To: Kim Peoples
Marisa Madrigal, County Chair
The Multnomah County Commission
Portland City Council
CC: Michael Oswald
CC: Robert Babcock
Regarding NOI 85103 to David Jacobs, homeless, failure to comply Level 2 for his Belgian Shepherd, Striker:
"Upon a guilty or default conviction the director shall suspend ownership of the dog Striker
Michael
Oswald will not permit information about available pro bono legal help
and other resources to be conveyed by county employees to homeless
parties. With no fixed address permitting correspondence and often no
telephone, contact becomes extraordinarily difficult. Yet they are the
citizens in greatest need. Previous directors did provide that
information. Mr. Oswald's recent alleged interest in our pro bono legal
services came as a surprise as our services are widely known especially
at MCAS. It is why we get public records. Attorney Robert. Babcock
represents citizens at MCAS hearings pro bono. We have been providing
pro bono services from legal to training help to dog owners since 1995.
Robert Babcock was recognized by the Oregon bar a few years ago for his
pro bono work. Does that affirmation help?
The agency's
alleged rationalization for not providing the contact information for
our services is that then MCAS would have to provide the names of all
trainers and attorneys throughout the local area. There is no possible
thoughtful response to that false allegation.
David
Jacobs who is homeless and notes sometimes he has mental health
difficulties (making it hard for him) has called me on a cell phone
belonging to another homeless person, a person who unfortunately conveys
messages erratically. He asked for legal help dealing with his dog's
impoundment, his frustrations with MCAS non-responsiveness and their
unilateral seizure of Striker. The county has one position: theirs.
They
do not help. He said he was not out of compliance with MCAS
requirements when his dog was seized and that MCAS just took his dog and
won't give him back; that he has no ticket but paid the requested $125
and no one will tell him when a hearing is going to be. He has gone
outto MCAS multiple times. All he is told is wait for a court date but
none is provided ( Most of the legal/enforcement staff is on vacation
this month according to agency voice mail/e-mails)
If
Mr Jacobs hasn't paid the $125, I will pay it out of pocket. And then
we will discuss MCAS refusal to excuse/void unaffordable impoundment and
hearing fees for the homeless as well as others with limited restricted
incomes. As a unilateral competitive tactic MCAS effectively denies the
homeless due process rights that should be afforded to all Multnomah
County citizens. The right to a hearing should not be limited
by economics/income. It is shameful that this county purposely denies
due process rights to tactical immoral advantage. That must change.
Robert
Babcock will help Mr. Jacobs (He will represent him; Mr. Jacobs asked
for help) if the concerns about Striker cannot be resolved before the
undated hearing. I will find a way to reach him and confirm that the
requested help is granted.
MCAS long
extensive documented history of bullying, threats, fines, abuse of
authority and power, and extorted surrender must stop I have the
documents and cases. Communities, far less progressive then the metro
area, engage in education, prevention, owner diversion classes and
mediation. This county abuses the poor, minorities and the homeless and
the mentally ill. That is the crime. There are other problem
solving avenues beyond seizing and killing companion animals of the
vulnerable, and taking advantage of their powerlessness..
It is time to change now.
Gail O'Connell-Babcock, PhD
Watchdog/Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation
16004 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road # 508
Sherwood OR, 97140
Telephone: 503.625.4563.
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