My Billings Gazette

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 9, 2009 2:14PM MT jn - I'm torn in how I feel about the current outcome. I have to admit I am very happy that a trial will not be needed now but agree with all you have posted. It gets down to who has the best "plea bargining" attorney these days. I am also glad that the dogs will not remain at the Metra during the fair as I believe all the activity will cause them great distress. I also don't trust that our judicial system would have found her guilty during a trial because of cut throat tactics that get so many criminals off on technicalities now. I feel the pain you are feeling though and appreciate the thoughts that you share.

Posted by: jn on July 9, 2009 2:49PM MT Thank you for your support, Smile, I know this tears you apart too. It seems we live in a society anymore where accountability means nothing, and you don't have to pay consequences for your actions. Where innocent and defenseless creatures are concerned, I have a hard time accepting that. Montana had the best opportunity to change that in the legislature this year, and they failed, miserably. Yellowstone County had the opportunity this time with Kapsa, and while I can see the merits of the plea bargain, I fail to see the justice for the 24-plus animals who died at her hands, or the message to be sent to future generations of hoarders and puppy mills. I too had doubts about the trial's results, but at least it would have allowed voices to be spoken, and on record, and it might have been a lesson learned, to have the tools for the future to deal with, more effectively. I AM thrilled to hear those beautiful animals will go to responsible and loving homes, they've never known anything beyond the muck and mire Kapsa called their "home", it is a relief they will know what a real home is.

Posted by: Kirk Dooley on July 9, 2009 6:05PM MT The gal got a tap on the wrist, and the county blinked (perhaps they thought they might actually lose this case and the gal would get off scot-free -- that's the only reason I think they could possibly make a deal this lame). Hopefully, the county and/or the ASPCA will keep a close watch on Kapsa's property, in order to make sure things don't get out of hand again. Either that, or it may be necessary to form a Vigilance Committee.... (3-7-77)

Posted by: jn on July 9, 2009 6:33PM MT Kirk, we don't have an local ASPCA here, but rather the regional HSUS, which isn't a humane society at all. While they "assisted" with the seizures, I believe that even the HSUS has their hands tied, therefore, they'd be the last ones monitoring her. So, Kapsa will be "under the supervision of the Department of Health of Human Services". What the hell does that mean, that she needs to clean her house now? Attend counseling? Don't count on the county to keep a watch on Kapsa, they failed twice already in the past. This plea bargain makes me sick. I just want to scream.

Posted by: ilona on July 9, 2009 6:37PM MT I'm horrified. The negotiations even include whether she can have unaltered animals. How could the county NOT expect a repeat performance?

Posted by: jn on July 9, 2009 6:46PM MT Welcome, ilona. Yep, it seems three news sources are reporting slightly different things, when I saw the UN-altered mention, I nearly hit the roof!! If that is true, then it is official, we have the dumbest judge in the county.

Posted by: jn on July 9, 2009 7:05PM MT I should reiterate that sentencing has not been passed yet, so the above should say I HOPE the judge does not become the dumbest judge in the county.

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 9, 2009 8:51PM MT Please keep in mind the plea agreement is still being negotiated and sentencing has not been determined yet. As far as I know from personally speaking with the Operations New Beginning staff, right now she is only getting 6 altered companion dogs (six too many in my opinion) and other issues are still be negotiated. I do not believe any of the news sources has the story completely right.

Posted by: jn on July 9, 2009 11:15PM MT Except that she already has (reportedly) up to 20 on her property, so she certainly doesn't need 6 more, or 20 more of her choosing irregardless if they are spayed/neutered. I wouldn't want to be in the position to choose like that, but she shouldn't be allowed to choose at all, in my opinion.

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 10, 2009 6:34AM MT I completely agree with you jn. It is breaking the hearts of all the handlers because she gets to go to the metra and choose 6 dogs. It is my understanding she has to turn over the ones on her property though. Anyway you look at it, other than over 200 dogs being released for adoption, this whole thing just sucks!

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 10, 2009 4:51PM MT Now I am reading that she gets to chose 20 to set aside during negotiating. Between the awful blogs on the main article yesterday/today and the way this plea bargin is going, I'm beginning to lose all faith in the system again. Part of me wishes I had never walked onto the grounds of the metra and put many hours of my life into the rescue for the past 6 months. I am heartbroken.

