Marion County probate Judge Charles Deiter ruled Oct. 14 that the Humane Society of Indianapolis could borrow against a $3.4 million public trust, the Mary Powell Crume Trust, to sustain operations.

Martha Boden, HSI’s executive director, stated via e-mail to NUVO, “We are delighted with Judge Deiter’s ruling in support of our financial strategy.” The HSI is nearly a third of the way into their three-year recovery plan.

Spay Neuter Services of Indiana, Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership, Home for Friendless Animals, Move to Act, Southside Animal Shelter and Crume descendent Norma Jean Balcom had opposed the trust being used as collateral and have filed three motions against Deiter’s ruling as of Oct. 15.

For more information: www.nuvo.net/archive/2004/10/13/money_and_animal_welfare.html

Attorney General Steve Carter: www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/ www.MovetoAct.org

Humane Society: www.indyhumane.org