Andrea Rosebrock 
There was a recent order from the Honorable Judge E. Jones regarding Baron the Collie. Apparently Andrew Ostrowski, representing Miles Thomas, asked for immediate release of Baron due to the conditions Baron is being kept in at the Harrisburg Humane Society. It was denied.
But he did not make a final decision on the case. He sent it back to both parties to continue working towards a resolution. Back to Square One.
The document PDF is HERE. If I were either lawyer involved in this case, I’d be hiding my head in shame. Judge Jones ripped both sides a new one. I direct to you to Footnote 2 on Page 2.
While we refrain from placing blame for the failed settlement on any party in particular, we note that repeatedly, counsel for the parties have not conducted themselves in keeping with the highest traditions of the legal profession. Zealous advocacy and collegiality are not mutually exclusive. The practice of law is entirely stressful under normal circumstances, but it becomes unbearable for all involved when the obstinance of opposing counsel stifles any hope of resolving a case that should otherwise reach settlement. The abject aversion to conciliation displayed thus far is both astonishing and disheartening. Quite simply, this Court expects those who practice before it to display more professionalism and dignity than that which has been revealed to date in this case.
I personally, am annoyed that both sides can’t come to a mutual agreement. So, I give the Harrisburg Humane Society and Andrew Ostrowski (for Miles Thomas) an Open Letter:
Both of you have the power to resolve this. I beg you to resolve this. No more motions, injunctions, filings, testimony, subpoenas, witnesses, appeals, comments, diversions, tactics…whatever! Get together, pool your money for lattes and danish, and hash out an agreement on returning Baron to Miles Thomas. Both sides can agree on something. This isn’t rocket science. Don’t sweat the small stuff – just do it. Yield a little, both of you. This man has nothing else in his life except for his dog. Help him have his dog back! You will both be the winners. There won’t be any losers – except Baron.
If this pissing contest continues, Judge Jones will make the decision and I guarantee you, someone will be hurt. And the real tragedy is while all of you argue and nitpick and thumb your noses at one another, Baron languishes alone in a shelter. I agree with the Judge, and he says it quite eloquently…
We strongly urge all parties to redouble their efforts to settle this case. Candidly, we are embarrassed for counsel and the parties that they have conducted themselves in a fashion that has allowed this case to persist and spin so wildly out of control. We remind them that as they posture and, dare we say, over-lawyer this case, Baron the collie sits in confinement, aging far more rapidly than they.
The opinion is well written and makes complete sense. Baron’s owner did NOT provide a safe or acceptable home for him before and the animal control people were completely justified in taking Baron from him. However, if he can now provide (with the assistance of friends) a decent environment for Baron then the Humane Society needs to step down from its position and reach a settlement that is good for Baron in the long run. I am a lawyer and I understand how sometimes a case becomes a personal crusade, but when a Judge tells you that you are behaving in an embarrassing and unprofessional manner you had BETTER take notice and change your attitude. I hope these attorneys (and their clients) take heed.
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if both lawyers get officially reprimanded for this fiasco.
I don’t get it, why can’t Baron just come home? What does this woman expect to gain from dragging this out? She should be removed from her position. This is unproductive and Baron is suffering horribly. Let Baron come home!
WTF WHY DON’T THE JUDGE JUST ORDER THAT BARRON BE RETURNED TO MILES FOR CHRIST SAKE. HE IS A JUDGE & HE CAN DO THAT. HE IS NOT HELPING MATTERS BY MAKING THEM TRY TO COME TO A DECISION AS IT’S OBVIOUSLY THIS BITCH IS NOT GOING TO GIVE IN. THE JUDGE IS JUST AS GUILTY FOR ALSO DRAGGING THIS OUT. STOP THIS FULISHNESS NOW JUDGE & DO YOUR J.O.B.
I agree with Janet. This is infuriating and ridiculous. Poor Baron scared and afraid, and at the mercy of people who don’t give a rat’s ass about him. It’s very very sad and deeply disturbing. Some people can be so cold and cruel
OMG…i so agree. let Baron go home!!!
Janet, that was my first thought also, why the hell doesn’t the judge just order Baron returned to poor Miles, for both their sakes. If this is not done soon, I can forsee tragic consequences,and god help those lawyers if this happens because of their pissing contest.
