Artest and Wife will not be charged in animal cruelty

[Rockmeister]

DA Says Artest, Wife Will Not Face Animal Cruelty Charges
Great Dane Was Seized Earlier By Animal Control Officials

http://www.kcra.com/news/13210728/detail.html

POSTED: 8:28 am PDT April 27, 2007
UPDATED: 9:28 am PDT April 27, 2007
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AUBURN, Calif. -- Sacramento Kings star Ron Artest and his wife will not face criminal charges in connection with the alleged neglect of the couple's Great Dane, the Placer County district attorney said Friday.

The case originated when animal control officers, who responded to the Artests' Loomis home in February, noticed that a dog named Socks was suffering from weight loss and malnutrition.

The dog was eventually seized by animal control officials and taken to a local veterinarian.

Animal control began an administrative action against Artest and his wife, Kimsha, and ultimately the case was referred to the district attorney's office for review to determine if criminal charges were also warranted.

The animal neglect allegations are not the only legal trouble Artest has faced this year. In a separate incident, the star was arrested March 5 on suspicion of domestic violence and using force to prevent his victim from reporting a crime.

In the case involving Socks, the district attorney's office said evidence in the case showed that Artest was not at his residence during the time his dog began to lose weight.

Officials said evidence further shows that Artest had hired two individuals to care for his dogs when he was out of town. These individuals would feed the dogs a mixture of brown rice, ground turkey and dry dog food. This was confirmed by officials because of the fact that Artest's other dog was quite healthy and very well fed.

Veterinarian's reports and photos confirm that Socks had, in fact, lost weight, officials said.

But officials said subsequent veterinarian exams also found that there was an unknown bone infection in the dog's leg that "would have significantly contributed to her weight loss" and loss of appetite.

After the dog was treated for the infection, it again regained its appetite and is at a healthy weight.

As part of an agreement with animal control officials, Artest acknowledged that because of his business and personal commitments, which includes extensive traveling, he may not currently be able to provide the dog with the care she needs. He therefore allowed the dog to be adopted by a family that has already been approved by Placer County Animal Services.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Take that you animals rights activists!!

 

[Warhawk]

Take that you animals rights activists!!

I don't know about that, but this is a good example of why the facts need to come out before a rush to judgement.

 

[SLAB]

What did I say?

I knew he wouldn't get in trouble because of this.

People are so quick to jump off cliffs, especially when it has to do with this guy.

 

[Miles and Miles]

Michael Vick is going to need to borrow his attorney.

 

[Vlade4GM]

I don't know about that, but this is a good example of why the facts need to come out before a rush to judgement.

Perfect example of people making a mountain out of an ant hill. The reason I'm lashing out at the activists because when he was in court for the alledged spousel abuse there were actually people outside protesting him against animal abuse. How freaking ironic is that?

 

[kupman]

I don't know about that, but this is a good example of why the facts need to come out before a rush to judgement.

No kidding. The thing that really troubles me about cases like this is that this story will probably receive less than 10% of the coverage that the original story received.

....this kind of thing really bugs me.

 

[BMiller52]

Where are these pieces of ****? They should be prosecuted.

I assume you didn't read the whole article

 

[Merdiesel]

I assume you didn't read the whole article

I'm an idiot.lol
I missed the part about the infection...
Still, how long does it take to realize the dog is sick?

 

[kennadog]

I'm an idiot.lol
I missed the part about the infection...
Still, how long does it take to realize the dog is sick?

It might not have been an easy diagnosis. However, since this is the same dog he got into trouble over when he was still in Indiana, I'm glad Ron let someone adopt the dog.

Likely he doesn't have enough time to make sure the dogs are okay. Altho with a couple of folks paid to look after the dog and presumably his wife there more than him, I wonder how somebody could not do something about a dog so skinny it looks starved.

BTW: I'm having a very old and sick dog euthanized today, because its the caring thing to do. I'm no over-the-top animal activist, but I think if you have a pet, you have a responsibility to make absolutely sure it has what it needs.

Yes, I think the media made too much of it, too soon, altho that comes with celebrity.

 

[Wuster]

BTW: I'm having a very old and sick dog euthanized today, because its the caring thing to do. I'm no over-the-top animal activist, but I think if you have a pet, you have a responsibility to make absolutely sure it has what it needs.

Concolences, k-dog, from someone who has been through that kind of thing a couple of times.

