Comment by Webmaster: I have the utmost respect for law enforcement.

But for Officer Jon Pelton of the New York State Police to say:
1) "Though the circumstance may seem suspicious, no charges can be brought against anyone unless there is medical proof that Pebbles was abused."

And 2) "We have no proof of when or how these injuries occurred," he said. "We don't know --she might have been born like that. Until there's medical proof that a crime occurred, my hands are tied."

FACT: According the cruelty laws in NYS, this officer had the obligation to do a full investigation based on the fact the dog had been abandoned, did not have water, food, access to fresh air and had physical injuries on his body. That right there constitutes animal abuse. Anyone depriving any animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink, or neglects or refuses to furnish such sustenance or drink, or causes, procures or permits” such acts is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $1000 and/or imprisonment up to 1 year. The officer didn't need a veterinarian to sustain any allegation of physical abuse. Pebbles had bodily injuries that were recent wounds that were healing and certainly were not injuries Pebbles had "been born with". Pelton saw it himself! And in my opinion did not do a complete investigation to find out who left Pebbles in the condition he (Pelton) found Pebbles in. Also according to the law,a person being the owner or possessor, or having charge or custody of an animal, who abandons such animal,is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both. And a person who unjustifiably injures any animal is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both. Those wounds that were on Pebbles, did the officer investigate how they got there?
 

When the 2-year-old pit bull was found in January, her rescuers didn't think she would survive the winter. The dog was hairless, with her backside covered in sores. She had been blinded, and her teeth had been pulled, her rescuers said.

But Pebbles has made a comeback. The back sores have almost healed. She navigates the rooms of her new home with surprising agility, barking when she hears unfamiliar noises. Still hairless, she wears a pink hand-knit dog sweater to stay warm.

Now that Pebbles is out of danger, the woman who adopted her, Jane Anclam, says that someone should be held accountable for what happened to the dog. Making that happen, though, isn't as easy as she expected. Pebbles was found at a farmhouse in Redfield, in the far northeastern corner of Oswego County. While the last owners of the house, Peter and Barbara Luberto, had not lived at the home for several months, there are conflicting accounts about whether the dog had been abandoned. The Lubertos, who now live in Pennsylvania, could not be reached for comment.

Richard and Jane Anclam, of Osceola, with Pebbles. Anclam, of Osceola in nearby Lewis County, heard about Pebbles through a friend who runs a local dog food pantry. Together, the two women accompanied Trooper Jon Pelton to the basement of the farmhouse, where they found the dog. Anclam said she believes Pebbles had been left there to die.

Pelton said he found evidence that the house had been recently inhabited. He said it looked like a party had been thrown at the house the night before Pebbles was found. Regardless, he said it appears the pit bull had been mistreated.

"It was the worst thing I had ever seen," Pelton said. "I said, 'Holy moly.' It was pretty disturbing to look at." After researching the dog's injuries, Anclam said she thinks Pebbles might have been used as a bait dog. Dog fighting is a felony in all 50states, but the illegal sport has a widespread underground following. Tens of thousands of people nationwide are involved in dog fighting, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals website says.

But Pelton said there is no evidence of a dog fighting ring in Redfield.
Though the circumstance may seem suspicious, no charges can be brought against anyone unless there is medical proof that Pebbles was abused, the trooper said.

"We have no proof of when or how these injuries occurred," he said. "We don't know --she might have been born like that. Until there's medical proof that a crime occurred, my hands are tied."

Dr. Keith Blackmore of Upstate Animal Clinic treated Pebbles. "The history would indicate that Pebbles was abused," Blackmore said. "I've never seen a dog like that." Pebbles would need a head X-ray to confirm that her corneas were lacerated. But Anclam said she doesn't have the money.

She already has spent hundreds of dollars on veterinary appointments and medications for Pebbles. For weeks, she applied cold compresses to the dog's open wounds. Even now, Anclam must feed the pit bull wet dog food so that Pebbles can ingest the food without teeth. It hasn't been easy, Anclam said, but she's happy knowing that she saved Pebbles' life. "She's a member of the family," Anclam said.

"She's the sweetest thing. She's never going to be completely well, but we need to make sure that this doesn't happen to other animals," Anclam said. "That's what we're trying to do."
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UPDATE: June 27, 2009 I spoke with Mr. Anclam today and he says he is getting the run around. He needs some dog lovers and animal lovers to contact some people by email on behalf of Pebbles! Those email address links are below. Anclam believes he knows who did this to Pebbles but the Oswego County District Attorney's Office will not help them bring this person to justice. Why? The case was investigated by The New York State Troopers (NY State Police) and the investigating officer State Trooper John Pelton has made absurd statements and will not pursue the matter. See them highlighted above! Please contact the The Oswego County District Attorney. His email is: doddd@oswegocounty.com and The New York State Trooper main office to get justice for Pebbles. Contact the Governor of New York who is over the State Trooper. Contact the Attorney General of the State of NY who is over the Oswego County District Attorney. Contact the reporter (bcammeron@syracuse.com) on this story to do a follow up because no one is doing anything to get justice for Pebbles!.How Pelton, the state trooper could say the things he has said in this article are outrageous! He needs to be reported! Contact the Anclam's at: Jane and Richard Anclam,289 Barker Rd.,Camden, NY 13316,(315)599-7344.

Note: Officer Pelton said, "though the circumstance may seem suspicious, no charges can be brought against anyone unless there is medical proof that Pebbles was abused". What if there is medical proof? What then? Who is he going to charge? He should charge those same people now with the other abuses Pebbles endured! Also, isn't there already medical proof by the statement of Dr.Keith Blackmore? Pelton said there is no evidence of a dogfighting ring in Redfield. How would he know? Dogfighting rings are not publicized and this may be the first sign of something suggesting there is a dogfighting ring in Redfield. The fact that no arrests have been made in Redfield against a number of people at once who were members of a dogfighting ring but does not mean there isn't one. Dogfighting rings are all over. They aren't just in high profile locations. People bet on dogfights and in this economy I wouldn't be surprised if there is one in my neighborhood! Pelton said his hands are tied unless there is medical proof a crime has taken place. Shouldn't those hands be untied to address the other aspects of the crime scene he came up when he found Pebbles in what he describes as "the worst thing I have ever seen"?

There are board certified veterinary dentists. I know one could verify whether those teeth were pulled due to dental disease by looking at Pebble's gums. And also by testifying as to the frequency of dogs having all of their teeth pulled for 'medical reasons'. He/she would be qualified to comment on the likelihood of this when combined with all the other facts surrounding Pebbles. And he/she certainly could tell if the teeth were professionally pulled. Dogfighters are their own veterinarians. They don't bring their fight or bait dogs to bona fide vets because the vet will see the dog is being abused and report the "owner". What kind of legitimate vet would pull all the teeth out of a dog's mouth?