WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) -- The doodle drama continues for Congressional candidate Ilario Pantano.
Earlier this month, we told you about Pantano's puppy problems with a rescue organization based in New Jersey. The political hopeful says his family is being targeted because of who he is and what he stands for. The group says not so.
Pantano says the Doodle Rescue Collective is attempting to take away the two goldendoodle puppies his family adopted earlier this year because of his political affiliation. The doodle collective says it's Pantano and his family who are in the wrong.
"We are not political in any way, and I myself am not political," DRC executive director Jacquie Yorke said. "This is not a political issue. This is just ridiculous. This is about puppies, about dogs. All we care about are those animals. We don't care what Mr. Pantano's politics are. We had no idea who he was."
Yorke says she does not care what Pantano does for a living; all she cares about are the dogs her organization is responsible for.
Yorke says after the group deemed the Pantanos not acceptable to adopt the two goldendoodle puppies they had been fostering, the family refused to return the dogs and gave them to Pantano's mother Merry in Pender County. That's when Yorke says things got out of hand.
"It's just very unnerving to be trying to do good work on behalf of animals but have no voice," she said. "That's all we're trying to do. And to have the voice on the other end of the phone threatening your life, because of a political spin in the media on a canine rescue story."
Yorke says Pantano's wife Jill threatened her life when she told them the family could not keep the puppies. According to Yorke, Jill told her that Ilario was a sharp shooter.
"She threatened me saying her husband was going to shoot me or anyone else that came on their property to try and get possession of our animals," Yorke said.
The Doodle Rescue Collective is still trying to get the puppies from the Pantanos. Yorke says the group has paperwork proving it has legal rights to the dogs, but she is not confident they would be able to get the dogs back in North Carolina.
"If it went to small claims court, it would have to go in either Pender County or New Hanover County. I don't know if we have a prayer of getting back our puppies in those counties," Yorke said.
We tried to speak with Pantano today about the latest developments in this story. He declined an on-camera interview. Instead he sent us a statement saying, "The Pantano family stands behind our earlier statement on the lawful purchase of our puppies, and we will continue to provide them with a loving, caring home. Ms. Yorke's recent attempt to portray herself in a positive light is a response to the outpouring of support that my family has received in light of her slanderous attacks. We greatly appreciate the support we have received from our local community and from around the county."
Yorke says neither she nor anyone from the Doodle Rescue Collective has never spoken with Ilario Pantano, just his wife Jill and mother Merry.
Why?
Wow, I'm shocked at the hate and ugly comments about Ms. Yorke and her rescue from so many people on this forum. The comments about her needing to get a life?
I am a vet tech and also do rescue. I'm a foster home for a rescue. All of you people hurling insults at rescuers is appauling. What charitable act have you done lately to save a life? What living thing have you taken into your home to care for until a permanent loving home can be found?
I've also seen comments like, "it's just a dog". They are living things! All you have to do is go and look at a shelter to see how poorly humans have treated these poor creatures. None of them asked to be born but, here they are due to irresponsible humans. The pet overpopulation is due to humans! Over 4 million dogs are euthanized each year in this country!
I, for one, amy grateful to people like Ms. Yorke who take on the fight to save these creatures on a daily basis. I'm sure running a national rescue is more than a full-time job. She has a life...a pretty admirable one at that. She saves lives for a living. Most of you probably work 8-5 and never once think of work after you leave. When you are in rescue, it's a 24/7 way of life.
So, if she is a bit descriminating on who her rescue adopts to, I applaud her. Giving a dog to just anyone is why we have the euthanasia problems we have in this country.
Being a vet tech I see great pet owners and horrible ones that I would like to take their pets away from them. People who tell me that they can't afford to vaccinate or heartworm test and yet they carry a Coach purse. It's really sad that material things are more of a priority in this society than life.
So, before you bash a selfless rescuer, look in the mirror and ask yourself what you've done today to be a productive member of society? When was the last time you did something to benefit another living thing? Maybe you should respect rescuers rather than bash them.
