The buck’s got to stop somewhere. And in the case of a taxpayer funded shelter in New Brockton, AL, a grand jury decided somewhere was at the feet of the town’s mayor.
The Coffee Co sheriff’s department received a complaint about how the city was caring for the dogs at the shelter in May. Upon visiting the facility, they discovered malnourished dogs being kept in filthy pens with contaminated water and very little food. One dog had been improperly chained, causing injury, and 2 puppies were too sick to move.
New Brockton Mayor Lenwood Herron had apparently gone to the county commission about what to do with the dogs previously and had been told to transfer them to a nearby city pound. Officials in that city say they haven’t heard from the mayor or any other New Brockton officials for 5 years.
A local rescue group took responsibility for the dogs after the sheriff’s visit and one dog was euthanized for medical reasons.
In June, a grand jury indicted the mayor and he was charged with one second-degree count of cruelty to a dog or cat, a Class A misdemeanor. The town’s sole ACO was similarly charged and reportedly told investigators he would request dog food from the mayor but would go long periods without receiving the food.
This week, both the mayor and the ACO filed motions to have the charges against them dismissed. The mayor’s attorney argued:
[T]he Code of Alabama protects Herron from prosecution in this case since “neither the county or municipality, nor any employee or agent of the county or municipality, acting in good faith, shall be liable for any action taken.”
The circuit judge considering the motion “said while the statute provides for “good faith” acts, to argue that the mayor acted in good faith is a “question of fact” to be determined in trial”.
Good faith. Thank goodness the judge didn’t agree with that flimsy basis for dismissal. The case will now go to trial.
It’s worth noting that the charges were filed and the dogs were helped because one local citizen contacted the sheriff’s department. Meddling tree-huggers=1, New Brockton mayor=0.
In five years the city hadn’t heard from the mayor or any official? What exactly did happen with the dogs they picked up? Whatever they did or didn’t do it was ethically and morally wrong. They either let the dogs starve to their death or killed them or both.
Let this be a warning to all those shelters and animal control services that there will be a day of accounting for what they have done or not done. To mistreat animals who can’t care for themselves is disgusting and evil. May the law catch up to them and I pray that the punishment dealt out will actually be in accordance with the harm inflicted. No more slaps on the wrist! Heavy fines and actual jail time is needed. Animal abuse will not be tolerated and most especially in the facilities that are paid to shelter and protect. From the employees that abuse the animals to the volunteers that turn a blind eye to the mayor and department heads. No one should be exempt from the law.
Co-sign.
Can’t wait to share this with an advocate who addressed her county commission this morning about similar problems. I hope it will inspire her to keep up a good fight and speak for what is right.
We need to start demanding leaders that CARE about people and animals. We have too many people getting paid with our tax money that are not the kind of people that should be in-charge of anything.