Yucca Valley, Ca.- Dear Readers of Cactus Thorns, you have been asking for more information about the Yucca Valley animal shelter post and rightfully so. Branson was recruited at the last moment to join the team of legal minds to review the 100′s of pages of court documents and conducting personal interviews with witnesses to confirm the information.
True, there was a delay in posting the stories because the authors were certain to”get it right,” due to the thinly veiled threat of a legal suit by Yucca Valley Town Manager, Mark Nuaimi, to one of the investigative reporters on her Facebook page. I was the courier of these docements, personally transferring the originals to the recipients in the middle of the night.
This post will answer some the criticism towards Branson for implying he was withholding the other side of the story. His take of his story, by choice, was to bring the family to the foreground giving the readers a face to the name while pointing out the public relations nightmare brought to the Town of Yucca Valley under the leadership of Mayor Dawn Rowe and her Town Manager, Mark Nuaimi.
Here are some highlights of the post by Sharon Gilbert, Examiner reporter and animal rights advocate after her review of the court documents and the link to her story:
“Dakota and Blaze are owned by James “JR” Lovell, a veteran who served a short stint in the military towards the end of the Vietnam War. Also part of the family is JR’s girlfriend, Angela, and son, Chuck. All three are totally disabled, Chuck having Downs Syndrome and Angela having suffered a stroke during the ongoing battle with the town’s Code Enforcement Department.”
“An elderly woman was walking by JR’s home when Blaze got out of the yard. The woman panicked and at some point fell down.
Animal control’s version of the story is that both Blaze and Dakota jumped on the woman, knocked her to the ground, mauled the woman and bit various parts of her body. The witness’ version is that only Blaze was involved and nipped at her once but he was not allowed to provide that testimony in court. Dakota who was in JR’s truck with the witness only entered the scene as others were trying to help the downed woman and did not participate in the attack.
The woman was taken home at her request and paramedics were called. Paramedics suggested she contact her personal physician. The Sheriff’s Department was called but no report was taken.
The only medical treatment verified in court records provided is that she was given a tetanus shot. There is no indication that she was treated for bite wounds, that such wounds were irrigated or stitched, or that she was given antibiotics. However, JR does admit Blaze nipped her once in the foot/ankle area.The dogs were both quarantined for 10 days. When JR attempted to pick them up, he was advised that he would not be allowed to do so and that a hearing was being scheduled. The town decided Dakota to be vicious despite no evidence.”
For Gilbert’s complete report click here.
Update: Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Blaze became pregnant while housed with Dakota in the same pen at the Yucca Valley animal shelter since February 2012. She delivered her puppies on the eve of the last day to redeem the two pets for $5,000. She delivered seven puppies but three died despite the notice filed by the family with the town to protect the unborn puppies while in their care,custody and control.
The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter has extended their action for ten days upon review of the insurance requirements placed on the owners for the condition to release the pets. I have written to the Town Manager and legal staff offering to pay for the spay and neuter one of the pets. A citizen of Yucca Valley, after reading of the plight of this family to have their pets returned, has stepped forward as a guarantor of any installment payment plan to resolve this situation.
Margo Sturges Author link here
You might be interested
The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth….So Help Me Dawg.
$50,000,8 Months and 4 pups later…..Pets Returned to Lovell Family
The Yucca Valley Animal Shelter Story Just Got Worse! Town spends over $51,000.00!
Follow-up, Violent Pit Bulls Attack on Juanita Sharp
A Public Relations Disaster for Yucca Valley and Mayor Dawn Rowe!
JPA Yucca Valley New Animal Shelter- A DONE DEAL!
Nuaimi’s Animal Shelter Site is a Runaway Train Heading towards Money Pit Sinkhole
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Wow, I am happy to hear that there is a citizen concerned enough with the plight of these people and their dogs to guarantee a payment plan.
I suggested a payment plan to Mr. Nuaimi months ago in an e-mail and he ignored my suggestion. Is there a chance that this will prove to be the answer to the pitiful dilemma we are watching?
Of course, a better solution would be to drop the exorbitant amount that is being charged, but these people and the dogs have suffered enough and am sure there are many people waiting to hear that these dogs have been reunited with their owners.
As Paul Harvey would always say, …”and now, the rest of the story.”
http://www.yucca-valley.org/pdf/animal/pr_lovell_background.pdf
Thanks Mark Nuaimi for the press release.
