Right?

“It’s funny they would cite me on cleanliness,” she says. “I went out to their shelter just a month ago. There was a pit bull that had three piles of feces in its cage. I pointed it out to some people, and a few hours later no one had cleaned it up.”

When all was said and done, the case against Kelly was dismissed — but not before she registered a complaint of her own with the Louisville Kennel Club, whose president, Donna Herzig, says they’ve been getting more reports of illegal searches and seizures conducted by animal control officers than she can count.

“I can’t even tell you how many calls we’ve received this year,” says Herzig. “But we’ve gotten them, (our attorney) Jon Fleischaker has gotten them, too. It’s a jack-booted, kill-all-the-animals, make everyone afraid of us approach, just like they operated under Meloche.”

-SNIP-

“That surprises me,” says Downard, who is a member (and former chairman) of Metro’s Government Accountability and Oversight Committee. “My understanding was that Capt. Zelinsky would cease and desist on this. The complaints that began (under Meloche’s tenure) were because ACOs (animal control officers) had no warrant. These ACOs are supposed to be peace officers, and they are required to follow the law like any other peace officer. To enter into someone’s home like that without a warrant is unacceptable.”

Downard also says he hasn’t heard anything about untreatable diseases, but ultimately isn’t surprised given the current conditions in which MAS employees must work.

“It should be bulldozed,” he says of the Manslick Road facility. “I don’t know how it could be remedied. It’s so dirty and old and run-down.

Click here to read the rest from LEO Weekly.

And then ask yourself if anything will change with a new mayor anointed by the current misadministration.

Take a look at this letter a Clifton resident received via the U.S. Postal Service:

Here’s what the note – on bright pink paper – said, in case you can’t view the image: This is a friendly request for you to silence your obnoxious yappy barking dog. [LINE BREAK] Absolutely nothing after this will even remotely resemble friendly.

I’m betting this individual will really enjoy the visit they’re going to receive from the police after such a threat, right?

People never cease to amaze me.

It should be noted that the dog in question is neither yappy or barky. He’s barked maybe once while playing outside. Which is what dogs do in busy, populous neighborhoods where thousands of people live.

Do you live in the Lyndon (Louisville) area?

Have you seen this adorable beagle?

His name is Buster and his family misses him!

If you’ve seen him, send me an email right away.

Please spread this post around so he can get home soon.

I’ll whore it out one last time: if you missed me on Francene yesterday, listen to me on the internets. Don’t try to count the number of times I said “apparently” in 15 minutes or your head might explode. HUZZUH! [Jake Was On Francene's Radio Machine]

Think Jerry Abramson is nervous about Richie Farmer mulling a run for governor? [H-L]

While we agree that Jim King is fair game as a candidate, his family is not. The Courier-Journal has already received copies of all court record – provided by Ed Springston’s ghost writing attorney – so we’re wondering why the paper doesn’t just write what it already knows. [C-J]

We’re purposefully ignoring the trans-fat debate, mostly, because it is borderline ridiculous. If people want to be fat and die, let them. [Just Saying]

Will Jerry Abramson’s Metro Government ever get the Affordable Housing Trust Fund up and running? Don’t hold your breath. [Phillip Bailey]

Gone to the dogs. Louisville Metro Animal Services and director Gilles Meloche face a barrage of criticism about how they do business. Guess which fancy pants mayor is once again passing the buck. [Jonathan Meador]

David Williams is a whiny ass titty baby. If he wants to shove Christmas down my throat? I’ve got something he can kiss. Not every Kentuckian worships Jesus and this man needs to offing realize it. Absolutely offensive. The one time Steve Beshear doesn’t screw up and David Williams has to cry about it. [C-J]

Mitch McConnell is STILL complaining about health care reform. He’s still not offering a viable alternative. And he never will. [The Hill]

The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law yesterday. 11 years after the death of Matthew Shepard. [Huffington Post]

Two sealed motions have been filed in the criminal case against Karen Sypher. Her attorney wouldn’t spill the beans, though. One can only imagine just how juicy the details could be. [Andy Wolfson]

The Kentucky Humane Society has introduced the area’s first service dog training class for the public:

October 1, 2009 (Louisville, Ky.) The Kentucky Humane Society’s behavior training program introduces the area’s first “Service Dog” training class for the public, with canine training scheduled to begin October 5. The comprehensive class is designed to help individuals train their own dog to become a canine assistant for those with disabilities or even serve as a therapy dog.

