 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
9/12/09
Animal
advocate arrested for felony grand theft in puppy case
By KBCI Web Staff
BOISE
- An animal rights advocate who says he rescued a dog and her five puppies
in Eastern Idaho has been arrested for felony grand theft in the
Treasure Valley. Troy Jackson, Northwest Animal Companions executive director,
said Boise Police showed up at his Boise home at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday
for an arrest warrant out of Jefferson County.
Jackson
heard of a possible animal neglect case and travelled to Eastern Idaho to
help. A dog and her five puppies were allegedly left out in the
cold for several days while the mom dog had two broken legs after apparently
being hit by a car. But
the Sheriff's office in Jefferson County issued the arrest warrant
after Jackson took the dogs. Jackson says he worked hard to make sure all
the dogs received medical treatment and believed the owner of the
animals was in support of his efforts. The owner, Jackson says, helped load
the animals into Jackson's vehicle.
And that's why, Jackson says, he's baffled by his arrest. "The one person who ends up in jail is the one person who is trying to help an animal who is laying in the snow dying," he said Wednesday. Jackson says he'll return the puppies as soon as the vet signs a clear bill of health.
"Take the politics and the emotion out of it," he told 2News last week. "And do what's right." The Jefferson County Sheriff's office said the sheriff would not be commenting on the arrest Wednesday, however, a press release is expected to be issued Thursday. Reporters at sister station KIDK in Idaho Falls contacted the owner of the dogs and were told reporters would be arrested if they step foot onto his property.
Jackson says several attorneys have contacted him to offer their services and help fight the charge. Jackson is due in Jefferson County court Dec. 22.