Ex-Pennsylvania Dog Law Chief Claims Critics Defamed Her

The former head of dog law enforcement in Pennsylvania is suing an animal rescue agency among others, claiming defamation led to her losing her job.

Jessie L. Smith is suing Chester County-based Main Line Animal Rescue, a blogger and two newspaper companies, saying they all played a role in her losing her job as the state’s special deputy secretary for dog law enforcement.

Smith’s suit alleges her critics falsely claimed she took bribes and was guilty of other misconduct. Her attorney told The Patriot-News of Harrisburg Thursday the allegations went beyond criticism to slander.

Smith says stories the newspaper companies ran furthered the damage by including links to sites where defamatory material was posted.

Main Line Animal Rescue founder William Smith says the lawsuit is an attack on free speech rights.