Yes, I too agree. Just let Baron go home to Miles. They miss each other so very much and this is quite cruel to do to both of them! Poor Baron. He IS aging and aging quickly in that hell hole that they have FORCED him to be in!! This pisses me off beyond words. Heartless SOB’s….every one of them. The judge needs to SLAM his gavel down and DEMAND Barron released to Miles immediately!! This whole fiasco has gotten way out of control and is totally ridiculous and cruel! I hope and pray that they will be reunited for Thanksgiving. What a wonderful gift that would be and how very thankful one and all will be once they are.
As we know GOD, so be the Judge in a court of law. Why doesn’t he just make it happen that Baron is returned to Miles. The he should fine both sides for playing this out so long. This Bitch should be relieved of all her duties and to never have anything to do with animals again. She’s probably sleeping with counsel or the Judge to have it drag out this far. Wouldn’t surprise me in the least. I can’t believe this is going on this long. Poor Baron, he could have a GREAT Thanksgiving if they would just let him go home. With that I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.
I so agree, just let Baron come home and the judge has that power. Fiasco and lawyer bickering or not, the Judge could have made this fast, sweet and simple. He chose not to do that, I hold him just as culpable.
Sadly, so do I Peggy
Sam said it well, a pissing contest. I have seen this in court rooms before, just not pertaining to a beautiful dog like Baron. It is a shame when professional adults act like two year olds, and cannot see past their noses on their faces. This woman should be removed from her position, and made to pay personally for all the nonsensical legal fees that her organization has brought upon themselves. I am very disappointed in the Judge, as this could have been settled months ago. I wonder what the hell is going on in his head, but it sure as hell is not justice.
Wishing all here on D’s site a healthy, safe Thanksgiving holiday.
Apparently all our calling and letter writing has been in vain, they still aren’t paying attention and still don’t care that we hate them and hate what they are doing to Miles and Baron.
LET BARON GO HOME!
Ashley, nothing is ever done in vain when it comes to our furry babies. Please remember that. It might take more and more letters/faxes/emails, and eventually others will understand why we are the way we are when it comes to these furbabies.
And seriously, you know what? If I lived in this area, I would go, I would go and get on my hands and knees myself and BEG this woman to give Miles back his dog. Who knows how much longer either one of them have on this earth? I want it to be spent together, not apart as this fucking bitch is trying to do.
What is with this judge? Can we get an address to write to him? This has gone on way to long. This judge is making a mockery of the law and not upholding it. Didn’t he order at one time to give Baron back? Then why isn’t he enforcing it? I really need his address. All this judge is doing is killing both Miles and Baron little by little. Enough is enough and I’ve had ENOUGH!!! Dee, where is this taking place? If is it close enough to me, I may just go there. Baron is the only family that Miles has and vice versa, for God’s sake let Miles go home.
To say that these people don’t give a rat’s ass about Baron is so wrong. These people ALL care about Baron, but they are so stubborn and ridiculous in their thinking that only THEY know best and in the process Baron suffers. This is exactly how most people are in all situations. They ALL think they are right and the other side is wrong or stupid or evil or cruel or whatever. No one is ever willing to just look at the other person’s opinion and maybe just give in. The people who criticize the Judge also do not understand the legal process. Some judges deserve to the criticized, but this Judge seems to want what is best and is trying to get the parties to DO what is best for Baron. Judges do not have unlimited power. They do not get to just step in and do whatever they want anytime they want, apart from the legal process. You people who are blaming this all on the Judge need to read the Constitution. Blame the parties, not the Judge, for this one.
Kat, I beg to differ. The Judge is God in a court of law. Whatever he says goes. Perhaps you should re-read the constitution.
i so agree with u, MOE……
Kat, Judges sometimes let the opposing attornies come to an agreement, therefore, not getting his/her hands dirty so to speak, and being thought of badly from one of the attornies. But, I believe this settlement issue has gone on way too long, and the conditions that they are allowing Baron to live in is pathetic, and at this point in time, he should use his judicial powers as a superior in the court system, and lay down his verdict for Baron and Miles.
Apparently, the attornies on this case are not looking out for the best interest of Baron or Miles. Both are seniors, and to take one away from the other is unfair to both of them, not to mention what it is doing to both of their mental states.
Kat, you are probably right in what you say about the legal process. I don’t know enough about the law to comment on that. But when you say that these people care about Baron, That is so WRONG !!! They are keeping him in solitary confinement in a room without a window. He has no contact with other dogs and the minimal contact with a human being. This is utter cruelty in my book. They are destroying that poor dogs spirit little by little, day by day. If he ever does get out of there, will he be the same lovable dog that was put in there ??? I very much doubt it…
Below is the address for the Judge. You can write again, but I’m sure he’s been receiving a lot of cards and letters from both sides of the issue.
