Animal abuse protest at Jefferson Co. Courthouse

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Story Published: Jan 15, 2010 at 6:56 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2010 at 7:07 PM MDT

By Steven Pope

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JEFFERSON COUNTY - A few signs at Friday morning's protest read "Ask Barbie, broken hips, laying in snow, is that cruel?" Another read "Justice for Barbie."

"We're gathering here today it's been almost 2 months and no animal cruelty charges have been filed against the owner, Barbie. The dog with two broken legs, left out in the snow for 4 days," said Andi Elliott.

And while Barbie has a new home in Wyoming, and her puppies are being well taken care of by families that adopted them, these protestors want to prevent anything like this from happening again.

"My thoughts are the law we have on the books, animal cruelty laws we have on the books, are very weak and ineffectual. I think we need stronger animal cruelty laws," said Rigby Resident Harry Guelzow.

Most of the protesters are from Rigby, but some did come from much father away.

"The local officials should take this seriously, a lot of people really do care about animal rights. I don't mean that in any extreme sense, I'm a hunter, I'm a fisherman, but to leave a dog, an injured animal in the snow," said Bozeman, Montana resident Tom Klein.

I went to speak with Sheriff Blair Olsen about this morning's protest, but I was told, he wasn't in today.

Protestors brought up the idea of recalling Sheriff Blair Olsen, but for that they'll need at least 20-percent of the last election to sign a petition.

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