Big fat custody fight develops over Obie
He may be the world’s fattest dachshund, but apparently there’s not enough Obie to go around.
Oregon Dachshund Rescue has filed a lawsuit against Obie’s current caretaker, Nora Vanatta, claiming that the Portland resident doesn’t own him, was only fostering him for the organization, and must return him.
“The dog was surrendered to me,” the rescue organization’s president Jenell Rangan told the New York Daily News. “Nora is just a foster. I trusted her to bring him back.”
Vanatta, a veterinary technician, offered to take care of Obie when his former owners — who couldn’t seem to stop feeding him — decided they could no longer care for him. He was 77 pounds at the time.
The owners’ grandchildren contacted Rangan, who asked her volunteers to find a foster. Vanatta stepped forward, and the rescue organization approved the arrangement.
Vanatta agrees that the original plan was for her to foster the dog. “Initially, I said that I would foster him for a little while because I would not be able to take care of him financially,” Vanatta told the Daily News. “But I had no idea how obese he was. It’s going to take a year for him to get to a healthy weight, and I’ve committed to his rehabilitation.”
Vanatta started featurning Obie’s fight to lose weight on a Facebook page, “Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition,” which has led to donations and made Obie a celebrity, with appearances on ”Good Morning America” and the “Today” show.
Obie has lost 15 pounds and has about 25 to go.
Rangan said she wants the 5-year-old dog because Vanatta isn’t caring for him properly.
“I don’t want a dime,” she said. “I just want Obie … He’s a dog. He’s not a celebrity.” She objected to the fact that Obie flew in cargo, and not first class, on his six-hour trip to New York.
Vanatta said all money she has received for Obie has gone to his care.
She said no papers regarding his custody were ever signed, and that she wants to keep Obie at least until he reaches his goal weight.
Rangan and Vanatta are expected to appear in court Monday.
“It makes me sick because he was never in her custody,” Vanatta said. “I can’t understand why she’s spending money fighting this because he’s so happy.”
(Photo: Obie’s “Biggest Loser” Facebook page)
Posted by jwoestendiek October 26th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: 77 pounds, biggest loser, contributions, custody, dachshund, diet, donations, doxie edition, facebook, fat, fattest, foster, jenell rangan, lawsuit, nora vanatta, obie, oregon, oregon dachshund rescue, portland, rescue, technician, veterinary
Comments
Comment from SANDY DOLLARD
Time October 26, 2012 at 9:47 am
This is another “Patrick” case! What is with these so called “rescuers” today that used to be ‘all about the dog’ that are now ‘look what I did’. There is no room for these self serving idots in the world of animal rescue. It takes the focus off the animal in need and puts more cash in the pockets of greedy lawyers.
Comment from robert schlosser
Time October 26, 2012 at 9:50 am
I too thought of the Patrick case when I first heard this. These are dogs that have been through enough already. It’s too bad people can’t put the dog and their needs first.
Comment from Caryl
Time October 27, 2012 at 3:41 am
Obie wasn’t important to the shelter, until the dog received media attention. Now the shelter is falsly accusing Nora, Obie’s caregiver of false allegations. The shelter is using donations meant for the shelter dogs for their travel, time, meals, and attorney, court filing fee’s. Also, grant money was used for their personal gain. Stop caring about your pockets and start caring about these abused animals. The dog Obie is bonded with Nora, the shelter has publically raved about the care and job Nora has given to Obie. It’s obvious it’s all about greed of the shelter. Then the shelter wants to put Obie in the shelter all day, till later that night then go home with the shelter’s owner. Why is this owner only now so involved, and want the dog. The shelter won’t get this dog back, due to the ridiculous claims. And now, her greed as been brought to the forefront, and donators will not want to give the Shelter’s owner money when she uses it for her financial gain. I sent money to Obie and Nora. NOT THE SHELTER, because the shelter didn’t want to deal with him. A get rich scheme from a shelter rescue owner. The owner is using grant funds for attorney’s , trips, food, etc for her, this is illegal. I hope the state takes notice of her fraud. And the shame is, how many dogs this shelter is now hurting. So sad for any dog is this shelter’s care.
