Humane society's actions won't detract from focus
Letter
Published: Thursday, December 06, 2007
Re: Focus on Saving Animals, Not on Launching Lawsuits , Dec. 3. Marla Comeau is to be commended for expressing her concern that resources available to support the animals be used for that purpose. We at the humane society share that view without equivocation. I trust Ms. Comeau and our other supporters will be pleased to learn we are not following a course of wasting our supporters' money on legal fees.

The original legal action was launched against the humane society by Mr. LaFrance. This action is being defended by a lawyer engaged by our insurance carrier pursuant to our directors' and liability coverage. The counter-suit against Mr. LaFrance, to recover the money owed to the society and guaranteed by his promissory note, will incur little to no additional costs.

The second action against Mr. LaFrance, the Yellow Pages and Bell Canada, was launched after receiving the opinions of three separate lawyers respecting the nature of the Yellow Pages advertisement. We consulted with and engaged a specialist in civil litigation to represent the society on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer will receive a percentage of the proceeds from any action, however no legal fees are owing should we not succeed in our actions.

On behalf of the humane society board, I want to assure Ms. Comeau and everyone in Windsor and Essex County that all of our actions in this matter have been considered and initiated reluctantly, as it detracts from our focus and preoccupation with animal welfare.

While the money we are seeking to recover in the first action is listed on the humane society's accounts as an account receivable and must be deposited to our general account, any proceeds from the second action would be deposited to the shelter fund and contribute to our expansion and renovation.

MELANIE COULTER

President, Humane Society

Windsor-Essex County