Yucca Valley, CA - The Town Manager and its Mayor, Dawn Rowe, haven’t done so well to live up to these fundamental principles of compassion, kindness or fairness, so believe many in the community.
The two loved canine members of James Lowell’s family are going to be put down at 5:00 PM today. They are ready to be released to James Lowell and the family, however, the they do not have the $4, 300 in charges for fees and costs by the Town Manager to free their dogs from the grips of death.
The dogs were picked-up February12, 2012. They have been held ever since for a total of seven months. One of pets had puppies last night. During their confinement in the town shelter, they were held in the same cage, when the female was in heat and was allowed to mate with the male.
The family wants all of the dogs to come home. Seven puppies were born this morning; three of them died. The mother of the litter needs to be kept alive in order to nourish the puppies. The Lowells want their canine family members back home safely in the arms of their down-syndrome disabled son, Chuck. The Lowell family is pleading that the dogs not to be put down because Chuck will be affected in his personal well-being.
The family is disabled. James Lovell and Chuck’s mother are disabled senior citizens. James is also a veteran. This entire fiasco has caused the whole Lowell family mental distress and anguish.
James said their son “Chuck is a happy guy. He always has a smile on his face, but he’s not smiling now.”
The Mayor, Dawn Rowe, and Town Manager, Mark Nuaimi, know all about the case and that the pets are being put down today.
Mr. Lowell makes a good case that the town manager has a vendetta against him. The Hi-Desert Star published a letter that created a community uproar over the taking of the dogs and the subsequent politics and absurd bureaucracy.
There is direct evidence that links the Town Manager to a vendetta against James Lowell and the family pets. There seems to be a paper trail with a preponderance of evidence to show the Town Manager interfered and ran rough-shod over this unfortunate situation.
David Peach of Yucca Valley reported that while he was seated behind Mark Nuaimi during a public hearing about the disposition of the dogs, he saw Nuaimi lean over and vindictively tell the town attorney to bleed the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife for all you can get. David Peach believes that Nuaimi “Had best hope that hell isn’t real.”
At issue: Will Mark Naomi euthanize the puppies and the two pets just because he can? Or will he pardon the two dogs and grant the Lowell’s a financial hardship so the dogs can finally go home to the family.
Nuaimi is abusing his discretion by overriding James Lowell’s visitation right say activists and concerned residents. Nuaimi will not let James visit his dogs, said James. James is not allowed on the property of the animal shelter.
Is this due process as provided by the California Constitution and the Fourteenth Amendment?
There was a letter about it in the Hi-Desert Star where it received much debate.
And an Inland Empire blog is buzzing with two stories and comments about the harsh and vindictive manner in which Mark Nuaimi is dealing with the Lowell family. Link here for other story.
Many animal rights people and concerned citizens are waiting today for Dawn Rowe and Mark Nuaimi to show some compassion and pardon the two family pets from certain elimination. And grant the family a Financial hardship and waive the fees.
This family falls within the realm of a hardship waiver of costs and fees. Compassion, good city ethics and reason cries out for returning these pets to their owner. Even the IRS has a rule which relieves taxpayers of their tax liabilities due to hardship: “When a taxpayers liability can be collected in full but collection would create an economic hardship, an ETA offer based on economic hardship can be considered.”
Dawn Rowe already has a legacy of going back on her word of no new taxes. If the Mayor allows the animal shelter to put the animals down it becomes part of her political legacy. If Rowe wants to continue being a relatively new political star on the rise, she should show some leadership and confer with the town manager today to end the gut-wrenching stress upon the Lowell family.
James Lowell maintains that “The puppies of his canine Dakota are his private property.” Gerard Vandeveen is an advocate for James and a close friend who has been active in the matter since the taking of the dogs. He speaks freely about Naomi’s vindictiveness.
In one of the hearing documents, the city alleged that Gerard Vandeveen was contacted and interviewed by Animal Control officer, Kim Casey. The fact is that Mr. Vanderveen said “he never spoke with Officer Casey. Mr. Vandeveen alleges the entire matter has ended up as one big fiasco replete with misinformation and vindictive missteps of Nuaimi.
While the dogs may have not had tags or the right this or that, it remains true that the dogs ought not be put down just because the family does not have the $4,300 in fees and costs. Community advocates and others are calling it a “ransom.”
