Rescued Tennessee dogs need rescuing again
Despite an outpouring of support from the public, time is running out for four dogs found starving and tied to a tree in Columbia, Tennessee last month.
The four, described as “American Shepherd-Bulldogs,” were all set to go to a rescue organization, but on Christmas Eve the plan fell through, News Channel 5 reports.
Now, unless another rescue can be found, the dogs are facing the end of the road — an outcome they weren’t far from when they were found.
“I was physically ill when I saw their intake pictures,” said Sonja Rine with Pet Pals of Maury County Organization.
“They were vomiting rocks and twigs because that is all they had eaten and they were all attached to one tree,” said Councilwoman Debbie Matthews, who is also trying to help them find a home.
An animal control officer spotted the dogs tied to a tree in their owner’s backyard last November. The owner told the officer the dogs hadn’t been fed in “a couple of days.” A judge ordered the owner to give the dogs up and donate $100 worth of dog food to the shelter.
He has yet to do so, but others in Columbia have stepped forward with donations.
“What a little love can do, it’s an amazing thing,” said Matthews.
The dogs are about a year old. They’ve tested heartworm positive, and have some other medical issues, so they need to go to a rescue before they can be adopted individually.
“They have tried so hard, they have such a will to live, they forgive. They don’t hold a grudge,” said Rine. “It’s gonna happen, it’s just gonna happen they deserve it,” said Rine.
Posted by jwoestendiek December 29th, 2011 under Muttsblog.
Tags: adopt, adoption, animal control, animal cruelty, animals, columbia, cruelty, cruelty to animals, dogs, donations, euthanasia, four, home, pets, rescue, rescued, shelter, starvation, starving, tennessee, tied, time
Comments
Comment from KateH
Time December 29, 2011 at 12:17 pm
Okay, so I read more of the story and wonder about a couple things. Where does the funding to the shelter come from, and what’s their budget? Do the dogs still look like this after 4-6 weeks at the shelter? Does that shelter have a foster program? If not, can they set one up for future issues like this? Why did the ACO ask for a food donation worth $100, and did he specify at the time that it needed to be chicken and rice (fresh/frozen chicken and bagged/boxed rice?) or did he mean kibble? Wouldn’t it just make more sense to give him a ticket with an associated fine, payable to the shelter, and if he doesn’t, then a court fines him with community service – but not at the shelter, since he obviously shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near animals.
Comment from Sonja
Time January 4, 2012 at 1:03 am
OK.If You Click On The Words “Nes Channel 5″ You Can See The story And Will See That The Dogs Look Much Better. They Have Been Eating Boiled Chicken & Rice with Pumpkin & Yogurt….Because They Could Not Keep Kibble Down….The Dogs Have Gained Lots Of Wight And Look Good In The Video…..But Yes The “Fine” Is 100.00 “Chicken & Rice” I Guess The Judge Thinks The Shelter Will Get In More Starved Dogs!!! This Is Not A Rescue But An animal Control Facility…A High Kill Shelter…(More Than 50% of Animals That Come Into The Shelter Are Euthanized) Some Are Very Aggressive, Some Very Sick…But Most Are Simply Never Adopted And Because More And More Animals Are abandoned , surrendered , and picked up as strays….animals In The shelter can only stay for a couple of weeks before they are euthanized….if not adopted. These bulldogs were kept alive, nursed back to health for almost two months….but the shelter cannot keep and treat Heartworm possitive dogs. Their treatment will take at least 6 months..! Thank Goodness…These Dogs Have Now Been Rescued By A NO KILL Facility!!! People Have Donated Over 1,500.00 to help with their Vet Bills….They Still Have A Long Road To Recovery But Their Future Looks Bright!!!
Comment from Sonja
Time January 4, 2012 at 1:12 am
Oh And When He Pays His “Fine” of Chicken & Rice….He May Get another “Pet”!…BUt Please Click On “News Channel 5″ So You Can See The Dogs As They Look Today. Pet Pals of Maury County Helps Find Fosters…But It Is Very Hard To Place A Dog That Has Never Been Socialized And Will Need To Be Fostered For At Least 6 Months….So In Cases Like This We Look For Rescue. We send Out Plea Request To Rescues….That is how the News Got This Story….Someone Sent A Copy Of A Plea To The News….Thank God Because They Are Now In A Wonderful Rescue….
Comment from beau
Time February 16, 2012 at 6:50 pm
I love dogs, when I look in my dogs eyes, it’s like a person in behind those big beautiful eyes looking out at me. the person that tied those dogs and starved them. should be tied to the same tree, and starved until he can’t get up. the sorry piece of crap. if you can’t feed and care for an animal, don’t keep it.
Comment from KateH
Time December 29, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I’m confused. An animal control officer saw them – what entity does he work for? Did they not have a place to keep the dogs while they were allowed to recover? Does he just work out of his truck? Why does another group need to do this?