Pookie Update:

By Lyn Riddle  

APRIL 6, 2011 3:02 p.m. (1)

The Greenville County solicitor’s office has dropped the charges against the man arrested for setting fire to a doghouse with a collie-chow chained to it and held captive by a concrete block.

Pookie was severely burned in the Nov. 10 incident, but recovered and is living in a western North Carolina facility that cares for elderly animals or those with special needs.

In December, Greenville Police arrested Isaac Henry Anderson, 53, and charged him with conspiracy, third-degree arson and ill treatment of animals.

Jason Rampey, Greenville Police Department spokesman, said he didn’t know the charges had been dropped until contacted by the Greenville Journal Wednesday afternoon.

"That doesn't mean the case is over," he said.

Solicitor Walt Wilkins said in a press release issued after the Journal sought comment that “further investigation in this case is warranted.”

Wilkins said the charges could have remained while the investigation continued but he decided to drop the charges.

"My office decided he shouldn't have to face pending charges while we were tightening up our investigation," he said. "There were a number of questions that needed to be answered before we felt we could move forward."

Charges can be refiled, he said, but keeping the charges would be prejudicial to Anderson because Wilkins didn't know how long the investigation would take.

"The standards are different," he said. "For an arrest, you need probable cause. To get a conviction, you need beyond a reasonable doubt."

Kim Pitman, executive director of the Greenville Humane Society, said she is shocked and saddened by the decision.

“People think hurting animals is not a crime and it is,” she said. “When they upped the charges on this we felt like they were taking it seriously.”

Jan Todd, who cared for Pookie for about four months after he was released from the veterinary office, described her reaction as flabbergasted.

“That’s not going to set well with the community,” she said. “There was an outpouring of support by people who were outraged something like this could happen.”

“I’m stunned,” said Shelley Marcy, vice president of Friends for Life, which runs Forever Farm at Lake Toxaway, where Pookie is living. “There’s no justice. It opens the door for someone to do the same idiotic thing.”

Marcy said Pookie has recovered well and shows no signs – other than large scars on his body – of the abuse.

“He’s really an inspiration,” he said. “He’s more resilient that the average animal.”

She said many of the animals at the farm – right now 120 cats and 37 dogs – have been abused and often they go inside themselves to find comfort.

“Pookie’s a happy go lucky guy,” she said.

He even has a regularly updated Facebook page – Justice for Pookie.

Wednesday’s post: Good Morning, What a lovely day it is here in the NC mountains! Sun's out, grass is green, Life is good! A little brisk, but I like it now that my fur has grown back. Wait a minute..Trixie is pawing my shoulder...she wants the computer. gotta' share, Pookie must keep the ladies happy. Be back in a while.

Todd is the one channeling Pookie’s thoughts.

“People tell me I have too much time on my hands,” Todd said.

She found Pookie his new home through an Internet search.

“I couldn’t have dreamed of a better place,” she said.

Friends for Life worked exclusively to foster animals from 2003 until 2005, when property in Lake Toxaway was purchased.

Hundreds of people contributed to Pookie’s care. Ultimately, about $12,000 was raised. The money remaining after Pookie’s vet bill was paid has helped care for other injured pets, Todd said.

Todd is selling T-shirts to raise money for Forever Farm, which has an annual budget of about $200,000 yet gets no funding from other charities or government.

“Pookie’s goal right now is to just enjoy himself,” Todd said.

Contact Lyn Riddle at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Cindy Landrum contributed to this story.

Comments

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Eve   |2011-04-07 11:48:20 This is such a disturbing case of animal abuse that needs to be pursued until all the perpetrators are convicted. I am praying that Pookie continues to recover and enjoys a long and happy life. I cannot say the same for Mr. Anderson. Reply

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