I received the following press release today from the attorney for Veronica Covatch, the owner of a Champion Shetland Sheepdog, Legacies Pipe Dream. Piper (her family name) is being held hostage by Penny Sanderbeck, the director of Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, Inc. This press release was sent to me because of the prior interest on this site when the story of Piper first came under scrutiny. (when you do a google search on Penny Sanderbeck and Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, the dk posts are the first to appear.)
Press ReleaseWhat SHOULD have been a happy story of a lost dog found and reunited with her owners has turned into a battle followed closely by pet owners all across the nation. As first written about in these diaries, (ever had a pup lost or stolen), Piper's story continues... and when the wisdom of solomon is not enough), the story seemed to be a simple dispute over who really “owned” this champion shetland sheepdog, Legacies Pipe Dream (Piper). The debate seemed clear and with the stated purpose of Penny Sanderbeck and Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, Inc as "to reunite lost dogs with their owners" where ever possible (indeed, the rescue was founded over the return of a lost sheltie to his owner), the outcome seemed simple. Veronica Covatch would get her dog back safe and sound!Rescue Holds Pup Hostage
A companion animal is being held hostage. Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue and its director
Penny Sanderbeck refuses to return lost dog to rightful owner! On July 28, 2014 Veronica
Covatch filed a Complaint for Replevin and Conversion action in the Franklin County Municipal Court, in Columbus Ohio, against COSR seeking the return of her beloved dog known as Piper. Case Number 2014-CVF-024571. Even though the rescue had claimed that part of its mission is to reunite dogs with their owners and even though many documents, photos, and microchip identification has been supplied to COSR, legal action was filed after the rescue rejected numerous pleas to reunite Piper with her rightful owner. Owner, Vernoica Covatch and her supporters believe that the COSR refusal is due to the fact that Piper is not only a healthy loved companion but also a valuable AKC champion show dog. They feel that the director’s own interest may have something to do with the Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue refusing to reunite Veronica with her beloved companion. She hopes that the court filings will Bring Piper Home.Released by
Cohen Law Offices
Lloyd D. Cohen
Attorney at Law
824 South High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43206
Phone: (614) 444-4211 Email: lcohen@lloydcohen.comPhoto and comment is from the internet fund raising site www.gofundme.com/Bring-Piper-Home, saying,
Piper is the reason.... we will continue on.... she is not home yet, and we will not stop until she is. Thank you ALL.
Piper’s Owner Veronica Wagner Covatch, 1589 Motten Road, Punxsutawney, PA (814) 938-4091
Piper’s Co-Owner, Michelle Wilson, 70 W Chester Street, Apt C., Norwalk, Ohio (419) 681-4891
Central Ohio Sheltie Rescue, director Penny G. Sanderbeck, HQ located at 2266 Majestic Place, Columbus, Ohio 43232 (614) 578-0921
However, that is far from what is happening - and now, this issue has moved beyond one single dog into a crusade to help Veronica Covatch recover the pup she bred, loves and who sleeps in her bed with her. That bed has been empty for over three months now and the only resolution to this sad situation will be in a Court of Law!
Please come below the fold to see more information on why this is so important to ALL of us and what is now involved in the recovery of Ms. Covatch's beloved Piper.