How did this thing get so out of hand… Can you provide an accounting of the $51,000 costs?
Branson, you thank Mark, and have the gall to ask him how this got so out of hand.
How this got out of hand was because of inflammatory, misleading and agenda driven articles like yours.
You don’t even have the guts to apologize. As you used to say to me on a regular basis, you have lost all credibility.
so desertrider,it’s my fault the town blew $51,000 holding two dogs for seven months? You need to interview interested parties and read all the evidence and misinformation. And don’t forget to to take note of the fact that animal shelter people believe these dogs are loving and good dogs.
Just a suggestion for jumping the gun and not knowing the story.
Branson are you accusing me of not knowing the story or admitting you didn’t know the story before posting an article misquoting someone.
Thats great that the shelter believes they are good dogs etc. are you overlooking the 83 year old lady assaulted by the dogs and the neighbors testimony for a particular reason?
You’re telling me I need to interview interested parties and read all the evidence? Maybe you should look in the mirror when type that.
But then you aren’t doing anything we haven’t come to expect from you, this is typical of your one sided, agenda laden stories.
Keep up the good work.
Yes, desertrider, I am saying quite obviously you do not know the story. The dogs were swooped up for violations. No where have you read where I wrote this was wrong. It’s the seven months during the interlude that I wrote about, even interviewing witnesses, reading scores of emails, read the court case, looked at Shelter missives, including fact-checking with double witnesses.
Rather than make up shit, be more specific with your general remark. No body knows what you are talking about. But isn’t that the plan. If you’re going to find fault with the story, find the fault!
Can you cease whining? Thank you. Lets see you write a story, you read but don’t contribute. Whine, whine, whine. Whine about the base expansion: That is something you have knowledge about, not this story.
CONTRIBUTE???
WHAT ARE YOU CONTRIBUTING???
MAKE UP SHIT???
WHAT HAVE I MADE UP???
You wrote a story, QUOTING someone eroneously (incase you forgot David Peach)in your original story you remember don’t you? “A Public Relations Disaster for Yucca Valley and Mayor Dawn Rowe!”here’s the quote incase forgot: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.” then you complained that Dan would not let you edit your mistake.
And your subsequent correction:
“Branson Hunter
September 4, 2012 at 5:25 pm
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.”
Quite a bit of difference from what you said eh.
I don’t know how much more specific you want, your original story was an agenda laden piece of excrement, if you are doing all the research you claim, you may need to take a reading comprhension course, because you are apparently not getting all the info into your cortex or perhaps you are comprehending but not able to put it to paper becuase you are blinded by your bias or maybe you need to get your glasses checked.
I do know about this story the story about the lady being attacked was on this blog.
The fault is you removed the credibility of the original story and subsequent stories with the David Peach incident,that wasn’t a typo Ben, it was a deliberate attempt to malign, it was a blatant lie. In order to garner simpathy and to denigrate someone you don’t care for.
I wish I had the time to sit on my ass all day and make shit up, but I have to work.
So as I have said before, my contribution will have to be to keep you honest.
A bit of advice from me to you, do your editing before you send in a “story” pretend it’s an old fashioned newspaper.
DesertRider, Branson presented the victim’s struggle for life in an earlier story you are referring to which was a PITBULL mauling.
This is a story about two young shepard mix dogs that were to be released after being held for ten days that turned into 7 months and were allowed to breed. The result of which four puppies survived and the others died while in the care, custody and control of the shelter. Total cost of this fiasco, per Town Press Release is $51,500.00!
The shepards should not have knocked down the elderly 83 year old lady down to the ground, true. She was not mauled and received a tetanus shot for good measure. Should the shepards have been spayed and neutered?
Sure! But they are not in violation of any law requiring they be put down. Besides, if they were so “vicious,” why were they allowed to breed to bring more “vicious” pups into this world?
Bottom line. Branson reported an in depth story of the PITBULL mauling of a citizen that took place in Paradise Valley and that is where your knowledge of the facts came from.
This story is a different story brought to light for the first time on Cactus Thorns.
I finally see where you are coming from and I would feel the same way but this is a new story about a different set of facts.
Dogs tend to breed without assistance. It would have happened anyway had the dogs been loose.
