On Friday, February 15, 2008, the founder of All Setter Rescue, Bob
Attleson, had the doors at his residence physically kicked (rammed) in
and ‘HIS’ dogs [English Setters], seized by the City of Littleton. He had one 18
month old male, three of his champion bitches and 4 nine week old puppies. The
dogs were taken with a court order alleging that they were being abused.On that Friday morning Bob was at the Plum Creek All Breed Shows in
Denver showing his brace of English Setters. Funny names for the dogs but,
“Pig” and “Jo” went Best Brace in Show at age 7 and 1/2 or 8 years of age. I
can’t remember their true ages, but I am close.Over the past year Bob has been harassed and sighted for ‘over the dog
limits.’ Many of these citations came when he was either picking up a
rescue and had not placed it in foster as yet or when he was grooming a rescue
after the dog was placed in foster and brought to him for grooming. It didn’t
matter to the City of Littleton, if that was the day that they dropped in for
an inspection, the dogs were counted and Bob was issued another citation.
Bob has been in court at least three times defending his position that he is
active in Rescue and that all the dogs, his and the rescues are loved and cared
for and some being medically attended to coming in from a shelter or an
owner turn in.This Friday, February 22, 2008, Bob, his attorneys, Bob’s neighbors,
members of the Irish Setter Club of Colorado, members of the English Setter
Parent Club, President and members of All Breed Rescue Network [ABRN],
friends and family were all present at the “Emergency Motion For Hearing On
Illegal Seizure Of Property.” filed by Bob’s attorney, Susan M. Martin. There was
standing room only. The hearing was held and there were stipulations that Bob
had to agree to in order to get his dogs back. His only concern was for the
safety and welfare of his dogs and that meant agreeing to things totally unfair
and nothing could be done about it at this time. If he did not agree, his
dogs would suffer the consequences. The judge then signed an order that the dogs
be immediately released after both parties agreed. One of the stipulations
was that the dogs could only be released to Bob’s agents, the two
attorneys. Both attorneys agreed as they are dog people and also active in rescue,
however, not in the City of LIttleton, where rescue seems to be outlawed.Even with the Court Order to release Bob’s dogs, it did not go well.
Bob’s dogs were being held at the Colorado Humane Society, a privately owned
organization that is under investigation and sighted for inhumane
activities. The Denver Police had to be called out to officiate to see that the
Judge’s Orders were carried out. If you have read this far, you are probably asking,
why and how can this be happening? We are and have all been asking
ourselves these same questions. But I sat in court with the others and we were
very upset with what we were witnessing and to what Bob had to stipulate to.I am writing this to the list because Bob’s friends on the west coast
have asked about this, they are calling it the Colorado Incident. They and
everyone concerned should have the details straight from the horses mouth.
Channel 7 was present at the hearing and the story should be aired when they get
it put together and there is a time slot. We are also trying to put together
a ‘Defense Fund’ to help Bob with further action against the City of
Littleton for harassment; mental, physical and financial damages. I asked the
attorneys who was going to pay for the damages done? There will be more court
hearings and appeals. Anyone interested in the Motion that was filed may email
me as I have permission to share it with all Bob’s concerned friends.I hope this post is appropriate. It involves rescue and a very decent
and caring person that for the last 30 years or more has given more then
anyone I know to saving the lives of lost setters.Babs
Barbara Miller
Berthoud, COone small voice for those that cannot speak
All Setter Rescue
Just another example of rescuers being harrassed.
Contact information for City of Littleton, Colorado:
City of Littleton
2255 W. Berry Ave.
Littleton, CO 80165
Ph: 303-795-3700
M-F 8am-5pm
13 Comments
I am horrified that these gestapo tactics can take place in our country. I know that there have been many instances of social service organizations removing children immediately when unfounded accusations were levied against parents from neighbors or relatives or whoever. Agency abuse of power is extending to dog ownership and we must fight and fight hard against it. I wonder if the ACLU would get involved as civil rights are being violated by the zealots who abuse power under the auspices of Humane Societies, social services, or dog warden authority. I have noticed that often times, the real culprits in animal abuse seem to remain under the radar while reputable, above board breeders or dog owners seem to be targets.
I am appalled and horrified after learning about this story. I will never again set foot in Littleton, CO. Thank God I don’t live there but have visited. I thought it was a beautiful place. But the beauty is in the land, not in the people who govern . How sad and sick that this is allowed to go on. This needs to be made very public about the “Colorado Incident”. The ACLU seems like it ought to at least be contacted. This reminds me of stories of Hitler in Germany. And like Hitler, this little man who is the prosecutor sounds as if he also has the Little Man’s Syndrome.
there seems to be more to this story than meets the eye:
http://www.littletongov.org/news/releases/2008/attlesonGuilty.asp
For Immediate Release
Contact Kelli Narde, Director of Communications, 303-795-3733
Date February 22, 2008
Attleson Pleads Guilty to Violating Deferred Judgement
“Robert Attleson of 6519 and 6529 South Windermere Street, admitted in an emergency hearing today that he violated the terms and conditions of a deferred judgement he agreed to on November 22, 2006. After obtaining a search warrant, Littleton Code Enforcement and Humane Officers removed eight animals from his properties February 19, 2008. The Littleton City Code permits only three adult animals in a residential zone. Attleson admitted then to having more than three dogs on his properties on three different occasions. He accepted a deferred judgement which required that he have no more than three dogs on his properties and that he allow code enforcement officers to access his property to ensure compliance.
