Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary
Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary is a 27-acre cat sanctuary[1] located in Tarentum, Pennsylvania[2] and operated by Linda Marie Bruno (aka Lin Marie)[3] for 14 years.[1]
On March 13, 2008, the Pennsylvania branch of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals raided the property and found 750 cats living in "horrible condition"[2] including sick and dehydrated cats and dead cats in litter boxes, burial pits and freezers. Over 600 cats were removed from the property, along with 9 dogs, 6 horses and 1 goat.[2] [4] Bruno's supporters want all charges against her dropped. They say she is not a bad person and was doing the best she could to care for so many animals. Meanwhile, Animal Friends says there's a silver lining to the situation because it's bringing attention to the plight of stray and feral cats. They would like to host a summit on the issue to figure out solutions to the problem. The organization did an investigation at Tiger Ranch in 2006 and found it was sanitary.[4]
Bruno was initially charged with 14 counts of cruelty to animals.[2] On April 3, 2008, district judge Suzanne Blaschak dismissed 593 charges of animal cruelty against Bruno saying prosecutors failed to provide enough detailed evidence.[citation needed] The district attorney's office refiled the charges against Linda Bruno with more specific information on April 8, 2008. Disputing these charges, [5] Bruno told Andy Sheehan that she was on a Christian mission to save hundreds of stray and feral cats from certain death. "We take in cats that others reject. We take in cats that others will not take," Bruno added. "I am giving these cats a chance that they otherwise wouldn't have. I am giving them a second and third chance of life."[5]
Chris DeRose of the Los Angeles-based Last Chance for Animals said his group investigated the findings of undercover volunteer Deborah Urmann. "In October of 2007, I was asked to do an investigation of Tiger Ranch," DeRose said. "I swear by Tiger Ranch and was unable to do it. I refused based on previous records. Here is one lone woman with a band of volunteers," he said. "I am so impressed with her, yet bothered and hurt by the investigation and the PSPCA and the conclusion they have made. We want the animals returned and the witch hunt stopped."[3]
The case has caused a great deal of concern and has divided opinions among animal rescue and welfare groups within Pennsylvania and across the country.[6] KDKA reported that "as the battle will likely continue inside the court, it will likely rage on outside as well as animal rights groups face off."[6]
A hearing scheduled for April 17, 2008 for Bruno was postponed until April 28 and 29, and moved from a West Deer district judge's office to the Allegheny County Courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, because of space and safety considerations. Bruno is charged with 574 counts of animal cruelty.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Hearing postponed in animal cruelty case", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 17, 2008
- ^ a b c d "Cat Sanctuary Owner Facing Animal Cruelty Charges", KDKA, March 14, 2008
- ^ a b Garrone, Francine. "Nearly 100 Rally In Support of Tiger Ranch Owner", Valley News Dispatch, March 20, 2008
- ^ a b "Supporters of Tiger Ranch Want Charges Dropped", KDKA, March 19, 2008
- ^ a b "Sanctuary Owner: I Am Giving These Cats A Chance", KDKA, March 18, 2008
- ^ a b "Tiger Ranch Saga Divides Animal Rights Groups", KDKA, April 3, 2008
- "Animal Friends: '06 Tiger Ranch Inspection Slideshow", KDKA, July 23, 2006
- "Hundreds Of Ill, Dying Cats Found In Animal Sanctuary Raid", WTAE, March 14, 2008
- "Cat Sanctuary Owner Tells Her Side of the Story", KDKA, March 18, 2008
- "Supporters of Tiger Ranch Want Charges Dropped", KDKA, March 19, 2008
- "Animal Planet Crew Present For Tiger Ranch Raid", KDKA, April 2, 2008
External links
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