Remember the three skinny dogs caught on the webcams on June 29 and posted on the blog June 30? A caring citizen (Lou Ann) sent two inquiries about one of the dogs on June 30 – one to MAS (requesting the ID number) and the other to the city (requesting records). On July 1, she received a response from MAS that did not provide her the ID number but did indicate that the dog’s ID number had been forwarded to the records clerk so that the records could be pulled.
However on July 7, the city responded to her request with a denial on the basis that she didn’t provide the ID number. Lou Ann forwarded to the city the message from MAS regarding the ID to straighten things out. On July 14, Lou Ann still hadn’t received the records so she sent an inquiry to the city regarding the status of the request. Receiving no response, she sent a similar inquiry on July 18.
Finally on July 19, Lou Ann was informed the dog was on the kill list for today but MAS would place a temporary hold on the dog if she would let them know “immediately” if she wanted him. She sent an additional inquiry to try and get some info on the dog but basically all we know about the temperament is that he “seems fine” and “needs a little work”.
The dog’s cage card indicates he is a 3 year old male Bullmastiff mix, confiscated in a cruelty case on June 29, 2011. The card also shows the dog has been vaccinated and is heartworm positive. ID #A228718 in cage 323.
If you are able to foster this dog, please contact MAS at (901) 362-5310 or leave a comment here and I will do my best to help. Otherwise, please share him. I’m sorry I don’t know how much time we may have here but I think it would be prudent to assume it’s not a lot.
I hate to sound like a broken record but if MAS would list their pets online upon intake, we would have been able to start networking this dog weeks ago. And of course, if Memphis wasn’t so busy playing Keep Away with the MAS records, we could have received this information weeks ago and gotten started on trying to help the dog. But here’s what we got.
I’m pasting below the whole screwy e-mail mess regarding this dog if you want to read it for yourself.
From: Lou Ann
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 2:33 PM
To: Madajczyk, Jill
Cc: Wharton, AC; Hooks, Director Janet; Hall, LaSonya; Pepper, Matthew; Dunlap, Tracy
Subject: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I am requesting all pet records regarding the dog in the 2 attached webcam photos dated 6/29/11 at 15:35:47 and at 15:36:02, respectively, to include, but not be limited to, intake (including any cards), ID number, disposition, any medical notes and/or vet records, and/or computer history.
I requested an ID from Tracy Dunlap this morning and have yet to hear back from him so I do not have an ID number at this time.
Thank you for your attention to this request and have a splendid day!
Lou Ann
***
From: “Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov”
To: Lou Ann
Cc: AC.Wharton@memphistn.gov; Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov; LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov; Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov; tracy.dunlap@memphistn.gov; Herman.Morris@memphistn.gov; Bobby.White@memphistn.gov
Sent: Thu, July 7, 2011 3:04:25 PM
Subject: RE: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
As has been explained, we cannot identify the animal from the picture. Therefore, we are unable to process your Open Records Request because the request does not provide with sufficient specificity the documentation sought by the ID number.
Jill M. Madajczyk
Sr. Asst. City Attorney
(901) 576-6540 (direct dial)
***
From: Lou Ann
To: Jill Madajczyk
Cc: AC Wharton ; janet.hooks@memphistn.gov; LaSonya Hall ; Matthew Pepper ; Tracy Dunlap ; Herman.Morris@memphistn.gov; Bobby.White@memphistn.gov
Sent: Thu, July 7, 2011 4:00:17 PM
Subject: Fw: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
Ms. Madajczyk:
Per your email that I just received regarding my original request on 6/30/11 where you state that “we cannot identify the animal from the picture. Therefore, we are unable to process your Open Records Request because the request does not provide with sufficient specificity the documentation sought by the ID number.”
Please see Tracy Dunlap’s responding email of 7/1 (below) where he states he supplied the necessary ID number to Brandy Jackson.
Therefore, Brandy Jackson is in possession of the ID number which should adequately provide sufficient specificity to the documentation sought as stated in my 6/30/11 request for records.
