Animal group sues ex-leader over land deal

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Members of an animal rescue group allege in a lawsuit that the organization's former president used a donation earmarked for a new shelter building to instead buy property that she owned and had offered to donate.

Members of the group Save Animals From Euthanasia Animal Rescue and Sanctuary also allege in the lawsuit filed last week that Denise Downey of Tunas has refused to turn over keys to the rescue group's facility after her Aug. 2 removal from the board.

Members of the Dallas County group say they don't know the condition of the remaining animals because they can't get on the property.

Attorney Angie Rieschel Walker of Bolivar, who represents the rescue group, said the suit was filed after negotiations to settle were unsuccessful.

Downey declined to comment Thursday about the lawsuit or shelter operations after consulting her attorney, Verna Haun of Bolivar. Haun also refused to comment.

In 1999, the rescue group was formed and set up a nonprofit shelter on 10 acres of rural property owned by Downey in northeast Polk County. The lawsuit alleges Downey had told people she intended to donate the land to the organization.

In 2000, Patti Mehl, a group board member and her husband, Richard, donated $20,000 for a new, more spacious shelter.

Instead, the lawsuit alleges Downey spent $21,000, including the Mehls' donation and other funds from the group, to buy the original 10-acre property without board permission in November. Walker said informal appraisals she obtained estimate the property is worth $1,000 an acre.

"That money belonged to animals," said Patti Mehl said.

Wallace said the board didn't know the money was gone until she questioned bank officials about the account balance.

The lawsuit also claims Downey -- who now manages the Polk County Humane Society shelter in Bolivar -- didn't pay bills on time, bought two vehicles from her parents with group funds without board authorization, and allowed food to rot in a shed.