Given 2 sides to a story with no means of judgement one has to ask if the owners were being responsible pet owners. They do not appear to be. When looking to place blame for their pet’s actions, they need to look at themselves, not at those who are left to deal with the situation that they created. While the city and staff do make mistakes, as we all do, to blame them for what the owners lacked doing is nothing short of a personal vendetta.
I don’t care what your problems are. Take responsibility for your dogs, your kids, and for yourself. Those who have to take up the slack, even if they do it poorly, are only doing so due to your lack of diligence. Having dealt with animal control numerous times due to my own wayward dog, I have to admit they treated me fairly.
Desertrider, there is no misquote: The correction made it good (thanks David). That’s all you have, the correction? I properly relied on information that was presented to me and what was before me. End of story. Corrections happen all the time in the print and electronic media. Don’t you know anything? Actually David gave me a pat on the back.
Once again, as you most often do, you’re grasping for straws. Thus I see no further need in this story to address your stale and overly reiterated fluff.
I always love the justifcation by self serving cities and managers in the taking of peoples pets or property. Just because you write it as an official city statment, does not mean it is true, kind of like I read it on the net, it must be true.
How is this self serving? The dogs were a nuisance. At what point does the right to have dogs in the city over ride a person’s right to walk down the street.
Everybody loves their dogs, yet they don’t do the right thing by them. They keep them in unnatural surroundings without socializing them, spaying them, or giving them the right shots. In turn, incidents like this happen where the dogs are put on the chopping block through no fault of their own.
This whole article has been mostly political with a lot of sympathy for the owners. Not a word about the true victims, who are the dogs. For their sake, nothing has changed. Now there’s 4 puppies ready to start the cycle all over again.
With all due respect to veterans along with those who have disabilities, most have the ability to properly care for an animal. Playing upon these points in order to draw pity is unfortunate. They’re just lucky the 83 year old lady isn’t suing them.
Now about the dogs. Have they been assessed by an animal expert? After all the publicity, is there a no kill shelter willing to take them? They probably just need somebody with acreage.
Terry, we dont disagree by much, first what the city says happened and what the people say are in conflict. Anything put out as official by a city, state etc in my view always suspect, and always them justifiying them as the higher legal athutority, not trust worthy in my view.
Also, why set fee’s so high that no normal working person or disabled person could ever pay them? because they can,,,can you charge them fee’s when they cost you money?
This should have been taken care of by the people involved, cities should never have the final rights to kill or take anything from anyone, they just think they are better than you and I.
The hastily thrown together memo posing as a press release by the town manager is is what is called a COA letter, or a spin correspondence. Read it and tell me of this is a legit press release.
Hastily thrown together?
Have you called Jim Schooler, 760-369-7211 to question him? Maybe you can misquote him (like you did David Peach)so you can malign a politician you don’t like.
What say you about the 83 year old woman that was attacked?
You complain that the dogs were able to mate and produce proginy while in captvity, yet I don’t hear you chastize the owners for not having their dogs altered, a task that any caring pet owner should have done asap.
Be careful Branson, your agenda is showing, like always.
Wow where to start? I can hear margot and Ben now if one of the neighborhood kids got attacked after the dogs were released after they had just attacked someone. The town is responsible Dawn and Mark should leave, it is there fault, they did not do their job……blah blah blah. What should have happened? The owners should have been given a month to comply,after that the dogs should have been put down. These days there would be ten attorneys suing the town had they released them and they attacked again. Margot what has happened to you? you always say you represent the elderly in town. This lady is 83 years old. Why arent you sticking up for her? Could it be that you see a chance to attack Mark and Dawn?. I have a great Idea,You say the dogs were just playing, so lock yourself up in the cage with them for an hour, give them a quality visit. That will cure that dog from the taste of cow patties forever.
@ Tim, Because you spoke against Paul Cook, I hereby give you a pass. Enjoy and blessings to you.
A pass you say? Please don’t do me any favors.I would love to hear your answer to this. I think you know you stuck you foot in your trash talking mouth once again. Personally I would love to watch you dig some more. My very real reasons for speaking against Paul are not like your personal attacks you launch against every person serving this community. You contribute nothing but hate to this basin.
Me thinks that Timmy has a school boy crush on the lady.
Says branson, in a vain attempt at stifling Mr. Humphreville
@ Tim, I hereby grant you a second pass. It is a lovely day in the neighborhood!
I’m not taking sides but that’s funny!
