VOL.100.NO.148
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
T THE STUDIETN NEWSPAPER OF T THE UNIVISIBILITY OF KANASSA
ADVERTISING:861-4358
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 1990
(USPS 650-640)
NEWS: 864-4810
State officials close kennel
96 dogs taken to animal shelter following raid on Topeka puppy mill
By Elicia Hill
Special to the Kansan
A Topeka dog kennel was closed yesterday by the Kansas attorney general's office for alleged cruelty to the animal, violation of the animal welfare act.
Ninety-six dogs were *confiscated* from the SSLC Kennel and taken to the Topeka animal shelter.
After a spokesman announced early yesterday afternoon that the attorney general was investigating puppy mills in Kansas, at 3:45 p.m. police cars pulled into the drive of the house where the kennel was located.
Because the owner, Steven Scheuerman, was not at home, police used a search warrant to enter the house. The officers followed to muzzle the doors inside.
Topeka animal control officer Rudy Aratzte (left) holds a feces-covered Rottweiler as veterinarian Debra Anderson (right) describes the animal's physical condition. Anderson's description was videotaped by Bruce Stuart (center) of the Kansas attorney general's office.
Eight dogs were found in the house, but most were kept in kennels behind the house.
Officials said they were shocked at the conditions.
Shon Koenig, Agriculture Department inspector, said she had attempted to inspect the kennel 12 times but never found the owners at home.
"This is the worst puppy mill I've ever seen." she said.
"Puppy mill" is a term used to describe substandard kennels that breed dogs.
Koenig, who is one of only two federal inspectors for Kansas, said she has seen many other kennels. "But condition here are dealer-
"But conditions here are deplorable," she said.
a fenced, roofed pen, about nine feet by six feet, held 15 Rottweilers
and Bouliers. Litters of puppies were kept in rabbit hatches at the back of the yard. Another pen contained some rabbits and more Bouriers and Rottweilers.
The dogs were coated with excrement, which covered the floors of the runs. Green, much mudier in buckets and bins, helped avoid damage to the dogs in the heat yesterday.
While a veterinarian inspected each animal, a special investigator for the department of agriculture recorded her comments while a member of the attorney general's office video-taped the process. The dogs were then loaded into the trucks for transport to the animal shelter.
Scheuerman, the owner, returned about an hour after police had arrived.
Deborah Anderson, a veterinarian who inspected the dogs, said they suffered from malnutrition, dehydration, anemia and other medical problems.
Other breeds found at the kennel included cocker spaniels, chows, Pekinese, beagles, fox terriers and Airedales.
Melanie Jack, an assistant attorney general, then told Scheuerman not to talk until after he had spoken to a lawyer.
"You didn't take my babies out of the house did you?" he asked. "Oh God, no!"
She told him that complaints against his kennel were being investigated.
Scheuerman said he had to call his business partner and then left.
Wendell Maddox, director of the Midwest U.S. Humane Society, said
his office had been investigating the kennel for two years.
Audrey McCaig, director of the Topeka Animal Shelter, said the dogs would be kept at the shelter and would receive medical treatment during the investigation.
"Feces are stacked five to six inches deep in the house," Maddox said. "You can tell someone lives there but I've never seen anything
like this."
Cities welcoming Mandela to U.S.
The Associated Press
No one seems reader than the man who will put Mandela up for three nights, Mayor David Dinkins.
Speaking yesterday at a national mayors' meeting in Chicago, New York mayor Joe Biden said Mandela was a symbol of freedom who is altering world history.
NEW YORK — An army of police, 100 tow trucks, 150 miles of ticker tape, hawkers of $15 T-shirts and every last dog in the bomb squad — all are ready for Nelson Mandela's arrival today in the United States.
Mandela's visit will alter life in New York, accustomed though the city is to gridlock-wreaking visitors.
A security effort called "Operation Topar" enlisted thousands of city police officers and federal and state agents to safeguard the first visit to an American city by the leader of the African National Congress.
A key weapon was what police call the "Mandelamobile," a flatbed truck with a bulletproof glass bubble瓶 for Mandela and several others.
There are concerns about the health of the 71-year-old Mandela, whose 27 years in a South African prison included stretches of hard labor. Ambulances will be stationed in the city to help with the city's Emergency Medical Service has been given a detailed medical history.
Given the geographic breadth of his schedule and the police's determination to keep his travel route clear, Mandela's visit was expected to cause difficulties for motorists during the next three days.
"This is more of a headache than
when the president comes," said Stephanie Pinto, a spokeswoman for the Traffic Department.
City workers painted New York's official colors — blue and orange — in a line down the middle of Broadway, filled potholes along the route of Mandela's motorcade, and — in a move that one observer described as unprecedented — washed the windows at City Hall.
Mandela, whose stole in New York is the first on a 12-day tour of eight U.S. cities, will sleep at Gracie Mansion, the mayor's residence. The place has only three bedrooms, which meant the mayor's son David was evicted. Or, as his father put it, "He's been kind enough to relocate."