 

[Merdiesel]

BTW: I'm having a very old and sick dog euthanized today, because its the caring thing to do. I'm no over-the-top animal activist, but I think if you have a pet, you have a responsibility to make absolutely sure it has what it needs.

Condolences as well, kennadog.
One of the saddest days of my life was having to put my boy Rocky down...

 

[kupman]

Saying good-bye to an animal you love is one of the hardest things to do. Give yourself permission to be a basket case for awhile.

Take care of yourself Kennadog.

 

[kennadog]

Concolences, k-dog, from someone who has been through that kind of thing a couple of times.

Thanks, both of you.

Since I'm old, I've had to do it more than a few times. This isn't even my dog, but the dog of a friend of my son's (childhood friend). He's a huge 16-year-old rottie. Unfortunately, the owner is recently homeless and currently in jail and didn't take care of the dog's illness, poor doggie.

 

[kennadog]

Saying good-bye to an animal you love is one of the hardest things to do. Give yourself permission to be a basket case for awhile.

Take care of yourself Kennadog.

I think I'm always a basket case. But I did have to put down my Kenna in January, due to cancer.

Anyway, my point is, animals, like kids, don't get a choice. They rely on someone being responsible for their well-being. I just think Ron was too busy, gone too much and maybe just plain too distracted. I'm glad he allowed someone to adopt Socks.

 

[Rockmeister]

Condolences as well, kennadog.
One of the saddest days of my life was having to put my boy Rocky down...

My condolences kennadog.

I, too, had to put my dog Rocky (Rockmeister) down a couple of years ago on Easter. It was the hardest decision I had to make and the saddest day all at once.

 

[Elise10]

apparently some just can't let go:

Rosemary Frieborn, president of Friends of Placer County Animal Shelter, said she was "appalled" that the county "has walked away from this case."

"Failing to seek medical care for a sick or injured animal is a crime," she said.

"Failing to provide nutritious food for an animal is a crime."

Colleen Spears, vice president of Great Dane Rescue of Northern California, Inc., said a responsible dog owner would have noticed if a dog had not been eating. "How long does it take for a dog to become emaciated?" she asked.

"It doesn't take a week. It takes long-term consistent neglect."

She said the decision not to prosecute is "a celebrity thing, in my opinion."

http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/162844.html

 

[ReinadelosReys]

Not to downplay the situation because I do sympathize with all animal activist and their battle for animal rights. Like many others I am a pet owner and I hate seeing people not take care of their own pets, but you just have a chuckle at how this situation has been blown out of proportion. I don't know what station I was watching but this woman was interviewed all in a huff and said (slightly paraphrasing) " I think he just got off because he's a celebrity and he was connections with the Maloofs!" As if the Maloofs are actually some Mob family not-so-secretly running the city. You know, Joe and Gavin, the gummy bear mobsters

 

[JoMama]

BTW: I'm having a very old and sick dog euthanized today, because its the caring thing to do. I'm no over-the-top animal activist, but I think if you have a pet, you have a responsibility to make absolutely sure it has what it needs.

One of the most difficult and emotional times in a life. My little sweetheart put her head on my shoe and closed her sweet eyes for a final time. I cried like two or three babies. Still get teary-eyed thinking about her two years later. You're doing the right thing, but it still hurts like crazy.

 

[uolj]

I'm just posting here even though I don't really have anything interesting to say so that the thread will get 200+ replies like the thread that originally announced the dog's condition. More people will notice a 200+ reply thread, right?

 

[Vlade4GM]

She said the decision not to prosecute is "a celebrity thing, in my opinion."

No, your decision to still be whining about it is a celebrity thing.

 

[kyo2002]

The Animal Liberation Front burned down the local McDonald twice for selling beef in their burgers in my area.

 

[VF21]

I'm truly fed up with Ch. 3 over this whole thing. Every report they aired yesterday made it sound as though Artest had lucked out in not being prosecuted. They barely mentioned the bone infection the dog had that led to the lack of appetite and weight loss.

Here's the article from this morning's Bee:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/162844.html

Artest cleared in dog abuse case
There's not enough evidence to charge Kings player or wife, Placer prosecutor says.
By Art Campos - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, April 28, 2007

One of the legal problems that hit Ron Artest during the basketball season is apparently over.

The Placer County District Attorney's Office announced Friday that it won't file charges against the Sacramento Kings player over a citation that he wasn't feeding his dog.

