75 Animals Seized In Fannin County
SPCA Spokesperson Maura Davies says, "I would say that many of the animals were suffering."
They were seized Friday from a rural, rental property in Fannin County. The first thing the SPCA's Maura Davies saw were dozens of dogs chained around the perimeter of the 20-acre property. She says, "Then when I got closer I smelled something and looked down and saw the remnants of a bonfire with a pile of bones in it."
The Fannon County Sheriff's Office arrested James "Soaring Eagle" Vonda and three others Friday for cruelty to animals. Lt. Daryl Parker says Vonda claimed to be running an animal rescue shelter on the property in Leonard. James Vonda is a man known to authorities. Lt. Parker says, "This is not the first time he has been involved in an animal welfare issue. He was involved in something in Dallas County, I believe and it necessitated his moving his operation up to Fannin County."
Authorities say James "Soaring Eagle" Vonda is also the former manager of the Ferris Animal Shelter. He came under scrutiny after the city cancelled its contract with him and some 80 animals disappeared. Vonda refused to reveal their whereabouts but in April the Dallas Morning News reported that Vonda said, "They (the animals) are all in very good health right now. Every Native American wants to have a dog and a cat because it relates to their spirit guide."
SPCA Spokesperson Maura Davies says, "On Friday, Mr. Vonda was overheard saying that at least 40 of the animals on the property Friday were also at the Ferris shelter."
Authorities say one of the women arrested with Vonda Friday was wearing a dog collar. So are the three women pictured with Vonda on his Myspace page, which reads: "I have over 35 years of RT experience in the Gorean/Ds/Poly/Pagan/Swinger alternative lifestyles. I live these alternative lifestyles 24/7 and currently have charge over multiple kajira and slaves who also actively participate in these lifestyles, as well as that of a Wiccan."
While animal lovers we talked to at the SPCA's McKinney facility might not understand the words above, they did understand the criminal charges. Plano's Craig Gibson and his family today adopted a chubby, furry beige puppy they already named Tanner. Craig Gibson says, "We're put on the world to care for creatures and God gave us a really important charge, so it breaks your heart to hear something like this, especially when you see a little face like this."
Yvette Robinson would like to see James Vonda and the others arrested face the legal system, adding, "It's inconceivable people would treat animals in that condition. It's inhumane. It should be punished."
James Vonda, Yolanda Duke and Cody Sims all face up to one-year in jail and a fine of up to four-thousand dollars for the misdemeanor they're charged with. Authorities say there is a custody hearing for the animals Friday.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tambyr (Rissa) on -
I posted something to the same sort back on old "website that shall not be named" and I got attacked for it. People said, "They say things like that so that other people within the same community can be aware of these actions for safety reasons," and "People just want something to point fingers at." I honestly think that the second reason is more valid. Also, going back to definitions, the general population associates Wicca with being synonymous with anyone who does witchcraft, and you know how hard it would be to go to each individual on the planet and set it straight...
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Permalink Reply by Sangraal on
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The real tragedy here, of course, is the condition of the animals. To think he would also be soliciting donations after all of this is further nonsense. I just saw no relevance in the bellowing about his relationship dynamics and feigned religious identification when all it will do is bring further scrutiny of those choices. I guess he thinks himself special or something.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Ann (EisHexe) on -
Tambyr, totally agree with you that most people see Wicca as being synonymous with witchcraft, and outside of the witchy community that perception isn't likely to be changed/enlightened. It's confusing for those not in the know.
I blame Charmed and Llewellyn. Just kidding... sort of.
This guy sounds like he's seriously sick in the head. Color me judgmental, but anyone who lives a lifestyle that was created by a science fiction author (and a bad one at that) is bound to have more than just a few screws loose.
I feel horrid for the animals... hoarding cases like these are very hard on the critters being hoarded. I've seen it first hand and it's heartbreaking. It's really sad that he was manager of an animal shelter, which allowed him to get his hands on a bunch of animals...
Kind of retarded of him, okay, VERY retarded of him to make that whole 'cat and dog spirit guide' comment. WTH? Sounds like he knows jack squat about all of these religions that he's claiming to practice...
What I'm gathering from the quote about Wicca is that the journalist looked him up on the Interwebz and somehow felt that it was relevant to throw his Myspace blurb into the article. I wonder if there's an agenda (I'm such a conspiracy theorist...) or if the author of the article was trying to add details which might make the story more salacious, and therefore more popular/better selling.
Either way, it was a shitty thing to do, and the perp and his 'kajira' or whatever the hell they call it, need to see the inside of some jail cells for quit some time for treating living creatures so disgustingly.
Alright, rant over. Interesting article Sang. Just goes to show how far people will go to a) justify their behavior and b) sell a story.
Man, what a world.