Vet Tech
Everything you said is noble and honorable but the fact is that many people are helping and fostering or volunteering to rescue dogs all over this country, not just Ms. Yorke. The facts are...in THIS case, that THIS rescue put out a call for fosters, Mrs. Pantano answered that call. The Pantano's wanted to keep the puppies they were asked to go get and foster. THIS rescuer said no they couldn't, the family objected and THIS rescuer harassed, slandered and made threats to THIS family. It doesn't matter about their politics or beliefs or veteran status. THIS rescuer refused to talk to or work with a family who wanted to keep dogs they were good enough to foster but not good enough to adopt. Why? Why, when there are so many other dogs dying in our shelter system? Why, were they good enough to foster these dogs but not adopt? Not everyone gives annual vaccinations because of recent changes in protocol and they are being linked to cancers and other diseases in our dogs, which a vet tech should know. If that was the thinking, then why were they good enough to foster the puppies in the first place? Because THIS rescuer wanted the Adoption Donation over having this family as future fosters so why work with them. THIS rescuer is far from selfless or she would have helped THIS family adopt two puppies they have bonded with.
RT
I am well aware that there are a lot of people in rescue and I'm grateful for all of their efforts. The audience I was speaking to, however, were the whiners and gripers responding to this article with hate for the rescue.
The fact is that the Pantanos lied on their foster application. They also rehomed the puppies to Pantanos mother without the consent of the rescue. Both of these things are in violation of their foster agreement with the rescue. Then, the mother, Merry Pantano lied on her adoption application. Why is it not so easy to see why the rescue asked for the puppies back? You say that the family has bonded with those puppies...the Pantano family isn't even in possession of the puppies. They gave them to Pantano's mother, who doesn't live with them! The facts are clear and the standards and contractual rules, signed by the Pantanos were violated. It was a legal contract the Pantanos signed and violated...why should this be any different than signing any other legal contract?
Get over blaming this family's political views. The rescue had no idea who Pantano was when they asked for the puppies back. Their only motivation was that the Pantanos were in violation of their foster contract. The whole political thing was manufactured by the Pantanos to get sympathy for their blatant theft!
The rescuer didn't harrass this family! The Pantanos would like you to think that she did. They lied about this too! You really need to be able to separate the truth from lies in this situation. The facts are that the rescue has been up front about everything in this matter. They have sent the media all documentation. The Executive Director has granted interviews and given her account with dates of all communication. She even admitted to leaving one rather angry message for the Pantanos after they threatened to shoot her!! The Pantanos haven't produced the bill of sale and their accounts of the communications are vague, at best. Who do you think are hiding the facts of the situation here? It's not the rescue. The rescue didn't go to the media!! Pantano did! And you ask why did Pantano go to the media?...because he thought he could get some political gain by fabricating a story about "crazy liberals" coming after him. The rescue isn't political at all! They don't have any preference to politics...just saving dogs and putting them into appropriate homes that take proper care of their pets. The Pantanos do not take proper care of the dog they already have. The vet reference proved that!
When the rescue found that the Pantanos lied on their foster application about vaccinations and heartworm tests and prevention for their current pet...they were in violation of their foster contract. They were not fit to even foster! The rescue has admitted that they accepted the Pantanos as fosters too soon before proper references were checked. They made a mistake choosing the Pantanos to foster and will not make that mistake again.
You're right. Not everyone gives annual vaccines. That's your choice when it's your own pet. But, if a rescue requires it, then you need to follow their requirements. Or, at least be honest about it and not lie on your contract stating that your pet is current on vaccines & heartworm prevention.
You also need to realize that the rescue couldn't give a rip about the adoption fee. They had already put out more money than the adoption fee was going to cover for care of the puppies. Do you have any idea how much a rescue pays out for all rounds of puppy vaccines, food, etc. for 2 puppies? It's waaaay more than the adoption fee they require. You should know that! Their main concern was that the puppies were returned due to lies and violation of contracts. If the Pantanos lied on their foster contract and the mother lied on her adoption application, what else did they lie to the rescue organization about?!
The family hasn't bonded with those puppies!!! Read the articles please. The family gave those puppies to Pantano's mother. An elderly lady who has never owned a dog in her adult life and has no clue how to take care of two pups. She lied on her application for them!
So, do you still think that the rescue should bow down to a family that lied to the rescue time after time? Gave the rescue death threats? Stole vet care and other care for the pups? Never paid the adoption fee?...which of these things makes the Pantanos or the Grandmother a good home?
