CLEAR LAKE – A person connected to a local animal rescue shelter has been jailed for refusing to turn over a dog to its owner.
According to the Cerro Gordo sheriff’s office, a deputy went to Patriots for Pets, 805 North 40th Street in Clear Lake, to serve a judge’s order. Rescue coordinator Deb Kern, age 57, refused to turn over a 9-month-old shepherd mix per the court order.
Kern was then arrested and taken to the county jail after the judge was consulted, until the order is fulfilled. She will be held until the dog is turned over to its owner.
According to a message NIT received from Patriots for Pets Monday evening at about 8:10 PM, “Dog was reported as abused by adopter and was abandoned at ex-wifes house for three to four weeks. We were contacted and got in touch with the ex-wife (who is the vet in Jewell). She gave the dog back to Patriots yesterday. The dog was placed in a safe place and Debbie refused to return the dog upon order of the Court. Debbie was ordered held without bail until she released the dog to the Sheriff. Court date is set for October 7th at 1:30 p.m. Patriot’s was not notified of the hearing today or allowed to present any evidence. Request was made to the Judge to put the dog in protective custody until the hearing and Debbie offered to personally pay for it – the Judge refused.”
UPDATE: from Deb Kern: “Yes I am out. We had to release the animal to the Sheriff – who returned it to Justin (Deppe)”.
There will be a hearing in October 7th at 1:30 PM. According to Patriots for Pets, Deppe is seeking $5,000 in damages. He is a lawyer from Jewel, Iowa.
After reading the Glob article I see that Justin Deppe is an Attorney. That explains why Judge Bryne was biased against Deb Kern.
Birds of a feather all stick together.
The article says the dog came from a shelter in Texas, is 9 months old, and the owner-Attorney Justin Deppe says it’s a family dog.
So why was the dog with his ex-wife for 3 to 4 weeks if it was a family dog. Hmmmmmmm?
The October 7th hearing is going to be interesting!
Sad when we still have people like Al Sharpton on the streets.
It is pretty obvious here that someone using the moniker Anonymous is out to belittle and degrade the lady Deb Kern. Probably because of a petty grievance that Anonymous has against her. I am thinking she is the current girlfriend of the fellow Justin Deppe.
At any rate, I have to admire the lady Deb Kern for trying to protect an animal.
Just Saying.
PFP is a private entity and can run their business/organization any way they see fit. However some folks are asking questions about PFP business practices. The abandoned building site following a fund raising campaign is just one example of how some legitimate questions are being raised. Further the article says that Kern is a local person connected with the shelter, then names her as the coordinator. These are the mixed messages being received by the community, its time for some transparency. Just who/what is PFP?
good judgement!
The more I think about this, the more I believe that Magistrate Patrick Bryne has some explaining to do.
It is my understanding that Judge Bryne ordered the dog to be returned to who I assume is Justin Deppe. When the Shelter refused to comply with the judge’s order, Judge Bryne orders the Sheriff to arrest the lady and put her in jail until she complies.
This is all done without any evidence being presented or first setting up a hearing to listen to objections by all parties.
The judge overreacted in my opinion. Regardless of the final outcome after all the facts are presented, I don’t like the actions of the judge!
I believe the judge got pissed off and didn’t use…
Wow, where did you get your law degree, Watchdog?
Although I have never stepped foot in this particular rescue organization I had started to stay updated on their facebook when I was looking to adopt. I can say that the way they operate their social media account totally deterred me from wanting to go through them for dog. They tend to post things in a very unprofessional way and handle the public unprofessionally. I am sure the intentions behind their work are good but they have A LOT to learn. If the dog was truly adopted you think law enforcement would have been called earlier on to report it…even if nothing happened at least you can look back and say it was done. There is always 3 sides to a story and I think there is a lot…
No need for you to step foot in Patriots. They handle their social media as they see fit, not to accommodate your requirements for social media. They rescue animals there. That is their priority and they do one hell of a job. They are all volunteers. No one gets paid to do this work. If their social media doesn’t meet your standards – by all means go somewhere else. Patriots for Pets is an awesome rescue and Deb Kern is a hero. I disagree. YOU are the one with a lot to learn.