Posted by: jn on July 10, 2009 8:42PM MT Smile, your heartbreak is among the numerous reasons this plea bargain is so wrong. No animal hoarder having the evidence mounted against them and the proof of the neglect, should ever get any animals back. This is a repeat in history with Kapsa, and the county had every opportunity to do it right this time. I have never had much confidence in the county's action with this situation, as history too has proved they are near incompetent. Paxinos should be thoroughly ashamed of himself and needs to keep his mouth shut when interviewed. Portraying to the public that he was "in the dark" about the magnitude of what an animal hoarder's actions can inflict upon a community, then claiming the laws should be changed. Where the hell was he when the three major bills were on the legislative floor and subsequently died early this year? I tried to post additionally to you on the gazette articles but those freakin' errors kept prohibiting me from doing so. This plea bargain is just so wrong on so many levels. Most everyone seems to be forgetting the 24 or possibly more that died due to Kapsa's neglect, under the most miserable conditions one can imagine, in the coldest freezing environment imaginable. She had too many breeding dogs who were unaltered, puppies with parvo, kittens locked in a barn with no food or water. That's only half of the story. What about the three trailers covered in filth and that she and some of the animals were living in. What about the pugs, goats and other animals that mysteriously disappeared never to be mentioned again. What about the repeat history that proves without a doubt, Kapsa is not capable of properly caring for, attending to, getting veterinary medical attention for, feeding, watering, vaccinating, licensing ANY animal on her dilapidated property. The fact that she should keep 6 or get 20 more is insane, and sends the message to other hoarders as well as to the community that Yellowstone County doesn't care how many and for how long you neglect animals. It is a tragedy for the future of abused and neglected animals in this county. It sickens me to think a plea bargain like this is shoving truth and accountability under the rug, on the parts of Kapsa and all attorneys involved. Stop living in the past and start taking animal neglect seriously. For every animal hoarder's actions, for every dead animal at the hands of an abuser, every member of the community suffers. How long are Billings and Y.C. residents going to stand for this? Can you tell I'm livid?!

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 10, 2009 10:18PM MT I am so livid that I tried to delete my on-line log in/account. I know this isn't the gazette's problem (other than the freakin' errors as you said) but going back and forth with sadie and cab1 and others that do not think this is important enough to warrant change and accountability has drove me nearly insane. I am just too sensitive about this stuff. You are able to put everything into words so well but my ability to articulate just doesn't hit the spot. I'm going to try my best to just continue to volunteer at the metra for the dogs that still need care and deail with the fact I don't understand or agree with how this is all turning out.

Posted by: jn on July 10, 2009 11:21PM MT You can't delete your account, because then you'd be deleting yourself from Animal Crackers, you can't leave me! I know it's hard, but don't fret about people like Sadie and cab1, especially the latter. They've gotten under your skin because it's easier to be hostile rather than positive or constructive. There will always be those who are ignorant on the issues, and if they're not willing to be educated, they're not worth your time. Don't give up, Smile, don't lose sight of the fact that you're giving those without voices a head start in life, they are learning to trust, to bond, to believe other humans can and will treat them better. One day you will be able to reflect on that and it will all have been worth it, I promise you that. The injustice is sickening, but you know you've done your job well when you see the others go into happy homes and you cry tears of joy when they do. That's the reward, and the knowledge you've helped them in their journey. Hang in there, and be proud of what you're doing!

Posted by: It's A New Day on July 10, 2009 11:25PM MT Hi jn --- First of all, thank you for creating this blog. The conditions these poor animals have endured is beyond words. Attitudes toward animals need to change in Billings. I don't believe some of the comments I have read in the various newspaper articles are from sane people. People at the top need to set an example and this means Kapsa should not have any animals with her at all. Zero.

Posted by: jn on July 10, 2009 11:51PM MT Welcome, It's a New Day, Well said, and one of my rants from what seems like ages ago. If we can't trust those in leadership, we as a community have no support when situations like this occur. Camp Collie, Camp Husky in Butte, an animal hoarder with cats in Billings, Kapsa's animals, to mention a few, I guess these weren't perfect examples of what to expect and how to effectively prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. Nor were these examples enough to change the laws in the legislature. Maddening, huh?

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 11, 2009 7:35AM MT Thanks jn for your uplifting comments! I won't quit. After a nights rest I feel better, well, as better as I can be despite the icky feeling surrounding the plea.

