Andrea Rosebrock 
Just unbelievable! Yet another good Samaritan being charged after helping a dog. This time it’s Troy A. Jackson, 36, who has headed the Boise-based animal rescue group Northwest Animal Companion for more than a decade.
A few weeks ago he got involved after another animal advocate from Upper Valley Humane Society was charged with trespassing after trying to help a severely injured dog that had been hit by a car. The dog was left outside in the snow, howling in pain, trying to nurse her new puppies. Jackson drove 5 hours to the home of Raul Torres and offered to help the dog.
“I drove down their, knocked on the owners door, and said can we help?” he says.
Torres accepted the offer and even helped to load the injured dog, Barbie, and her three week old puppies into Jackson’s vehicle.
Jackson took the dog and puppies to the Ada County Veterinary Hospital where Barbie was diagnosed as suffered a broken left front leg, and a broken back hip, both of which would require surgery.
From here it seems this is where things got out of control. Jackson told Torres he would bring him $2500 for the dog and the five puppies but Torres said he wanted two of the puppies back. Jackson faxed Torres an affidavit saying that he would turn over $500 for the three adopted puppies and return the two puppies that Torres wanted back. Jackson never heard back from Torres, instead he heard from the Jefferson County sheriff’s office telling him that Torres was angry and was claiming that Jackson wouldn’t return his dog and puppies.
Next thing Jackson knew, 1am Wednesday, his house was surrounded and he was being arrested and charged with felony grand theft!
“They surrounded my house and pounded on my door,” Jackson said. “They said, ‘Apparently you’ve upset someone in Jefferson County.’”
“As it stands now, Jefferson County wants me to come down right before Christmas to answer to charges of felony grand theft,” says Jackson.
“I’m appalled. I’m surprised, I don’t understand. I don’t think this is the response of a reasonable person,” says Elliot.
“Our main objective was to get the treatment for a dog that had been laying with her puppies out of the snow, that was it,” says Jackson.
“What they are trying to do now is they want to paint this picture that I misled this guy, that he didn’t know I was going to go as far as Boise to get treatment for them,” Jackson said.
Olsen said sheriff’s investigators determined that Jackson had refused to bring the dog and puppies back and planned to spay the mother and adopt out her puppies against the owner’s will.
Jackson said Torres approved the spaying of the dog and the adoption of three puppies. But he didn’t get it in writing.
“The Humane Society will get some signed thing, but I’m not. I never had any intentions of taking the dogs,” Jackson said.
Olsen, the Jefferson County sheriff, said his deputies had investigated the neighbor’s complaint about the injured dog, and they had been assured by the owner that the dog would get treatment. They were satisfied that was happening when they heard Jackson was helping, but things changed when the dogs weren’t returned.
“The prosecutor’s office has reason to believe he wasn’t going to bring the dogs back,” Olsen said. (Idaho Statesman)
So this rescuer tries to help, even gets permission from the owner who left the severely injured mother dog in the snow with her three week old puppies. The rescuer foots the bills for the Barbie’s injuries, offers to get the puppies adopted and even offers money to the owner who agrees verbally initially then for some reason changes his mind and presses charges.
“I asked him, did you want to throw me in jail? I mean, am I not doing what you wanted me to do? He said, the Sheriff keeps calling me. He keeps asking me when are you going to bring my dogs back. I said as soon as I can,” says Jackson.
Like I said when I posted about another good Samaritan, Ms. Ann Lam of Savannah, GA a few days ago, no good deed goes unpunished!
CONTACT INFO
JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Blair Olsen, Sheriff
200 Courthouse Way
Rigby, ID 83442
(208)745-9210
Thanks for the following info Andrea!
Apparently there is a mobilization of outraged citizens about the treatment of Troy Jackson and would like to address it at the county commissioners meeting this Monday, December 14th. Here are the addresses/emails. Worth emailing them letting them know the REST of the country is watching them on this.
