Latest news with #Pancho
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dog daycare, boarding deaths prompt push to protect pets from negligence under Texas law
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas lawmakers overwhelmingly supported an effort to protect pets from negligence, known as 'Pancho's Law.' Pancho died in 2021 while under the care of a dog daycare business in Dallas. His family, Paul and Maria Mecca, have spent the last four years advocating for a change to Texas law that they believe will save other animals. 'My husband and I quickly learned there is a loophole in Texas law that allows pet service businesses to act with impunity by simply claiming negligence,' Maria told a Senate committee earlier this month. 'All they have to do is say 'I didn't mean to kill your dog.' No matter how egregious their actions may have been.' House Bill 285 adds 'criminal negligence' to the Texas Penal Code as conduct that constitutes a criminal offense of cruelty to non-livestock animals. The bill's author, Rep. Claudia Ordaz, D-El Paso, told her colleagues the goal is to provide families with a legal path to justice if their animal suffered harm because someone failed to use reasonable care. 'Under current law, families have limited recourse when their dogs or cats are injured due to such negligence. This bill seeks to ensure accountability and prevent those who act irresponsibly from endangering other pets in the future.' For several years, KXAN investigators have fielded tips about dogs who passed away while in the care of boarding, grooming and training facilities. In many cases, no lawsuits are filed and few law enforcement records of the deaths exist, beyond initial reports. When Brian Roby and Jordyn Hawkes lost their dog, Kali, last August, they said they quickly realized how few options they had. 'You know, what could we do? We could go to civil court and, 'Okay, your dog was worth $70. Here you go,'' Roby said, noting that pets are viewed as property under Texas law. In August 2024, the couple planned their wedding and subsequent honeymoon out-of-state. They dropped Kali off to stay at an Austin-area boarding and daycare facility for part of that time. The facility's staff was supposed drop Kali off at Jordyn's father's house, where she'd stay for the rest of their trip, but she never made it home. On the first day of their honeymoon, the newlyweds received a text alerting them that Kali had been rushed to an emergency veterinarian. KXAN investigators reviewed records from that medical provider, revealing Kali 'overheated in a daycare van.' She and another 3-year-old dog passed away. Hawkes said through tears, when recounting that day, 'I just had this feeling like, she was right the whole time. She was right to be scared of the car.' She added, 'I think the most shocking part of all this process has been just the lack of regulations that the state of Texas has [for the pet services industry].' KXAN reached out to the facility in Kali's case, but it declined to comment. 'We were in the lobby of this hotel that we had just gotten married at the day before, and to have this, like, super high and this crushing low was…' Brian trailed off. He went on to say, 'The grief kept coming in waves. It still does, you know, randomly grab — grab a hold, and it's been tough.' The couple began to connect with other families who have lost dogs and cats while in the care of pet services businesses — such as Katelyn Rohde. Rohde lost Roland, who she refers to as her 'silly goose,' at a Texas dog daycare facility. Shortly after, she started a nonprofit in Roland's name, with the goal of raising awareness and pushing for change. She's worked with other experts and advocates to publish guides to help other pet owners, such as a Dog Daycare Evaluation Guide and the Roland & Friends Guide to Selecting and Finding a Dog Trainer. 'All this information is not intended to be like a black-and-white 'this is what you do,' but ultimately, for you to, kind of, think through what is most important for your dog — for your silly goose — so you can establish what is best for them in those situations,' she said. Roland's Silly Goose Crew also launched a survey of pet owners', which showed 96% of respondents would be supportive or strongly supportive of Texas dog daycare facilities adopting more consistent safety, communication and transparency standards through regulation, voluntary safeguards or other measures. '1% better is 1% better when you're starting from nothing,' Rohde said. She said believes Pancho's Law is the first step. As HB 285 worked through the legislative process, some people raised concerns about an exception in the law for veterinarians. A provision states that these medical professionals have a defense to prosecution for alleged conduct that occurs while performing their duties as licensed veterinarians or as a person assisting the veterinarian. Some public commenters pushed back on that provision and asked lawmakers to hold medical professionals to the same standards as others under the law. Ashley Morgan, with the Texas Humane Legislation Network, addressed these concerns in her testimony before a Senate committee, noting that people and veterinarians can still be prosecuted, particularly for knowing or intentional harm. She told lawmakers that she sees the need for Pancho's Law regularly in her work as an attorney, when families come to her for help. 