County Shelter Locked Up and Animals Left for Dead
Camden, Tennessee police and the Benton County sheriff have shut down the Benton County Animal Shelter. On Friday, January 11, 2008 several rescues and volunteers along with authorities entered the facility. The police and sheriff's deputies were forced to break a lock to get inside.
And, once inside, they say at least 12 animals were found dead. The remaining 60 animals were suffering from illness and starvation, some barely breathing. One dog was found near death with her litter of dead, decaying puppies lying next to her in a cage that also contained other dogs. The dog was described by Shannon Dykstra of West Tennessee Animal Rescue, Inc., as "severely emaciated, lethargic and severely anemic". The dog, named Miracle Myrtle, was rushed to a hospital.
The animals were found without food and water. The cats were being held in cages that were too small.
Law enforcement authorities declared the facility a crime scene. About 25 puppies were euthanized because of parvo. Click here to watch a video filmed by a local TV station of the conditions found in the shelter. Click here for another video of this ghastly scene.
The rescue groups and volunteers spent hours cleaning the shelter and began efforts to provide care and placement for the remaining animals. Several animals have been placed in boarding kennels for now. West Tennessee Animal Rescue is caring for several of the dogs.
Apparently, the shelter's one full time employee, Jackie Boyett, had simply locked the shelter and left. Boyett is already facing trial on January 23 on drug charges. Boyett was also found this week to have one of the shelter's pit bulls at home where the dog was being used in a stud service. As of Friday, though, it was not clear Boyett had even been fired.
Camden police plan to meet with the Benton County District Attorney General, Hansel McCadams, to request a full investigation. They expect charges to be filed.
What You Can Do
If you can help with the animals, please contact Shannon Dykstra at wtar@bellsouth.net or info@WestTnAnimalCoalition.org or call at (901) 541-5090
Also, write or call District Attorney General McCadams and urge prosecution in this case.
District Attorney General Hansel McCadams
P.O. Box 686
100 Court Square
Huntingdon, TN 38344
Phone: (731) 986-5031
Fax: (731) 986-5208
Miracle Myrtle
Oh, and Miracle Myrtle was found to have a severe infection and underwent surgery. So far, she is holding on....
The dogs pictured here are available for adoption from West Tennessee Animal Rescue, www.petfinder.com/shelters/VT31.html
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article-342
And, once inside, they say at least 12 animals were found dead. The remaining 60 animals were suffering from illness and starvation, some barely breathing. One dog was found near death with her litter of dead, decaying puppies lying next to her in a cage that also contained other dogs. The dog was described by Shannon Dykstra of West Tennessee Animal Rescue, Inc., as "severely emaciated, lethargic and severely anemic". The dog, named Miracle Myrtle, was rushed to a hospital.
The animals were found without food and water. The cats were being held in cages that were too small.
Law enforcement authorities declared the facility a crime scene. About 25 puppies were euthanized because of parvo. Click here to watch a video filmed by a local TV station of the conditions found in the shelter. Click here for another video of this ghastly scene.
The rescue groups and volunteers spent hours cleaning the shelter and began efforts to provide care and placement for the remaining animals. Several animals have been placed in boarding kennels for now. West Tennessee Animal Rescue is caring for several of the dogs.
Apparently, the shelter's one full time employee, Jackie Boyett, had simply locked the shelter and left. Boyett is already facing trial on January 23 on drug charges. Boyett was also found this week to have one of the shelter's pit bulls at home where the dog was being used in a stud service. As of Friday, though, it was not clear Boyett had even been fired.
Camden police plan to meet with the Benton County District Attorney General, Hansel McCadams, to request a full investigation. They expect charges to be filed.
What You Can Do
If you can help with the animals, please contact Shannon Dykstra at wtar@bellsouth.net or info@WestTnAnimalCoalition.org or call at (901) 541-5090
Also, write or call District Attorney General McCadams and urge prosecution in this case.
District Attorney General Hansel McCadams
P.O. Box 686
100 Court Square
Huntingdon, TN 38344
Phone: (731) 986-5031
Fax: (731) 986-5208
Miracle Myrtle
Oh, and Miracle Myrtle was found to have a severe infection and underwent surgery. So far, she is holding on....
The dogs pictured here are available for adoption from West Tennessee Animal Rescue, www.petfinder.com/shelters/VT31.html
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/public-shelters/article-342
Labels: Animal Alerts, Animal Cruelty, Tennessee
posted by Allie @ 2:48 PM
0 Comments
