an "economic" problem she was having and transferred it to another part of the country. And if she notified her local supporters of her cash flow problems and her intention to relocate a year prior to her leaving, why didn't her supporters step up then to help with the problem? She committed a crime, plain and simple.

Ok- First, I want to thank everyone who has let their voice be heard in support of Bonnie, Pam and the Hearts for Hounds Rescue. Second, the news reports in Tennessee and here locally are failing still to get the correct facts out instead they all keep piggy backing on each others stories and repeating the same nonsense. Bonnie has a GREAT reputation for what she has done for so many years with her rescue its sad some people are so ignorant they believe anything after only hearing one side of the story. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW: Bonnie pulled out of Long Beach on Sunday evening and was pulled over by the Tennessee Law Enforcement at 8:30am Tuesday morning. That's aprox 1 day and 9 hours on the road. That's it. That hardly cries out animal cruelty and if there was no food or water given to these animals then where did the feces and urine come from? Dogs also don't wait to poop or pee. If they need to go they go and that is sooner rather then later after eating/drinking. Let's think for a second...... How much poop and urine could actually be there on a 1 day 9 hour trip especially if they are saying there was no water or food?? There was only 2 crates that the dogs got out of in the uhaul. A total of 5 dogs were loose which explains poop and urine on uhaul floor.

Cont: the rescue was not running from the law or avoiding an inspection from the city. This whole move was planned and has been taking place for over a month now. The 1st trip transporting the dogs was already done in December. This was the 2nd and last trip. On Sunday after noon Long Beach Animal Control Officers were at the rescue for several hours and HELPED Bonnie and other volunteers load the UHaul and knew there were over 100 dogs being transported and did not advise or suggest anything to the rescue. Animal control was more interested in making sure they got every dog out so they could lock up the place. There was even a police officer there as they finished loading the last dogs.

One last thing - If your going to charge someone with animal cruelty after a 33 hour drive (1 day and 9 hours) and call those conditions punishable, then we need to charge the same people who lock their animals up in tiny dog pens in their back yards with feces and urine for weeks at a time. We should prosecute people who leave their dogs locked up in a garage with no air and feces and urine all over while they are out of town for the weekend. Even worse leaving town and locking dogs inside or outside with no food or water and gone for over a week or longer. These are far worse the the short Uhaul trip.

Hi Jay: I think your passion is commendable. I think you may also be assuming a few facts not in evidence. Are there laws (local, state, or federal) which regulate the transportation of this many animals and, if so, what do they permit and/or prohibit? Until we know this, it seems silly to assume that no such laws have been violated.

If H4H wasn't trying to evade LBAC, why did they depart LB *before* the second scheduled visit, apparently without notifying LBAC they were leaving? If you weren't trying to evade them, wouldn't you have at least given LBAC a call and advised them they could cancel the appointment because you would no longer be in their jurisdiction?

How often did H4H stop and, feed, water, and exercise these animals during their journey of 33 hours? How often did they clean the cages? Did the U-Haul have any ventilation? If so, was it sufficient? These all seem, to me, to be reasonable questions.

Do you have the answers?

Bonnie is a good person who truly loves animals. This just goes to show you how difficult is to care for so many pets in a society that just casts them away at the first sign of personal difficulty. Her mode of transport was not well thought, but notice that she kept fighting the good fight some and no one stepped up to help her move these homeless dogs to a place where they'd stand a better chance of getting adopted.

If you're going to charge anyone with animal cruelty, charge SEAACA, the high kill shelter that supplied Bonnie with her dogs!

Agree John.Thanks Jay, and is it true that Bonnie's rent was $7,000 a month? The LB animal services director told me the Tuesday visit was to deliver the Thursday visit report. I know key details remain missing. But some context: LB euthanizes every week nearly as many dogs as were in the U-Haul, and even Tennessee officials said beyond clean they were in good shape. Tennessee has a 72-hour max before it euthanizes animals, and a 65% rate of euthanasia compared to the 50% national average. And that number predates the country's economic crisis, which has seen a 46% increase in dog euthanasia in L.A. County, says the spcaLA. Despite the comments in some Tennessee media about how H4H animals could have been adopted out here-wrong. LB animal control knew Bonnie had a no-kill policy, which is why almost daily, dogs were dropped on her driveway or staked to a tree outside, and some of them were truly near-death. So a dog dying in transit would not surprise me. I took a picture of a sweet but starved white pit bull Jan. 2 that a volunteer had come and walked, and the pooch was about half it's normal weight. The Tennessee no-kill organization that put out a press release? It did NOT take the H4H dogs. It claimed it was called because of their famous 'animal cruelty' investigators.' If 3-4 million animals were euthanized in the U.S. in 2012, our problem's bigger than any Army of volunteers can manage. In govt. hands in LB or Tenn., these 148 dogs would already be dead.

Monica I am not willing to give a pass to anyone for good intentions. If the facts support a filing of criminal charges in this case, then those charges should be filed. If H4H is held to answer in court, and if the facts support a conviction, then Sheehan and her companion should be convicted.