Jefferson County Commissioners
210 Courthouse Way, Suite 140
Rigby, ID 83442
Commissioners:
Tad Hegsted, Chairman
rthegsted@hotmail.com
Ron Baxter
tirefactory2002@yahoo.com
Debbie Karren
dkarren@co.jefferson.id.us
Michelle Harrington, Deputy County Administrator
210 Courthouse Way, Suite 130
Rigby, ID 83442
(208)745-0868
mharrington@co.jefferson.id.us
It’s these A$$CRAP owners who should be publicly scorned and chained in pillory stocks. They also have no scruples. They KNOW they’re abusive animal owners and to avoid any kind of charges or trouble, they turn it right around as theft even when they agree to the help. Because the helper ALWAYS HAS THE MONEY. These owners are freeloaders and leaches. GAD…I just wanna PUNCH something right now!!!!
thank you for your support!
OK, I’m calm now. I was reading some of the other news stories on this and found an interesting comment to one. Apparently there is a mobilization of outraged citizens about the treatment of Troy Jackson and would like to address it at the county commissioners meeting this Monday, December 14th. Here are the addresses/emails. Worth emailing them letting them know the REST of the country is watching them on this.
Jefferson County Commissioners
210 Courthouse Way, Suite 140
Rigby, ID 83442
Commissioners:
Tad Hegsted, Chairman
rthegsted@hotmail.com
Ron Baxter
tirefactory2002@yahoo.com
Debbie Karren
dkarren@co.jefferson.id.us
Michelle Harrington, Deputy County Administrator
210 Courthouse Way, Suite 130
Rigby, ID 83442
(208)745-0868
mharrington@co.jefferson.id.us
Thanks Andrea, I meant to include that but like you, I was so upset by this…. I read this originally the other day and kept looking for more info on it, just so stunned. What the hell is wrong with people? This man went out of his way, drove a 10-12 hour round trip just to help and now he’s faced with felony charges and prison time. Insane! Luckily we are not the only people who feel this way, I bet there will be a fill courthouse come the 14th to speak out about the treatment of Mr. Jackson and this whole insane thing! Wish I could be there.
D.
What is wrong with people…we are going to Hell in a Handbag it certainly seems!!! This is an outrage and I wish I lived close enough to atrend the meeting on the 14th. Out of Control once again!!! Yes, D is right: no good deed goes unpunished, sadly. It is a crying shame
THIS is beyond comprhensible. I will work on getting e-mails out tonight as there is not time to get letters to Idaho before Monday. Just speechless over this…unless unacceptable #&#(@#) spews out.
There is something terrible corrupt with this sherriff. He refused to do anything when faced with the fact that this poor mother dog was left in the snow with her puppies and broken bones. He refused to take the puppies when the mother dog couldn’t be produced, but they were shivering in the cold on the front porch. He felt the word of the abusive owner that “something was being done” was good enough. He refused to take the mother dog when the Humane Society woman was there. Now he’s the one pushing to have this good samaritan arrested on felony charges? Come on! What is the agenda here? Are the owner and sherriff in cahoots? Something stinks to high heavens here.
Seeing those precious puppies warm and comfortable and sleeping peacefully broke my heart, because I know they’ll end up right back in this abuser’s hands. If not all of them, two of them will. The $2500 is outrageous for these dogs, yet Jackson was willing to pay that ransom to save the dogs AND got treatment for the mother dog. Yet HE is being punished.
This is sick. I’ve sent my emails. I hope these people are drowned in them and realize the spotlight is on them and they better do the right thing for once.
I sent in my message~ the law is definitely on the wrong side here, the owner of this dog is the one that needs to be locked up, he left this baby in the snow, in pain, with little babies to tend, this is a severe case of ANIMAL CRUELTY….what is wrong with the states back east, the laws are always on the wrong side of the fence. And people wonder why animal abuse is getting out of control, they never punish the person that commits the crime with SEVERE PUNISHMENT and in this case, the WRONG person is being charged, I would love to see this go in reverse and have the owner of the dig being sent to prison for years for leaving the dogs out in the freezing weather, with broken bones, in severe pain tending to here babies like a good mother would, LOCK UP THE OWNER, not the HERO that saved these babies!!!
mr Jackson….u’re an angel. Torres…..u’re a twit n u DO NOT deserve those dogs.
I echo ALL of your rage and disbelief how this entire world is so backwards and when the actions and justice is supporting the WICKED and FLOGGING and STONING the good, honest, decent, and humane people and innocent animals of this land, has the arrow of honorable integrity heading SOUTH, then I will pray and BEG God to end my existance and the existance of all the lives that are good, INNOCENT OF ANY WRONG including the very thought of EVER doing wrong, and honorable pure hearted right now.
