“We have to protect not only our staff and the animals, but other people that come here,” said Midge Grinstead, executive director of the animal shelter. I happen to firmly believe that the U.S. Constitution grants us all the right to “keep and bear arms”, period. That belief is becoming more firm as I see the expanding numbers of these “humane investigators” that think they can take other people’s property with impunity. Here I see a shelter director verging on thinking she’s her own little police department. Ms. Grinstead, be forewarned that many of us owners have the same belief as you; that WE have the right to protect OUR animals by right of arms. In fact, I think we have more right to do so than you since they are OUR animals, OUR property, our constitutionally protected property.
“Mark Grinstead, the director’s husband who also works at the shelter, is used to dealing with angry people. The former fire investigator… he said. ‘It’s never visible…’” Um, DUDE, seriously? I see the size of the weapon and where you carry it in the picture. Unless you’re wearing a PARKA, that small cannon is going to make a quite noticeable bulge. Of course, I’m sure you intend for it to be noticeable and inherently threatening. Do I need to mention the obvious? Guess I will. It’s hard to imagine there isn’t a touch of nepotism when at least 2 of the 3 investigators are related; related as husband and wife at that!
“ ‘When you’re dealing with that element, things are going to escalate,’ she said. ‘I’ve seen people lose their children while I’m taking their dogs and they’re madder about me taking the dog than they are about losing their kids.’” OMG, I can’t believe she said that to a reporter! Well, thanks Midge, at least we know what an arrogant, prejudiced snob you are right off the bat!!! Yeah, I’m SURE that’s the type of situation you encounter on a regular basis! Well, if it is, Kansas really needs to get its priorities in order because its got much bigger problems than animal abuse. I’m being facetious because I spent several years of my youth in Kansas and I’m truly VERY offended by this woman and her attitude towards the citizenry of Kansas.
“It’s the kind of tension that can sometimes spill over into the shelter when people are determined to retrieve their confiscated animals at no cost, Grinstead said. She said people have come inside the lobby on multiple occasions, pointing guns in workers’ faces, shoving them and swinging baseball bats at them.” “The violence associated with their work is escalating…” “Aschenbrenner and the Grinsteads… have the ability to remove animals… without a search warrant “ After reading this article about the Grinsteads, I’m a little surprised they haven’t been shot multiple times. I can certainly understand why the owners from whom they have snatched animals would be offended and more than a little inclined to violence to recover their property. That these “humane” workers haven’t been shot sure goes to show the citizens are indeed civilized, perhaps too much so.
“They are not considered law enforcement, but…” it sure seems like they think they are! Seems like a lot of these “humane” types THINK they have rights that override those of us who own property. Without warrants, without law enforcement accompaniment, they tromp onto your property, demand answers and, if they don’t like the answers, sweep up all your animals and cart them off to be sold (under the name of adoptions and while simultaneously getting donations) for their own benefit.
“There’s a time and a place for everything…” Indeed there is and the time and place to put a stop to people trampling our rights is TODAY. Learn to protect yourself AND your animals and other property rights. Draw your line in the sand.
Let's join together and make 2010 a stellar year for the restoration and reclamation of our rights, including the right to own and care for animals of our choosing without burdensome governmental interference - let alone interference by self-appointed, self-righteous, over zealous animal "rights" loons who think they are the only ones who should make all the decisions about animals on the planet because the rest of us are beneath them.