May 07 2010
Lawsuit Says “Aloha” to HSUS
It's no secret that the Humane Society of the United States conducts many, many "raids" to rescue allegedly abused animals. But in the process, the group is earning a reputation for using seriously heavy-handed tactics. South Dakota media outlets are reporting that Tuesday a judge ordered dogs illegally seized by HSUS and a local rescue facility to be returned to their rightful owner. And now HSUS is getting another “black eye”—this time for harassing a widowed 64-year-old owner of a Hawaii animal shelter.
Last July, Norman Pang took over control of the Animal Haven shelter after the death of his wife Bonnie (who ran the facility for nearly two decades). Norman, who played a minor role in running Animal Haven, realized he could not care for its more than 400 dogs, cats, and birds.
Many of these animals had long struggled with crippling injuries and terminal illneses. Bonnie, you see, had always operated Animal Haven a no-kill philosophy and accepted any animal regardless of its physical condition. She often described her shelter as a "hospice."
You would think this is the kind of compassionate behavior HSUS would support. At least if you judged HSUS by its heart-rending ads.
But you'd be wrong. HSUS actually did its best to see Pang convicted of animal cruelty.
Norman Pang accepted an offer from the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to take his late wife's sheltered animals off his hands. But he specifically told the Oahu SPCA that he did not the Hawaiian Humane Society involved. Bonnie had disapproved of that organization's euthanasia policy, and in the middle of a squabble the group had even taken her to court for animal cruelty. (The case was dismissed.)
The Oahu SPCA requested HSUS's assistance in transferring the animals from the Pangs' facility. And that’s when the trouble started.
On July 19, the Oahu SPCA and an HSUS rescue team led by Scotlund Haisley (who has since left HSUS under a cloud of suspicion) began moving the animals out.
Pang became suspicious when a man and woman from HSUS began videotaping the animals. He asked if they were trying to gather evidence against him. HSUS denied any such motivation, insisting they we’re “doing it for the training film.”
Pang took them at their word.
But soon after the rescue, HSUS posted video footage of the animals on its website—along with a fundraising solicitation. HSUS described Animal Haven as a “hoarding operation” and alleged that Pang was getting away with the “murder” of animals.
And then HSUS's photographs started showing up on the Hawaiian Humane Society's website.
The Honolulu prosecutor’s office conducted an animal cruelty investigation of Norman Pang. The Oahu SPCA strongly defended him.
“We believe Mr. Pang is doing everything he should be doing, and for that he doesn’t deserve to be prosecuted,” Oahu SPCA president Alicia Maluafiti told The Honolulu Advertiser.
Pang added: "I thought they [HSUS] were here to help me in my time of need ... But it's evidently not turning out that way. He told the Advertiser that HSUS was working with the Hawaiian Humane Society to carry out its “spiteful vendetta.”
In September 2009, the Honolulu prosecutor’s office decided not to pursue a case against Norman Pang. And just before the investigation wrapped up, Pang sued HSUS [ed. HSUS employees] and the Hawaiaan Humane Society. In addition to an apology and a retraction, he sought a court order requiring the two organizations HHS and HSUS to remove photos and videos of Animal Haven from their Internet websites.
Pang's attorney sent HSUS president Wayne Pacelle a letter accusing HSUS of unethical and deceitful conduct. We think that's a pretty mild description of what HSUS did. They rolled tape on his private property without his permission, told him it was for a training video, and then tried to use the footage as evidence against him.
The attorney's letter also accused HSUS of "working surreptitiously to carry out the Hawaiian Humane Society’s spiteful vendetta against the Pangs.”
The more we read about HSUS's in-the-field activities surrounding animal rescue facilities, the more we're seeing this sort of reckless misconduct as par for the course. HSUS seems to be cynically and opportunistically staging “raids” in order to generate publicity and money. And unlike the cash-strapped Pangs, HSUS still hasn't invested its ($162 million) nest egg in any hands-on pet sheltering.
We'll be watching Norman Pang’s lawsuit closely. We wonder how many of HSUS's 30+ in-house lawyers have any courtroom experience as defense counsel?
Comments
The body language of the HSUS employees in these photos seems to me to be that of folks who are afraid of dogs. And the body language, and the expressions of the dogs, seems calm submissive and happy. These aren’t aggressive dogs. So, why the rabies poles?
Well they don’t have experience living and working full days with dogs, so they probably can’t recognize signs like those.
But a better question is: Why do they need badges mimicking law enforcement?
-They aren’t law enforcement agents, and they don’t have the authority to act as such.
I think they will soon gain vast experience as defense council. I commend mr. Pang for fighting this. So many people become overwhelmed by the “swatlike” methods used for these raids. They believe they won’t be charged with any wrongdoing if they simply sign their animals over. Then only when its too late they become angry and wish they hadn’t. I wish everyone who is encountered by the HSUS would fight from the beginning. I’m glad we are educating here so people may do just that.
These thugs look like SWAT wannabees. What’s with the badges hanging from around their necks? Did they fail to meet the standards to be real law enforcement, so now work for HSUS as dog cops? Do employees of HSUS get real police powers?? If so, why?
