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Beware Of Pet-Related Scams That Start With Online Photos Of Cute Animals

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Attorney General Curtis Hill and Indiana State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM, are warning Hoosiers to watch out for online pet-adoption scams.

Both offices have received complaints recently from citizens who have made down payments on animals they found on the internet — only to learn after paying multiple fees and never receiving animals that they were duped by fraudsters.

“These scammers know that increased numbers of people are shopping online during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Attorney General Hill said. “They’re banking on consumers’ willingness to arrange delivery of pets sight unseen — other than the cute pictures consumers may have seen on the internet.”

The scammers sometimes create websites made to look like they are operated by legitimate entities, either selling or adopting out pets. They may advertise the websites on social media or in email pitches.

The fraudulent ads often feature photos of puppies or kittens, said Dr. Marsh, who leads the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

“Most times the pet does not actually exist at all,” he said. “And scammers try to milk their victims for as much money as possible.”

After a pet is ordered and a payment is made for the pet and shipping charges, would-be buyers often learn that other fees are required — perhaps for vaccinations or other veterinary care. Fraudsters also concoct stories about additional shipping expenses — claiming, perhaps, that an animal has landed in another state, requiring some type of permit expense for the stop-over at an airport.

The FBI and National Consumers League both have taken notice of such scams nationwide. They offer such tips as the following, adapted from their websites:

  • Meet the pet in person if at all possible.
  • Never pay any fee to obtain an animal that you have not seen with your own eyes (as opposed to via pictures or videos online).
  • Don’t pay to ship a pet if you can’t verify the seller is a reputable breeder or rescue organization.
  • Do your homework on the seller before sending any form of payment. Look for contact information, check credentials, and confirm reviews from previous clients.
  • If you virtually chat with the seller, watch for odd phrasing or typos.
  • If the seller asks you to pay via wire transfer or gift card, don’t. There’s a huge chance it’s a scam.
  • If anyone asks you to send money overseas, particularly to pet adoption scam hotspots such as Cameroon or India, it is a scam.
  • Beware of “free” pet offers online. These are often simply ruses to get you to pay shipping or other fees for non-existent animals.

The American Kennel Club is a good source of information for consumers looking for reputable, ethical breeders. Often your local veterinarian can be a resource for identifying reputable sources of pets, such as rescue groups.

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam or targeted by scammers should file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Ben Shoulders Win Was Very Impressive 

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Ben Shoulders Win Was Very Impressive 

I am 60 years old and have lived through many elections here in Vanderburgh County.  There were times in my life when the county was more Democrat and times when it was more Republican.

For the last 3-4 election cycles, Vanderburgh County has become more and more Republican based on the straight-ticket voting.  I was surprised in 2016 when the straight-ticket gap between Republicans and Democrats favored straight-ticket Republican voting by over 3,400 votes.

In 2020, however, I was blown away at the gap of almost 7,000 votes!  No Democrat running countywide who was affected by the straight-ticket voting won—except for one. The one exception was County Commissioner Ben Shoulders, who overcame that wide of a disadvantage to win by over 2,600 votes.  For Commissioner Shoulders to be at a 9% disadvantage, and clawback 9,500 votes as a Democrat, during the most Republican climate since I have been alive, was nothing short of amazing.

Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, one must agree the 2020 bi-partisan victory by County Commissioner Ben Shoulders was very impressive.

Frank Patton Jr.

Evansville, IN

FOOTNOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS POSTED BY THE CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER WITHOUT OPINION, BAIS, OR EDITING 

EPA and Girl Scouts Hold Virtual Events to Inspire Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

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As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is partnering with the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) to host two virtual events to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. These national events will educate, inspire, and enable girls to directly engage with EPA scientists who are tackling today’s environmental issues.

“I am excited to partner with the Girl Scouts on today’s virtual event featuring EPA scientists,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “As an Eagle Scout myself, I know that being in Girl Scout builds leadership skills, helps develop a lifelong love for the environment, and prepares the next generation to solve future environmental problems.”

“We are excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the EPA with two live interactive broadcasts that will inspire the next generation of women scientists and engineers. These events will feature three EPA women scientists who are on the front lines of protecting human health and the environment. Through our girl-centered programming, Girl Scouts is continuing to build the transformational female leaders of the future and showing girls the power they have to change the world,” said Girl Scouts of the USA Interim CEO Judith Batty.

EPA and GSUSA share a deep commitment to protecting our environment and ensuring that girls have access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math information (STEM). Today’s events will feature a panel with three environmental scientists from EPA’s Office of Research and Development. Event attendees will hear directly from these accomplished women about how they got their start in the environmental field and how their research contributes to understanding and addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues. They will share what they do at EPA, why it’s important, and how event attendees can help protect the environment. As a special way to celebrate EPA’s 50th anniversary, those who watch this event (either live or recorded) will have an opportunity to receive a free, co-branded EPA and GSUSA patch. The patch is available to both Girl Scouts members and those who are not members.

Today’s free, virtual events are separated by age group for grades K-5 and grades 6-12.