But is the maple, imitation-bamboo bed in the state bedroom big enough for the 6-foot-4 Mandela?
"Our measurements say it will work," insisted Deputy Mayor Bill Lynch.
Mandela arrives this morning at Kennedy International Airport and stops in Brooklyn to speak to a group of young people before proceeding to Manhattan for a ticker tape parade on the sidewalks she's concrete "Canyon of Heroes."
For an old-time flavor, the city imported genuine ticker tape. About 150 miles of inch-wide paper ribbon was provided by a Connecticut company that claims to be the nation's last ticker-tape supplier. Computers have almost completely replaced tickers.
The rest of Mandela's New York City visit has plenty of contrast, ranging from a street rally in Harlem tomorrow to a $2,500-a person reception on Friday night catered by actor Robert De Niro's New Trillbe Crab.
Habitat for Humanity announces homeowner
By Bryan Reber
Kansan staff writer
The Lawrence Habitat for Humanity board of directors Thursday selected Esther Barnes, Lawrence resident, as the homeowner for the third Habitat home in Lawrence.
The home, at 1699 Powers St., will be dedicated during a ceremony tomorrow, said Judith Galas, a member of the Habitat board. Construction will begin on Barnes' house soon.
"I am very, very happy," Barnes said. "I couldn't be more pleased that I'm getting a new home."
Barnes and her two-year-old son now live in a two-bedroom apartment. The Powers Street house will be a three-bedroom house, she Barnes has worked at the Haskel Health Center for seven years.
Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer organization committed to providing homes to people in need. The organization is dependent upon both charitable gifts and volunteer labor.
Barnes said that she applied for the second Habitat house, 2701 Harper St., which is nearing completion. When she was not selected for that house, she remained in the applicant pool.
Gloria Jacob, member of the Habitat family selection committee, said 12 families were considered for the house.
When selecting a family for a Habitat home the selection committee considers the honesty, work record and community service of the applicant along with his or her current living conditions, Jacob said. The family chosen for a Habitat home agrees to purchase the home at its cost to Habitat. Jacob said the house on Powers Street was expected to cost about $25,000 to $30,000.
Gulas said the house being renovated on Powers Street had been gutted by fire in the spring.
John Gingerich, president of the Lawrence chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said the organization had set a goal to build three houses in 1900 and three more for each of the next two years.
The Powers Street house is the second Habitat project started this year. In addition to a goal of three houses each year for three years, he raised $10,000 in the goal of raising $100,000 of those three years. Gingerich said.
Senate files formal complaint against River City Recycling
By Deron Graul
Kansan staff writer
The Student Senate yesterday filed a complaint for breach of contract against a trouble-plagued Lawrence recycling company that owes Senate money.
Alimee Hall, student body vice-president, said the company that agreed to remove aluminum cans from campus recycling sites, River City Recycling, 718 E. 9th St., did not impart its part of the bargain.
According the agreement, the company was to pay Senate five percent of the profit from aluminum picked up on campus.
Hall said the company owes Senate $203 for aluminum it collected on campus from January through April and $65 for a parking permit.
However, John Hebert, owner of River City Recycling, said River City probably owed Senate less than $200.
In a letter to Consumer Affairs, 700 Massachusetts, Hall had earned hed agreed to make past due payments for the spring by May 1, and May payments by May 19. Neither of the payments were made.
James Diffenderfer, head of Senate's recycle task, call senate. Senate signed a contract in May with California to produce parts which began picking up cars June 5.
Besides Hebert's problems with the truck, other troubles have led to speculation that the company might be about to fold.
Pet Marvin, Lawrence recycling coordinator, said that because the company's phone was disconnected, it was impossible for those who wanted to practice curbside recycling to get in touch with River City.
"River City's main problem is lack of communication," Marvin said. "I probably got 100 calls a week from friends and others who their stuff is going to be picked up."
Diffferdorfer said problems with River City began in April when the company stopped making its daily pickups.
Hebert said Monday the company stopped making pickups because his truck broke down in mid-April.
"We wanted to work with a more stable company." Hall said.
Marvin also said the company's pickup schedule had changed several times since the company opened in March, 1989.
The company's telephone has been disconnected for at least two weeks.
But Herbert said rumors that River City would soon go under were unfounded.
Hebert, who presently is using a borrowed truck, plans to repair his truck and advertise to let Lawrence "keep his car" in the clinic does still exist in Lawrence.
Herbert blamed fluctuating market prices for recyclable aluminum, glass and paper for some of his troubles.
"I pick up about 40,000 pounds of paper a month and get about $250 for it," Herbert said. "It makes it hard to make money."
"There is hope for the future, but there is no fast solution." he said.
Marvin said that River City's problems might slow recycling efforts in Lawrence.
The company had been inconsistent, Hebert said. Because it is a one man operation, it is difficult to keep in touch with all of the 1,500 to 1,800 households the company serves, he said.
“It’s a great inconvenience to a lot of people,” he said. “It’s especially bad for those people who can't get to a drop off location.”
