Apr 3, 2008 10:33 pm US/Eastern
Tiger Ranch Saga Divides Animal Rights Groups
GIBSONIA (KDKA) ―
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Linda Bruno waved to supporters after a judge dismissed animal abuse charges against her.
KDKA
A district judge dismissed animal cruelty charges against Linda Bruno, the woman who runs Tiger Ranch.
The DA plans to re-file those charges, but in the meantime there is another battle going on between animal rights groups.
Bruno won the initial battle, but the war over Tiger Ranch will continue and not just in court, but between animal rights groups who have squared off against one another.
First round went to Bruno, with supporters claiming a victory and the magistrate ruling that the charges against her were not specific enough.
"This whole case is exactly what happened and it, it's just broad and vague and no one is being specific about anything because there are no specific charges you can bring against her," Last Chance for Animals representative Chris DeRose said.
But as the battle will likely continue inside the court, it will likely rage on outside as well as animal rights groups face off.
"The first time in 30 years have Igone up against an animal organization, I don't believe in doing that, it's against my grain, but what they did is really wrong," DeRose said.
Chris DeRose of the California-based Last Chance for Animals accuses groups here and the Pennsylvania SPCA of coming up with charges against Bruno saying his group investigated the finding of undercover volunteer Deb Urmann, and found them unfounded.
"The only thing I can say about Chris DeRose is he really, really ought to be ashamed of himself," Urmann said. "He really should because he is supposed to stick up for animals that are being abused or neglected and he's sticking up for the alleged abuser."
Urmann also rejected the notion that she brought charges against Bruno because Bruno had turned her down for a job.
"It's absolutely ridiculous," Urmann said.
Other local animal rights activists accused DeRose of turning a blind eye.
"I believe he realizes he made a mistake and he's trying to distract from that fact that he made a mistake and did not go in and help those cats," Carolyn Deforrest said.
Still DeRose is sticking by Bruno, as are her many supporters.
"She's not killing and maiming and doing this to animals, anybody here will tell you how much she really cares and what she does," DeRose said. "That's why I'm here. In 30 years I have never seen anything as such a travesty."
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