If they are convicted, their intentions properly come into play at sentencing, where a judge can show leniency based upon the totality of the circumstances. The judge can vacate the conviction or pronounce sentence and then suspend it.

I keep coming back to the these simple questions:

Why did H4H leave town when LBAC had scheduled a follow-up visit and why did they not notify LBAC that they were leaving?

Is it reasonable to transport *that* many animals over *that* great a distance and time period, under the conditions which H4H did so?

Was there adequate ventilation in the U-Haul?

How did they care for that many animals during the trip?

What laws apply to transporting this number of animals over that great a distance and time period and did H4H violate them?

If they did violate them, the "why" comes into play at sentencing because ignorance of the law is not a valid legal defense.

Credit where it is due: Long Beach animal services has lowered by 2.5% the euthanized dogs and cats over 2010, and adoptions were also up.
My understanding via e-mails I have received is that people are or already have written letters to the court there out of concern the women will be railroaded, given the tone of the media coverage there.
And John, I had a guy email me about U-Hauls and ventilation. He said "you drive a U-Haul for a day and you can write me a letter in the dust on your furniture. Anyone who's driven one knows they are reliably drafty."

Hi Nancy: I've driven more than my share of U-Hauls and I agree they are not airtight. However, if there is a statute that requires adequate ventilation for that many animals transported in one, I would be very curious to know what the standard is. I would also be very surprised if that standard proved to be the "write-a-letter-in-the-dust-drafty" standard.

Just sayin'

I know. But I think we are still not near a clearer picture on this one, and in the meantime, some reality checks are in order. If the city of Long Beach alone is forced to euthanize 125 cats and dogs weekly, that still means these dogs would have been dead here or there.

Come on, Nancy, I think it's a vast over-simplification to claim that these animals are no worse off because they may have been killed here if they stayed. That is not a fore-gone conclusion, nor does it address the true issue: The manner in which these animals were transported and whether it was lawful, let alone humane.

I haven't heard anyone take exception to H4H moving the animals to VA or anywhere else they might have liked. But from what I can tell, every state has regulations for the import and/or export of domesticated animals. Did H4H follow all of the regulations that applied in every state they transitted? I don't know.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/animal_imports_states.shtml

I *have* learned that TN requires that all dogs (3 months and older) and cats (6 months and older) that are transported into Tennessee for any purpose must be vaccinated. Were all of the animals they transported into TN in compliance? I don't know.
http://state.tn.us/sos/rules/0080/0080-02/0080-02-01.20110420.pdf

CA apparently has a similar requirement. I suspect the other states they passed through do also. In my experience, H4H typically didn't provide a vaccination until *after* the animal had been adopted. Did they fail to vaccinate these animals in this case because they hadn't yet been adopted? I don't know.

Questions....questions....

The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, strategems, and spoils.

http://www.facebook.com/americanhumane#!/photo.php?fbid=10150539928242454&set=a.114293067453.98543.5943727453&type=1&theater

Bonnie has a big heart for hounds and a reputation as a dog lover and protector. Everyday. My 2 daughters and I have adopted our wonderful fur children through her rescue organization. Each were spayed or neutered, micro-chipped and vaccinated and came with recommendations and a trip to a local vet. If there is something that wasn't done correctly on her trip to Virginia, I hope that all the selfless time she spent rescuing and finding homes for animals will be remembered.
Please don't put all your energy into condemning.

The good work of Hearts for Hounds is well known in this town. I know of their good work through a number of friends who have adopted dogs from H4H. I stopped by their booth at the Farmer's Market a number of times over the years. I thank Nancy for providing more info. than other media. I just knew that there was "more to the story" than we were reading. Thanks, Jay for your persistance in telling what you know. I believe you. I hope that all who wrote here will stay in touch with the vet and Jay and to continue to and not to let it go until the situation is resolved, People leave dogs because they are desparate and have no other options and don't want to take their pet to the shelter knowing that the chance of he/she being killed is high. Every animal I have ever had has been a rescue, ift I couldn't find a home, he/she ended up with me. I can not bear to drop an animal off at a shelter. So I respect what Bonnie and others have done over the years. Sally

Bonnie Sheehan arrived tonight in Long Beach. In good spirits and with close friends and supporters. Asked that I pass that on.

Love you Bonnie-I am willing to make donation once address is posted. I adopted my dog from you and she is the best thing that has happened to me since my husband passed away. I bought Tyler as a companion for him while he was ill - my husband thought the world of you as a kind and gentle soul. When I told you he had passed away you offered me another dog in remembrance. I couldn't afford another dog but I will never forget your generosity and kindness. You also helped me find home for a dog I rescued but couldn't keep. Without hesitation you accepted KiKi and found her a loving home even tho it cost you money as she wasn't spayed nor had any shots. I could go on and on. I respect you without question.
Phyllis Delgado

Just heard the story. I am so sorry, my heart goes out to Bonnie. I adopted my dog "Parker" from Hearts For Hounds almost 4 years ago, he is the love of my life. I know they meant well, they would never mean to hurt any dog ever. I hope everything turns out okay.

love Julie and Parker