The Lowell family offered to pay all they had. Nuaimi refused to accept their offer of $1300 said James, and added that Nuiami would not accept payments to keep their pets alive.
This matter is protracted and complicated. It ended up in the Joshua Tree Superior Court. Case Number: CIVMS1200185.
It’s solution is not complicated: Pardon the pets from certain death when they have a loving home to get back to. Waive the costs due to a hardship.
It should be noted that animal control officers have report that both the pets are nice, loving dogs. Noted also is that Nauimi is demanding $5,000 for release of the family pets or they will be terminated.
This flies in the face of the intent and purpose of The American with Disabilities Act. The dogs are therapy dogs for Chuck. Doesn’t anyone at city hall care about Chuck and his struggle with down-syndrome ?
A Public Relations Disaster for Yucca Valley and Mayor Dawn Rowe!,
Sorry for all the mistakes in this story (I haven’t authority to edit it).
For more information go to this story
http://www.examiner.com/article/town-of-yucca-valley-to-euthanize-veteran-s-dogs
Correctilon: David Peach’s did not overhearing the town manager say to get Mr. Lowell “for all you can get.” David Peach’s corrected statement is that the town manager said the costs to the town is $30,000 so ask for costs and fines.
Thank you Branson for all the research you did on this story. There are 25 more court documents for you to review in your spare time, for a total of 100 pages! Also, a touching letter from the V.A. Chaplain stating these pets were helpful as a calming effect for this veteran and the son with Down Syndrome. Thanks.
$4300 seems a tad exorbinate, is there more to this story than you are letting on, i.e. were the dogs involved in mauling or bitting of a person or someone elses pet?
I am suspect already because of your David Peach retraction, putting David Peach in as some model citizen without his own vendetta shows you really aren’t doing any reasearch.
Where is the other side this story?
For example why would Nuaimi have reason for the alleged vindictivness?
The story seems incomplete, is this intentional?
PS. editing should be done before the story is sent to the presses.
Feelings
I can’t help but feel that if these people were able to retain a competent attorney there would have been a solution to this dilemma these unfortunate people and their dogs found themselves in. It is sad that there wasn’t an attorney willing to offer their services pro bono. Where are the attorneys who are animal lovers?
Personally, I think that this whole situation is because of another animal related incident that happened in Yucca Valley prior to this event. The police and animal control were warned that there was a dangerous animal running free and chose to ignore the complaints. Subsequently, a woman was viciously attacked. I believe this case was pursued so harshly to be “an example” to others in the future. For me, it is “an example of the cruel behavior and lack of compassion on the part of our town manager and mayor.” I shake my head in disbelief that the animal “shelter” allowed these dogs to mate! Unbelievable! I hope they are all proud of themselves for causing so much heartache!
Seems to be something missing in this tabloid style report … oh yeah… why did Animal Control take the dogs to begin with?
As I recall, an old woman was bitten. Is that not so Branson? Why did you overlook that little detail? And where is the information on the court proceedings?
Looks to me like you are more interested in bad-mouthing our town than you are in helping anyone save their dogs!
“David Peach of Yucca Valley reported that while he was seated behind Mark Nuaimi during a public hearing about the disposition of the dogs, he saw Nuaimi lean over and vindictively tell the town attorney to bleed the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife for all you can get. David Peach believes that Nuaimi “Had best hope that hell isn’t real.””
LAUGH OUT LOUD! As usual, Branson pulls another one out of his ass but this time he steps on his wiener doing it. He intentionally mis-quoted the man and pissed him off. LAUGH OUT LOUD,LAUGH OUT LOUD.
“Correctilon: David Peach’s did not overhearing the town manager say to get Mr. Lowell “for all you can get.” David Peach’s corrected statement is that the town manager said the costs to the town is $30,000 so ask for costs and fines.”
But Nuaimi did say, “bleed the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife…”?Sure he did Branson. We can all just picture Nuaimi using those very words
Per Branson, David Peach’s words were “saw Nuaimi lean over and vindictively tell the town attorney…” Yeah right!
Branson, Branson, Branson… (all shaking our heads)
Mike Hawkins, the dogs are ready to go home.
