"Saving Jasmine"
Latest Update September 28, 2004:
Jasmine is home only because of the gracious kindness of an internet community dedicated to 'Wild' Felines:
Since Jasmine is home now, I officially retire this page. I leave it only to show some of the tough legal and heartbreaking issues that can come about if you find yourself in a similar position. So I left up the notes I had written to the judge and DA in my case, perhaps even to remind myself how precious things can change in a minute. Everything below is old news now, and please see the story of her homecoming and life with my family whole once more:
This is what I had originally posted in my fight for Jasmine's return and
My Public Plea for help:
"Animals are property, never
mind that you cried more at your dog's grave than at your mother-in-law's
wake"
'You know that kicked in the gut
sinking feeling when you hear of a death of a loved one? I feel that now'
UPDATE : Wednesday, August 11, 2004:
I am having a rougher time keeping up with all that's going on....below is the older stuff, before I knew much. Here is what's happening now.
I was finally given the address of the people who are watching Jasmine after a long and hard fight. What I was told after getting the permits was that I had to take care of the ticket issued because it's unresolved. So the judge here even took time out to bring us to his home and accepting a guilty plea, and issuing me a receipt to bring them. Even he didn't understand why she wasn't back, because all we were told is to get the needed permits. (btw: a special thanks to the NY permit office in expediting that matter for me) More questions and troubles ensued.
This went on until Monday, Aug.9 Finally:
We were told by NY DEC that we could pick her up, but there's a boarding fee since she's been there of $650. That had to be paid first. I don't know how law works at all, but I think it's like a car impound lot in how it probably works. (if you've ever had your car impounded by the police) It's a private person/business who keeps the cars on the impound lot.
After finally locating a phone number, we called and were told that yes, they have her, she's ok and I could come visit her. I went to see Jasmine! The man & his wife were very polite and said we could have visited her at anytime. So if I had been told I could see her, I could have been paying this fee all along. We were never told about it by the DEC until this Monday.
It's easy to fall in love with Jasmine, and I know the man's wife did, as she took lovely pictures of her. And she took a few pictures of Jasmine meeting me since she's been gone. All this time, I never knew anything. Like a missing child. Jasmine licked my fingers and rubbed me through the fence, and I cried. As I had to leave her, I could hear her bobcat crying loudly all the way to the car. I parked down the road, sat there and fell apart completely.
But it was clearly stated I need the full amount by Friday, or it will go up like another week. So that's where I stand now. I'm trying to raise cash so I can get her ASAP. Please see the pictures taken by them the day of my visit:
http://www.geocities.com/ldyskin/Meeting.html
And so, that's where we're at. I am getting some calls from beautiful people who want to help me and sending what they can. I can do all I can to pay back those who are sending money. I listed my address publicly on the above link, because I admit I am desperate and so full of mixed emotions, at this point, I will so much 'safer' when she is here with us again. Thank you all- Cece
Older updates:
Update:
August 1
I have all needed legally issued permits, But not my beautiful Jasmine!
The NY DEC ECO was here Friday, July 30, checked my papers,
and telling me for the first time, the DEC won't let her go with a 'resolution' to the ticket issued, (never a condition before I got the permits, only that I get the permits. I agree to tell the DA that I will plead guilty to court, and I already called the DA's office to do so. I left a message to Tom Christopher that I'll plead in parish court. Then he says We can have her back within the next couple of days. that he will call the people who have that same night. Also he'll call us to let us know something. Now it's Sunday, and no call ever came. I need help. I have met all the things they said, and I am still getting stalled! My heart was lifted until it fell twice as hard.
Written earlier:
I ask you to read my public
appeal to you. Below that is the letter I
wrote to the judge and left it at his home because he was not home.
I
know it is a long letter, but it would lift me if I knew someone heard
me.
Please
take a look at Jasmine herself here!
Dear People;
Below this message is a
letter I wrote to the town justice. I left it on the judges doorstep
cause he wasn't home. The humane society said badly need a lawyer, but
I don't even have money. My husband is dying of cancer and I am disabled.
Recently, I went to court because of possession of a bobcat.
A DEC eco showed up and said he saw my bobcat in the window while driving
by! But he seemed very nice and to call him Tony, and asked if I could
show her to him and could he take some pictures of her.. He took one with my
daughter petting her and others and asked me to email him some more. he
left.
He had no warrant, no papers of any sort
and there were NO COMPLAINTS issued about me at all.
He gave me a ticket for possession of a bobcat w/o a valid license,
He demanded to take her and promised me and my family that he would help us
get the permits and he would return her as soon as I do. With no warrant or
orders of any kind, did I have to give her to him?
Then when I get her back, he said, you must exhibit her, cause that is
what the permit is for. I agreed as he said he would keep us informed on her
condition. We cried as jasmine went in her carrier but we trusted this man.
Then we learned 'the people who are watching jasmine do not want contact
with you. I will get updates for you. call or email with any questions.