Lou Ann
—– Forwarded Message —-
From: “tracy.dunlap@memphistn.gov”
To: Lou Ann
Sent: Fri, July 1, 2011 8:09:04 AM
Subject: RE: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
LouAnn
I have sent this request to Deputy Director Hall and to Brandy Jackson. They should be able to assist you with this request. I have sent the ID number to Brandy Jackson so she can send the correct information. Thank you.
Tracy Dunlap, Sr. ACT
Memphis Animal Services
3456 Tchulahoma Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
(901) 362-5310
***
From: Lou Ann
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 9:18 PM
To: ‘Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov’
Cc: ‘ac.wharton@memphistn.gov’; ‘Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov’; ‘LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov’
Subject: FW: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
Ms. Madajczyk:
Please let me know the status of my 6/30/11 records request. Thank you.
Lou Ann
***
From: Lou Ann
Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 9:13 PM
To: ‘Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov’
Cc: ‘ac.wharton@memphistn.gov’; ‘Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov’; ‘LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov’; ‘Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov’; ‘tracy.dunlap@memphistn.gov’; ‘Brandy.Jackson@memphistn.gov’; ‘herman.morris@memphistn.gov’
Subject: FW: Records Request – Memphis Animal Shelter
Ms. Madajczyk:
Please let me know the delayed status of my 6/30/11 records request. Thank you.
Lou Ann
***
From: “Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov”
To: Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov; Brandy.Jackson@memphistn.gov; Lou Ann
Cc: Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov; LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov; Chelton.Beamon@memphistn.gov
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 12:08:07 PM
Subject: RE: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Please see the inquiry relating to this dog from Mr. Pepper in the below email.
Jill M. Madajczyk
Sr. Asst. City Attorney
(901) 576-6540 (direct dial)
From: Pepper, Matthew
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 11:40 AM
To: Jackson, Brandy; Madajczyk, Jill
Cc: Hooks, Director Janet; Hall, LaSonya; Beamon, Chelton
Subject: RE: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Jill,
This dog was scheduled for euthanasia today as no rescue responded. I have since pulled it from consideration but if hte requesting party wants this dog we need to know immediately.
Matthew Pepper
Administrator of Animal Services
City of Memphis
3465 Tchulahoma Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
Phone: 901-362-5310
Fax: 901-362-6876
From: Jackson, Brandy
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 11:32 AM
To: Madajczyk, Jill
Cc: Pepper, Matthew; Hooks, Director Janet; Hall, LaSonya; Beamon, Chelton
Subject: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Here is Kennel Card information for the dog in cage 323 with the id number of 228718.
***
From: “Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov”
To: Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov; Brandy.Jackson@memphistn.gov; Lou Ann
Cc: Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov; LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov; Chelton.Beamon@memphistn.gov
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 12:14:49 PM
Subject: RE: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Hi Lou Ann,
If you have a lead or some interest please let me know and we can work something out. It is not a bad dog but would obviously need some behavioral work and probably need to be treated for an upper respiratory issue at this point. That being said – we would love to get it out of here.
Matthew Pepper
Administrator of Animal Services
City of Memphis
3465 Tchulahoma Rd.
Memphis, TN 38118
Phone: 901-362-5310
Fax: 901-362-6876
***
From: Lou Ann
To: Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov; Jill.Madajczyk@memphistn.gov; Brandy.Jackson@memphistn.gov
Cc: Janet.Hooks@memphistn.gov; LaSonya.Hall@memphistn.gov; Chelton.Beamon@memphistn.gov; AC Wharton
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 1:26:29 PM
Subject: Re: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Matthew — I made 3 attempts since June 30 to find out information about this dog — and I just now get info on the VERY day the dog is to be killed??? How would a rescue have stepped up? Was this dog listed online? What are the behavioral issues with the dog?
Geeeeeeezzzz!
***
From: “Matthew.Pepper@memphistn.gov”
To: Lou Ann
Sent: Tue, July 19, 2011 1:38:17 PM
Subject: Re: dog in cage 323 id number 228718
Lou Ann,
He seems fine but does display characteristics of a dog that has not has any training. He is pretty active and will charge at the cage – although not in an aggressive manner. He would just need a little work. Do you want him?