According to the Ulster County SPCA website, the sad story of two severely starved dogs and a cat is still an ongoing case in the Town of Rochester.

"German Ruiz, 20, of 48 Samsonville Road, Kerhonkson, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two misdemeanor charges of abandonment of animals under state Agriculture and Markets law. Cassandra Ronk, 18, of 62 Shivertown Road, New Paltz, was also charged with misdemeanor abandonment of animals. The dogs, now named Gus and Tigger, were taken to the SPCA shelter for emergency medical care. They have gained weight, though the two remain on a restricted diet, still recovering from this cruel and life threatening ordeal."

Please call the town and find out when this case goes to court again. It has taken too long.

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I read any comments that are on the Shawangunk Journal website under my column. Two weeks ago, after I wrote about the mistreatment of bears on Cherokee Indian lands in North Carolina, someone wrote to me. He or she complained that PETA and Bob Barker went onto the lands to protest and try to change the conditions of these animals. The writer said that Barker and PETA had not asked permission to come onto the Indian Territory. Well, guess what, the zoos and places these bears are kept in are open to the public, are tourist traps; so the public is invited on the property. I also find it ridiculous to say that one cannot protest without permission. I could go to England or any free country and complain about conditions of anything. Is the writer saying that the Cherokee Nation is not a free country? Finally, what really got my dander up, was that the writer suggested it was the business of the Cherokees as to how they treat animals. Humane treatment of anyone is everybody's business. I believe that an authentic Native American person has more respect for animals than most people and would not keep them this way. The zoos etc. who keep bears captive and do not feed them are sick, scheming, greedy people who do not represent Native Americans.

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The following is an update from Linda Brink of Sunnyskies Animal Sanctuary. It is about two dear horses, who are still the subject of an intense court case. The arrogance of the Lees is quite unbelievable. They have never said they were sorry — but then why would they if they are so totally cruel as to let what happened occur?

"Dear Friends of Suzi and Whisk,

On October 26, yet another conference took place between Judge Berry, the Orange County ADA and the lawyers representing Keum and Chong Lee. And once again, the case has been continued — to November 23.

"But folks, this is not bad news at all. There is every indication that the DA is continuing to stand strong, and has no intention of negotiating on the felony charges that have been brought against this husband and wife duo — leaving us to speculate that the negotiating points, at this juncture, are focused on compelling the Lees to plead guilty, rather than not guilty, in exchange for a lesser punishment — but not lesser charges. And there is even more heartening news, as we've learned that two Orange Country legislators recently made aware of the horrific specifics of this case, have personally contacted the DA on behalf of Suzi and Whisk. Their message: please do not reduce the charges brought against people who have allegedly acted in such a cruel and unconscionable manner. Such abuse cannot, and will not, be tolerated in Orange County.

"Again, a few short months ago, Keum Lee was the only person charged for the agonized suffering imposed upon these two innocent creatures — and the charge was a single misdemeanor. I continue to believe your input has made all the difference: each call, each letter, each fax. Without so many individuals standing up and expressing their outrage, Suzi and Whisk might very well, at this moment, be back in the hands of their alleged abusers. And I personally can hardly imagine a worse fate, or a more egregious miscarriage of the concept of justice. A more twisted version of the ideal of: compassion. A decision more lacking in empathy for those creatures with whom we share a planet that belongs every bit as much to them, as to us.

"Thank you so very much, for caring. Your caring has, for these two horses, brought them a life tended by loving hands and hearts and minds. Because of such a resounding public outcry, I cannot imagine them ever being returned to that place from which they were taken. And just as important, the prosecution of this case at the felony level might yet make a difference for so many others who, even as this is written, suffer rather than live, each day of their wretched lives. Prisoners all, in conditions of legal torture we can, truly, hardly imagine. There is no substitute for strong animal abuse legislation and precedents established in regard to existing law. Unless enforced, any law is useless."