VICTORY FOR WET NOSE AND OUR PRESIDENT- 8 YEARS LATER !!!!!

Press Release
5 May 2008 – Pretoria


Tracy Forte wins appeal against stolen dog sentence.

Effectively ending eight years of personal and legal drama, Tracey Forté, the president-founder of Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre, just outside of Pretoria won her appeal in the Pretoria High Court yesterday before two judges. Forté was sentenced to 18 months in prison or a R10 000 fine, suspended for 5 years in March 2007 for allegedly stealing a stray dog brought into the care of Wet Nose and then rehomed. However, Forté maintained her innocence in the matter claiming that the matter was a vindictive attempt by alleged dog syndicates to have Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre closed.

In hearing the appeal, Judge Bertelsman made it clear that the state could firstly not prove theft as the appellant, Ms. Forté, was providing a very necessary service to the community by re-homing rescued animals. Further he stated that her behavior, seen from various affidavits did not constitute that of theft as she openly discussed the adoption with both her staff and the new adopting owners of the dog; and no money every changed hands for the dog. Finally the state could not prove the identity of the dog. According to statements there were no less than six similar dogs in the Wet Nose kennels at that time all in need of loving homes. ‘Wet Nose has taken-in and re-homed and cared for thousands of dogs over the years – why on earth would I possibly want to steal one dog?” Ms. Forté has consistently claimed.

Judge Bertelsman was very irritated that the state had decided to prosecute this case in the first place as it was in his opinion a trivial matter in comparison to more than 16 000 odd rape and serious violent crime offenses that were still backlogged within the judicial system. He said that this case was a “waste of this court’s time and money to the state” and should never have been brought the courts as a criminal case.

Ms. Forté claims to have spent in excess of R25 000 in legal fees to date and that this case did irreparable damage to her reputation as well as that of Wet Nose. ‘The stress of this case was one of the main reasons my marriage broke apart and I can’t even begin to describe the pain and humiliation my children suffered. But mostly what is beyond me is that the very people who vindictively slandered and spurred this on with their accusations and false statements were attempting to close down a safe haven for abused, neglected and unwanted animals. As it is we don’t have enough rescue centers in the country and to me, its about the making a difference and giving them [the animals] a second chance to life ’, Forté said in her highly emotional statement.

“I am horrified at the magisterial court system…(and) I am very concerned at how easy it is for the facts to be overlooked and innocent people prosecuted.”

Having said this, Ms. Forté was ecstatic that finally the truth was taken into consideration by the high court justice system. She is adamant that she will be bringing a case against the state and the vexatious complainants for the damage done to both her and Wet Nose’s reputation.

As far as Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre is concerned, it is business as usual and the centre continues its mission to provide homes for destitute and unwanted animals.

‘It is my life’s mission to reach out to our animal community and allow them a second chance in life. Every animal deserves a second chance. I believe in the right to life, being treated with dignity and having one’s essential needs met – for all sentient beings, especially animals.”

In her closing statement Ms. Forte said that: “I would like to thank all the strangers, friends, supporters, the Board of Directors of Wet Nose and my brilliant legal team who have supported Wet Nose during the past eight years, believing in me and the work I do; but above all, those people who had the courage to stand up with me and fight for the truth. I have been inundated with messages of encouragement. And it has made all the difference.”