Saturday July 5, 2008, 11:08 am

A family in Schuylkill County has a special reason to celebrate the Fourth of July.

Their dog, Ozzie, now has a loving home and owners in Coaldale.

“We feel in love with him. He gave me those big sad eyes, came over to me, sat in my lap and kissed me and that was it,” recalled Kelly Fallon.

“He’s a great dog. He’s my buddy. He loves playing in the yard with me and our other dog, Max and when people come over he loves having company. He’s great with kids, her little cousins and that,” Dan Fallon said of Ozzie.

The dog didn’t always have a good life. Late last year he was taken from his previous owner. SPCA officials said Ozzie was being starved, his leg was broken by a fall and that injury was not taken care of.

Bob Pfeil of Tamaqua pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and paid a $100 fine.

“To me, my dogs are my children and you wouldn’t do it to children. Why do it to a dog,” Kelly Fallon added.

Although Ozzie is healthy now, he still has some scars. He is missing that injured leg.

“They tried to fix it. They put pins in, did surgery on it but it wouldn’t heal because he was so malnourished so eventually they had to take the leg off,” Kelly Fallon explained.

The Fallons have two dogs but Ozzie seems to be the favorite.

“He loves to lay down on the couch and all that and just loves a lot of attention,” said Paul Fallon.

Some would say Ozzie has an easy life. The Fallons say he deserves it.

See also “Tamaqua, PA:  Dog starved, neglected”

Saturday July 5, 2008, 2:36 pm
Oh that was beautiful, I'm so glad for Ozzie. He deserves this.
God bless this family.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 5:07 pm
Yes, bless this family for thinking the way they do. If wouldn't do it your children, then you wouldn't do it to a dog.

As for the criminal who committed this crime, this is what his penalty.

Bob Pfeil of Tamaqua pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and paid a $100 fine.

$100 fine. Probably pays more for illegal parking or some minor traffic fine.

As long as governments keep treating animals like property, nothing is going to change, there crimes are not taken seriously.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 5:10 pm
I meant to type; These crimes are not taken seriously.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 6:59 pm
Bless this family for giving ozzie a forever loving home--goodness knows this fella deserves love and happiness. Shameful what our judicial system hands down as what they call Punishment for crimes against animals-a slap on the wrist and a small fine.. Wow-and they wonder why the problem is gettng larger and larger. Shameful and wrong

Saturday July 5, 2008, 7:35 pm
Yes cool beans to a forever loving home...

Big Gorilly Hugs

Saturday July 5, 2008, 8:35 pm
Thanks for this happy story about Ozzie. So great to hear good news for a change. Thanks for sending to me Dave. Thanks for posting End Cruelty.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 9:07 pm
What a great story! Don't any of you reading have room for one more sad baby from a shelter? Just takes a little space in your heart and you can be the one who brings life back to a sad little body! Animals need your love and they will gladly return that love ten fold! Please think about adopting a homeless animal today! Many are confused because they previously had a home and now are left in a crowded shelter with no real attention. They don't understand foreclosure or moves that don't allow pets. Their coats are dull and their hearts are sad even in good shelters. Bring a homeless animal into your life, please!

Saturday July 5, 2008, 9:29 pm
OMG he was so skinny & that SOB only paid a $100 fine. un-believable

Saturday July 5, 2008, 10:30 pm
This story has not been acknowledged as front page news by C2. Send help form and ask them to acknowledge it and put it in the front page section.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 11:01 pm
I just love a happy ending. 100 dollar fine is just so wrong. He needed some jail time. Time to think about his horrible treatment of Ozzy

Saturday July 5, 2008, 11:09 pm
Does anyone know what happen to the person who submitted this news article, her profile page will not show up?

Saturday July 5, 2008, 11:11 pm
Thanks, Dave. Finally a happy tale.

Saturday July 5, 2008, 11:31 pm
Ahh thats really good that Ozzie is in a happy loving home now
But only a fine of 100 dollars?
His old owner should have gone to jail and been fined at least 5,000 IMO

Sunday July 6, 2008, 12:26 am
Good to see a happy story.Thank you end cruelty, and thank you Dave for calling my attention to this story!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 12:46 am
Sorry for my previous post, the story did go to the front page but the person who submitted doesn't seem to be with C2 any longer.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 12:53 am
Noted Dave , nice to see a happy story!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 12:57 am
As the happy owner of a new puppy (a longed for birthday gift) I am extra glad to hear about this happy outcome. Some good news is always welcome!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 1:14 am
noted thanks Dave

Sunday July 6, 2008, 3:38 am
Good news with a happy ending for a change.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 3:39 am
HE LOOKS LIKE A LITTL HAMBONE TO ME PRECIOUS I AM SO GLAD FOR HIM

Sunday July 6, 2008, 3:44 am
GodBless Kelly Fallon and her family.
With all the bad people in the world, it's good to know there are people like her out there.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 5:08 am
The really good news is that Ozzie is now healthy and living with his loving family the Fallons. $100 dollar fine for abuse torture and negelect...that is the sad and bad news. Hopefuly that will change...the sooner the better.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 8:06 am
Thank you for sharing! Good for Ozzie! :)

Sunday July 6, 2008, 9:09 am
So great to hear a happy ending!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 10:50 am
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story. My sister is celebrating her 1-year anniversary w/ her rescue dog this July 4th weekend. Good to know there are other caring people out there to love & cherish the helpless and abused!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 10:57 am
Ya gotta love a happy ending, wish there were more...

Sunday July 6, 2008, 1:33 pm
Thanks to the person that put this on for Care2 (End Cruel? Dave?). A happy ending is so nice to see for a change.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 2:20 pm
OH wonderful Ozzie has a home and knows love and this wonderful family knows Ozzie love which seems to be pretty fantastic. Karen B.--I did have room in my heart for a shelter dog--just got a chi/terrior mix 2 1/2 weeks ago. Yup his coat was dull, his personality was a little dulled down. In such a short time his coat is shining and he's thinking he could boss me and 4 other dogs. What a huge love for a little dog he is, I'm so glad I went shelter dog.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 3:37 pm
Wonderful story, great and happy ending, I love it.

Sunday July 6, 2008, 4:56 pm
Noted and thanks for the happy ending story for Ozzie. The previous owner should have received a much more severe penalty for such abuse to Ozzie, and banned from having animals again!

Sunday July 6, 2008, 5:59 pm
I'm so happy that Ozzie was saved and is with a loving family now.Thank you Dave and End Cruelty.