Posted by: jn on July 11, 2009 9:08AM MT I know, it isn't going to be easy, and unfortunately, you might have to psyche yourself out for Monday (if the news articles are true and Kapsa shows up at the Metra). I know the feeling of not having any control of the situation, but again, remember the progress you've made with all of them, and with any luck, those animals Kapsa gets back WILL be checked on. If you need to, you can vent here anytime, ok? :)

Posted by: Kirk Dooley on July 12, 2009 3:18PM MT Whilst all this angst is well and good, I wonder if there'd be all this hue and cry if Kapsa had kept 200 cats on her property instead of dogs. I know jn would be reacting the same, and I would hope that everybody else would be as well, but after having to read the letters to the editor here in AZ regarding stray and feral cats (most of which were unsigned), I'm beginning to wonder. (One letter called a person who was feeding the strays in his neighborhood a "terrorist." I can see it now: somewhere in a cave in Northern Pakistan, bin Laden is telling his lieutenants: "We'll unleash a thousand grey tabbys on the Americans. Within a few days, they'll be begging for mercy.") There are some (who obviously have never had cats themselves) who believe at cats that are outside should be on a leash, like dogs. (My Lily was on a leash and collar -- and she still bolted.) There are others who favor mass euthanasia of ferals, all because one peed and/or pooped in their yard. (And you wonder why I want to get out of here?)

Posted by: It's A New Day on July 12, 2009 8:59PM MT Hi Kirk - Good question about the cats. I suppose we won't know the answer unless it happens. I do know that I only found one vet in the entire town that really knows much about guinea pigs. She is in the heights. I also only spoke to one family that knew correct care for the little furry friends. As I have said previously, attitudes about animals need to change in Billings. I found it to be really pathetic overall, from pet owner responsibility and education, to the animal group meeting we attended, to the pet shops and let us not leave out the folks who put this deal together for Kapsa as well. jn's blog and the contributions here by members such as yourself and Smiles have truly given me a glimmer of hope for the animals in Billings. I am so happy to see this finally happening! Now how can we help these poochies and other animals there? I would love to see education done for all the animals, whether they are a dog, cat, guinea pig or tropical fish. I did try to send jn a message a couple of days ago through her profile, but I don't know how that works. We wanted her to know that we are concerned about the article that talks about the spay/neuter of these animals. Maybe she never got the message. We are willing to call our vet in Billings and sponsor a couple of the poochies who should really be seen by a vet for this procedure. We will pay their bill directly, rather than having them go to some sort of a mass clinic and not surviving. Perhaps the older ones who have had several litters need help? I also am wondering if the handlers who want specific poochies would be willing to accept the responsibility to pay for the procedure at a vets before they are formally placed in their care as a forever home. I don't know the exact situation there, but I do believe that solutions need to be found for those sorts of situations. I am also wondering if the public can request through some means, such as a petition perhaps, for Kapsa to not get one animal. I know it's really up to the judge, however can an organized effort be put together? Anyway, we are now permanently out of state and are just trying to find constructive ways to help. I did grow up in Billings, moved away, went back to look at possibly retiring there...but it didn't work out. This latest Kapsa deal is so over the top sickening that we refuse to simply say to ourselves that we can't do anything. Just because we don't physically reside there doesn't necessarily mean we can't do something.

Posted by: jn on July 12, 2009 9:24PM MT Kirk, there was an incident just like that here, not too long ago (a year or so ago). Hardly any mention in the paper. I think most of the cats ended up at Help For Homeless Pets for adoption. The mentality here regarding cats (stray, feral, owned or otherwise) is appalling if you ask me. But then, I think it is the same in a lot of communities. We need leadership who are willing to be educated and have the guts to work with others who have experience and make change and not feel threatened by the back-woods opposition. So far, it's like the blind leading the blind (as far as leadership is concerned). One of my passions is feral cat management. When Joy Stevens was on the council, she had a vision to increase awareness and education. Now that she's gone, no one ever talks about it, and the new YVAS is not making a great impression so far (despite it being a goal in their goals in their proposal). But, then we have a cop on the BPD force who likes to shoot and kill cats. Nice, huh? (yes, he gets away with it). Trapping cats in mobile home courts here is a constant, there's also a self-serving witch out there (who works with a "welfare league" - see the irony?), who has the attitude that trapping them and euthanizing them, especially ferals, saves them from "horrible life on the streets". She's the most ignorant of them all. The city was made aware of it, but somehow did not seem to find this appalling, nor did they muster up the courage to pursue just WHY she's doing it, or how it is affecting the community. I'm certain many of the cats she traps are owned. She's not the only one though, mobile home court managers do this all the time. They're not willing to listen to the merits of TNR, nor feral cat management. Ignorance breeds ignorance. Sorry, off my soapbox (for now).

