Another Neglected Dog

Update Wednesday 10am:
Read the comments under this post.  Another address just came in.  It's in the Monroe city limits. 


Update Wednesday 8:30am: 
A comment just came in.  So that nobody misses it, here it is:

Starving chained dogs are behind the house on Franklin Street & Weddington Road, beside the railroad tracks. As you turn on Weddington Road off of Franklin street look to the right at the little white house next to the street in the back yard, chained to trees. Not only are they chained they are starving - even a blind man could see that! 

I think this is just outside the city limits and is in the county.  If so, county AC needs to check.  County, the laws are on the books.  If you find the dogs are starving, it's time to start arresting the offenders. 

Project Slum Dogs receive the following email tonight.  This is in Monroe:
Trying not to cry....My husband and I ate at El Valarta tonight and as we were coming down Temple Street that turns onto Euclid, my heart just dropped...the first house on the corner of Temple and Euclid had a large brown dog ( maybe a boxer) chained up in the back yard...what was heartbreaking was the chain only allowed to dog to sit...could not lay down because the idiots that chained him/her up, chained him to the darn boxing of the house!!  I don't know if this was just a one time thing, but the way that dog looked at me broke my heart...I wanted to stop so bad, but knew better....Can someone check this out?

This does not need to be called in; it's been done. A lieutenant with the Monroe Police Department HAS been notified.  The police WILL check it out. 

As heartbreaking as this is, at least many people are now becoming aware that there is help, in Monroe anyway.  If we at Project Slum Dogs hear about a neglected dog, we will notify the police immediately.  Count on it. 

ps.  Folks, please start bringing a camera with you when you're out & about.  You never know when you'll need it.  A pictures speaks a thousand words.  When you see something like the email above, take a picture.  Don't go onto the property though.  Take the pictures from the road.  Zoom in and get close-ups too.  Send 'em this way.

Sunday Update

1. We made national news again.  Check out this great article.
http://www.examiner.com/american-pit-bull-in-national/update-on-slum-dogs-how-one-little-town-is-solving-a-huge-problem

2. Since the blog post went up last evening about yesterday's phenomenal unchaining day, we've had 957 hits in less than 24 hours!
An FYI, in just under 3 weeks this brings the total hits to 6640.  


3. Romeo, the Pit puppy has been moved to foster care.  Thank God.  You have to know when JoAnn saw him yesterday and realized it was Romeo at the end of that chain, she nearly died.  The skunk who owned him had told her he'd been adopted.  Yeh, to a neighbor's chain!  Fortunately the new owner was happy to let him go. Romeo has now had a bath and played with his sister Valentina.  They had a great time together.  He's safe.


4. We've got foster care lined up for the 8 Doxie/mix puppies.  At the moment the owner is saying she'll only give us 3 or 4.  We'll see.


5. That leaves the Lab/mix girl.  We know there's someone, some where for this girl.  Right?

14 Dogs UNCHAINED Today!!

What a day!  It started at 8am and didn't wrap up until after 6pm.  Monroe's Enquirer Journal sent a reporter and photographer.   WBTV was there with a cameraman. We thank them. 

I'll tell you all about the day. First, some justly deserved acknowledgements:

1. JoAnn B. our amazing volunteer who coordinated today's massive efforts.  Seriously, I don't know how she did it.

2. Lowe's Home Improvement store in Monroe, NC who donated ALL the labor.  Special thanks to Mark, Cameron, Brandon & Tyler.  I'm pretty sure I'm missing a name and I apologize for that.  These men were fantastic and worked a near 12 hour day. 

3. The Monroe Police Department and their Animal Control.  Today we were escorted from home to home by Captain Beth Greene, Lieutenants TJ Goforth, Renee & Javier and one whose name I believe is Paul.  All I can say is that Monroe is VERY lucky to have people like this on their police force.  A few words that come to mind to describe them: kind, caring, compassionate, hard working and funny too.  

4.  Last but not least, our anonymous guardian angel who paid for everything; the kennels, igloos, food and chew toys!!  We're talking thousands of dollars, all to help these chained dogs.  What a blessing. 


Now, to tell you about the day.
Our first stop was to the home of Snoop, the Boxer.  You may remember him from his picture a couple weeks ago.  He was a miserable looking fellow, stuck on a chain with no way to exercise.  
Today Snoop got a 10 x 20 kennel and new Igloo dog house.  Look at him now.

The first thing he did was mark his pen and dog house then he rolled around before he settled down with a new chew toy.  His stubby little tail didn't stop wagging!  His owner was told about the Humane Society's offer to neuter him for free.  She'll be calling to book his appointment. 

