Cynthia Lambert
Posted on Mon, Aug. 30, 2010
Annie the Dog was returned to her original owner, Chuck Hoage, on Monday, several weeks after news broke that the 8-year-old Australian shepherd had been adopted to a new family.
“At 5:05 (p.m.), Annie was brought to me, so we are united,” Hoage said Monday. “She’s home with me now.”
Earlier in the day, Hoage said the past few weeks have been “terrible.”
“I notice I’m getting pretty grouchy with co-workers and my friends,” he said. “It really is affecting me.”
During the past month, more than 4,100 people concerned about Hoage have joined a Facebook group called “Friends of Annie.”
Meanwhile, Arroyo Grande police officers had stepped up patrols of the adoptive owners’ neighborhood, who live in that city. Cmdr. John Hough said police have not noticed anything odd during their patrols.
Officers patrolling the area make a note of whenever they drive by, Hough said, but the stepped-up patrols do not affect officers’ schedules or result in an increase in overtime costs.
A letter penned by a woman appearing to be the adoptive owner on Friday rejected calls from the public to reveal the owner’s identity, and says her family has received anonymous hang-up phone calls and seen two unfamiliar vehicles parked outside their house.
“I hope no one ever has to endure an adoptive experience like this one,” wrote “Sasha Sampson.” She added: “The right thing would not to be folding and returning Annie however personal threats tend to work miracles.”
The Tribune was unable to independently verify that Annie’s adoptive owner wrote the letter, which was also submitted to other media outlets and county officials. The Tribune also received a recording of voicemail messages reportedly left on the adoptive owner’s machine.
County Animal Services Manager Eric Anderson said he has reason to believe the letter was written by the owner, and that it indicated “they’re hoping to get that resolution in sort of a quiet and private way.”
“This is a really unusual case,” said county Supervisor Adam Hill, who owns two Australian shepherds. “Hopefully it will be resolved and that will be the end of it, and hopefully people will continue to adopt dogs. We don’t want anything to deter people from adopting dogs or any pets that we have at the shelter.”
Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2010/08/30/1269244/annie-the-dog-returned-to-her.html
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AG man hopes to get Annie back
StoryDiscussionAG man hopes to get Annie back
By April Charlton/Senior Staff Writer acharlton@santamariatimes.com Santa Maria Times | Posted: Tuesday, August 24, 2010 11:26 pm | (3) Comments
Supporters of Chuck Hoage gather Tuesday in front of the San Luis Obispo Government Center demonstrating for the return of his dog, Annie. Hoage had reported Annie missing in June, and went the shelter last month to claim her, only to be told the dog was adopted by another family.
When rural Arroyo Grande resident Chuck Hoage lost his dog, Annie, in late June, he never thought he’d have to fight to get his beloved animal back.
Hoage also never expected the outpouring of community support he has found in his quest to reunite with the 8-year-old Australian shepherd.
“It’s overwhelming,” Hoage said about the support that includes almost 2,500 fans on a Facebook page titled “Give Chuck Hoage his Dog Back!”
“I am amazed at all the people.”
The Facebook page was created by local radio talk show host Dave Congalton, who also helped organize a rally Tuesday outside the County Government Center.
Congalton created the Facebook page because he, too, has been separated from his canine companions over the years.
“I know what Chuck is going through — wondering whether his dog is OK, where it is and whether he’ll get to see his dog again,” Congalton said, adding he’s also amazed at the community support Hoage has received.
About 75 people and their dogs gathered outside the Government Center Tuesday to show their support for the return of Annie to Hoage.
Many carried signs that read “Send Annie Home” and “Give Annie Back to Chuck!,” while many more wore pendants bearing Annie’s picture around their necks.
“If they truly loved animals, they’d give Annie back to Chuck,” said Jolyne Knotts, about the unidentified family who adopted Annie in early July and won’t give the dog up. “Annie should be with her true owner.”
Annie and Hoage became separated June 23, when the dog was startled by a loud noise and ran away from his ranch on El Campo Road while Hoage was feeding his horses, he said.
The rancher searched for Annie, with no luck, and reported her missing to County Animal Services the following day, he said.
Animal Services claims that it never received the missing dog report, yet someone from the agency called Hoage on July 15 to inform him Annie was at the shelter.
When Hoage arrived at the shelter the following day, he was told that Annie was adopted July 9. She was apparently taken to the shelter July 2 by the family who found the canine on the side of Highway 101.
Calls and e-mails to Animal Services manager Dr. Eric Anderson weren’t returned.
“It’s very hard (to be without) her,” Hoage said, as he choked back tears. “It’s hard to when I go to feed her and she’s not there.”
Hoage, a widower with no children, has had Annie since she was a puppy.
Verena Maier, owner of Verena’s Go Gourmet in the Village of Arroyo Grande, said she’s supporting Hoage because it’s the right thing to do.
“I just feel that Chuck has been completely wronged and it needs to be done right,” Maier said. “Chuck did nothing wrong. He needs his dog back, and the county needs to step up and make sure he gets his dog back.”
Third District Supervisor Adam Hill has contacted the family who adopted Annie and plans to meet with them next week to see if they will return the canine to Hoage.
Hoage’s supporters have vowed not to give up their vigil until the quiet rancher and his dog are reunited.
“We’ve shown great solidarity,” Sally Knight of Atascadero told the crowd at the rally. “Let’s keep it up.”
Congalton is encouraging supporters to send cards and letters to the family, via Hill, asking them to give Annie back.
Letters and cards should be addressed to “The People that have Annie” care of Adam Hill, Room D-430, County Government Center, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408.
Cloud Star, a San Luis Obispo-based dog treat company, has offered $1,000 to the family that has Annie, and another $1,000 to Animal Services shelter, if they give up the dog.
Hoage believes he’ll be reunited with Annie in the future, even if he has to take legal action to get his dog back, he said.
Source: http://www.santamariatimes.com/news/local/article_33b32320-b012-11df-9185-001cc4c002e0.html
Also see http://www.insidesocal.com/pets/2010/08/widowers-lost-dog-annie-now-in.html
1 comment:
What a strange situation ! couldn’t believe it !
I also had a situation where I adopted a dog, a Golden Retriever, that was unattended on the street and was at my gate for several days.
After checking local and nearby town veterinarians, pet shops and local kennel, I thought he was an abandoned dog.
6 months latter a women appeared at my home claiming that the dog belong to her and her sun. She told me it was custom for them to let the dog walk alone and they were just living there recently.
I didn’t like it, but after seeing photos and watching the way the dog greeted the owners I let him go with the agreement that the dog would start being walked by the owner.
1 year later I moved out and received a friend message saying that the owners started to let the dog go out alone to the street again.
So … I still think if I did the right thing to let him go back !
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