“Acquiring a service dog from a private organization not only can be costly for someone, but there often is a long waiting list,” said Ursa Marr, Community Behavior Manager with KHS. “The new class will help expand the service in the community, and the dogs who graduate from our course will be able to assist disabled people by performing tasks like fetching dropped items and opening doors.”

The 14-week course takes place at the Fern Creek behavior training site for KHS, located at the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 9004 Beulah Church Road. The class participants will start with basic manners and then progress to more complex, specialized behaviors such as retrieving objects, turning on lights and opening refrigerator doors. At the end of the course, each dog will take the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen® Test, as well as the Public Access Test, and receive a certificate of completion.

Maybe you should get involved?

Warning: If you’re like us, don’t look at pictures on the website or you’ll end up adopting about 6,000 animals.

Meet Otis, my dog. Otis came into my life about four years ago — he was a rescue purchased at a charity event. He’s mostly Dalmation, as you can see from the black-and-white face. He weighs about 65 pounds, and is healthy and happy. He’s a bundle of energy and great with the kids.  He’s content to spend his time outdoors, but loves hanging out inside with people. Yes, he’s neutered.

Now here’s the bad news — I need to find him a new home.  Due to a divorce, just final, I’ve got to find Otis (and his pal Raider, a gray cat) a new place to live. I’m living in a place where I can’t keep him, or I would.

By the way, on yesterday’s State of Affairs, the entire show was devoted to the issue of rescuing animals who, for one reason or another, end up without a home.

Otis is a special dog with a lot of love to give. I’m sure that among our readership there’s someone who can love him and care for him.

If you’re interested in Otis, or Raider, please send me an e-mail.

“Gloomy Jerry Abramson”: In his story about the soaring jobless rate, the C-J’s Joe Gerth used an adjective rarely used in connection with our upbeat chief. The news is gloomy — about 1 in 10 people can’t find a job. Don’t forget that Francene’s doing her radio want ads at 10 today. [Courier]

A Pro-Wine Sales Argument from a New York Wine Store Owner: In New York, politicians are dealing with the issue of whether or not to allow wine sales in grocery stores, just like our legislators up in Frankfort. Just 15 states don’t allow it, and nothing is changing here for the foreseeable future. This Op-Ed from the New York Times is from a wine store owner who sees opportunity where others find fear. [NY Times]

The Foreclosure Fight: The Mayor, John Yarmuth and HUD officials are announcing a plan to help people avoid foreclosure today. The press conference is in Shelby Park.  [news release]

Sustain Saturday: It will be good for you, and the environment, to stop in at the new Sustain store in St. Matthews on Saturday. We’re thinking of making the screening of the documentary “Flow” during Happy Hour at 4, followed by some great jazz. [Page One]

Speakeasy Supper Surprise: The promise is great food, great wine and a surprise location. That’s intriguing enough for us to get interested in the Supper Speakeasy on Monday, produced by Bon Vivant Savant. The location isn’t disclosed until Saturday. The chefs are the husband/wife team of the Seelbach’s Ethan Ray and Sarah McGregor Ray. See the website for details. [Courier]

Dog Watching: Looks like the Metro Council is going to be talking about dogs again. Kelly Downard told WAVE-TV that he’s been getting complaints about the way the long-debated dog ordinance is being enforced, and the station found a woman whose home was raided by animal control officers while she was out.  [WAVE-TV]

Static/Major Update: LEO’s Phillip Bailey got some quotes from the doctor targeted by the rap star’s family in a malpractice suit, who says of course he did nothing wrong. Baptist Hospital East still isn’t giving up Stephen Garrett’s roommate in the hospital, either. [LEO]

Brain Surgeons Fired?: U of L now says it’s worried about losing its accreditation as a Level One trauma center. The top brain surgeon in town says U of L fired him. Kind of unusual to see these really smart docs (U of L’ s Edward Halperin and Dr. Chris Shields) bickering in the media, but no one’s come up with a solution. Shields and his group of surgeons want to stay on as U of L faculty while opening a new center at Norton HealthCare. Let’s just say there are egos involved. [Fox41]

It’s the first day of spring, and here’s your excuse to get outside at lunch — The WFPK Spring Membership Drive Kick-off at Ear x-tacy, featuring Rachel Yamagata and yes, Steve Forbert. See you there.

We have no internets but we’ll check our email regularly.