I need help in the most desperate manner legally. The humane society
said I need a lawyer, but I can't afford any and I can't get around hardly
at all now. Even the USDA DVM who approved my facility said he couldn't
understand why she was taken away. He said they know lots of people have
these animals without any permits and they do nothing unless there are
NUMEROUS complaints. I expect to receive approval for my NY permit any day
now. There is no LEGAL valid reason why not. I feel since this has
been stalled in a manner that seems deliberate. that I am about to loose forever the best friend
I have, Jasmine.
I love her so. please help me.
The letter to the DA and Judge below:
Dear Sir or Madam;
I can only guess that the Judge gave me a
traffic form because nothing else covers this.
A New York DEC officer issued me a ticket for possession of a bobcat
without a license.
I have owned, cared for and loved Jasmine for over 3 years now.
So my daughter and I put Jasmine in her carrier and trusted him
on this as we handed her over. We never expected him to do this
without any complaint or warning a month later.
I feel he should have warned me a month earlier that if I
did not get this paperwork going, he might come back at a future time to
take her.
He produced no papers or warrant to take her. We took his word
that he would give her back when licensed, and that he would
help us. He said he found a licensed couple to take care of her for now.,
and he would keep me informed of how she is doing .
I applied for a NY License 3 yrs. ago, when I got her and found out
after my check came back that we need a federal license first. I found it
was a collect and possess license and not a breeder one.
It never stated that I needed a USDA permit from the government before
I filed for either one. In fact, the USDA inspector told us it was not a law
that I needed USDA approval before applying for a NY License just
yesterday.
On the website where I found the information 3 years ago, before
I got her:
Statutory
Authority: ECL Sections: 11-1907,11-0511, 6 NYCRR Part 151 and Part 175
The Department may issue a Fur Breeder license permitting the
propagation of, or keeping alive in captivity, beaver, bobcat, coyote,
raccoon, sable or marten, skunk, otter, fisher, nutria and muskrat. They may
be disposed of alive for propagation, exhibition, scientific or educational
purposes only, or they may be killed and pelted at any time. The carcasses
and pelts of fur bearing animals may be possessed, transported, bought or
sold at any time.
To apply for this license, contact the Division of Fish, Wildlife
and Marine Resources Special Licenses Unit.
Special Licenses Unit
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4752
(518)402-8985
1.) I
feel that if the NY DEC's web page had proper information on it 3 years ago,
I would not be in this predicament . I was denied the permit to collect and
possess because I did not hold a USDA license first.
Even today, the USDA inspector said it is not required that I hold
their permit first, so I feel I was denied 3 yrs. ago wrongly. Therefore, if
I was not denied 3 yrs. Ago, I would have had the permit before this all
happened and never issued the ticket for possession of a bobcat without a
valid license.
2). Secondly, since there was no ban on exotic pets in NY
at that time, and I had purchased her from an exotic pet dealer, I wasn't
sure I needed anything at all.
3.) Third, today I do have USDA approval, so that I know of no
reason to deny me again. On the contrary, I found the Albany DEC
special license unit willing to expedite my application.
As I promised the DEC Officer, I have
applied for, and am obtaining necessary permits for an Exhibitor's
Class "C" license, to exhibit her at her USDA approved enclosure
facility at 30 Easy St, Parish, NY., to the public and is now
subjected to periodic random inspections by the USDA.
The facility was inspected and approved today by the USDA inspector.
Lastly, the DEC officer informed me at the time he took possession of her
that he will get her back to me as soon as I met these requirements. I feel
I have done so.
The NY DEC office in Albany said they will expedite my permit
application for me. Since I should have proof of both permits in
a week's time, I hope you can dismiss this charge on the points I have
made.
I now have USDA approval & am awaiting the certificate
itself, my USDA customer ID # is 14241
I am awaiting final approval from NY state Dept. Of Environmental
Conservation , as I have submitted the requested application, fees, and
paperwork to obtain this license. I was assured by telephone today
that my application will be expedited ASAP.
On a personal note, I have a very real emotional relationship with this
animal, as does my family, and will do everything in power to have her
returned and continue assure her well-being. I am a 46 yr. Old mother of 4
with one teenager left at home, and a husband who has terminal cancer. This
situation has put a very hard burden on our family emotionally for all us,
and physically for my husband.
Since this happened, we have put up an 8 ft. chain link
perimeter fence around her 13 � ft.x 7 � ft. enclosure, which is
underground by 16 inches and exceeds USDA standards. We have complied and
built everything including a viewing deck and filled in any rocky
areas around her site, and put in steps to the new deck. I plan to exhibit
her by appt. to the public and was approved to do so. We have worked very
hard in these last 2 months to assure her safe return to us. My
husband is very sick, yet he did all the work himself so that I will comply
with all standards.
We love Jasmine, and will do whatever is required to have her back in our
care. Please consider dismissing the charge of possession of a bobcat
without a license and request immediate return of her since I am doing all
in my power to right that.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Cecilia D.
jasmine:
fun in the snow
See Jasmine's own web pages:
