A brick and mortar rescue group called All About Animals in Macon, Georgia suffered a tragedy this month. On the night of October 16, some person or persons apparently went into the no kill shelter and opened the doors on the pet cages. When volunteers arrived at the shelter the next morning, they found forty loose dogs who had been fighting overnight – two dogs were dead, a third died shortly afterward and fifteen other dogs were injured, many severely.
Since the tragic incident, misinformation has been circulating including that the dogs were released in order to fight other dogs who were brought into the facility by the perpetrators. An allegation that the dogs were cut is attributed to PETA. The Macon police department has offered clarifications:
In a statement released Tuesday night, Macon police spokeswoman Jami Gaudet stated there was no evidence that dog fighting was a motive. Police do not believe any other dogs were brought to the shelter to induce the fighting.
“Investigators have found no evidence of dogs being injured by sharp objects,” Gaudet stated. “It appears that all injuries to the dogs were caused by other dogs.”
The public has rallied around the shelter:
Mary Crawford, director of the no-kill shelter, said Tuesday she’s been overwhelmed by the flood of local support. A community vigil last Sunday drew more than 100 people, including Mayor Robert Reichert, to the shelter to remember the three dogs killed — Jack, Butler and Flapjack.
Besides donations of a security system, cash, blankets, dog toys and medical supplies, All About Animals has a stack of dozens of applications from people who want to volunteer with the group.
“We’re getting support like never ever before,” Crawford said.
And there’s more, courtesy of the so-called irresponsible public:
Meanwhile, several Macon-area security companies stepped up to offer a free security system for the facility, which had no surveillance in place when the break-in happened. In addition, two people volunteered to each pay for a year of the monthly security bills.
Others helped out Friday by washing and walking the dogs, which [volunteer Carolyn] Yager said was “extremely helpful.”
Crawford said the rescue group has received at least $2,000 in cash donations, as well as offers to pay for the dogs’ medical bills and boarding. Some people have donated new locks for the facility, she said.
HSUS has given All About Animals a $2500 crisis grant to help with vet bills and renovations.
PETA, an organization opposed to no kill shelters, HSUS and the Atlanta Humane Society have each offered $5000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the break-in. This money is in addition to $3000 contributed by local citizens bringing the current reward total to $18,000.
Anyone with information is asked to call Macon Regional CrimeStoppers at 877-68-CRIME.
(Thanks Clarice for sending me this story.)