My name is Gerard Van Der Veen aka damn dawgers, I would just like you to know that the PRESS RELEASE, Mark Nuaimi posted under someone else’s name, that the majority of the reasons are all hearsay, where’s the proof or police reports etc.? respectfully, damn dawgers. Its not as they say it happened period.
that is not a shock, Mark is the head lap dog (sic) of a city that has no interest in the people who live in it, except as a piggy bank for their own gain and intrest, what do you expect from a funtana geek?
In pursuit of this matter you have, so far, publicly demeaned the integrity of our Mayer, our Town Council, our Town Manager, our Community Services Director, our Animal Control Manager, the witnesses to the incident, the Judge and even the Petitioners own Council so don’t be surprised when you find yourself in some very hot water over certain charges you have made and cannot substantiate.
I looked at the time and date of your comment trying to figure out who is in hot water. As a complicated case involving a series of facts, although bizarre, the stories posted on Cactus Thorns stand.
It was the Town’s Press release(Nuaimi’s knee jerk to post a comment on a story)that brought in the Community Services Director and Animal Control Manager into the story.
Since you have cited additional parties to your comment, let us not forget the 83 year old victim. For good measure, let us also include the Yucca Valley Code Enforcement and the charges filed that were dropped.
The County will not be paying 50% of the $51,500.00 spent on this fiasco. This points out the blank check mentality at a time when the Town is asking us to trust them with a 30 year tax of $160 million dollars.
Vote No Measure U.
Mike ? Are you referring to me? I have come to understand that people in power get there in only one manner, and only serve one master, self interest; I’m entitled to my opinion just as you. Yucca Valley and the prince of funtana in my view have shown a distain for the life style and interests of the Yucca residents and this sort of arbitrary and punitive use of public code is a clear indicator.
hope this helps, Dave Peach posted this,
Having somehow acquired a good (enough) night’s sleep, heading over to the hearing seemed productive and prudent.
Selecting a seat near the back provided a complete view of the proceedings and participants, only to become obscured by Nuaimi’s obvious and reckless absence of situational awareness and the (temporary) town manager’s bulbous cranium.
Formerly hopeful that Mark Nuaimi would have a happy and adequately prosperous future, devoid of unsupervised activities and anymore opportunities to fleece the public or mindlessly wreck the lives of the names on his “blacklist”, hearing him insist that the town attorney press the judge for every penny they could skin from the disabled veteran and his wheelchair-bound wife caused reconsideration of what Nuaimi actually deserves.
Despite no verifiable or valid evidence that the dogs had exhibited any indication of viciousness, unlike Nuaimi, nor intentionally harmed anyone, unlike Nuaimi, the owner had been long obstructed from visiting his pets until the judge reportedly insisted that the inane cruelty be discontinued. Following the hearing, the owner reportedly went to visit the dogs and was told that Nuaimi had called over to insist that his vindictiveness and sadism be extended – in apparent violation of the court’s orders.
Mr. Lovell will apparently be able to rejoin with Dakota and Blaze shortly. Mark Nuaimi, meanwhile, had best hope that hell isn’t real. Nuaimi has certainly earned himself a one-way trip and a permanent stay.
Regardless, the incompetent sociopath will likely receive much of what he clearly deserves. See: additional badges, gavels and animal cages.
respectfully, damn dawgers
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!
Branson, you say there is no misquote, and that the correction made it good.
Thats your opinion, keep telling yourself what you want to hear.
It really wasn’t a misquote, it was you trying to denigrate someone by sensationalizing what someone else said.
No mistakes don’t happen “all the time” most so-called journalist don’t just barf out stories like you do without actually checking them.
Of course David gave you a pat on the back, you are both cut from same the agenda driven, biased cloth. Using him as your legitimizer doesn’t lend any credence to your story.
I am not the one constantly grasping at straws,I only reiterate because all of your strories are always filled with the same BS.
So keep up with your stale one sided,biased stories.
“Following the hearing, the owner reportedly went to visit the dogs and was told that Nuaimi had called over to insist that his vindictiveness and sadism be extended…”
Same old bull-shit!
Damn Dawgers “respectfully” re-posts something Dave Peach supposedly posted somewhere that claims it was reported somehow that the owner was told by somebody that Nuaimi had called over to someone to insist that his vindictiveness and sadism be extended.
