Another Mason-Style Nightmare; No One Is Safe

From: Spinashio@aol.com <Spinashio@aol.com>

This is the frightening story about Coral Kerr, her work with the animals that she has rescued, the ones she has taken into sanctuary for her friends who have died, and her own pets that were simply living peaceful , happy, comfortable lives until the day of June 16.2009. That day authorities arrived unannounced to take away her entire private, protected world.

Coral has worked as an illustrator, writer and character designer, best known for her creations for the television show, "H.R.PufnStuf" in 1967. She moved to the isolated mountainous area of Tulare county so that her animals could enjoy room to romp in the outdoors, and she could continue to write and illustrate in a serene setting surrounded by peace and quiet and natural beauty. All the animals in her care (twelve dogs and eight cats) were well fed, loved and cared for. While she was over the pet limit, she was responsibly vetting, altering and caring for them until they could be placed into forever homes. She was never told legally (written or verbally) that she must reduce her numbers nor had there been any animal behavior issues. She was never given the opportunity or time to reduce her numbers before the animal control and the law enforcement stormed onto her property and into the house being customized entirely for the animals' use . In a mad frenzy they removed ALL of her animals—not even allowing her to keep the 4 pets she was legally entitled to have in her home! She witnessed her terrified dogs being manhandled by cruel and painful methods by the animal control people. There were also 8 adult cats and several feral kittens she was bottle feeding special kitten formula, as their mother had been killed in the forest. These healthy, little miracle kittens were also confiscated and immediately euthanized at the shelter.

The law requires legal notice be given when one is not in compliance with a city ordinance— no such notice was ever delivered to Coral! Two people came onto her private property 5 days before from animal regulations but did not tell her why they were there. They came back 5 days later, forced her into an ambulance, took ALL of the animals, gave her a card that said she could get the animals out of impound in 10 days, and told her to get a kennel license.

Unbelievably, they carelessly removed all of the dogs and cats that she was caring for without warning! She was treated like a criminal, removed from her property by force, forced to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, having had no history of any
emotional or mental problems, and exhibiting no signs of instability or illhealth whatsoever. She was interviewed by Dr. Raul Martinez with
Tulare County Mental Health Dept. Dr Martinez found Coral to be competent, of sound mind, and thoroughly capable and he saw fit to let her return home immediately. When she was taken
to be evaluated, she was not allowed to take her house keys, her cell phone, or her personal identification. Though she was free to leave, the county had no way for her to get home, a 90 minute drive, and Dr. Martinez was kind enough to drive her home himself.

On June 23,2009 Coral went to buy the required kennel license to comply with stated regulations and Tim Brown at theTulare County Animal Shelter refused to sell her one! No reason was offered for said refusal, and she was not informed of what she must do to qualify to get the kennel license the county had told her she had to obtain. The harassment persists as animal control continues to withhold her foster animals and personal pets, most over the age of 9 years old and a couple of them nearly 20.
Explanation for this has not been given and the family includes animals who have never been separated from each other or Coral in their entire, long, cherished lives. She is ordered to appear in court on
August 12,2009.

Coral’s civil rights were violated, her family destroyed and some of the animals have been euthanized already without cause. She has been through agonizing pain having to hear flippant comments made by the local sheriff, Scott O'Neill, joking about how "her animals are old and 'on their way out' anyway". They have refused to tell her any information about the condition or status of her animals, and they have consistently made conflicting statements to concerned individuals who have inquired as to who among her lovely, healthy animals have survived thus far.l has written and illustrated a children's book about a little kitten, "Sparrow", whom she had saved and who in turn saved the life of another kitten. It is to be published in November, and that valiant kitten was also confiscated, and it is feared this little hero has been needlessly put to death. When asked about who among her animals is still alive, Tim Brown at the Tulare County shelter says casually ," a few have died". It was also announced that " some were euthanized".Coral has written and illustrated a children's book about a little kitten, "Sparrow", whom she had saved and who in turn saved the life of another kitten. It is to be published in November, and that valiant kitten was also confiscated, and it is feared this little hero has been needlessly put to death. When asked about who among her animals is still alive, Tim Brown at the Tulare County shelter says casually ," a few have died". It was also announced that "some were euthanized".

We have to rally behind Coral because those of us in rescue never know when the knock on the door will be on our own property and someone will try to confiscate our own furkids without notice. This is violation of civil rights without warning or warrant, and this should never happen to anyone in America! We need to win this case because if the people in animal regulation in Tulare County, CA prevail, none of us are safe from being accosted and violated in our own homes.


Paula Terifaj DVM
www.30MinVetConsult.com/blog

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

There's always more to it
Alleged neglected animals seized, 35 kittens dead
Comments 2 | Recommend 4
June 18, 2009 9:57 AM
THE PORTERVILLE RECORDER
CALIFORNIA HOT SPRINGS — Twelve dogs, 20 cats, one sheep and about 35 dead kittens were removed Tuesday from a California Hot Springs residence.

Tulare County Animal Control agents were assisted at 10 a.m. by representatives from Tulare County Health and Human Services and a county deputy in removing the animals from the home of Coral Kerr.

Animal control agents responded on June 10 to Kerr’s residence to investigate a report of animal cruelty. At that time, agents reportedly gave notice to the 62-year-old Kerr to improve the living conditions of the animals.

When agents returned on Tuesday to ensure Kerr had complied with the original notice, it was determined Kerr had allegedly not complied. It was at that time the animals were removed from the property.

All live animals were in various stages of health and several were in need of immediate veterinary care, authorities report. The case is being investigated.

Anonymous said...