For me, I think the rescue gave the Pantanos ample opportunity to become compliant to their contractual obligations. The Pantanos think that policies and rules are for everyone but, themselves. The requirements of the rescue were simple. Tell the truth. Take proper care of the pets already in your possession. Don't rehome the pets to anyone without the approval of the rescue. Seems pretty simple to me, and a lot of others. Why is this not simple to you?
Theft is theft...why should we let the Pantanos steal?
You mention their children...what lessons are they teaching their kids? Steal whatever you want, if you want it? Lying and stealing is o.k. if it's puppies you're after?
I hope I've given you something to think about.
Think about What?
Think about how long winded and self-righteous your post is, "Vet Tech." Sounds like Jacquie Yorke's writing. Long Winded and Self Righteous. Go "rescue" some of the other thousands of dogs being killed right now in shelters all over this country. No-one buys your story anymore. You change it with every post. If there really was a theft, the courts will handle it. You are just looking for free publicity. Sadly, you look like an idiot.
Guest 357
I'm not Jacquie Yorke. I do, however, rescue. I currently have 3 foster dogs in my home. So, don't tell me to go and save some more! Why don't you get off of your high horse and do something to be productive in society instead of bashing people like me.
You don't need to buy my story. Look at the new info. on WWAY. Pantano's slimy lawyer's wacko threats to the rescue. Still believe he's the good guy?
I haven't changed my story...I stand with the rescue and not the lying, thieving Pantano family.
It really was theft and it may just go to court...that remains to be seen.
I don't need publicity. I just do rescue and not looking for any recognition from the likes of you. I do my part to make society a better place...what do you do to save lives?
I, sir, am not the idiot...I think you need to look in the mirror.
ignore
Ignore 357. Pantanos are the ones that showed themselves to be idiots again. Theft is theft no matter how much above the law you think you are. He already got away with murder so this is nothing to him.
Vet Tech
You obviously didn't read the compelling although yes lengthy DRC statement that clearly explained what the rescue's issues are with the Pantanos.
Jill Pantano gave puppies in her charge away to Ilario's mother Merry! Someone NOT approved by the rescue and against her foster contract. Since when is it OK for a foster to give away rescue animals that don't even belong to them? The dogs are not even with Jill and Ilario Pantano! The Pantanos LIED to you and me and to everyone else with that pile of horse s^%t they fed to the media. I say again. ILARIO PANTANO LIED! And he has purposely dragged a not for profit dog rescue organization and their president through the mud in the media so that idiots like you could post stupid statements on forum blogs in the Pantano's defense.
Didn't work with the family? The rescue explained when Jill Pantano told them she had done this they told her they would not allow the pups to be adopted together and then told Merry Pantano she could submit an an adoption application for one of the puppies. Sounds to me like they DID try to work with this family but when they realized they had also been LIED to and that Merry Pantano was not qualified to adopt they demanded their puppies back.
That's called putting the animals needs BEFORE the needs or demands of people. THAT is what animal rescue organizations and animal rescuers DO.
The man and his family are LIARS. Obviously you have some malicious hidden agenda yourself.
No you are from Camp Pantano
No you are from Camp Pantano and this is more Pantano generated propoganda. Diverting attention from the REAL issues here people?
Pantano STOLE puppies that do not belong to him or his family and fed a fabricated story of lies to the media. He spun it into a political issue to play on public sympathies when clearly it is not a political issue. Anyone with intelligence can plainly see it is DRC and their president that are being criminally harassed and slandered in the media by the Pantano family. Can anyone say BACKFIRE?
This organization was willing to put themselves on the line for the sake of their puppies and their principles. THANK THEM FOR IT. They have unwittingly providing the state of North Carolina and Washington with a tremendous service. Those 2 stolen puppies will undoubtedly serve to seal the political doom of this charlatan. The poetic justice? That Ilario Pantano himself is responsible for creating the very monster that will devour him.
My sympathies to Ms. Yorke who according to those in animal welfare circles is "a dedicated, passionate and respected rescuer of impeccable integrity and principle being ruthlessly attacked and undeservedly assaulted by the Pantano family." May she and her rescue find an attorney willing to do battle in North Carolina.
No good deed goes unpunished.
