In the words of former President George Bush, "[A]sset forfeiture laws allow [the government] to take the ill-gotten gains of drug kingpins and use them to put more cops on the streets."
This was an idea with good intentions gone bad. This is being used against breeders as we speak and we must be heard. The Patricks where not only found not guilty but the judge did not even feel like there was a case against them. Still they stand to loose their home because Pima county is using laws ment to go after drug dealers to assists the Humane Society of the United States and themselves in this act of bitter vengeance.
If you are just now tuning in the Patrick's where accused of dog fighting in early 2008. Their animals were seized 94 killed 20 or so handed out to others. Some of those where even later disposed of by "Pit bull expert" Diane Jessup. The judge found the couple not guilty and in fact stated the he felt they never had intention of such activities and pointed to contracts stating the dogs or pups where not to be sold for fighting and the fact their was no evidence of any dog fighting activity.
The couple wins big hooray tears of joy ect ect. Right? WRONG
Patricks had to return home to figure out if they were going to loose their home or not. Why? Because even after it is proven that you have not committed a crime you still have to come up with enough money for a bond on your property and a lawyer or you loose. EVEN IF YOUR INNOCENT
don't believe me check this out seems like alot but please read.
"Concerned about the the broad effect of federal forfeiture laws, Henry Hyde (R-Ill., House Judiciary Committee Chairman) and John Conyers (D-Mich., the senior Democrat on the Committee) teamed up to introduce the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act in a rare display of bipartisan unity. The Representatives were concerned about the problem of police using seized property or funds to finance their own operations. As Bob Barr (R-Ga.) put it, "In many jurisdictions, it has become a monetary tail wagging the law enforcement dog." Testifying before the Judiciary Committee, Willie Jones of Nashville, TN, gave an example of this abuse. Engaged in the landscaping business, Mr. Jones planned to buy a shrubbery in Houston, TX. Nurseries prefer cash from out-of-town buyers, so Mr. Jones planned to go there with $9,000 in cash. Officers detained him at the airport: suspicious of the large amount of cash, they accused him of being involved in drug-related activities. They eventually let him go, but they kept the money, and refused to even give him a receipt for it. Because he did not have 10% of the money seized to put up as a bond, he could not afford to challenge the seizure in the usual way. Disturbed by this and other similar stories of excess, the House members voted to approve H.R. 1658 to curb this abuse. The Clinton administration said that the bill would have a negative impact on the war on drugs. The House soundly rejected an administration-favored alternative, however -- supporters of H.R. 1658 said the alternative bill would expand the federal power, not narrow it. " -http://www.law.cornell.edu/background/forfeiture/
Doesn't seem all too funny anymore does it.
What can we do well for starter we can contact the Attorney General of Arizona and let him know how disgusted we are about the war on drugs being used for the war on breeders for non-profit extreme agendas.
Contact
Attorney General Terry Goddard
Office of the Attorney General1275 West Washington Street Phoenix, AZ 85007
602.542.5025 800.352.8431 (toll free)Fax 602.542.4085
Tucson Office400
West Congress South Building, Suite 315Tucson, AZ 85701-1367
520.628.6504 Fax 520.628.6530
Then we can go to our congressmen in our states and ask why this law is being used against law abiding citizens with the backing of animal rights groups.
And lastly you can contact the Patricks at their page BOLIO.net and show them your support and appreciation. They need our help. Also go to Stop-bsl.com and ask the webmaster how you may help with phone calls or donations.
Thank you every bit counts.