'I more often than not have to tell these people, 'There is nothing I can do for you,'' Morgan testified. KXAN reached out to more than 20 pet service business owners and managers in the Austin area to get a sense of how they feel about the potential change, if the governor signs HB 285 into law. The responses were mixed: a few raised concerns. One said, in part, 'While I am vehemently against any form of animal cruelty, at face value the threat of criminal prosecution for operating a kennel or grooming salon is nothing short of outrageous and would be a huge deterrent for these businesses to stay open.' They described thousands of owners of these facilities 'who often work 60+ hours a week, some just scraping by, and most of whom rely on the income of their business to live.' Several business operators told KXAN they supported the law and welcomed more regulation in the industry to protect pets. One said, in part, 'Hopefully this bill will help hold 'bad apples' in the pet care industry— as well as individuals — accountable for mistreatment and generally negligent behavior. Caring for animals is a big responsibility and should be treated as such.' Some facility operators were not aware of the proposal and said they would look into it; others declined to comment. HB 285 passed the House of Representatives with 125 vote in favor and 5 votes against. It passed out of the Senate unanimously. The bill has been sent to the Gov. Greg Abbott for consideration. If he signs it into law, it would go into effect this September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Guardian
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Ballet Black: Shadows review – killer moves in a dance adaptation of murderous blockbuster
Putting on rubber gloves with your pointe shoes and cleaning up a crime scene is an unusual start to a ballet. But Ballet Black's artistic director, Cassa Pancho, has chosen Oyinkan Braithwaite's hit novel My Sister, the Serial Killer as the source material for her new ballet, and blood-spill is inevitable. Pancho founded Ballet Black in 2001 and has commissioned numerous choreographers over two decades but very rarely made work for the company herself. Here she shows real directorial nous (and has recruited associate choreographer Jacob Wye and rehearsal director Charlotte Broom to help generate the steps, along with the dancers). The novel is a savvy choice: a zeitgeisty title but also a story with a love triangle and high-stakes drama. While keeping dark comedy and light tone, Pancho has slimmed down the plot. Whole characters are lost, along with some nuance and backstory – the serial-killing sister in question, Ayoola (Helga Paris-Morales), comes off as a straight-up psychopath whereas in the book more layers materialise – but it's all done with purpose. The same is true of the choreography itself, where everything has a function driven by the drama, such as the short scene showing Ayoola and older sister Korede (Isabela Coracy) bonding over a groove, establishing the connection that keeps Korede clearing up her sister's mess. Coracy is great in the central role, torn between sibling loyalty and her own desires and demons, who come crowding the stage in corporeal form. There's skilful support from Ebony Thomas as dashing doctor Tade. The other half of this double bill isn't as strong, but it's interesting nonetheless: the UK debut from New York choreographer Chanel DaSilva. A Shadow Work is based on the idea of the shadow self, the parts of our personality we repress. In this case they are trapped in a box held by our protagonist (Taraja Hudson, a pleasure to watch), who is on a journey to acceptance. It's all very clear, the company looking disciplined, and DaSilva has a nice line in recurring motifs, as when Hudson softly raps her fist on her chest, like a racing heart. Or thrusts her arms above her head to make a sharp peak, which could be a sign of prayer, protection, resolve or even imminent violence. The relationship between Hudson and her 'shadows', danced by the ensemble in black, contrasting with Hudson's white, is in turn fearful, playful and sympathetic. The choreography is very precise but it feels as though there could be another potential layer to get stuck into; perhaps that feelingis exacerbated by Cristina Spinei's score, which is all very much of a single timbre and would benefit from the texture of live instruments. But there's a solid idea here from DaSilva, even if it can't match the audience appeal of a sweetly smiling serial killer. At Birmingham Rep on 27 and 28 March, then touring.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man spotted walking with horse stolen from Shelby Farms
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby Farms Stables is asking for the community's help finding a 22-year-old horse stolen Thursday afternoon. The Palamino named Pancho was in a pasture with 50 other horses when someone walked him off the property toward Mullin Station Road. A barn manager discovered the gelding was missing and spotted human and hoof prints in the snow. Eric Beene, owner of Shelby Farms Stables, said they were able to pick up a trail and followed the tracks for five miles to a fenced-in property at Sanga and Rocky Hills Road. He said people at the park also saw someone leading the horse along the Greenline. 'We put out an alert on Facebook, and instantly, I got some people calling me and said yeah, we passed a young male 25-30 leading the horse down the Greenway where people were riding bicycles and jogging,' said Beene, 'It's pretty much nuts. It's 18 degrees, and he's walking this horse down the road across Germantown Road.' Beene has owned the stables for ten years and said Pancho is one of his oldest horses. He thinks the thief grabbed the first horse he saw. He said Pancho was wearing a green blanket, but he's worried about the animal's well-being. 'I was very upset. The first thing I worry about in temperatures, like, did something happen to him,' said Beene. 'We even put on Facebook if they contact us by tonight, we'll come get the horse, no questions asked, but if they wait until the morning, I want the sheriff's deputies to do whatever they have to do to this person.' He said the horsenapping was captured on camera along the Greenline. If you have seen the horse or know where he is, call Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH or call Shelby Farms Stables Stables at 901-647-5793. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