Why do we....
Why do we reward stupidity by calling this journalism? Is there really nothing else more newsworthy?
Boy, I wish people cared as
Boy, I wish people cared as much about children in foster care as they do about these 2 dogs. Here we are dealing with the results of a tornado outbreak that has destroyed homes and killed PEOPLE and y'all are still yammering about 2 dogs that are well taken care of?!?!? Priorities, people.
People do care as much about
People do care as much about children in foster care. Different people have different passions and gifts...some with people and some with animals. Let's stick to the subject at hand...the Pantanos lied and stole...it is simple. The Pantanos went to the media and DRC is just answering the lies that the Pantanos told. Sometimes the truth takes longer to tell than the quick lies of the Pantanos.
Follow the Money
I have a simple question. If these dogs are worth $1800.00 apiece, as quoted in an earlier WWAYTV report, why is there even a need to "rescue" them.
I think the Pantanos simply cut out the middle man's profit in this transaction and that's why the anger from the rescue organization.
When questioning the motives of others, my grandma always said, "Follow the money".
Follow the money
There is no profit, genius! It's a non-profit 501(c)3 rescue!
Follow the money
Every breed or highly sought after mixed breed, like Goldendoodles, is in need of rescue. There is a rescue for every AKC breed. This is because of irresponsible backyard breeders and irresponsible pet owners. Whenever the movie 101 dalmations comes out...every yahoo in the world goes and buys a dalmation without doing any research. Then, these same yahoos find out that dalmations aren't the breed for everyone. These dogs end up needing rescue.
The Pantanos let a rescue pay for all of the care of the puppies and then stole them. Does that sound like cutting out the middle man? If they were responsible or even ethical they would have offered to pay the rescue back for any and all expenses incurred for those pups. The anger from the rescue is that the Pantanos took advantage of the rescue and their limited funds and stole! Get it now? I think you'd agree that stealing is wrong, right? How can you still defend this family?!...stealing is stealing whether it's money, property, or puppies. Don't discount this stealing because it wasn't a car or jewelry.
The sad thing is the sense of entitlement that the Pantanos have. Like the rescue should be falling all over themselves to thank them for stealing $$ and the puppies.
I think what's even worse is you defending the crooks and bashing the non-profit organization that is only looking out for the best interest of the puppies. They are living, breathing beings...not objects!
Check you back story, folks
I refer everyone back to WWAY TV3's earlier story: http://www.wwaytv3.com/2011/04/07/pantano-claims-family-being-harassed-l...
I Quote: "radical animal rights activists in New Jersey have cursed her, harassed her, and are threatening a lawsuit - all because of her husband’s conservative politics."
and: "She has left the Pantanos threatening voicemail messages, has made false claims and false 911 calls to trigger visits from local law enforcement on Pantano’s wife and his mother. Ms. York made these harassing phone calls from 600 miles away in New Jersey with no actual knowledge of or regard for the care that these puppies were receiving with the Pantano family and their two young children."
and:" Yorke asked for the Pantanos to return the puppies. She says the Pantanos refused, and the argument escalated from there. She admits that she left some pretty nasty messages on their voice mail, alluding to Illario's service in Iraq and his shooting of two Iraqi citizens."
So, now Yorke is changing her story. Or are you calling WWAY liars?
Get off your pseudo-political high horses and get all your facts before you start mouthing off on the boards and trashing people. I notice that only one person posted his real name, and he's supporting Pantano. He's not hiding behind a psuedonym. Oh yeah, he's a Veteran. Maybe that's why
Check the back story
THank you for posting this digger. I don't understand the hate and craziness of this. I just can't believe the hateful language and lies about this wonderful family. I know Ilario and Jill personally. My son has played with their boys. This is an amazing family. How can people who don't know anything about them, be so quick to believe this ugliness? Why is this even a story? I know how it is hurting these boys who love their pups.
I've belonged to Basset Rescue groups and have rescued dogs myself. NEVER have I been questioned as to whether or not I was a suitable rescuer let alone unsuitable to adopt! The rescue groups want these animals to be rescued and not killed. Pretty much if you have a roof and are breathing... you can adopt. This family has so much love to give, these dogs are blessed to be in this home.
