"Thumbs-down to dog activist Tamira Ci Thayne, formerly Tammy Grimes, who once again has taken matters into her own hands concerning animals not belonging to her. Thayne admitted she trespassed on a Tipton property last week to check on dogs allegedly chained on a vacant lot and will be charged with criminal trespass. Thayne is also appealing a defiant trespass conviction in Cambria County for a similar case in Lilly and was convicted in 2007 in Blair County Court for stealing a dog from outside an East Freedom home" - Altoona Mirror, March 15, 2010, "Fitting Honors For Peoples"

Tamira Ci Thayne’s actions are a trademark of a free country; the United States of America was born from such acts of civil disobedience as the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tami has shown she will uphold the law, but not to the point of apathy. When she has broken the law:

1. There was no legal method for attaining the same end.
2. Her actions are non-violent
3. She accepts the penalties. (Between 1956 and 1964 Martin Luther King was arrested 10 times and jailed 4 times.)
4. Her activities are made public so that it can influence majority opinion.

I believe local authorities confuse Tami's actions with preconceived notions of animal activists, or what they view themselves as "going too far". They are wrong. The charges against her are evidence she has made an attempt to be more compliant with the law, not escalating illegal activity in protest.

1. In the first incident she was charged with the theft of a dog and refusal to return the dog to the abusers. She was told by the DA she didn’t make enough of an attempt to contact the owners of the dog.

2. Consequently, the next charge against her was for trespassing after knocking on the door to speak with caretakers of two chained dogs.

3. Now, this current charge of trespassing is because she was collecting supporting evidence to validate an anonymous tip before reporting the dogs to the Humane Officer. PA law states it is unlawful “For any person to knowingly make any false statement or to conceal any fact required to be disclosed under any of the provisions of the State Dog Law (Act 225)”.

“Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?” - Henry David Thoreau, 1846, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, There has to be sincere and conscientious moral commitment.

Trespassing is the most common charge against anyone bringing awareness to social injustice. Though Thayne has attempted to stay within confines of the law, she finds it necessary to violate certain laws (such as trespassing) in order to find help for the animals, to awaken consciousness of cruel treatment of many backyard dogs, and to change laws for better treatment.

In an effort to bring truth to the public, many have faced charges of trespassing; this is also true for media and for investigative reporters. Those against her actions are mainly people who chain dogs and don’t want others to see the dogs mistreated. Breeders fear losing money through sales of dogs. Police, Humane Officers or Dog Wardens don’t appreciate the added work of phone calls and letters, from people forcing them to take action in situations they prefer or have been instructed to smooth over or ignore.

Take a look at the video which lead to her recent charges. A reasonable person would not look upon this scene as normal nor perceive it acceptable. Watch

This is all Tami did, videotaped the dogs, contacted the Humane Officer and aired the video .
The Humane Officer was quoted as saying “Because it isn’t against the law to chain a dog, the owners can’t be charged with a crime”. Article In his own words there is evidence in support of PA HB 1254
which will give authorities the tools they need to protect chained dogs in Pennsylvania and others a law to ensure Humane Officers are fulfiling their duties.

While Thayne is honored in articles all over the country, including a recent article in USA Today in her own area she is smeared by editorials such as this: Fitting Honor for Peoples

Take heart, someday these same articles will be a part of history. Just as we honor others once chastised for taking stands, we will look back at Tami's heroism that changed unjust laws and be thankful she too had the courage to face adversity for the greater good.