The dark shades, black SWAT pants, cut off sleeves, hats on backwards and badges hanging on lariats simply screams “power tripper!”. They truly represent the arraogant facade of how an out-of-control organization with $150 million bucks can become ego-maniacal, with the knowledge that they can do anything they want, to anyone they want, anytime they want.
The only people who defend them are those so naive as to donate to them, ditzy actors who never read anything more than their next hack script and politicians who pander for their campaign funding.
I too would like to know what happens to these poor animals, and Mr. Pang (who is guilty only for being honest and trusting). HSUS always shows up for the best “photo ops”, but really, what else are they good for?
I would like nothing better than to see HSUS stripped of their non-profit status and be disassembled. Then distribute that $150 million bucks amongst real shelters taking care of real animals, and struggling daily to make ends meet.
People need to go to their local animal shelters and make their donations there, where it counts.
This is a case in point example of why PETA euthanizes animals, because simply stockpiling animals just to prevent euthanasia results in even more cruelty like this. On the plus side, whatever the outcome of the case may be, I’m glad the animals were rescued.
The lawsuit Mr. Pang filed in federal court is for a 1983 Civil Rights violation. It is a DOOZIE, with some very serious implications.
I have no doubt he will prevail.
Tracy
To Mr. Foster above. As to your wondering what happened to the dogs in the above pictures it is my understanding the apbts were all killed following a raid in 2007
Most of the Pang rescue animals were cared for by the Oahu SPCA at Kalealoa, HI. Many have been brought back to good health by the OSPCA staff and volunteers and have been adopted. Some are still at the shelter awaiting adoption. The shelter operates on a shoestring and needs donations and volunteers. See Oahu SPCA web page at oahuspca.org/
David- who is this Rowdy character? It seems he is from another country? Does he have “international raid” experience? I’ve seen HSUS, and others, praising his “good duties”. I believe he is the man in the front in the photo, obviously a very tough character based on the tattoos and sleeveless shirt. I’ve seen other photos of him holding a chicken I suppose was taken on a cock-fighting raid. He sure looks tough holding that chicken!
David- in your research, have you found it common-practice that HSUS uses local “shelters” or “rescues” as possibly a “shield” against legal action? The more people I’ve talked to, the more evident this seems to be. I hope in this case, and another, they will go down with the ship.
The public doesn’t even know that HSUS solicits both District Attorneys/city attorneys/SPCAs and other groups, so HSUS can use such raids as their marketing ploys. In many cases, HSUS performs the raids where the dogs can be killed due to state law. Remarkably, HSUS has helped pass laws labeling dogs as contraband so they can be killed. The state of Louisiana is an example.
HSUS should NOT be allowed to even be involved in ANY raids whatsoever, anywhere. Period. Katrina should have been the nail in the HSUS box.
Thanks c cardozo..you just answered my above question EXACTLY as I had expected.
Typically, from what we have seen in Wisconsin, the HSUS creates a crisis first, then goes in as “saviors”. In states with an animal issue (and what state doesn’t have any ‘animal issues’, I ask) they are very active in ‘preparing the field’ for new legislation, which just happens to be written and then ‘gifted’ to a local humane society as an answer to the crisis. The tail wags the dog.
It isn’t hard to overwhelm a small shelter or animal control department with reports of a big problem with someone. In Wisconsin, research “Thyme and Sage Ranch” - which HSUS raided lst year. It was a sad story - a good-hearted person who was actually the appointed AC officer in her rural county became overwhelmed after she started to take in animals with hard luck stories from neighboring counties, including many older, sick dogs from questionable breeders who were dumping unproductive breeding dogs. She had a nice piece of property with outbuildings, and just couldn’t say no. She took in all animals, including horses, llamas, etc. - with little financial help from anyone.
This person had the best of intentions, but got in over her head - instead of helping with the HSUS’s vast resources, the situation was used to advance the cause of “fighting puppymills” in our state legislature.
HSUS uses a lot of military tactics, it seems, like softening the target, scattering the leadership with distractions, getting both ends to play against the middle, and then running in to ‘save the day’ and offer up legislation to solve the problem that they helped create.
The story of Mr. Pang sounds very familiar, I’m afraid.
I can imagine it isn’t hard to act tough when you’re shielded by local LE. Haisley, you are a painter now? You really do sound like a tough guy!
What is so hard for normal people to understand is that HSUS works from a completely different playbook. Billybob - you ask if HSUS uses local shelters as a shield from law enforcement. Yes, that is certainly part of it. The bigger part is that the local shelters do the WORK and bear the expense. HSUS is long out of there once they have all their videos and the media spotlight is turned off.
It is standard practice for HSUS to distribute the “spoils of war” to shelters/rescues that support HSUS. When they take all the purebred animals of a breeder it is like Christmas for the anointed shelters and rescues that get the animals. They sell them easily for big bucks. Adoption is just a politically correct term for selling.
A clue to how bad the dogs are is how quickly the shelter sells them. If they are seized on Friday (which is frequently the case so it is hard for the victim to find a lawyer) and up for sale on Monday or Tuesday it is a pretty good indication that the animals were OK to start with.