She had a similar problem in 2004, too many animals that needed care in deplorable conditions. Her landlord was trying to evict her because of the mess. She begged people to help her rent a uhaul truck to move all the animals up to where she lives now. I read that she was found to be mentally ill. I think she rewrote what actually happened. This is a story teller. We still should help the animals.

H.R Puffinstuf? Wow! So sad. said...

Tragic beyond tragic.

H.R. Puffinstuf used to be my favorite show when I was a kid. I used to be sooo much in love with the little curly-haired blond kid in the show. I think it was Mark Lester, but I don't quite remember...I thought he was soooo cute back then!) A great show and an enormous tragedy for the writer's animals.

Anonymous said...

HR Puffinstuff (aka Pufnstuf),
Your memory fails you. It was a dark straight haired kid that starred in it-Jack Wild (RIP). Mark Lester starred with Jack in Oliver and Melody.

Respectfully-A Jack Wild Fan

FYI said...

Don't we all just love the anonymous comments by people who don't check facts and arbitrarily add to someone's misery by posting anonymously so they won't be identified as in the following post....

Anonymous Anonymous said...

She had a similar problem in 2004, too many animals that needed care in deplorable conditions. Her landlord was trying to evict her because of the mess. She begged people to help her rent a uhaul truck to move all the animals up to where she lives now. I read that she was found to be mentally ill. I think she rewrote what actually happened. This is a story teller. We still should help the animals.

01 August, 2009

Whomever wrote this post should check the facts. First, I've known Coral Kerr since the 1970's when we worked at Hanna Barbera Productions...she has always been a homeowner....never had a landlord so the idiot who frivolously posted that she was evicted in 2004 never happened. A homeowner has a mortgage not a landlord you half wit. And then, when this moron added she was found to be mentally ill...you could be sued for this...oh, and the comment, "we should help the animals." WHO ARE YOU? Why don't you just stay off blogs...your life is so unevolved and uninteresting you have to resort to making uniformed, unverified comments further ruining someone's reputation.......

FYI said...

Don't we all just love the anonymous comments by people who don't check facts and arbitrarily add to someone's misery by posting anonymously so they won't be identified as in the following post....

Anonymous Anonymous said...

She had a similar problem in 2004, too many animals that needed care in deplorable conditions. Her landlord was trying to evict her because of the mess. She begged people to help her rent a uhaul truck to move all the animals up to where she lives now. I read that she was found to be mentally ill. I think she rewrote what actually happened. This is a story teller. We still should help the animals.

01 August, 2009

Whomever wrote this post should check the facts. First, I've known Coral Kerr since the 1970's when we worked at Hanna Barbera Productions...she has always been a homeowner....never had a landlord so the idiot who frivolously posted that she was evicted in 2004 never happened. A homeowner has a mortgage not a landlord you half wit. And then, when this moron added she was found to be mentally ill...you could be sued for this...

Anonymous said...

First hand --Coral uses people to meet her needs--she does love animals- but does not have the means nor facility to care for them.
She takes on too too much --then works people for the money and help
She is blaming the wrong people for all of this --she needs to own it and realize she got in over her head- and please do not tell me different --I have been very involved --and yes she has been evicted before and yes someone owns the house now with her

Coral kerr said...

All anyone, who has a question about the details of this nightmare, has to do is ask.I am the person whose entire animal family has been impacted so negatively by this needless invasion and violation of my rights and those of the animals I cared for all of these many years. I do not know to whom these comments about former complaints refer, but they are not about me or my animal family.None of those referenes are relevant anyway.Regardless of what judgements would be imposed or what maintenance issues would be addressed, the solution to kill my innocent animals or take them away from the home and companions they have known and loved all of their lives, having been rescued years before, is not only unfair and cruel, it serves no purpose. The facts indicate irrefuatbly, the actions taken by Animal Control and law enforcement were destructive, illegal, and unnecessary.

Coral kerr said...

Anonymous says they are "very involved".....yet I don't know who they are and unfortunately or fortunately there has been no "very involved" on any level. As for being evaluated, I have been and though "mental stability" is a relative term, no evaluation has found me to be in any questionable mental state...certainly none neccessitating such a violent and abusive intervention as has been enagaged in that has now taken the lives of all the trusting animals in my care. Again, whatever one's opinion of me might be, you who judge have just destroyed lives, not contributed anything productive.

Anonymous said...

I believe the authorities returned to Kerr's home again in the summer of 2010 and seized more animals and gave her additional charges. If not guilty, why would they return?

redriveratdawn said...

Why would they return? Good question. Let's answer it.

Because they are bullies who attack older women who are defenseless. It is much easier and much SAFER than going after a dog fighter who might turn a gun or a lawyer on them.

Because of the money involved - money from donations, money from fines, etc.

Because they know where she lived. Why go out and look for actual animal abuse when you know where someone lives - alone?

Because the legal system is ripe for abuse, and because it is a well known fact that most lawyers really do not know how to handle an animal seizure case.

Do me a favor and ask a few more questions...

Anonymous said...

Coral did, in fact, have a landlord, but that is neither here nor there. Yes she does work people for the money she needs or wants.she is extremely articulate and knows how to evoke an emotional response, so keep ahold of your pocketbook because she'll take all you have to offer and more.and yes, i do know her personally,but unfortunately i was never told 'the facts'so i was unwittingly supporting an exploitative animal hoarder who needs psychological help. Coral is a lovely and amazing person. It's not her fault that she has a problem-don't we all! However, it still remains true that she misrepresents herself/situation to others when she 'asks' for help, and that is unjust to her helpers.

Anonymous said...

P.s. Coral is NOT a defenseless, older woman. She defends herself very well, thank you.