CHRIS KNIGHT, The Patriot-News
Pet headstones lie scattered along the edge of the former cemetery behind the Humane Society of Lebanon County.
Posted on 01/25/2009 11:33:25 AM PST by Daffynition
Ellen Ewing, who has two Brittany spaniels buried in the Humane Society of Lebanon County's animal cemetery behind its Myerstown headquarters, said she and other pet owners couldn't believe what they saw recently.
She and others "walked around in shock" after seeing how gravestones were removed and markers covered over as the society converts the cemetery to a memorial park.
"We feel very violated," Ewing said, adding it looks like someone took a backhoe and pushed the headstones to one side of the cemetery, breaking some.
Tracy Stevens, president of the society's Board of Directors, has said the ground was sinking, making the cemetery difficult to maintain. Plans are to fence in the plot and create a memorial area in which dogs can exercise and prospective owners can meet pets, with no further burials planned.
Eventually, remaining headstones might be placed along a new memorial walk in a wooded area next to the cemetery, Stevens said.
Owners of pets in the cemetery weren't notified of the changes because the society lost the list of names, Stevens said. But the society did put a notice in its newsletter, she said.
So far, Stevens said, no one has asked for a refund of the fee paid for burial, which ranged from $75 to $300.
While the Pennsylvania Department of State regulates conventional cemeteries, the Department of Agriculture governs disposal of animal remains, said Nils Fredericksen, spokesman for the state attorney general's office.
If consumers paid for services they believe they are not receiving, Fredericksen said, it could be a matter for the state Bureau of Consumer Protection. Or, if they feel a non-profit charity is not performing as it should, a complaint could be filed with the state Bureau of Charitable Organizations.
Lebanon County District Attorney Dave Arnold said he hasn't received any complaints about the cemetery.
Pet headstones lie scattered along the edge of the former cemetery behind the Humane Society of Lebanon County.
You know, if I had actually paid for this, and then the Humane Society went behind me and destroyed it, I would be pretty damned pissed off.
Jerry: “Hey, Kramer! I dug Fredo up,now let’s cut him open!”
I agree. I think pet cemetaries are pretty damned decadent overall. That said,, this seems pretty heartless to do. The war on our desires *as individuals* continues.
As described the situation would piss me off. It’s just a matter of time though before we run out of places to plant people or pets when they die.
The dog ate the mailing list.
This happens with human cemeteries too. Some of us are trying now to save what is left of some ancestors cemetary in Texas. When oil was booming in the 30’s, they just went in and destroyed the entire thing, with no regard. My grgrgrandfather’s headstone was found broken in the bottom of an oil barrel.
AuntB, that is simply inexcusable. I hope you gave the oil company that did this all the grief that it deserved.
Well, unfortunately, this happened in the ‘30’s and I didn’t know about it until a few years ago when some cousin’s located the property and I was researching for my novel. One would think even then, there were some laws to prevent such things, but not in this case and probably many others. I’ve never tried to find out what oil company it was...probably one of the Bush’s!! LOL...not far from his ranch, actually.
The oil company probably wasn’t very concerned since the cemetery and settlement was just a bunch of savage Cherokee Indians. The new owners seem willing to let the ancestors place a memorial, etc...for a price...we’re not there yet.
Mt. Tabor Indian Cemetery - Texas
http://www.paulridenour.com/tabor.htm
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