Dog advocate given probation

BY KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat

HOLLIDAYSBURG February 22, 2008 11:34 pm

— A dog advocate convicted of taking and keeping a chained-up dog was sentenced Friday to one year’s probation and 300 hours community service with organizations that assist people.
But the biggest blow to Tammy Grimes, 43, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, may be a stipulation in the sentence by Judge Elizabeth Doyle that images of Jake the dog be removed from all of her Web sites and that she not profit from the sale of related merchandise.
“Those images are not yours to sell,” Doyle told Grimes of the pictures and products including thong underwear, which must be removed from all her Internet sites and other outlets within 10 days.
Prior to sentencing, Grimes expressed no remorse, telling the judge that – if faced with a similar situation – she would video the dog, “And will still pick that animal up.”
The decision to take Jake was not because he was tethered but because he had not stood in three days and was being abused, Grimes contended.
District Attorney Richard Consiglio said that, while the dog was old and arthritic, he did stand and move around and was being given food and water.
Doyle also ordered Grimes to pay more than $1,700 in costs related to the jury and sheriff deputies at her three-day trial in December, where extra measures were needed due to Grimes’ efforts to attract supporters, Doyle said.
In a YouTube video last week, Grimes said she is being singled out and will go to jail rather than pay the trial costs.
She was noncommittal Friday.
“We’re still talking about that,” she said following the hearing.
The court will set up a payment schedule, and only if she refuses to pay and is delinquent will the case come again before a judge.
But defense attorney Lucas Kelleher said he will appeal the sentence, especially the Internet and sales ban of the dog’s image.
He plans to argue locally and before the state Superior Court, if necessary, that Grimes’ First Amendment free speech rights are at stake.
Lynn Manheim of Scranton, a Grimes supporter, said after the hearing that, if Grimes is forbidden from using Jake’s picture, she will put it on her Web site.
On Sept. 11, 2006, Grimes, of Antis Township, removed the 19-year-old mixed shepherd from the box he was tethered to at the home of Steve and Lori Arnold of East Freedom.
An irate Consiglio said her action taking Jake and her pursuit of publicity vilified and humiliated a hard-working, middle class couple.
“She tried to make them look like trash, and the roles are reversed as far as I’m concerned,” Consiglio said.