TN, Munford: 40 Border Collies freezing

[lholtz]

Hi:

See attached flyer...can anyone in TN assess the situation and maybe offer the owner/breeder help...maybe money will talk in this case.

[bordercollies_4ever]

I received an email from a friend on the Lethal White Aussie Group. Margo with Good Dog Rescue has come across someone who I guess breeds Border Collies and now they are out in the cold freezing. I don't know anymore about it. Does anyone know about this? He is supposedly in Munford, TN. She is trying to find places for them and get them away from him so they don't freeze to death. If anyone knows about this, please let me know. I will try to find some places down here if I need to. Poor things I know they must be freezing - it is even cold in south GA but has got to be warmer than up there.
Carole/GA

[MollyATL]

Merging duplicate threads.

[Morragan]

CL link http://memphis.craigslist.org/pet/2152585453.html

[lholtz]

Hi:

Could this be the scum from 2009 that had over 80+ Border Collies in TN? Convenient location...reminds me of the Vick Pit's hidden by trees in a remote location...God help them!

[Morragan]

I just emailed the OP from CL .Will post if/when I hear back..

[kgunther]

Oh my - this sounds terrible. But I find it hard to imagine that if either of the TN groups had been contacted that they would not have at least investigated. There is always a chance that it is Swafford again or someone in business with Swafford. I pray that it is not true at all.

Kristy

[AmyW]

The weather this winter is so cold. Please say this isn't so. If it is true, the dogs must be in urgent need.

[bordercollies_4ever]

Please let me know if anyone finds out this is true.... My God how could someone do this to these dogs. I will help in anyway I can. I just can't get this out of my mind.

[Morragan]

The CL's ad has been deleted by its author...

[ewenityfarm]

Once information is gathered if there is need I will assist in any way I can.

[Morragan]

Heard back from the person who posted the ad he wants to remain anonymous...

[etaylor]

This is not Richard Swafford. He is a licensed breeder and has been on the watch of the Tipton Shelter people for 6 years. Others are looking into this. We are staying in touch.

ETaylor, West TN Border Collie Rescue

[lholtz]

Hi:

I received the below email w/an update...not sure how trustworthy this is, but apparently officials are aware -- now it is up to them to follow-up, but it may not hurt if a BC rescue person can go and talk w/the breeder...maybe his/her situation has changed, hence the "new-poor" conditions:

"I called the City of Munford to obtain a phone number for any local animal
control or humane societies.....they only mentioned Tipton Co. Animal
Control.....901-837-2219.....in speaking with a member of their staff, Shane
(supervisor), who was very informative about this situation, and the poor guy is
getting bombarded with phone calls!

They have been aware of this breeder for 6+ years now
Most of the complaints are from the 'barking'
The 'trespasser' who took the photos is the same person who complains about the
barking
Owner has 75 acres
The dogs are not kept anywhere near his home on this land
They are way offset amidst heavily wooded pines
But they do back up to a subdivision and the owner's land was 'grandfathered in'
But there are NO county ordinances for number of dogs one can have in their
possession
AC was out there this past summer and found all in order, neat, tidy and dogs
well cared for
They are concerned about the recent photos taken and are in the process of
trying to find out what has changed that these dogs' premises are not looking as
good as before
They have already called the breeder for an explanation and was sending him an
email as I spoke to the supervisor
AC has also alerted the State of TN rep who investigates all the breeding/kennel
laws
They did find the water buckets frozen this morning, and fresh empty dogfood
bags
They also saw fresh tire tracks in the snow
Unfortunately, there are NO laws in TN where AC can 'insist' on straw being put
in the doghouses
As long as animals have food, water and shelter, they can't do much
BUT I feel confident this AC is on top of this situation and everyone needs to
settle down and let them do their jobs
They are very rescue friendly and would contact Border Collie Rescue in the
event it should ever come down to that

So, rather than beating on the door of Animal Control, we need to be putting
that energy into changing the laws in TN to help our furry friends more......"

[MollyATL]

Well, it sounds like these dogs aren't going to be "available" and that authorities have done what they can. I will move this to Miscellaneous and trust that, if the breeder releases any animals, BC rescues will be informed.