Don't Judge a Rescuer by Her Collar

It seems that Belmont Shore and beyond finds itself about one degree of separation from the case of Long Beach Hearts for Hounds dog rescue operator Bonnie Sheehan, who remains jailed Friday on $100,000 bail. Sheehan, 55, was arrested Tuesday on felony aggravated animal endangerment, along with longtime rescue volunteer Pamela King-McCracken, 59, in the Memphis, Tennessee area. Authorities making a routine traffic stop allegedly found 148 dogs and a cat in a Sheehan-driven U-Haul and a minivan it was towing.

Rescue volunteers there have been filmed on TV newscasts describing horrible conditions, alleging that the dogs could have remained in Southern California and were highly adoptable; they've suggested that supports of the women should send their donations not to their defense fund but to the local volunteers now grappling with caring for the 148 seized animals. (The video with this story was taken Jan. 2, 2012 when I picked up my dog from the kennel following a week's stay. It is of a volunteer at Hearts for Hounds and the adjacent rescue, Sparky and the Gang, holding one of dozens of puppies abandoned beside the Long Beach (710) Freeway and calling abandonment epidemic).

Many elements of the story are disturbing, dismaying and many pieces remain in question. While we await more details on chronology--from Long Beach's municipal shelter investigation of whether it properly policed the Long Beach operation to Tennessee's prosecution--this opinion piece captured the feelings of many people who have commented on Patch or e-mailed me privately.

Do you feel you misjudged Sheehan's operation? Do you think she is being fairly judged, by authorities and by the public comments here and on Hearts for Hounds Facebook page? Do you agree with critics who are not only lashing out at Sheehan but her supporters? Let us know in comments how you are feeling about this case.