They are cleared to go but for paying the fees and cost. These dogs are not considered vicious animals. One was in training to be a service dog. Since you opened the door — the other dog was playfully nipping at the heals of a older lady. Apparently the lady got spooked like most of us would if a couple unknown dogs suddenly appeared around you.
That is the other side to the allegations. It has already been shown they relied on bogus and made-up testimony according to one witness they said they interviewed when they did not.
There is a whole paper trail to delve into, Mike. Be my guest. Be an advocate for this fiasco.
Mike Hawkins, nice use of inventing quotes and then attributing quotes to what was not in quotes. The narrative was not in quotes. Carry on.
A Public Relations Disaster for Yucca Valley and Mayor Dawn Rowe!
Oh, bull-shit!
Mike Hawkins, since it’s okay with you to put down 2 family pets and their litter of puppies because a family of three disabled residents don’t have the $5000 to pay for costs and fees the city is charging for holding them since February of this year — then it follows it is okay with you to deprive a down-syndrome man of his therapy dog that brings him comfort and a peace of mind.
This is not to be fluffed-off with a mere sigh of “bullshit”.
From your article…
“Yucca Valley is a small town in the far eastern end of California’s Mojave Desert and located a half-hour’s drive north of Palm Springs. Its residents consist of a mix of military families stationed at the base in neighboring Twenty-nine Palms, retirees who can’t quite afford Palm Springs real estate but want to live near by, and those adventurists who prefer to trade paved roads, postage stamp-sized lots and street lights for wide-open spaces, clear blue skies by day and a billion stars at night and being lulled to sleep by the sound of a howling coyote.”
Usually it’s a barking dog. People move to the basin because they don’t want to be messed with. They put up with an occasional barking dog because they know theirs will bark as well. Few have anything to do with Palm Springs except for work.
Dogs either nip or attack. They don’t do both. They don’t sound like mean dogs, killing them is not in order.
People need to learn how to react around strange dogs.
Branson,
There seems to be A LOT missing from your story. Why were the dogs picked up? Did the owners ever call the pound to see if the dogs were there once it was discovered they were out of the yard? Why wait 8 months??
Your story is heart felt somewhere, but it lacks good info to explain why anyone should feel anything but confused.
UPDATE TO STORY: The dogs were not put down yesterday. There is a 10 day insurance hold on the dogs and puppies. What happens after that is unclear.
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Newt29, you can read iePolitics and the STAR for more details. It is all public information. If you would like, I will email you enough documents to keep you busy for a while.
“Mike Hawkins, nice use of inventing quotes and then attributing quotes to what was not in quotes. The narrative was not in quotes. Carry on.”
Oh, bull-shit! Let’s look at it again Branson…
“David Peach of Yucca Valley reported that while he was seated behind Mark Nuaimi during a public hearing about the disposition of the dogs, he saw Nuaimi lean over and vindictively tell the town attorney to bleed the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife for all you can get. David Peach believes that Nuaimi “Had best hope that hell isn’t real.””
If Nuaimi did not use the words “bleed the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife…” why did you say that he did and attribute that lie to Peach?
If Peach did not use the words “ he saw Nuaimi lean over and vindictively tell the town attorney… bla, bla, bla.” Why did you say he did?
Because it’s all bull-shit that’s why!
You say “There is direct evidence that links the Town Manager to a vendetta against James Lowell and the family pets.” Then where the hell is that direct evidence Branson? How can you make such a serious charge against someone and not substantiate it? That aint the cowboy way dude!
“Mike Hawkins, since it’s okay with you to put down 2 family pets and their litter of puppies because a family of three disabled residents don’t have the $5000 to pay for costs and fees the city is charging for holding them since February of this year — then it follows it is okay with you to deprive a down-syndrome man of his therapy dog that brings him comfort and a peace of mind. This is not to be fluffed-off with a mere sigh of “bullshit”.”
Well you pulled that one out of your ass too, Branson…
Be it known that I am sympathetic of this family’s plight. It is only Branson’s account of it that I regard as bull-shit!
I say again, Branson cares less about truth than he does about slamming our Town Manager and our illustrious Mayer.
Mike Hawkins, I follow a story where it takes me. My story is about the family and the hardship they’ve suffered. This is not the Los Angeles Time here. If you want a journalist, read the STAR. I’m just a guy with a keyboard that posts the stories that I believe readers will be interested in and something I want to wrote about.