Ring… ring… hello, Yucca Valley Dog Pound, you lose them we snooze them-ha-ha-ha. This is Someone, what can we do for you today?
Yeah, hey Someone, Nuaimi here, I was just calling to, uh, to insist that my vindictiveness and sadism be extended.
No problem Mr. Nuaimi, we’ll take care of everything. Will there be anything else Sir?
No, that should do it for now… click.
Well Mike, that’s actually rather funny, are you a comedian? You keep making these statements as if this shit didn’t happen as we say it di? I’m not gaining anything from this, what reason woul there be for me to lie or Branson from the proof he’s read? Maybe you should take himup on his offer of letting you help him read through the 150 or more pages regarding the crap they are able to pass over the publics knowledge. If we allow for this to happen, they can do it to all our animals if and when THEY want. I mean no direspect sir, but you do need to catch up! respectfully, damndawgers
Life style of a homeless person with pets. Most shelters won’t let people stay with their pets. River Don’s is not like that. When a homeless person comes to our gates, their pets are just as welcome as they are.
At one time we had about 15 dogs, two cats and 1 rat.
For example, when a homeless person goes to get the shots and license for their pets they run into the problem of a catch 22. They are able to pay for the shots and license, but because of not having an address they refuse to issue the actual license. So what are people supposed to do? Stay homeless or give up their pets, who are considered a part of their family. Basically people are running from the law as well as animal control. Here at River Don’s Homeless Support we are heartfelt for the homeless as well as their pets. Here they are able to have an address, so they would then be able to get the actual license for their pets.
Animal shelters are over full with what they call stray dogs. When in actuality most of these dogs where taken from homeless people who could not afford to pay for shots and a license, they are issued a ticket for not having their dogs legal, so when they go to court, because they can’t pay the ticket they are put in jail and the animals are taken to doggie jail.
Don, that was a heart touching letter you wrote, my hat is off to you sir. Not just anybody would do this for the homeless let alone thier pets. Thank God for those there to help our pets that can’t defend for themselves and are getting raw deals instead of a good bone to chew on. Thanks again, you made my day have some sunshine. Respectfully, damndawgers.
Yo Don, how right you are. I know of a homeless man at present maybe looking at a 3 year sentence for animal cruelty, all on hearsay once again by animal control officer Kim Casey, she went on a call for someone called them and said this guy was hanging his dog over his shoulder by his leash. The cops were also called, they took him to jail, took his dog to the pound, and after he went to court being threathened with a 3 year sentence. Now if he wanted his dog back, of course the fines that went along with it for a homeless person was ridicolous and he didn’t even own a leash??? Make any sense, hell no.
But that’s the way this town operates, and so far has gotten away with it. What fool for a town manager allow it to ever get over $50,000 in our case? Show me an itemized list or show me the money!!!
respectfully, dawgers
HELLO EVERYONE! I AM INTERESTED WHEN CORA AND HER GANG IS GOING TO HAVE THE 29 PALMS TUG OF WAR TO HELP RIVER DON HOMELESS SHELTER ASAP! I KNOW HE NEEDS RIGHT NOW $1,000+ TO FIX THEIR RECYCLING BUS…THIS PROVIDES MUCH NEEDED INCOME TOWARDS THEIR EXPENSES…PLEASE, CORA AND EVERYONE ELSE WHO COMMENTED ON THIS WONDERFUL POST..PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH RIVER DON OR THE FOUNDER OF THIS AWESOME RIVER OF TUG OF LOVE ASAP…THANK YOU…PLEASE HELP RIVER DON…THEY ARE SHORT ON FUNDS…THANK YOU XOXOX
What the hell is wrong with you? did you break your caps lock????
This individual is asking for help. The caps lock is irrelevant.
This idea is Mark’s. He,Dan, or I can update you tomorrow with more details. 29 Palms has great people with great ideas and hearts. There is more here than meets the eye. Are you hearing us yet??????
Please be our guest any positive works. thanks, damndawgers.
My question”Are you hearing us, yet?” wasn’t directed at River Don, it is a call to action,the good people of 29 are banding together and our voices will be heard.
“Mike ? Are you referring to me?”
I sure hope not Richard. Why do you ask? Are you one of those making claims that are untrue?
Only because your comments directly followed mine and you did not refer to anyone by name. No, mine is an opinion based on watching the morons running Yucca Valley, the same might be said for 29.