Tragedy for animals
http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=104059
Pets' Home Declared A Bio-Hazard
A Henry County home was declared a bio-hazard on Tuesday evening after animal control officers and firefighters found the home in terrible condition.
Inside the home, they found large piles of trash, several dead animals and several live ones.
The stench of animal waste from inside the home literally made people sick. The surviving animals have been crated and taken to the Henry County Animal Shelter, but it is the conditions that they were living in that have police looking at possible animal cruelty charges.
Complaints brought animal control workers to the house on Glen Devon Road.
"Through one of the windows into the home, they were able to see piles of trash, dirty dishes, fecal matter on the floor, as well as at least one dead animal," said Henry County Police Capt. Jason Bolton.
That brought police and firefighters, who went inside in hazmat suits because of the filth there.
"As far as living conditions, it seems bad," said Henry County Fire Capt. Thomas McClain. "Gas levels were just above what is detectable by the human nose, and way away from what's dangerous."
A couple in their thirties lives in the house; the husband was at home, and is cooperating with police. They found a total of five dead cats, 14 live cats and kittens, and three live dogs. They also found what they described as fecal matter "several inches deep," in one of the rooms.
"One of the animal control officers was overcome by the stench of ammonia, and had to be transported to the hospital," said Bolton.
That officer is expected to be fine.
So far, no charges have been filed against the homeowners.
http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=104110
Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty
A Henry County couple was expected to surrender to authorities after police issued warrants for their arrests on charges of animal cruelty.
Animal control workers found nearly two dozen animals inside their home, some of them dead.
Neighbors said they would watch the married couple who lived there -- James Smith, 36 and Elizabeth Blackmon, 40, come and go, but animal control workers and police said what they found inside their home on Tuesday night was disturbing and disgusting.
Neighbors said the odor was foul.
"There was garbage all inside the home," said Henry County Police Capt. James Bolton. "There was garbage all inside the home, both open and unopened. There was animal feces and urine."
Police said inches of fecal matter covered the floor. In fact, the smell of urine was so strong that an animal control officer had to be hospitalized. Inside the home, workers found nearly two dozen cats and dogs, including five dead cats.
A total of three dogs and 15 cats were brought to the Henry County Animal Shelter. Animal control workers said all of them were in poor condition, and almost all of them have respiratory infections because of the stench from the home.
Neighbor Marcel Chrisman lives a few doors down from the home, and would pass Elizabeth as she walked her dogs. She said Elizabeth -- who she knows as Beth -- was kind, and loved animals. Their home was a place where no stray was turned away.
Chrisman and other neighbors said Beth would drive around town with 50 pounds of dog and cat food, looking for strays to feed.
"She has bags of food she carries in her truck," Chrisman said.
Another neighbor, Joyce Allen said she tried to take care of the strays nearby.
"She would feed the animals, the stray animals over by Kroger and Cici's Pizza," Allen said. "And she'd bring them home, try to find homes for them."
The couple faces 20 counts each of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
Most of the animals have been examined by a vet, and are now up for adoption at the Henry County Animal Shelter.
You know what the worse tragedy about these stories are? Bob tried to turn this couple in nearly 4 years ago and NOTHING was done. Yes they were really nice and friendly but the cruelty that has been going on in that home for years now could have been prevented. He called the police twice and was told nothing could be done. "It wasn't under their jurisdiction." And so he called Animal Control and they showed up and just knocked on the door and when nobody answered they left. Bob even complained 2 months later and STILL nothing was done. WTF WTF WTF????? For the love of Jesus, their home reeked of ammonia, we had burns on our lips and faces when we left. There were over a dozen air fresheners and the animals were being stored in the garage. They had a CHILD in that home. It wasn't as bad then as it is now but it was bad enough that WE reported it. I don't know if there were any were dead animals at the time how many have died since. I even joked that they'd have to condemn that house one day. Well surprise surprise.
Unfortunately, it backfired on Bob instead. Rather than anyone DOING anything about this disgusting problem, Bob was slandered and attacked on the internet for being vindictive and mean. All by local "friends" of a costume group we had been a part of . They said Bob was just mad because of club issues. You've got to be joking right? It was nearly a year after all the problems. We had told many people that there was a problem and everyone just shrugged it off. I hate to look back and say "I told you so" but they deserve it. I hope all those folks are happy now. Bob was neither lying or exaggerating out of vengence. He was trying to help animals in need who did not get it until it was too late.
I hope they are happy. That blood is on their hands as well as anyone else who knew and did NOTHING. But it's not on ours.
Bob would love to contact the media and let them know but it is highly unlikely they will report it because it's old news now (2 weeks). Sad but that's the way it crumbles.