The company now picks up recyclables Monday through Friday during the first and third full weeks of each month, he said.
People participating in River City's curbside pickup program, which is the only one in Lawrence, recycle cleans and leave them at a prearranged location for pickup.
Lawrence priest appointed to Kansas disclosure post
Special to the Kanaan
By Erln Gothard
Krische, who has not been involved in state politics, said he was surprised about the appointment but that he was looking forward to
Stephan said, "Father Krische's experience at both the University of Kansas and Washburn University has given him great insight into people.
"I'm going to have an opportunity to learn a lot of new things and to be involved in a part of life that I had not been involved in directly," he said. "My commission that takes a look at some difficult questions."
State Attorney General Robert T. Stephan has appointed the director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Cresten Road, to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission.
The Rev. Vince Krische, who has worked at the center for 13 years, is also co-chaplain for the KU football team and a member of the board of trustees of the KU School of Religion.
The commission administers campaign finance laws that require political candidates to disclose their incomes and investments.
Krische attended St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, where he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy and a master's degree in religious studies. He also attended the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received a bachelor's in sacred theology.
serving on the commission.
"His magnificent reputation for fairness and caring of others will serve the state well, as Father Krische's only allegiance will be to the laws of the state of Kansas and the people they serve."
Currently, Kriache is an executive board member for the Douglas County United Way
"I thought the legislature was really looking to get a commission that had no political involvement," he said.
Stephan said Krische's lack of political affiliations was one of the qualities needed for the position.
Krische will begin his appointment immediately and will serve until Jan. 31, 1962. He is Stephens' first appointment to the commission; he was expanded from five to nine members by the 1900 legislature.
Angry citizens accuse police of slow investigation time
The Associated Press
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Scores of residents of a poor neighborhood fired shots and hurried bottles and bricks at cars, venting anger over what they said was fooddrigging by police in responding to a teen-ager's hit-and-run death.
Twelve people were arrested and
six residents suffered minor injuries
during the two-hour messe Tuesday
night, authorities said.
Several shots were fired from the crowd of at least 100 people that gathered at the intersection where 16-year-old Chris Crawford was struck and killed by a car Monday night, said.
State and county police and prison officers were sent to help city police control the crowd. Police used dogs to help clear the streets.
The shots apparently were fired into the air, and no one was hit, police said. Police said they fired no shots.
of his cousin Michael Cain. 17.
The disturbance stemmed from the death of Crawford and the wounding
Crawford's death resulted from a confrontation among some 30 youths, police said. Cain said he and Crawford were assaulted on them by another man, Cain said. Cain his cousin was forced into the street, then hit by a car.
Cain said he was shot in the side as the vehicle passed. He was treated at a hospital and released.
Vince Wodard, a neighborhood resident, said police took more than an hour to reach the scene.
Crawford's death brought accusations from some residents who say police respond faster to calls from more affluent neighborhoods.
About two hours before the incident, Anthony T. Gooden, 20, of Gary, was arrested on murder charges in Crawford's death, Drake said.
Mayer Robert Behler said the first
squad car arrived within 30 seconds
after police dispatchers received a
call for help.
The Associated Press
Man hijacks Soviet plane wants asylum
HELSKI, Finland — A man demanding to be taken to the United States yesterday hijacked a Soviet airliner with 60 people on board and shot himself up, authorities said. He later surrendered and sought political asylum.
The 55 passengers and five crew members safely left the aircraft, parked beside a runway at Helsinki airport and surrounded by police. The hijacker gave up an hour later after talks with Finnish officials through a cabin door of the twin-jet Tupulev 134.
In Moscow, Soviet Deputy Aviation Minister Mikhail Mallikoviev identified the hijacker as Oleg Kozgov. 22. The hijacker had threatened to blow up the plane.
Finish Interior Minister Jarmo Rantanen said no explosives were found on the plane but that the bomb-like object under his jacket.
unconfirmed reports persisted that three people were involved, and Fimmah authorities said they were passengers overnight for questioning.
Finnish Radio reported without explanation that three men were arrested but only one was suspected in the hijacking. Ratanen told the radio we thought he had no assistants but we are not so sure now."
All the passengers were Soviets, Rantanen said.
The plane had been en route from the Latvian capital of Riga to Murmansk on the northern Kola peninsula when it was hijacked, said Irmell Pavola of the Finnish Aviation Authority.
The hijacker demanded to be taken to the United States, Rantanen said. He described as incorrect early reports that the hijacker wanted to go to Stockholm, in neighboring Sweden, and then on to Israel.
Finnish Radio said two Finnish fighter jets escorted the Soviet airliner to Helsinki as a precaution.
Finnish Radio said the hijacker sought political asylum in Finland.
However, under a 1974 Soviet-Finnish agreement aimed at preventing hijackings, the suspect must be returned to the Soviet Union at Moscow upon request.
"The hitjacker will either be returned to the country of origin if they demand it or he will be brought to trial here," Ezekiel Kokmaki, head of the Finnish foreign ministry's legal department, said on radio.