If only the media would look beyond their noses and stop drinking the HSUS Kool-Aid, some of these shenanigans might get more exposure.
Use your critical thinking skills people!
My sister brought home one of the ” Animal Haven ” dogs in February. He was a tough case - VERY unadoptable by Hawaiian Humane Society standards - but the Oahu SPCA did a wonderful job with him during the seven months he was under their care. Today he is a very loving pet. The HSUS, on the other hand, disappeared quickly once the animals were moved to Kalaeloa and the cameras were turned off… They are nothing more than a lean, mean, money making PR machine. I give Norman Pang a lot of credit for standing up to them for what they said about his wife and I hope that he wins his lawsuit.
Rowdy Shaw is Irish and passes himself off as a “cowboy”. It’s not unusual to see him in the bars, in his HSUS wife beater t-shirt (which in most other rescue/sheltering organizations is against the code of conduct) and pretty much wasted out of his mind, to the point he wasn’t able to report to the shelter the following morning. He’s got a girl in every rescue location, even in Canada by all reports. He’s a piece of work for sure.
David- who is this Rowdy character? It seems he is from another country? Does he have “international raid” experience? I’ve seen HSUS, and others, praising his “good duties”. I believe he is the man in the front in the photo, obviously a very tough character based on the tattoos and sleeveless shirt. I’ve seen other photos of him holding a chicken I suppose was taken on a cock-fighting raid. He sure looks tough holding that chicken
The other thing you should check out is why HSUS brought John Benoit, a kitchen wear shop owner all the way from Montreal Quebec to work at their Hawaii deployment. Are their Volunteers trained that poorly that they need to resort to bringing in people from half a continent and another country away? This volunteer also had not completed all the required NDART training at the time of his deployment, probably because of the large influx of money he had brought into the HSUS coffers. He is not a vet or vet tech but bragged about how many dogs at the Hawaii deployment he had triaged on his Facebook (Emma Bloom) page. I know of a number of people who had completed their NDART training more than 2 years ago and are still waiting for their applications to be reviewed. It appears money does talk at HSUS. Unfortunately that money rarely gets to the shelter animals.
Apparently he was also deployed to Haiti as part of the HSUS response to work with their vet and vet tech, again all this guy has is the 2 day HSUS AFADR workshop again do they not have trained people who they could send, or did he buy his way to this deployment as well.
No, “Shelterdude,” Rowdy is actually from Texas. Gee, a Texan passing himself off as a cowboy? Unheard of! Enough with the slander. Find something productive to do with your time.
I didn’t realize Rowdy was so popular on conversation!
Allow me to clear a couple of things up without bringing to light too many things. Rowdy is not his name. Rowdy is not from a foreign country. Rowdy is not a Texan. Rowdy is a nickname given to him when he was a trouble-causing patron of many bars in Texas. He is actually from Kansas, though his real name is not necessary to publish because the past is the past, I truly believe animal rescue is the most important thing to him now.
With $162 million in their possession, how come the HSUS is not being audited? If the money is not being used for animal shelters then, what IS it being used for? Seems to me, HSUS is the one that should be investigated.
I’m Just sayin’, here is his Facebook info. Lists Dublin Ireland as his Home town, or is he a liar as well as animal abuser based on the lawsuit?
Rowdy Shaw
About me
.Basic info Gender: Male
Birthday: 29 November 1977
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Siblings: Kyle Shaw
Mary Lou Guyton
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Looking for: Networking
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Current location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Hometown: Dublin, Ireland
I suppose he could have just been born in Ireland ..... But to have the name ” Rowdy ” already tells me something is wrong with him and it probably has something to do with drinking. !!
The photos clearly show that this is an animal hoarding case—animals in dirty, ramshackle enclosures, some with obvious untreated medical conditions. The people who think that keeping animals alive under any conditions at all, no matter how miserable, are the ones who are misguided.
The HSUS is nothing but a front for VEGANISM…Thats what you should be researching.. Pacelle is a vegan *ssh*le .. They use these raids to raise money to futher their vegan agenda.. The HSUS , ASPCA and PETA are three of a kind.. They are dog and cat killers who claim they are saving animals when the reality of it is, they are mass euthanisers.. The USGov should not be letting these three frauds even stay in operation. Why dont you people research all three of these groups and their Vegan leaders Pacelle, Sayres and Ingrid of PETA.. ALL vegans who openly state their motivation to stop commerical farming of animals.. People are so dumb they just keep giving and giving to the same idiots who are putting our farms out of business..
HIHS in Hawaii County has been told of illegal dumping of feces, but has done absolutely nothing against the drug dealer who is throwing feces over her fence into a neighbor’s yard…
Hawaii County Police do NOTHING about reports of either the illegal dumping or the KNOWN drug dealer!!!
What is this world coming to that people do this? And, the neighbor is a LICENSED NURSE!
Why so many haters on here? I have never seen so many negative comments about someone who is, in my eyes, a true hero. Just look at the passion this man has for rescuing these poor creatures from despicable human beings. Shame on each and every one of you that feels the need to diminish this man’s dedication….
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What ever happened to the Animal’s.