So, being a qualified Dog Rescuer myself, I personally can guarantee that these dogs couldn't be in a better home. I stand behind the Pantanos! I've used my real name, so if anyone needs verification... Ms. York, call me.
Standing strong with the Pantanos,
Marla
Re: Marla's comment
Wow Marla. You should really be more careful who you let your kids play with.
Don't forget it was the Pantanos who went to the media with this to get publicity and attention for his political gain.
As a "qualified" rescuer, I'd think you would have higher standards for your adopters than having a roof and breathing. With those qualifications being met, how many of the dogs you've placed either end up back in a shelter or worse? Some people in rescue have higher standards for their potential adopters.
If these puppies couldn't be in a better home...well, I guess they are by your "roof and breathing" standards. However, why would the Pantanos take on more dogs when they don't vaccinate or provide heartworm tests or preventive to their current dogs? Seems silly to me to take on two more...and for what, so they can get parvo & heartworms...oh yeah, they couldn't be in a better home, really?!
Go ahead and stand strong by them but, are you willing to dish out the $$ for the vaccines for them or the $1200 or so it costs to treat the dogs for heartworms? I didn't think so.
Hitting my head against a wall
I don't know why I even try sometimes. You have no idea what you are talking about. If I try to explain my points more... you won't understand... You don't want to. You'll believe what you want to believe.
Just because Ms. Yorke says something is so... doesn't mean it is. You don't believe everything you hear and see on t.v. or a blog do you?
I know the Pantanos and have talked to them about this personally. You do not have the facts.
The Truth is the Truth whether or not you choose to believe it.
Still standing strong with the Pantanos and planning our next "Play date" with the boys.
Marla
Go ahead and hit your head against the wall...
Maybe it will knock some sense into you. I'm not just going on what Jacquie Yorke says but, the documentation she provided to the media. The rescue has the signed surrender document from the original owner of the puppies giving doodle rescue ownership.
Pantano and his wife and mother haven't even produced the bill of sale for the pups. Why don't you ask your "friends" how they found out about the puppies? Since they claim that they purchased those puppies from the original owner before they were surrendered to the rescue, how did they find out about the litter? Why did they need to foster them after they purchased them? Why would they have the rescue pay for all of the vet care for these puppies if they owned them? Can you answer any of these questions?
Believe me, I'd like to understand why a family feels the entitlement to steal from a non-profit rescue. So, tell me why I should believe your "friends". I know you say you've talked to them about this but, how do you know that they aren't telling you the same lies that they told the rescue? Because they've been so honest up until now?
Really, the truth is that they wanted something (the puppies) and they didn't want to pay the adoption fee or abide by the contract they signed. So the Pantanos, feeling entitled to the puppies, stole them without regard to the legal documents they signed. You said it, the truth is the truth and you can't get around it. If they had followed their contractual obligations and didn't lie, then they could probably could have adopted one of the puppies.
The Pantanos have spent a long time bullying people into doing what they want. This time, that someone wouldn't be bullied.
Have you checked out the rant and threats their lawyer sent the rescue? Birds of a feather flock together. Hanging out with the Pantanos doesn't make you look very good either.
Were my questions too difficult, Marla?
I guess you not answering any of the questions I posed proves my point, clearly.
The Pantanos never showed you their "bill of sale"?
Why are the puppies with Pantano's mother if the puppies were for his kids?
Sorry...no more questions that you can't answer.
Vets
There are a LOT of veterans that do not support Pantano and consider him an embarrassment and a stain on their honor.
"Our duty as Marines is, quite frankly, to export violence to the four corners of the globe, to make sure that this doesn't happen again." Ilario Pantano.
......Sounds like something a "terrorist" would say huh?
A quote from the Talmud
"If your enemy comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first."
All of our problems with warfighting since 1945 have been due to our IN-ability to kill people. We have no stomach for the slaughter. We truly are a paper tiger, just like the Red Chinese accused us of back in the Sixties.
It sounds to me like Pantano has a better grip on what the military is supposed to be for than Obama, Bush II, Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Nixon, Johnson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, and Truman ever did.
(I left out Ford intentionally because he had only one minor incident to be judged upon, and he did pretty good on that one.)
Truman?
Droping 2 Bombs don't kill enough people for you?
How about Berlin?
