INDIVIDUAL: Freedom (a.k.a. Lilly)
GROUP SIZE: One is one too many.
NATURE OF GROUP: Law Enforcement Officials; one notch beneath
the army.
INCIDENCE OF SOCIOMETRY: Dog Running At Large.
BACKGROUND:
July, 1993 Salida Colorado:
is Agent Jessica Regenold Bergman assisted in the release of a small
black Lab/Australian Sheepherder mix from the pound. She came to be
known as Free, except when bad when she was referred to as Freedom.
Freedom cruising skid row for “treats” |
July, 1993
to August 1997 Salida Colorado:
Freedom had multiple encounters with law enforcement and becomes well
acquainted with a growingly agitated and unsuccessful dogcatcher.
June 1998 Denver Colorado:
is Agent Peter Miles Regenold Bergman and Freedom received a citation
in City Park for “Dog Running At Large”. Freedom refused to pay or
appear in court for the citation.
May, 2000 Buena Vista Colorado:
Freedom disappeared, presumably for the last time, from a backyard
while house sitting with Mary Katherine Regenold.
DOG RUNNING AT LARGE:
June 2000 Denver Colorado:
Peter Miles Regenold Bergman went skateboarding on the plaza of the
Denver History Museum in Downtown Denver. Approximately thirty minutes
into the session a police cruiser stealthily rolled up from around
the corner of the building.Weighing his options, Peter Miles noted
that he was the closest to the police and ran the greatest risk of
arrest if he ran.The four men present sat on their skateboards, as
told, while the police officer ran their identification. He returned
with three tickets, two for trespassing, and one for trespassing and
possession of drug paraphernalia. The tickets were handed to the other
three offenders then Peter Miles was told to stand up, and put his
hands behind his back. Handcuffs were affixed and he was taken to
Denver city jail for a “Failure to Appear” for a “Dog Running At Large”
citation. While in the “off the street” holding pen for the next six
hours, agent Peter Miles Regenold Bergman learned about the various
offenses that land one in the Denver Jail.
1. Walking across the street with a glass of wine for your
neighbor: (If your African American) = Open Container.
2. Getting beat-up by a gang of young men, running away, and getting
beat up again by the police who responded to a call about the fight
(If your African American) = Disturbing the Peace
.
3. Washing an expensive car at the car wash: (If your African
American) = Driving on a suspended license in 1994, and misdemeanor
possession of marijuana.
4. Passing a joint in a roach clip: (If your African American)
= Misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
5. Picking up your girlfriend in an expensive car: (If you African
American) = Misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
6. Being ordered out of your own home and into a shelter by
a probation officer past the time when the shelters accept people,
and then returning home (If your African American) = Violation of
probation.
Peter Miles has seemed to crack into a new demographic. He wondered
if his landing in jail despite being Caucasian was due to the fact
that he was involved in a petty offense and had an outstanding warrant
for a second petty offense; or, if because his current petty offense
involved a skateboard. Seeing as skateboarders are almost as hated
by law enforcement officials as African Americans this seemed reasonable.
Another potential reason he was constantly reminded about by law enforcement
officials and inmates alike - his creative home haircut. In any case
the reasons for detainment seemed fairly arbitrary and in no case
involved any threat to society.
At 8:00 PM, an hour after being arrested, agent Jessica Regenold Bergman
was present with the bail money. She was told to return in four to
six hours when Peter Miles would be through booking and entered into
the computer. At that time she returned and was informed that it is
taking longer than usual because Peter Miles had never been to the
Denver City Jail before. The officer was undoubtedly referring to
the required fingerprinting for first time detainees that was done
at 3:00
am. At 8:00 am Peter Miles was released on bond thirteen hours after
arrest.
June 2000, Salida Colorado:
Mary Katherine Regenold sat down to a cup of coffee and the paper.
She came across a description of a dog “Lilly” the featured animal
at the Buena Vista Adopt-A-Pet agency. The description matched Freedom,
now missing for over five weeks. “Lilly” had been apprehended in a
dumpster behind “Subway” in Buena Vista. Surely, this was Freedom.
Mary Katherine immediately went to the Adopt-A-Pet Agency. After a
joyful reunion she inquired about releasing Freedom on bond. She was
informed that “Lilly’s” bond was a thousand dollars. Through a heated
inquiry Mary Katherine ascertained that “Lilly” was now the “Office
dog” for the Adopt-A-Pet agency and had made herself quite acquainted
with the staff, was free to roam the premises, and had a steady and
available bowl of scientifically tested food.
SUMMARY:
Freedom has displayed, through her entire association with various
members of the Regenold-Bergman family, a complete disregard for the
laws of society. In addition to the simple, private offenses such
as stuffing a chocolate cake into a leather chair, and defecating
wherever she pleases - including, but not limited to, the freshly
made bed of Peter Miles Regenold Bergman’s Father and Step Mother,
Harold and Annie Bergman, Freedom has constantly engaged law enforcement
officials and flagrantly broken the law. Despite being black, and
nonetheless, a dog - synonymous with the lowest forms of life on the
planet, she has consistently escaped responsibility for her actions
and even seems to consistently better her position. Meanwhile her
associates, those who Freedom has sponged off of for years, are consistently
held accountable for her actions to the full extent of the law.
Boulder Colorado is currently studying legislation to change the nature
of dog human relations to reflect a co-habitation dynamic rather than
an owner and pet dynamic. Lets hope that this forward thinking initiative
helps in making responsible parties, such a Freedom, accountable for
their deeds.
----------
Post these Freedom flyers in your neighborhood! Dowload 8.5x11 pdf:
MAD_DOG (lft.) BAD_DOG
(rt.)