"The National Animal Interest Alliance has retained an attorney to file suit against the Pennsylvania SPCA, the City of Philadelphia, and the District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia in the case where PSPCA seized 11 basset hounds from Wendy Willard, master of the Murder Hollow Pack.
The suit and associated actions will address the local ordinance that PSPCA used to seize the hounds and the "deal-making" that was done (eg. threats against Willard) to obtain the hounds from the property.
Julian Prager, a board member of the Alliance, also serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Dog Law Advisory Board and is the legislative contact for the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs. Mr. Prager indicates that the legal action will be landmark in that it represents sporting dog owners fighting back against the abuse of police powers by animal rights groups and addresses the unconstitutional manner in which local governments are enacting prohibitive ordinances.
Donations to the legal fund may be sent to "NAIA Trust Legal Defense Fund, P.O. Box 66579, Portland OR 92790-6579". Include a note that any donations should be applied to the Wendy Willard defense fund.
You may remember that Willard's home was invaded just before dark by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, PSPCA, and local police under suspicion that she was operating an illegal "puppy mill". When it was discovered that she had less than 26 dogs on the premises, the Dept. of Ag backed off. However, PSPCA insisted that Willard surrender 11 of the bassets stating that she was in violation of a new ordinance which prohibited keeping more than 12 animals on a property. In return PSPCA stated they would not prosecute Willard. If she failed to take the deal, PSPCA threatened they would take all of the dogs. Since then PSPCA has been hiding the animals and has refused offers from the local basset, beagle, and foxhound community to take the hounds from their shelter and house them until Willard can come into compliance."