Now the Humane Society is investigating the Gosselins.

The Reading Eagle reports that the Gosselins are being investigated for animal cruelty.


Thoughts on Paws : Jon Gosselin denies dog cruelty, Humane Society investigates
Housebroken, well-trained, thirtysomething animal lover Susan Miers Smith seeks enlightened readers to share the funny, trying and perplexing experiences of life shared with animals. The occasional caustic rant on abuse and human stupidity is also a feature not to be missed.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Jon Gosselin denies dog cruelty, Humane Society investigates

Jon Gosselin, the tabloid target and star of "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" released a statement to the Humane Society of Berks County Friday, June 5, after it investigated cruelty complaints filed by several people after statements made by Gosselin were published in a June 4 People magazine article .

In the June 4 article, Gosselin is quoted as saying about his two German shepherd pups Shoka and Nala: "Those kids beat them up, climb on them, pull their tails, bite at them, drag them around and everything you can imagine not to do to an animal, they've done," he says. "But you know what: when they're on duty, they're on duty."

"We received about a dozen complaints," said Karel I. Minor, executive director of the Humane Society of Berks County in a phone interview June 5. "One even said, 'if you don't do something about this, we will.' "

Minor said the majority of the complaints were anonymous, so they could not determine where they came from, but one was from New Hampshire and one was from South Carolina.
"We have no credible reason to believe in way that there is cruelty going on," said Minor.
He said his organization confirmed Shoka and Nala have dog licenses registered to the Lower Heidelberg Township property where the Gosselins live. A humane officer with the HSBC was told by a family representative, whom Minor would not name, that the dogs were up-to-date on their vaccinations and they would forward proof.

Representatives of the HSBC did not actually see the dogs on the property, but Minor said he was satisfied with explanations he received.

Minor said Jon Gosselin released a statement to the HSBC via the family representative that states the following:

“I would like to clarify a recent statement I made regarding my family’s two German Shepherd puppies, Shoka and Nala. The statement – if taken literally and out of context – could be misinterpreted and I’d like to set the record straight. We understand the responsibilities of being good dog owners. Whenever my kids are with Shoka and Nala, everyone is carefully supervised to ensure that no one – dog or child – is injured. Shoka and Nala are loyal companions who we consider members of our family. We would never do anything to hurt them, and treat them with the respect and love that they deserve.”

Minor said he didn't know who Jon Gosselin was prior to receiving the complaints and had never seen his television show.

Mr. Gosselin has been making tabloid headlines a lot lately and we'll have to see if Kate Gosselin admonishes him for sticking foot squarely in mouth once again. Of course, they may have some legal problems if the state finds out they are not complying with Pennsylvania child labor laws.
Let's hope the dogs are really getting treated well. Maybe the cameras that the Gosselins have focused on themselves will tell us more. The bad part is, that would entail watching the show and giving them higher ratings, just what they want.