Really? I think she’s a fricken nuthatch! She’s rude and sneaky. And where has all the money she’s gotten for these animals gone to? There’s over $150,000 gone into her coffer since she opened for business. Obviously she doesn’t find good homes. here’s one she missed…..
I decided to check out the PFP site based on your post. I looked at several posts. I found nothing offensive or unprofessional about it other than the posts from the dogs telling about their new homes or their day. That seemed a little sophomoric but it wasn’t something that would prevent me from adopting from these people. Can you give some specifics about why you felt they were rude or unprofessional?
Who is the “adopter”? What was the abuse to the dog by the “adopter”? Why was the dog at the ex-wife’s house for 3 to 4 weeks? Did the ex-wife have ‘other motives or was she just tired of taking care of the dog?
Lot’s of unanswered questions here.
Would like to know why Magistrate Patrick Byrne ordered the dog to be returned to the “adopter”. What was the logic behind the judges ruling? Why was the judges consequences so severe, putting the lady in jail so quickly? That remedy seems radical when no one or animal is under an immediate threat.
This entire event begs for answers on many levels.
Strange.
Exactly. Shows how aggressive Kerns is. I think these animals are nothing but $ signs to her. Not to mention she’s just plain weird.
Another liberal judge!
No, this would be a right wing judge.
There is no thing as a right wing judge.
Would you still be bchn it’s a liberal judge if that judge ruled your way? Bet not.
Who’s frecking law – libertards ?
Our very own Kim Davis. Good intentions but a law breaker.
that’s what I was going to say. She’s Kim Davis. Only thinking of herself.
Don’t you have some friend or animal lovers who could get this guy alone and beat the living crap out of him – more than once if necessary.
Mason City needs to get some morals and compassion! Horses were left to die, a dog had a hammer used on him and a cat is thrown into the river and all that that happened to these scums was a little fine! Yet they arrest someone that tries to protect and care for animals.WTH!??? I admire Deb’s courage !! Maybe it’s time to shine the spot light on those that are doing the abusing instead of those that are doing the saving.Mason city…. wow…. you sure are classy…SMH…
Deb Kern is a hero. She took this dog to protect it or save it’s life. If some lawyer abuses his animal, is he not as guilty as anyone else of causing harm to an animal? And in true lawyer style, files a $5,000 suit against her! Let’s ALL get behind this shelter and it’s heart & soul, Debbie Kern.
And we should take the word of the ex.????! How do we know they’re not fighting over this dog like it’s a chair or inanimate object like couples do. And last I checked we don’t get to cherry pic our laws to abide by like Christians cherry pic bible verses to make up their own laws…. It’s called INNOCENT until proven guilty. The ex wasn’t proven guilty by anyone except his ex… duh. Put yourself in an ex’s shoes.
Better start a Go Fund Me Page!
I think this is such a disappointment that they will put someone in jail for protecting a innocent animal. With all the animal killer and abusers out here running free. People in this community need to stand up snd support this courages women that is fighting for a living creature that cannot fight for itself!!
How do you know for a fact that the ex was abusing the dog? Maybe the woman took it to Kerns out of spite. Wouldn’t you like to hear his side before you deem him guilty? Or are you saying exes never lie about their spouse or take their things??? I have some ocean front property in Arizona for gulibles like you…. YOU wear his shoe awhile then get back to us…
This is so not right. Just awhile ago many dogs were left to die and were rescued (one was so bad it did not make it) and they were not even charged! Now you are arresting a person who has devoted her life to saving and finding dogs their forever homes. How are you going to feel if the dog goes back to an abusive situation??
I’m very disappointed hearing about this. Debbie goes way out of her way to rescue abused, neglected, abandoned animals and I’m sure the courts and deputies know this. Yet they allow stricker to abuse his horses for so many years. And let’s not forget about the guy who recently butchered his dog with an ax. Or the guy who dumped his cat in the river. Too many to mention. And you want to put debbie in jail for refusing to turn over an abused puppy???? What the hell is really going on here?
YOU don’t know for a fact that the ex husband abused the pup. You only have the ex wife’s word. For all you know she’s being spiteful. Kerns is a whacko to begin with…
He broke his contract plain and simple. Being a lawyer he should know this. The judge was wrong but birds of a feather flock together especially in cerro gordo. What part of this don’t YOU understand?