But, go ahead, scold me like a child, because I don’t tell a story from the viewpoint you would like to read about.
I invite you to get involved and be an advocate for this fiasco.
Per Branson, “UPDATE TO STORY: The dogs were not put down yesterday.”
Guess he had it wrong… suprise,suprise.
@ Mike Hawkins. No surprise, Branson had it right. The family approached Cactus Thorns as their last hope to save their pets. The last day to redeem their pets was close of business on September 4,2012.
If you really get a chuckle about this, I will be sure to let you when their last day on this earth should take place so you can watch and be there to comfort the Down Syndrome son. These pets have been a part of his life since they were 3 months old. The mother of these pups was stolen and the void was filled by Dakota and Blaze.
Bringing this matter out in the open has allowed for public opinion to help with a solution to return the pets home to this family. This story has been taken nationally and yes, it is a public relations nightmare.
Will you please be so kind to match my personal offer to pay for spay/neuter one of one of them before they come home to the Lovell’s?
Thanks Mike for caring and your comments.
Here is the summary of facts…
http://www.yucca-valley.org/pdf/animal/pr_lovell_background.pdf
I comment here only to post Evidence Files from both sides… On this issue I take no side.
Back Ground Information
The Ruling of the Court
Puppy Letter
One of the sad things about this story is that if it was about a young mother wanting to abort the twins she was carrying because she didn’t feel she could care for them properly the author of this story would be silent.
Branson:
I repeat!!
You made a very serious charge against someone. You said – “There is direct evidence that links the Town Manager to a vendetta against James Lowell and the family pets.”
I asked you to provide us your so called, “direct evidence”. You have not yet done so.
Either do so or man up and admit it was bull-shit and apologize, otherwise we will think you a coward as well as a liar.
Given your swaggering and nasty attitude Mike, I’m not be jumping through your hoops today. IF you want to review all the documents to bring yourself up to speed let me know.
Everything happens for a reason right?
God works in mysterious ways, right?
Miracles do happen, right?
Well I believe in those things, and I don’t think we have seen the big picture as of yet! Right? There has to be a reason the dogs are still alive, right?
What town managers in their right minds would allow it to get to $50,000, right? Those dogs should or would have been euthanized a long time ago, right? Well they weren’t, so there has to be a reason as to why they haven’t been, right?
It is evidently not time for us yet to know, but I’m sure our time will come soon. Hopefully before 12-21-12, we will be answered, right? (Just kidding on the date part)
There is definitely something wrong here, from an irresponsible dog owner all the way to a power hungry town manager and all those in between.
Who ends up really getting hurt out of all this? The dogs of course, as kids’ do through a divorce! It’s a total shame on all their parts, I feel they all need a time-out!!!
What’s strange is the Towns fees went up from $30,000 on Aug. 20th to over $50,000 Sept. 8th, that’s only a 2 week time period, daaaaaaaaaaammmmmmn! If that’s not corruption I don’t know what is!
Here’s one more item of interest, the owner of the dog’s was never even notified of Dakota having her pups till 4 days after she had them.
The town lawyer sends him a letter stating, In case you weren’t aware, your dog had 4 pups and you can pick them up, but you must sign your life away so we won’t be liable for the pups should something happen after removed.
First off she didn’t have 4 she had 7 only 4 lived. Now they want him to take the pups at the most important time between mother n pup? If he did that, Dakota wouldn’t be alive today!
So there must be a reason they are still with us, could it be, just maybe, they aren’t as bad as they are being made out to be? Or could it be to show the public just what the town manager is really all about?
Now to show you how stupid we are, knowing that Mark Nuaimi had already bankrupted 2 other city’s, the town hires him anyway! He wasn’t voted in, he was hired, that means he can be FIRED also, right? I mean $50,000 of the towns monies was wasted on an issue that could have been taken care of differently and on a much more timely manner.
There were mistakes from both sides during all this, so boys put your gloves on and let’s get this over with already. May the best man win, and who ever wins take the dogs and go home, but release the dogs, running free at this time would even be better for the dogs, this is insanity at work!
Respectfully, damndawgers. DING DING DING, LET IT BEGIN!