Comment from Wendl
Time October 27, 2012 at 2:37 pm
For the record: An ODR volunteer joined Nora and Obie on the trip to NYC. IF ODR had any qualms about the travel arrangements, that would have been the time to make their case or withhold their approval. Failure to do so provides a strong case for tacit approval. Now, for those offended by Obie’s travel accomodations, please understand that airlines require vet release for animals to travel cargo. I know Janell has a good attorney, but she doesn’t have a case. Well, she and Patricia seem to have a case of fame and money envy. But they’re totally off base and unfortunately those that will suffer will be the animals. Hopefully a more responsible dachshund rescue will come in and take ODRs place. I’m sure a more respectable and responsible org like DRNA is positioning itself to come to the “rescue”.
Comment from EndlessNameless
Time October 28, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Please sign, email, forward to others that know of Obie’s story and can empathize…this is a change.org petition to keep Obie with his current owner — it only takes a minute to complete and there are already nearly 15,000 signatures, which is the goal….still, it’s not quite 15,000 yet, and there’s a court date over Obie’s custody upcoming on Monday, I believe — let your voice be heard, Nora Vanetta needs your support and your help. In my humble opinion, it is simply not right that Oregon Dachshund Rescue is trying to force the return of Obie by way of brute legal force:
http://www.change.org/petitions/jenell-rangan-stop-fighting-to-take-obie-away-from-his-home
Comment from Teresa Fannin
Time October 29, 2012 at 4:19 pm
The sad, simple facts are that Jenell Rangan is out for the money. READ the lawsuit & see the real motivation. Jenell is a disgrace to the rescue community & Oregon Dachshund Rescue will suffer as long as she is in charge of it. As of today, Obie will stay with Nora for the time being. HOPEFULLY, it will become permanent. Obie is doing wonderfully well with Nora, Hunter & Noggin. He needs to stay with his family.
Comment from Nikki
Time November 4, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I think Janelle is out for the money and Nora needs to keep Obie can’t you see how happy he is and how much she loves him – so terrible have some compassion for the dog and leave her with Obie where she has love
Comment from anon
Time November 18, 2012 at 1:11 am
It would probably help Nora’s case if she merely went public with how much money she’s collected and what those expenses are going towards. It’s probably all fine and dandy, but I see thousands of dollars going to putting a dog on a diet when that money might better be spent on other dogs with needs. Just some daylight on the accounting would be nice.
Comment from Leslie
Time November 19, 2012 at 12:03 am
The ex-owners grandchildren didn’t want to interfere before when Obie was being killed and they shouldn’t have him now. Nora is giving him the best care and he needs to stay put.
Comment from Grace
Time April 16, 2013 at 9:47 am
FYI Nora keeps priomising her follwoers that Obie will be having skin surgery ebd iof Aoril yet has not provided a date. It is knowledge that she attended a pet expo shopping for a vet to do his surgery for free. The asked about vet records and she ended being rude etc. SHE CANNOT provide vet records becasue he has not been properly vetted,,,she did it all on her own thinking a fiormer vet tech and suome cheap Purina crap she fed him was enough…She has raked in over 80K of funds from people and has yet to provide proper care for the dog since that is what the intention of the money is for…She is now trying to get the surgery done for free so she does not have to lose anything of what she has raised to his surgery. Nora Vanata is a fgreed greddy woman and she exploited obie for personal gain and no one can see this…I fear for Obie something in his eyes tell me something. vets refused free surgery becasue they told her well you raised money for that…she wants to keep that money that is obvious and it is extremely sad no one sees this that the bes interest of Obie is not being met, Nora Vanatta care about her own fat ass..even posting pictures of her run down house and bathroom in hopes of getting free work done. She is pathetic
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time October 26, 2012 at 9:01 am
It’s unfortunately beginning to sound like the “Patrick” case all over again. What is wrong with people today? If the dog is happy and on his way back to health, I say leave him where he is. Vanatta stepped up when she was most needed, and should be permitted to continue her plan to return Obie to a healthy weight. The poor little guy has been through enough trauma already.