The Judge is not to blame in this case. It is opposing counsel. And they had their buns handed to them. Whatever decision he makes it’s going to be an unpopular one considering how this issue is divided. Not that I give him any sympathy – it goes with the territory. He wants it settled between parties before he’s FORCED to make a decision. I want to see Baron back with Miles Thomas too. I hope it happens.
Kat, I hope you stick around. Legalease confuses me somewhat. We could benefit by your knowledge.
Case Number: 1:2009cv01557
Filed: August 13, 2009
Court: Pennsylvania Middle District Court
Office: Harrisburg Office
Mailing Address:
PO Box 983
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Street Address:
Ronald Reagan Federal Bldg
228 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-9998
Phone: 717-221-3920
Presiding Judge: Honorable John E. Jones III
KAT YOU ARE WRONG THIS WOMEN B**** DOES NOT CARE ABOUT BARRON AT ALL. I’D LOVE TO SMACK HER UPSIDE THE HEAD BUT WELL BEING A LADY & CHRISTIAN I WON’T DO THAT. THIS IS TOTALLY LEDICIOUS FOR THEM TO RUIN THIS POOR DOG. I HOPE EVERYINE SPREADS THE WORD ABOUT THIS & THEY LOOSE A LOT OF DONATIONS BECAUSE OF THIS B**** SHE IS GONNA BE THE DOWNFALL OF THE WHOLE ORGANIZATION. BUT NOBODY CAN SEE THIS. THIS JUDGE NEEDS TO PUT THIS WOMEN IN HER PLACE AS HE HAS MORE POWER THAN HER. I HAVE SOME IDEA’S KICKING AROUND IN MY HEAD RIGHT NOW DON’T KNOW WHY I DIDN’T THINK OF IT BEFORE BUT I’LL LET EVERYONE KNOW IF I FIGURE IT OUT & HOW IT WORKS OUT.
this has gone on long enough! i hope this moron loses her job and someone takes her two dogs away from her. she can’t even give miles and baron a happy christmas cause she is selfish and self centered. she needs to be arrested for contempt of court[failing to comply with the judge's order to return baron to miles]i wish there was more media covereage to keep the heat on her. i called mr. ostrowski’s office but i doubt he will call back. i just feel sorry for baron all alone in that hellhole while this bitch plays god.
OK PEOPLE I THINK THIS BULLSHIT HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH SO HERES WHAT I HOPE EVERYONE WILL DO. POST THIS ON EVERY WEBSITE YOU HAVE & URGE EVERYONE TO CONTACT THIS JUDGE TO DEMAND BARRONS RELEASE. SECOND CONTACT EVERY CELEBRATY YOU CAN THINK OF THAT LOVES ANIMALS TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP. WE NEED TO GIVE MILES & BARRON THE BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENTS THEY HAVE EVER HAD.
This is the letter that wrote to the Judge in Miles behalf.
December 2, 2009
Ronald Reagan Federal Bldg.
228 Walnut Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-9998
RE: Baron & Miles
Honorable John E. Jones III:
I am writing this on behalf of Miles & Baron. I feel that you need to let Baron go home to Miles.
The Harrisburg Humane Society has gone beyond their limits as to what they are doing and have
done.
This Amy Kaunas is out of control and needs to be relieved of her duties. Steve Conklin has agreed
to give Baron a home, so what is the problem here? They are asking for an unfettering contract to his
property. OMG, I can’t believe how far they will go. I for one have stopped supporting the Humane
Societies over all of this.
Years ago, I told my son that a Judge was GOD in a court of law, and now when he hears how your are
acting on this, he thinks you are a joke. He tells me I lied and that a Judge doesn’t have power at all. I
don’t want my son to think the law is a mockery, so I am asking you to do the right thing and use your
power to make this society and Amy release Baron as soon as possible. You didn’t reunite Miles and
Baron for Thanksgiving, but I am praying that you will do this before we get any further into this
holiday season. I am truly embarrassed by the way you have handled yourself. You just keep letting
this drag out. Why? Is the community hard up for news that you have to keep this going? These
attorneys involved need to be removed for being immature about how they handle things. I know I for
one would never hire either one of them.
Thanking you in advance for taking the time to read my letter.