Gerling Law Attorney Neal Anderson Takes on Pro Bono Animal Rights Case

Attorney and animal rights activist Neal Anderson, of Gerling Law, recently filed a temporary restraining order on behalf of local animal rescue It Takes A Village (plaintiff) against Martha Crosley (defendant) who is accused of animal neglect and abuse. The case (Case No. 82D06-1707-CT-003924 filed in Vanderburgh Superior Court) stems from the defendant, who runs the Wise Hearts animal sanctuary, allegedly neglecting 68 dogs in her care, which the defendant agreed to foster.

Court documents state some of these animals were experiencing neglect and serious health issues, and some had to be put down due to terminal health or aggression issues. Court documents further state that the defendant surrendered the dogs and pled guilty to animal abuse and neglect by failing to provide adequate food, water, veterinary care and facilities for the appropriate care of the dogs in her custody, yet the court initially allowed her to keep 21 of the dogs.

However, attorney Anderson, who is a member of the board of It Takes A Village, filed the temporary restraining order so the dogs would not be returned to the defendant. Currently, 16 of the dogs are being fostered and sheltered elsewhere, while the defendant was allowed to keep five of the dogs.

“Under Indiana law, dogs are property, and looked at no differently than a mailbox or a piece of clothing. It is these antiquated laws that permitted the court to award her these dogs back in the first place,” said attorney for the plaintiff Anderson. “We need stricter laws in Indiana to address situations such as these.”

About Gerling Law
For over five decades, Gerling Law has pursued justice and fair compensation for people who have been injured by someone’s actions or neglect, along with people who can no longer support themselves because of an illness or injury. Practice areas include personal injury, medical malpractice and Social Security disability. Gerling Law has four locations: 519 Main Street, Evansville, IN 47708; 120 East Market Street, Suite 1271, Indianapolis, IN 46204; 4965 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 1000, Louisville, KY 40222; and 2645 Frederica Street, Suite 200-A, Owensboro, KY 42301.

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