Heaven and Rainbow Bridge which is the gate I will proudly enter into my Father’s Kindom by because the mansion God has built for me is LOCATED IN THE RAINBOW BRIDGE COMMUNITY is to the NORTH people!!!!!
Perhaps a kit or diaper bag available at birth to be delivered via THE STORK to include the following :
1. A COMPLETE SPEAKING, SIGN LANGUAGE, BRAILLE, and WRITTEN robotic version of a “GUIDE TO BEING A GOOD PERSON AS LONG AS YOU LIVE ON EARTH LIFE TERMS AND CONDITIONS” with BONUS PICTURES available in every language and disibility, Rated G and NEWBORN VERSIONS ONLY, NO ACTUAL BRAIN OR EDUCATION NEEDED,and in 3D for those equal opportunity EXTRA EVIL, REPETITIVE OFFENDERS.
2. A compus that shows which way is NORTH OR UP for all the GOOD PEOPLE and which way is SOUTH OR DOWN for ALL WICKED, EVIL PEOPLE color coordinated of course.
3. A detailed decription of what GOOD and HONORABLE acts are.
4. A complete yellow pages outline of what sin and EVIL are.
5. The correct automatic punishment of hefty fines payable to the good and honest for the remainder of the evil one’s life, the meaning, origin of word, and compete DEFINITION of the word FELONY, and life imprisonment mandated and applicable to ALL acts of evil.
6. A map including step by step proper procedures a newborn baby would comprehend, would be useful getting.
7. The Code of Conduct For Honorable, Humane People CORRECTED VERSION!!!.
With all of these tutorials, perhaps SOMEONE WITH AN ACTUAL BRAIN, AN UNTAINTED HEART, A SINCERE AND INTEGRITABLE LAW ENFORCER WHO ACTUALLY PAID ATTENTION IN SCHOOL, AND WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDS THE LAWS THAT EXIST WHICH ARE TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE GOOD AND INNOCENT, and the PROPER, PUNISHMENT GUIDE AND JUSTICE FOR THE INNOCENT CONCEPT.
If we can find a person other than GOD to get this whole innocent vs. EVIL concept down pat, MAYBE we can get that arrow pointing NORTH again. The continual practice of PUNISHING THE HUMANE AND GOOD PEOPLE in our world IS NOT GOING TO MOVE THAT ARROW ANYWHERE BUT DEEPER INTO THE GROUND OF DIRT.
Someone had better get things right or DEC. 2012 will be very much realistic which for the sake of humanity and all the good that remain in the world, won’t be soon enough to beam us up Scotty!!!
P.S.- Please forgive any spelling errors in my previous reply. I tend to make a few spelling error’s when I am revealing my ANGER and DISGUST using a keyboard. My speech recognition headphone set program REALLY has major problems decifering tangible dictation using my voice while yelling into the microphone. It believes I speak in gibberish. WOW, now that is scary.
the support from all of you is going to make a difference going forward!!! dont let it go away we are the PEOPLE and we shouldnt be afraid to do the right thing!!!!
Troy, you’ve definitely got support here and you’re right, people should not have to be afraid to do the right thing. For too many, we are the only voices they have and when we remain silent, they suffer. Thanks you for what you did!
Deanna
Troy, sounds to me like the sheriff has an axe to grind with you. Was the owner of that poor dog even arrested for animal abuse? I’ve written to all parties and we’re behind you 110%. There will be a verification email come after you all email these folks. Hang in there Troy, you did good.
God bless you Troy…Without people like you poor babies like this don’t stand a chance.
Way to go Troy, I am not sure what the hell is the matter with people anymore, but do not give up.
Suggestion for future situations – get a tape recorder and start recording all of your conversations in these types of situations. It’s not in writing and may not be accepted in court – but you can play it for the sheriff, put it on the web, mail it to the local newspapers and tv outlets. Proves that you said what you said and the abusive owner said what he/she said. Let them lie and try to talk their way around a recording of their own statements.
