STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - After a fire ripped through a trailer home on North Atherton Street in State College, people say they've seen several dogs left outside in the freezing temperatures and the concern for the animals has created a fire storm on social media.
The "Happy Valley Animals in Need" Facebook page is set up to help folks in the community find homes for animals. Cortlyn Johnson is the founder of the group. After hearing the news of the fire in the mobile home park, she says she reached out to the family who lost their home for help.
"I felt the need to go over there and let the family know I was here to help, I would make my website dedicated to getting them food for the animals, straw for the animals," Johnson said.
But she says after only a few phone calls, things took a turn for the worse.
"What went wrong is this is a social media website, this is a Facebook page and people want to know why a trailer has seven dogs in it," she said. "This is seven dogs living outside in very small kennels."
Several people called concerned that seven dogs had been left outside in the cold, abandoned by the family. But we spoke with representatives for the family today who say that isn't the case.
"They don't live in dog houses, they live in kennels. Each and every dog has ample food, water, license, shots, every accessible thing that a dog that lives in the outdoors needs."
They say the backlash on Facebook has been hurtful.
"It's just so hard. Those people don't have a heart that they're trying to say that we're these bad people and we abuse these animals. Why don't they get to know us before they start judging us? Like they say, you can't judge a book by its cover and that's what they're doing to us. They're judging people they don't even know."
"I made it very clear, my page was not to judge, it was not to point the finger and when these comments started coming up, I deleted them. But it wasn't quick enough," Johnson said.
We reached out to Patton Township Police and folks with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, but did not receive calls back.
A family representative did confirm, however, that officers were out on the property Tuesday to check the situation and evaluate the dogs' conditions. They say they received the o-k, with only a few minor changes needed.
The family representative also tells us only six dogs remain on the property. They originally had seven, but surrendered an older one to Centre County Paws. They say the organization has stepped in to help and has given the family straw and food, as well as tarp to help stop the wind from hitting the kennels.
The "Happy Valley Animals in Need" Facebook page is set up to help folks in the community find homes for animals. Cortlyn Johnson is the founder of the group. After hearing the news of the fire in the mobile home park, she says she reached out to the family who lost their home for help.
"I felt the need to go over there and let the family know I was here to help, I would make my website dedicated to getting them food for the animals, straw for the animals," Johnson said.
But she says after only a few phone calls, things took a turn for the worse.
"What went wrong is this is a social media website, this is a Facebook page and people want to know why a trailer has seven dogs in it," she said. "This is seven dogs living outside in very small kennels."
Several people called concerned that seven dogs had been left outside in the cold, abandoned by the family. But we spoke with representatives for the family today who say that isn't the case.
"They don't live in dog houses, they live in kennels. Each and every dog has ample food, water, license, shots, every accessible thing that a dog that lives in the outdoors needs."
They say the backlash on Facebook has been hurtful.
"It's just so hard. Those people don't have a heart that they're trying to say that we're these bad people and we abuse these animals. Why don't they get to know us before they start judging us? Like they say, you can't judge a book by its cover and that's what they're doing to us. They're judging people they don't even know."
"I made it very clear, my page was not to judge, it was not to point the finger and when these comments started coming up, I deleted them. But it wasn't quick enough," Johnson said.
We reached out to Patton Township Police and folks with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, but did not receive calls back.
A family representative did confirm, however, that officers were out on the property Tuesday to check the situation and evaluate the dogs' conditions. They say they received the o-k, with only a few minor changes needed.
The family representative also tells us only six dogs remain on the property. They originally had seven, but surrendered an older one to Centre County Paws. They say the organization has stepped in to help and has given the family straw and food, as well as tarp to help stop the wind from hitting the kennels.
Comments
Well Lex B. You too use to live outside as a cave person so why do you live in a nice warm comfortable house? Animals deserve all comforts you have. If you choose to have a pet, treat it like you would want to be treated.
Mark K.
February 7, 2013 at 6:55 am
Well Lex B. You too use to live outside as a cave person so why do you live in a nice warm comfortable house? Animals deserve all comforts you have. If you choose to have a pet, treat it like you would want to be treated.
Mark K.
February 7, 2013 at 6:54 am
Because they are dogs! They have fur and have survived in the outdoors for thousands of years. Why someone would keep a dog indoors is beyond me. They are an outside animal. Notice I said animal.
Lex B.
February 7, 2013 at 4:32 am
Why anyone would think that it's appropriate to house dogs outside in these conditions is beyond me. -
Christine F.
January 23, 2013 at 11:03 am
