The judge wondered aloud why buying a purebred puppy led to a criminal case with three women charged with harassment. After a brief exchange with a defense attorney Monday, the case was continued to April 25 because the alleged victim, Joy Braunstein, former executive director of the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, was out of town on business.
Pittsburgh Municipal Court Judge Oscar J. Petite Jr. rescheduled the hearing for Diane Elaine Bandy, Tara Jane Vybiral and Heather Lynn Vallone. He indicated that Ms. Braunstein had not been given sufficient notice about the hearing date.
The harassment charges are “because of posts on Facebook,” said Wendy Williams, attorney for Ms. Vybiral. She told the judge the women were upset because Ms. Braunstein’s Facebook posts indicated she was spending $1,000 to buy a purebred collie puppy from a breeder.
The judge seemed puzzled as to why that would be a problem, adding “I paid a lot of money for my dog.”
Ms. Williams explained that the women were volunteers at the North Side shelter, where dogs have been “saved” and put up for adoption. The women were upset because, at the time of the posts in late January and early February, Ms. Braunstein was the executive director there.
“Someone who is employed there cannot buy a dog?” asked Judge Petite.
Ms. Williams said it was a “freedom of speech” issue.
None of the defendants spoke during the hearing, but Ms. Bandy wore a bright pink shirt printed with the words, “Proud Parent of a Shelter Pet.”
A post on the Di Bandy Facebook page showed a photograph of a pit bull terrier superimposed with the words “Euthanize Joy!”
Ms. Vallone’s Facebook posts included: “I kind of hope some anti-breeder [person] lights her car on fire. Whatever it takes.” Another post said, “What I need to do is figure out how to exact anonymous revenge.”
Those posts and others have been removed from Facebook.
The Humane Society board put Ms. Braunstein on paid administrative leave in early February “to get me out of the direct line of fire,” she said in an interview. On Feb. 5 she resigned. Since then she has declined to comment.
Ms. Braunstein went to police on Feb. 1 about what she said were threats on social media. She said her focus is on “making sure that my 2-year-old and 6-year-old are safe from harm.”
Linda Wilson Fuoco: lfuoco@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1953.
First Published: April 12, 2016, 4:00 a.m.