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Permalink Reply by Sangraal on
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You go!
You're right in that Gor is silly. Even most in the D/s community rolls their eyes at it. I'm willing to bet that he's also in the Church of All Worlds, yet another mess (in my opinion) that originated from a fiction book.
Rachel Ann (EisHexe) said:Tambyr, totally agree with you that most people see Wicca as being synonymous with witchcraft, and outside of the witchy community that perception isn't likely to be changed/enlightened. It's confusing for those not in the know.
I blame Charmed and Llewellyn. Just kidding... sort of.
This guy sounds like he's seriously sick in the head. Color me judgmental, but anyone who lives a lifestyle that was created by a science fiction author (and a bad one at that) is bound to have more than just a few screws loose.
I feel horrid for the animals... hoarding cases like these are very hard on the critters being hoarded. I've seen it first hand and it's heartbreaking. It's really sad that he was manager of an animal shelter, which allowed him to get his hands on a bunch of animals...
Kind of retarded of him, okay, VERY retarded of him to make that whole 'cat and dog spirit guide' comment. WTH? Sounds like he knows jack squat about all of these religions that he's claiming to practice...
What I'm gathering from the quote about Wicca is that the journalist looked him up on the Interwebz and somehow felt that it was relevant to throw his Myspace blurb into the article. I wonder if there's an agenda (I'm such a conspiracy theorist...) or if the author of the article was trying to add details which might make the story more salacious, and therefore more popular/better selling.
Either way, it was a shitty thing to do, and the perp and his 'kajira' or whatever the hell they call it, need to see the inside of some jail cells for quit some time for treating living creatures so disgustingly.
Alright, rant over. Interesting article Sang. Just goes to show how far people will go to a) justify their behavior and b) sell a story.
Man, what a world.
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These people are have dozens and dozens of complaints against them for animal cruelty, mortgage fraud and all sorts of scams. Just google "James Soaring Eagle Vonda" and you'll get pages and pages of complaints. They have a variety of "non-profits" and "corporations" as well, and promote them all around the Pagan community. Some of these include: Safe Harbor Foundation, Safe Harbor Ranch, Medicine Wheel USA, Ferret Auctions - they are all accepting donations for their animal shelters and refuge for victims of domestic violence.
These people use a variety of fake names online.
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And another of their "non-profits": http://daress.bbnow.org/
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Permalink Reply by Guinevere on -
Every time something like this happens, reporters have a NEED to pin the behavior on a group that has a set of beliefs or culture ( wether its christian, muslim, wiccan, black, white, french, english, etc) instead of plainly saying that this was one sick puppy. It makes me mad because then the whole community that was identified suffers for the behavior of ONE very disturbed individual human.
Very sad
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Permalink Reply by Sangraal on
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And that is frustrating. Had his MySpace said "born-again, monogamous and vanilla Baptist", I VERY much doubt it would have been included...
Since she's now here (yay!), I would like to thank Mrs. B for first bringing this to my attention via her Facebook.
Guinevere said:Every time something like this happens, reporters have a NEED to pin the behavior on a group that has a set of beliefs or culture ( wether its christian, muslim, wiccan, black, white, french, english, etc) instead of plainly saying that this was one sick puppy. It makes me mad because then the whole community that was identified suffers for the behavior of ONE very disturbed individual human.
Very sad
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Wish it were't necessary, but you're very welcome!
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Permalink Reply by Satori on -
Seems today that if you are unable to pin the actions of one person onto an entire group of people, as Guinevere points out, then people wont take interest. This actually says a lot about the readers themselves and the (in general) constant need to label and demonize people.
These are individuals who allow themselves to behave in this manner and treat fellow living beings with such heartlessness, they should be judged individually too. Really when reading reports such as this one it would be nice to have an eye for an eye punishment.
I agree with Sangraal that if his Myspace would have said "born-again, monogamous and vanilla Baptist" or anything of the sort then the reporter would not have mentioned it. It's much easier to blame the witches... looks like we're back to the middleages.
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Permalink Reply by Miss Nel (Spacious Feline) on -
Ugh. Why must morons who make it to the news have to claim such stupid titles? *Sigh*
I bet he had no idea what half those terms meant.
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Permalink Reply by Miss Nel (Spacious Feline) on
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I'd be careful what you say about such things here, you'll find that there are a few Gorean relationships scattered around the site. I'm not in one, but I can vouch that those who are serious about it don't have screws loose, and manage to make a very reliable and viable relationship based on the books.
Although yeah, I have to agree, Norman is a terrible writer. XD
Rachel Ann (EisHexe) said:
This guy sounds like he's seriously sick in the head. Color me judgmental, but anyone who lives a lifestyle that was created by a science fiction author (and a bad one at that) is bound to have more than just a few screws loose.
