[MilCom] Woman Says Dogs Killed During Air Show

[domyers at voicenet.com]

Woman Says Dogs Killed During Air Show

POSTED: 6:59 am EST August 19, 2005
UPDATED: 7:18 am EST August 19, 2005

MT. COMFORT, Ind. -- There are questions about whether the Blue Angels will be 
grounded for next week's Indianapolis Air Show at Mt. Comfort.

A Hancock County woman told RTV6's Jeremy Brilliant she has no problem with the 
planes themselves, just the noise their jets make and the effect on her dogs.

It's a debate that pits aviation enthusiasts against animal lovers. Riley Hospital for 
Children is in the middle.

Parkewoods Kennel owner Rose Parke said that when the Blue Angels performed at the 
air show in 2003, directly over her property, the high decibels killed some of her dogs.

"I'm not against the Blue Angels. I'm not against benefits for Riley Hospital, but I am 
against the injuring and death of my animals," Parke said. "I've lost four goldens 
(retrievers) over the years to these shows."

According to Parke, video from 2003 shows the F-18 Hornets above her kennel. The 
video is now evidence in a court case to try to change the Angels' flight path.

Air show chairman Dave Jester said it's a safety issue. Any changes would effectively 
force the Angels out. He said that would cut into profits, all of which are donated to 
Riley.

"They can't change things to anyone's whim," Dave Jester, with the Indianapolis Air 
Show, said. "I relate whether or not we're making dogs uncomfortable to the benefit that 
we supply to the children of Riley Hospital. We've given the hospital over $3 million in 
the last few years."

Parke's attorney, Gregory Silver, sees the issue differently.

"There's something wrong with hurting animals at the same time you're making money 
for the wonderful Riley Hospital. That just rubs me the wrong way," Silver said.

Addressing the issue, a Riley spokesman said: "We appreciate the support of the Blue 
Angels as well as members of the community. We hope there can be a resolution that 
benefits all parties."

Parke told RTV6 she doesn't mind having the Blue Angels perform, as long as it's not 
over her land.

The Blue Angels are still being advertised as the main attraction at next weekend's air 
show.

A Hancock County judge could decide as early as Monday if Parke has a case, or if the 
Angels will indeed fly.

With or without the Navy jets, the show at Mt. Comfort will go on.