Pets' Home Declared A Bio-Hazard
A Henry County home was declared a bio-hazard on Tuesday evening after animal control officers and firefighters found the home in terrible condition.
Inside the home, they found large piles of trash, several dead animals and several live ones.
The stench of animal waste from inside the home literally made people sick. The surviving animals have been crated and taken to the Henry County Animal Shelter, but it is the conditions that they were living in that have police looking at possible animal cruelty charges.
Complaints brought animal control workers to the house on Glen Devon Road.
"Through one of the windows into the home, they were able to see piles of trash, dirty dishes, fecal matter on the floor, as well as at least one dead animal," said Henry County Police Capt. Jason Bolton.
That brought police and firefighters, who went inside in hazmat suits because of the filth there.
"As far as living conditions, it seems bad," said Henry County Fire Capt. Thomas McClain. "Gas levels were just above what is detectable by the human nose, and way away from what's dangerous."
A couple in their thirties lives in the house; the husband was at home, and is cooperating with police. They found a total of five dead cats, 14 live cats and kittens, and three live dogs. They also found what they described as fecal matter "several inches deep," in one of the rooms.
"One of the animal control officers was overcome by the stench of ammonia, and had to be transported to the hospital," said Bolton.
That officer is expected to be fine.
So far, no charges have been filed against the homeowners.
http://www.11alive.com/news/article_news.aspx?storyid=104110
Couple Charged With Animal Cruelty
A Henry County couple was expected to surrender to authorities after police issued warrants for their arrests on charges of animal cruelty.
Animal control workers found nearly two dozen animals inside their home, some of them dead.
Neighbors said they would watch the married couple who lived there -- James Smith, 36 and Elizabeth Blackmon, 40, come and go, but animal control workers and police said what they found inside their home on Tuesday night was disturbing and disgusting.
Neighbors said the odor was foul.
"There was garbage all inside the home," said Henry County Police Capt. James Bolton. "There was garbage all inside the home, both open and unopened. There was animal feces and urine."
Police said inches of fecal matter covered the floor. In fact, the smell of urine was so strong that an animal control officer had to be hospitalized. Inside the home, workers found nearly two dozen cats and dogs, including five dead cats.
A total of three dogs and 15 cats were brought to the Henry County Animal Shelter. Animal control workers said all of them were in poor condition, and almost all of them have respiratory infections because of the stench from the home.
Neighbor Marcel Chrisman lives a few doors down from the home, and would pass Elizabeth as she walked her dogs. She said Elizabeth -- who she knows as Beth -- was kind, and loved animals. Their home was a place where no stray was turned away.
Chrisman and other neighbors said Beth would drive around town with 50 pounds of dog and cat food, looking for strays to feed.
"She has bags of food she carries in her truck," Chrisman said.
Another neighbor, Joyce Allen said she tried to take care of the strays nearby.
"She would feed the animals, the stray animals over by Kroger and Cici's Pizza," Allen said. "And she'd bring them home, try to find homes for them."
The couple faces 20 counts each of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
Most of the animals have been examined by a vet, and are now up for adoption at the Henry County Animal Shelter.
You know what the worse tragedy about these stories are? Bob tried to turn this couple in nearly 4 years ago and NOTHING was done. Yes they were really nice and friendly but the cruelty that has been going on in that home for years now could have been prevented. He called the police twice and was told nothing could be done. "It wasn't under their jurisdiction." And so he called Animal Control and they showed up and just knocked on the door and when nobody answered they left. Bob even complained 2 months later and STILL nothing was done. WTF WTF WTF????? For the love of Jesus, their home reeked of ammonia, we had burns on our lips and faces when we left. There were over a dozen air fresheners and the animals were being stored in the garage. They had a CHILD in that home. It wasn't as bad then as it is now but it was bad enough that WE reported it. I don't know if there were any were dead animals at the time how many have died since. I even joked that they'd have to condemn that house one day. Well surprise surprise.
Unfortunately, it backfired on Bob instead. Rather than anyone DOING anything about this disgusting problem, Bob was slandered and attacked on the internet for being vindictive and mean. All by local "friends" of a costume group we had been a part of . They said Bob was just mad because of club issues. You've got to be joking right? It was nearly a year after all the problems. We had told many people that there was a problem and everyone just shrugged it off. I hate to look back and say "I told you so" but they deserve it. I hope all those folks are happy now. Bob was neither lying or exaggerating out of vengence. He was trying to help animals in need who did not get it until it was too late.
I hope they are happy. That blood is on their hands as well as anyone else who knew and did NOTHING. But it's not on ours.
Bob would love to contact the media and let them know but it is highly unlikely they will report it because it's old news now (2 weeks). Sad but that's the way it crumbles.