Posted by: jn on July 12, 2009 9:28PM MT It's A New Day, I did respond to your message, you can check your profile and at the top of the page, it should note that "you have a new message", or check the link at the left-hand side, "inbox". Or, if you had made the option when you created your profile, the option to send any messages to your email you signed up with, so check your email too. That's how I have mine set up.

Posted by: It's A New Day on July 12, 2009 10:47PM MT hi jn - Oh I can't believe I didn't think to check for email right here in my profile. I am going to see about setting our email up like you have done yours. That is a very nifty feature! I'll see what I can find out in the next day or two about the spay/neuter and let you know what I find out. Please stay on the soap box, it's the only way things will change for the better there.

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 13, 2009 10:13AM MT If you are a praying person, please keep all the handlers in your prayers today. Knowing that Linda is going through all the barns to view the dogs to pick out 20 to be set aside for negotiating is breaking all of our hearts. I had a hard time leaving the Metra last night when my work was done. Even though I know that the decision is still in the hands of the judge, I will worry until her sentencing of the fate of the 20 dogs as well as the other animals in the plea bargin. As far as the spay/neuter goes, it is my understanding that the decisions about how this is going to be worked out as well as the adoption procedures/rules are still up in the air. I certainally am willing to take a dog to my own vet and pay for the procedure should that be allowed. It's a New Day - I had a guinea pig when I was a child. He was such a blessing in my life!

Posted by: jn on July 13, 2009 2:47PM MT Smile, as It's A New Day mentioned, have you heard opinions from other volunteers about a potential petition of sorts? Not that I am for any type of negativity or confrontations in this situation, heaven forbid it would give Kapsa an excuse to fly off the handle and conjure up another lawsuit against the county. But, I'm sure the shock and disbelief is felt by nearly everyone. My thoughts are with you and the volunteers, and of course, all those poor dogs.

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 13, 2009 3:03PM MT I have not heard of any sort of petition but I do know many ideas are being considered right now in reference to the spay/neuter clinics and adoption procedures. Many handlers have mentioned wanting to take the dogs they adopt to their own vets for private surgeries. The powers that be at Operation New Beginnings and NESR have been receptive to our concerns and suggestions. Right now it is a waiting game though and until an official decision with procedures/protocal is established, we don't know much about how it will all be handled.

Posted by: jn on July 13, 2009 4:02PM MT Pardon my ignorance, and probably my manners...although it's a good thing NESR is involved to help find homes, should they not focus on those dogs potentially going out of the city/state on their own terms as opposed to worrying about the LOCAL dogs' adoptions?

Posted by: Smile Every Day on July 13, 2009 7:42PM MT I agree with you jn and hopefully that is the way it will go. I truly believe that the handlers who have spent the past 7 months of their lives at ONB and want a dog, are not going to adopt if they don't have a good home situation to take the dog into. I also do not know why a protocol has not already been established. I'm just a worker bee out there so am waiting just like everyone else. I'll keep you posted though.

Posted by: blueyes on July 18, 2009 1:23PM MT It makes me sick that they would give ANY of these animals back to kapsa....seems that the judge, the lawyers etc don't know the meaning of animal cruelty...im sure that all these animals will be adopted into loving homes but who will take care of those who go back, I think there should be a stipulation that if she is caught with ANY unaltered animals that she should be punished to the extent...also those who mentioned the cats , myself I have 2 dogs and 4 cats, all neutered and all but one rescued I love them all, if I could...I would adopt more...the ones I have make me laugh, they make me smile when you're havin a bad day and all they want is love some food and some water...not really that hard, love your animals they will love you back !!

Posted by: jn on July 19, 2009 10:43AM MT Welcome, blueyes! There will likely be some sort of stipulation in sentencing, regarding any future unaltered animals on her property. However, they've stipulated numerous things in the past, and Kapsa defied them. Whatever sentence is handed down, they had better be prepared to follow it themselves (in terms of supervision, inspection, etc).

Posted by: It's A New Day on July 19, 2009 9:57PM MT hi blueyes - We'd sure like to see some photos of your furry friends! Thanks for checking out Animal Crackers. It's a great place to gather and share!