Attleson was placed on probation for three years, he was fined $345, and the jail sentence was suspended on the conditions set by the court which included an order that he have no dogs on either premise while on probation. The dogs that were removed last Friday are being returned to Attleson who must verify to the court by February 26 that the dogs have been taken to a facility that is “…fit for the health and care of the dogs.” The court found February 15, 2008 that “…there exists a clear and present danger to the health of these 11 dogs.” Presiding Municipal Judge James S. Kimmel advised Attleson that he can be sentenced to up to three years in jail and fined up to $1,000 on each of the three charges if he violates the terms of probation.
A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at 10:30 a.m. in Littleton Municipal Court for arraignment on additional charges filed against Attleson regarding the condition of his residences. These include failure to remove rubbish, outdoor storage that’s not permitted; and International Property Maintenance Code violations concerning plumbing facilities, structure maintenance, and sanitation. ”
If Mr. Attleston’s story is as was originally provided, why did he plead guilty to the charges? It sounds to me like there was some reason to be concerned about the animals on the premises , i.e., the condition of the residences as detailed in the last paragraph.
Agreed, government can and does often go too far. But how do we know when we should trust the person doing the complaining?
I think if you read my followup post on Mr. Attleson this becomes pretty clear.
He pled guilty to protect his animals. This often happens when animal control seizes animals in error - they hold possession of the animals over your head in order to keep you from suing them for their misconduct.
Have you ever had your animals stolen from you by animal control? What would you plead guilty to to get them back? Or would you allow animal control to kill them? Because I wouldn’t.
Failure to remove rubbish? That could have been someone throwing a soda can into the poor man’s yard while he was gone. Believe me, it is that easy for AC to trump up charges. That’s what this blog is about.
I’ve know Bob and pleading guilty was the hardest thing he has probably ever had to do but it was the ONLY way to get his dogs back. Now that his dogs are safely back with him, he can concentrate on fighting back. His only offense was being over the limit allowed by Littleton and he had been working to rectify that and finally found an available AND suitable property far away from Littleton. There were never any complaints by his neighbors. All visits to his home over the past year and a half even as recently as Jan this year NEVER expressed concerns over the health and safety of his dogs just having too many. I’ve seen his dogs and they are in great shape.
I would like to add that Bob’s house in Littleton is over 50 years old and the house next door which was included in the seizure was over 30 so not everything will be up to present day codes but that doesn’t make them unsafe nor unhealthy.
BTW, his new property is on 37 acres and he is applying for a kennel license. There is also no restriction on the number of dogs he can have. I’ve seen the new house and it is beautiful.
The seized dogs were turned over to the Colorado Humane Society which has been cited for inhumane conditions and treatment of animals and is under investigation by the Colorado Attorney General’s office for mismanagement and improper dumping of euthanized animals. Its contract had already been canceled by several communities.
You should read the motion filed by Bob’s lawyer. You can find it at http://www.attlesondogdefense.com.
Very interesting!
This is not suprising, nor is it unexpected. The AR groups have an agenda
They are succesfully getting their way too, because no one is protesting them. It is high time that all dog breeders, owners unite and fight back.
newkirk speaks of their goals viewed on utube
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XYvSzsgolVY&feature=related
Stossel reports illegle ar group in texas theu utube. There is a part 2 on the same page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyjfHjxGxm0&feature=related
It is interesting to note that David Garcia who spearheaded this type of attack on mediocre breeders in and around Dallas, quit his 80 k job shortly after the stossel interview. Why?
Habitual drunk driver in 3 states, spent 9 years in prison for rape. create or join a pro dog owner group, become active and lets fight back.
one more thing on this topic. The people who are conducting these raids, often tell the poor animal owner that they could recieve a long sentence, and they could avoid jail by signing the animals over to them. We need to find a way to get good legal assistance to mediocre breeders who are being beated down to submission by ar groups.
“Failure to remove rubbish” means that he failed to remove the animal control officers from his property.
I met Bob through a friend who also owns purebred dogs. Judge ye not,since this is not the case. They say it is a free country. Not when they try to make you fit in .. and cause no harm to others. Then you are a Bad person. Bob is a kind giving man who cares more for his dogs than anything.Most childrn do not have this kind of love and care. Fran , Budi & Blue
I stumbled across this story while looking for a rescue english setter for my mother. I am very lucky I do not live in an area where there are these types of restriction. (I live in the country on 5 acres) In some areas of the city they do have such restriction. I agree with the one writter, they can trump up charges as to building codes. (which change from year to year) Or even call my garbage bagged in the garage, rubbish. (Yes, it happens, if it’s been pouring rain or smowing, it will go to the can when the weather breaks) This man should be applauded for his desire & work & love he give to these often abandoned, abused unloved animals. There are people that want to give loving homes to these dogs. God just needs the messanger to keep them safe untill the right dog & person can be joined. the follow are word from my heart…….
Pets are a gift from above,
They are our gaurdian angles,
Who gave up their wings for four paws,
So that they may walk beside us in life.
Bob is trying to be those dogs gaurdian angle in my eyes. My hat is of to you Bob, keep up the calling.
P.S. Anyone try to take one of my 4 legged angles, They had better have a shot gun to put me in my grave first!!
I too have been harassed by animal control officers and they seized amy 25 yr. old gelding.They claimed that there was no feed, or water available to him yet they left my other horse in the pasture. These gestapo type tactics need to brought under federal control so that the actions of these officers can be monitered. The state that I live in has expanded the laws so severly that it is almost as if “any thing the officers claim is law”. These people are idiots and egotistical power hungry people(?). They are not doing it for the animals but for their own glory and possibly financial gain. It has be rumored that this agency has illegally sold horses at auctions for a profit. Even a vet has been involved in this practice. How can the public stop this type of human cruelty? Where are the publics rights when the lawyers and the judges are in the hip pocket of these agencies? It is all a money racket and egofest!!!!!!