Billy Briggs, head of Nashville’s pet killing facility, on the pound’s horrifying 78% kill rate:
“We try our best to find homes for the ones that are adoptable.”
Mr. Briggs failed to mention that just 16% of the dogs and cats at the Nashville pound are deemed adoptable. Of those few who make it to the adoption floor, 25% end up in the kill room anyway. But they’re trying their best.
Bonna Johnson, spokeswoman for Nashville Mayor Karl Dean:
[W]e know that adoptions are a priority for Metro Animal Control.
Is there any other job in the world where you could fail so completely at your most basic tasks and still face the public unashamedly with the full support of the stooges in charge? If so, can we get these pet killers into those jobs so they can at least be prevented from hurting more dogs and cats?
“It tolls on us,” Biggs said about putting animals down. “It’s the hardest job here by far.”
Right. I guess that’s why you’re trying your best to get pets adopted. So you don’t have to do that hard job more than 8000 times a year. Although personally, I would think going to the media to pat yourself on the back with a straight face would be a really hard job too. Obviously more cupcakes are needed.
(Thanks Clarice for the link.)
I have lived all of my nearly 57 years (except for the first 9 months of married life) here in Nashville and I am ashamed of this city. Tennessee has too many “shelters” that are nothing but killing machines and it breaks my heart to know that we have so little value for the lives of our animals.
I guess we picture them next to the trash can because that’s where they’ll be going in short order?
Thank you for continuing to advocate for change by shining a light on those who insist on remaining in the dark ages.
No, Nashville, you are NOT doing the best you can.
STOP THE EXCUSES AND STOP THE KILLING
How can get people like this replaced with someone who will eave no stone unturned? There are answers to be found. Keep speaking up and keep the light on the situation and a good person will be found to help the animals not just kill them.
the poor mama dog looks terrified near the bin.. and the poor cat on the trash bin.. the photographer could have chosen a better place for the photos..
all sentient beings deserve to live.. they love their lives and flee a threat to their life or well-being just like man.. they share space with humans in this earth and it would be better if humans find ways to let them live in peace.. cause and effect are interconnected and how can a being’s death bring peace to man ?? not in the long run.. i like what nathan winograd says in his blog..
When your dog dies, you will grieve. When you die, your dog will grieve. That alone should take killing off the table.
i agree..