American forces stood down and allowed the Russians to take Berlin.
How about refusing to allow MacArthur to win in Korea? That's a sixty-year albatross hanging around our necks.
As far as the bombs, it's important to note that he knew NOTHING about them or their development until he took office. He inherited the whole ball of wax, and my money says that had he known how effective they would be, he wouldn't have hit those two cities. He was the one who brought up the proposal of a "demonstration" for the Japanese.
Common
Inability to kill would be a problem unless the enemy is unarmed as in this case.
Das, we've been over this before....
You intentionally disregard the Rules of Engagement that were in effect. Whether the two tried to escape or made any threatening move toward Pantano, he was legally authorized to engage them. There was absolutely no requirement that they be armed. The very simple reason is that you engage them to prevent them getting armed....with YOUR weapon. You also can't discount that a large weapons cache was found in the house that they had just left. They were NOT good guys.
One of the things I learned firsthand is that warfighting and law enforcement are totally different animals. Don't base Pantano's actions on what you've seen on Law & Order or Hill Street Blues. Police officers use deadly force as a last resort. In war, killing is a simple requirement of the job, and the standard for squeezing the trigger is far looser. They don't have to be armed, they don't have to be threatening you.
Our biggest problem in Vietnam, then Iraq, and now Afghanistan is that we DON'T let them squeeze the trigger often enough. That's why we lose so many men and accomplish nothing in these useless stalemates. We're not allowed to wage war any more.
Again, you make bold statements without basis.
I've heard very few veterans say anything close to negative about Pantano. The ones that do, did 4 years without any active combat service, much less 2 tours in war.
Anyone that has seen active combat duty understands what these men endure in combat situations. Being shot at by people hiding behind mud walls, wearing sheets instead of uniforms can be a very enlightening experience, I just don't think YOU'VE done it! Knowing that at anytime, when a car passes within 50 feet of you, you may die. You haven't been there either! Do you think all of the fear, death and chaos experienced by our soldiers is supposed to turn them into quiet, reserved little mammas boys? I know quite a few career Marines and have never heard the words "...embarrassment" or "...stain on their honor" in the same conversation regarding Pantano. You obviously made that crap up.
You claim cannot be substantiated and is without merit. Only mouthy exclamations wrought with malice. A nice way of saying, you made that crap up.
The words "...make sure this doesn't happen again." contained in your posted quote by Pantano is referring to the incidents of 9/11! You must have forgotten about the 3,000 plus innocent souls that were lost to the willing hands of violent terrorists, all while using OUR aircraft. Pantano re-upped for another tour because of that. With the possible exception of yourself, nobody wants another 9/11 to happen again. Again you have quoted Pantano in twisted way, soley to inflict damage to his reputation. Keep in mind that you have to fight violently in the Middle East (by the way, this is also called "war", remember?). Violence is a necessary staple to those peoples daily life diet. You don't combat violence by handing out candy bars and cookies. Geeez....
"......Sounds like something a "terrorist" would say huh?" What on earth is wrong with you to state something so vile?
guest461
Come on Pantano's stop posting, we all know its you. I like the way y'all always say that the posters who think I-liar-io is a whack-job have never been in war. I know plenty of dudes that have been IN WAR ZONES and aren't whacked in the head from it like Pantano is but he was probably teetering on the edge before he killed those 2 men. Dont know why y'all wont admit that Pantano SNAPPED and freaked out on them. Unstable much?
Go back to New York and leave us alone AND TAKE YOUR STOLEN DOGS WITH YOU.
You have it dead wrong!
I'm not a Pantano and don't know any of them personally. I just know what the man has done for this country and you cowards out there try to beat him down for it. I think it is a jealousy thing. HERO wannbees. What have YOU done to preserve the freedoms for the people of your country? Sucking on government entitlements don't count. Again, a know-it-all that is working on his last 30 brain cells.
You know plenty of "dudes" that have been in war zones? The only "dudes" I know work on cattle ranches or are constantly slumped in their worn out couch smoking reefer all day (I seriously doubt you can ride a horse either). You may, "know", but it isn't combat! I think you would piss your pants and stain your shorts if a kid pointed a cap pistol at you!
hit a nerve?
I love how you assume everyone that has been in a uniform is a hero. You are hysterical.