Deputy District Attorney Jeff Wilson said there was insufficient evidence to charge either Artest or his wife, Kimsha, with animal cruelty or neglect.


He said veterinarian examinations showed that Socks, a Great Dane, had a bone infection in a leg that contributed to her weight loss and lack of appetite.

It also was announced Friday by Placer County Animal Services and by Artest that the Kings star has agreed to allow Socks to be adopted by a new owner.

Through his attorney, Artest released an e-mail statement Friday.

"I'm glad the district attorney decided not to file charges," he wrote. "I love Socks and have always tried to make sure she was being well-cared for.

"I feel so bad that she was sick and I didn't know about it. If I knew, I would have taken her to the vet immediately."

Artest wrote that he plans to be away from Sacramento frequently this summer and "I think it would be best for Socks to live with a family that has a consistent schedule so that she can get the special care she needs."

Artest's attorney, Shannon Baker, was pleased with Friday's developments.

"Ron has been portrayed very unfairly regarding Socks," she said. "He really does love his dogs. It's very sad that the public seems to think he was neglectful because he really wasn't."

Baker, who took charge of Socks through an agreement with Placer County Animal Services in March, said she found the new owner for Socks and that it is someone unknown to Artest.

She declined to reveal the person's name.

Wilson, the prosecutor, said he declined to bring charges after reviewing witness statements, photographs and reports from veterinarians.

He said the California Penal Code prohibits willful and malicious cruelty to an animal, as well as a willful failure to provide food, water and sustenance.

Wilson said the evidence showed Artest was not at his Loomis home when Socks began to lose weight and that the Kings player hired two people to care for his animals when he was out of town.

Wilson said that after Socks was treated for the bone infection, she regained her appetite and health.

Wilson's decision was criticized by members of animal rescue groups in Placer County.

Rosemary Frieborn, president of Friends of Placer County Animal Shelter, said she was "appalled" that the county "has walked away from this case."

"Failing to seek medical care for a sick or injured animal is a crime," she said. "Failing to provide nutritious food for an animal is a crime."

Colleen Spears, vice president of Great Dane Rescue of Northern California, Inc., said a responsible dog owner would have noticed if a dog had not been eating. "How long does it take for a dog to become emaciated?" she asked. "It doesn't take a week. It takes long-term consistent neglect."

She said the decision not to prosecute is "a celebrity thing, in my opinion."

However, Baker, Artest's attorney, said if the case hadn't involved "Ron Artest, the District Attorney's Office probably would not ever have been sent this case in the first place."

In addition, had the case gone to trial, Artest would have won and "he would have gotten his dog back," she said.

Baker said Artest consistently fed Socks a mixture of ground turkey, rice and dog food. "How many other people would give their dogs a meal like that?" she said.

Baker said another Artest dog, an American bulldog named Harley, was eating the same food and was healthy.

Some of Artest's neighbors in a gated Loomis community were pleased Socks was being given a new home, and said the family's home now is vacant.

Neighbors reported multiple incidents of Artest's dogs running loose in the neighborhood.

Stacy Morgan said she hasn't seen anyone at the home since Artest was arrested March 13 for allegedly striking his wife in a domestic dispute and then being ordered by the court to stay away from her.

"Kimsha left with the children right after that, and we haven't seen her since," she said. "We haven't seen any dogs. It's been quiet and peaceful. "

Allan Frumkin, president of the Sierra Ridge Estates Homeowners Association, said the house is being readied for sale.

"There are no dogs, no people there," he said. "We see the gardener about once a week, and we see some workmen repairing the inside of the home. But Mr. Artest no longer lives here."

Artest was arraigned on domestic violence charges March 22 and is awaiting a trial date.

About the writer: The Bee's Art Campos can be reached at (916) 773-2825 or acampos@ sacbee.com.
------------------------------------------------
As critical as I may be at times of the Bee, they put this story on the first page of the Metro section "above the fold," just like the first story. They got it right, IMHO...

Shame on the media people who were so quick to rush to judgment because it was Ron Artest.

 

[Prophetess]

I have to say, I would have moved too. It almost sounds like they were trying to run them out.

Stacy Morgan said she hasn't seen anyone at the home since Artest was arrested March 13 for allegedly striking his wife in a domestic dispute and then being ordered by the court to stay away from her.

"Kimsha left with the children right after that, and we haven't seen her since," she said. "We haven't seen any dogs. It's been quiet and peaceful. "




Sorry to hear about your dog, kennadog. That's a rough thing to go through.