Vanderburgh county Arrest Warrants

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Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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EPD

EPD REPORT

“RIGHT JAB AND MIDDLE JAB AND LEFT JAB” DECEMBER 4, 2020

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“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jab” was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE” or “Readers Forum” columns concerning National or International issues.

The majority of our “IS IT TRUE” columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB”  column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB” AND “MIDDLE JAB” AND “RIGHT JAB” several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB” is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB” is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.

VANDERBURGH COUNTY FELONY CHARGES

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 Evansville, IN – Below are the felony cases to be filed by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office today.

Jerry Leroy Boyd: Domestic battery (Level 6 Felony), Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)

Daniel Eugene Hurt: Strangulation (Level 6 Felony), Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor)

Trevor Jordan Brown: Battery resulting in serious bodily injury (Level 5 Felony), Possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor)

Darius Keycion Fahmawi: Intimidation (Level 5 Felony), Pointing a firearm (Level 6 Felony), Carrying a handgun without a license (Class A misdemeanor)

Cody Cogburn: Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Battery against a public safety official (Level 6 Felony), Public intoxication (Class B misdemeanor)

Alicia Nicole Galindo: Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Level 6 Felony), Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person with a passenger less than 18 years of age (Level 6 Felony)

Lori Louise Hobby: Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)

Eagles ink four for ’21-22

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Tennis has signed Abigail Myers to a national letter of intent and received commitments to play from three additional players for the 2021-22 season.

Myers, a senior at Reitz Memorial High School (Evansville, Indiana) has played tennis all four years for the Tiger. She also is a member of Champion Elite at the Tri-State Athletic Club and plans to study early childhood education. Tennis runs in the family as Myers has an older sister who plays for the Red Hawks at Miami University of Ohio while her younger sister stays motivated training full-time in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

On the tennis court, she was named All-SIAC twice (2017-18 second team and 2018-19 first team). Myers had great success in 2019 as a member of the Tigers’ sectional & regional championship team and ultimately earned 2019 doubles first-team All-State accolades.

USI received commitments to play for the Eagles next year from Abby Brown, Ellie Ossenberg, and Madison Windham.

A senior at F.J. Reitz High School (Evansville, Indiana), Brown has received magna cum luade honors for her academic effort and plans to study communications at USI where her older brother, Dylan, is a member of the men’s tennis team.

Ossenberg, a senior at Castle High School (Newburgh, Indiana) is a member of the Knights’ tennis team the last four years. The incoming early childhood education major plays in the USTA tournaments at the Evansville Tennis Center, her home court.

Windham is in her senior year at Rossview High School (Clarksville, Tennessee) looking to earn her fourth varsity letter in women’s tennis. The future food and nutrition major was named Leaf Chronicles’ All-Area Girls Tennis Player of the Year twice and won her respective district singles tournaments as a freshman and sophomore. She was a finalist in the regionals as a  freshman and sophomore and helped lead RHS to a district championship in 2019.

USI Women’s Tennis Head Coach Keely Porter had this to say about the upcoming additions to her team,

“I am excited to bring in these talented players.  With nine possible returners, we could have our largest roster ever.  Consistently intense competition is pushing my current group to work hard, which is what we need to be a better team.

Abby Myers should make an immediate impact on our line up. With two exceptionally strong tennis-playing sisters, Abby is coming into her own.  She has begun focusing on singles, after early doubles success.

Elle, Madison and Abby Brown are all good athletes, with games that can be developed with more experience.  All four of these high school players were very disappointed to miss their junior high school season, motivating them to prepare for an even better senior year.  I look forward to following them compete this spring.”

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SHARES NEW CDC COVID-19 QUARANTINE GUIDANCE

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EPA Celebrates 50 Year of Progress, Dedicates Conference Center to First Administrator

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrates 50 years of protecting human health and the environment in the United States, on tribal lands, and around the world. As part of the 50th anniversary commemoration, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler hosted an event at EPA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., where he unveiled the new Ruckelshaus Conference Center in honor of EPA’s first administrator, the late William D. Ruckelshaus, and highlighted the many accomplishments of the EPA over the past 50 years.

“EPA has delivered on our mission to protect human health and the environment for every American, regardless of their zip code,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Since 1970 air pollution has fallen more than 77 percent, down at least 7 percent in the last 4 years alone. Under the Trump Administration, our nation’s air, water and land are the cleanest and safest they have been in our lifetimes. This is something to celebrate.”

Since 1970, EPA has made significant progress in protecting the nation’s water, cleaning up our air and land, and safeguarding human health. Historic milestones include setting the nation’s air quality standards to protect human health, regulating the quality of public drinking water, creating the Superfund program to clean up hazardous waste sites, protecting children from exposure to lead-based paint, and recently, launching the first ever United States Federal Strategy for Addressing the Global Issue of Marine Litter and new, modern National Recycling Goal of 50% by 2030.

Over the past year, EPA has highlighted 50 years of progress through monthly themes featuring the work of numerous EPA programs that have led to positive environmental outcomes for our nation and improved processes to better serve the public. Here is a recap of some of the accomplishments highlighted throughout the year:

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