You have my support, best of luck to you. Will you need legal representation? If so, check out your local social services. There is also a web page called “JustAnswer.com” – it hosts doctors and veterinarians and lawyers. Ask a question, pay a fee for an answer. (Don’t pay the fee until you get an answer!)
Anyway, best of luck, you have all of our support!
This is the email I just sent; hope it makes someone think twice –
Tad Hegsted, Chairman
Ron Baxter
Debbie Karren
Michelle Harrington, Deputy County Administrator
210 Courthouse Way, Suite 130
Rigby, ID 83442
(208)745-0868
Dear Mr. Hegsted, Mr. Baxter, Ms. Karren, and Ms. Harrington,
I am writing to express my concern over the situation that has developed in regards to Mr. Troy A. Jackson’s attempts to help an injured dog.
While I understand that not all of the facts are reported in local media, it is still disconcerting to read and hear that Mr. Jackson is facing charges of felony grand theft because a neglectful dog owner made a claim that Mr. Jackson was refusing to return the injured dog.
From the reports, the dog was hit by a car and left, with her puppies, to suffer in the snow. The owner did nothing to assist the dog. It was left to Mr. Jackson to take the dog to a veterinarian.
Now the owner claims that Mr. Jackson is refusing to return his dog and her puppies.
If the dog has not been treated at the expense of the owner, that is animal neglect and/or abuse, and the owner should be charged. If the dog is still being treated at the vet’s, then it should not be returned to the owner until released by a veterinarian, for medical reasons.
If the dog is being treated at Mr. Jackson’s expense, the owner should be required to repay Mr. Jackson prior to the return of the dog.
As for the puppies, they should not be removed from the mother until they are at least 8 weeks old. If the mother is still in recovery at the vet’s, then the puppies should stay with her at the vet’s. If Mr. Jackson is providing care for the mother, the puppies should stay with her at Mr. Jackson’s home.
If the owner truly plans on caring for this animal, he should be required to pay some or all of the vet bill up front. He should also be required to show proof that he will in fact care for the injured dog, provide follow up treatment, and not just dump her outside. It was the owner who left the injured dog untended and uncared for in the first place.
If the owner’s past behavior is any indication, the mother dog will not receive even the most basic care if she is returned to the owner at this time. There are no reports that he made any attempt to care for this dog when she was originally injured. Why are there no reports that the owner is facing charges for his neglect?
I urge you to reconsider this situation. Your actions so far show a decided lack of compassion for the injured animal, and a lack of common sense in regard to the actions of Mr. Jackson and the owner of the injured dog. I am not sure that the word of a neglectful owner should be given the same weight as the word of a caring stranger who is giving an injured animal the medical care and kindness that the owner would not bother to give.
Thank you,
It should be a no brainer, law or no law, how would the Sheriff like it if he was in the snow with broken bones and no one helped him. The dog abusers should be delt with and the Sheriff should be removed from his position. It seems if your a criminal you can get away with whatever and if you do good your a horrible person. Don’t forget the lord above is watching. I think these horrible people are socialpath. I hope you have enough people behind Mr. Jackson to help him and get the Sheriff removed from his position, he doesn’t need to ruin more lives.
What this boils down to is this should never have been anything more than a civil matter. The police should have stayed out of it. There is total agreement that both parties wanted Mr. Jackson to take the dog for emergency medical attention, there is some “confusion” from that point but once the owner gave Mr. Jackson permission to take his animal from his property it was his responsibility to understand exactly what would happen next and get it in writing himself if felt that there was anything fishy about what Mr. Jackson was doing. I believe that he trusted that Mr. Jackson was doing the right thing and then later had a sort of “buyers remorse”. I don’t know what most yahoo cops are up to now a days but is this county so devoid of real crime that this is the only thing the law enforcement agencies have to do? If so how bout saving some tax payer money and culling the force. I mean if they are not needed for real crime.
BTW I hope these charges were dropped. Is this still a pending case?
Troy you are an angel, but one piece of advice – always get something in writing that they are giving up the dog(s). I have a form of relinquishment, and if you have an attorney help you write it up, it is binding. I always mail a copy of the “contract” to the person relinquishing the animal. Just a protection factor.
I hope and pray you do not have any penalties against you. You don’t deserve it. People who neglect their animals deserve to be punished, not the ones who are the animals guardian angels.