Next stop a few streets over where we went to give an Igloo to a dog in need.  While we were there we noticed a puppy chained to a porch across the street so we went over.  The lady said we could take the 1 year old dog, chained at the side of the house.  This is a 1 year old Lab/mix, as sweet as can be.  
When we looked at her we saw she's got a rope burn (!) on the underside of her neck with a few spots already raw.  When I came back to the house I got a new cloth collar for her which the police lieutenant will bring over.  We are feverishly working on a rescue for her because the owners will turn her over to AC on Tuesday.  That means the gas chamber.

From there we went to the home of the chained white Chihuahua.  You might remember her from a couple weeks ago when we wondered if she were pregnant.  There's no wondering any more.  I can't even imagine a dog having puppies in such a nasty pen.  

She got a new large kennel and Igloo house.  Look at her now. 


In case you're wondering about the chains.  All were given to us in exchange for the dog kennels, igloos etc.  We weren't taking any chances that those chains would be used again. 

Inside this same home were 8 Dachshund/mix puppies.  This is where they're living.   The owner has promised two so that leaves six.  She's agreed to give them to rescue.  WBTV News was there and filmed the puppies.  Its dire that we get a rescue for these puppies now.

They're 7 weeks old, short legs and absolutely darling.  Here are the six pups with three of Monroe's finest!





The next stop was a home with 4 large chained dogs.  We put the 10 x 20 kennels up like townhomes so they've got shared walls, so to speak.  While the men from Lowes were installing the kennels the dogs all got chew dogs to keep them busy and happy.  The dogs were about to experience real happiness.  
Check out this video of the dogs when there were taken off the chains and released into the kennels.

 Before we go to the next home we thought you'd like to see the
chains that were removed from the 4 dogs.  These nasty looking things weighed over 16 pounds.








At this point we had 6 dogs off the chains and still had 8 to go!

Next it was off to a home with 6 chained dogs.  One of them is a nursing momma with four 3 week old babies. Yes, we all know there's an ordinance limiting the number of dogs to 2 but what were we to do?  Pick two dogs for kennels?  Send the others to the gas chamber?  No way.  They all got kennels!

Remember the "air conditioner" pups from a couple weeks ago? 
The female was given into rescue and will be adopted this week.  The male puppy, named Romeo, was given away by the owner before we could find a rescue to take him.  





Guess who we found at the house with the 6 chained dogs?
Romeo!  Chained!! 

Rescues, the new owners will give him up.  We need a rescue now.  Please help.  He's totally sweet and desperately needs someone / some group to give him a chance. 

This home has the momma and four 3 week old pups.  They've agreed to give up 2 of the puppies.  Again, we need a rescue for the 2 babies.  They need to go in 2 - 3 weeks.  For now they're nursing.  Please, there has to be a reputable rescue somewhere out there who will take two Pit babies.  I believe they're both female. 

The 6 chained dogs are all in roomy kennels now.  If you look to the left of this picture you'll see how they were living.  To the right you'll see the kennels lined up townhouse style. 

The chains from these 6 dogs were so heavy that when I put them in bags to take them away, they were so heavy I couldn't carry them.  I think they had to weigh 40 pounds easy.  I can carry a 28 pound container of cat litter with no problem but I could not carry those chains.  One of the men from Lowe's carried them for me.  They will NEVER be used again.

The day was getting late but there was still one house to go.  The final two dogs of the day: UNCHAINED.   Two happy dogs and a grateful family.  We have found one for one that people are happy to see us and want help for their pets.  We're glad to help!

That's all for today.  We're not done and will be back.  For now, we need rescues for the litter of 6, the two 3 week old Pit pups, the Lab with the rope burns and for Romeo the Pit pup. 

We're all amazed at what can be done on a grassroots level.  Incredible things happen when caring people come together to better conditions in their community.  It doesn't get any better. 

The Word is Spreading!

We've gone national.  Check it out:
http://www.examiner.com/american-pit-bull-in-national/amazing-story-slum-dogs-of-north-carolina

This is great PR for Monroe, NC.  We hope the City Council will take the ball and run with it. 

NOW is the time to pass some same animal welfare laws.  To start:
1. Ban tethering.  Just ban it.  Now.
2. All dogs must have adequate shelter.
3. It's time to address the issue of people in welfare housing breeding dogs.  Sorry if this is a sensitive issue but it must be looked at.
4. It's time to hold slumlords accountable for the blight they're allowing on their properties.  Why are slumlords allowed to offend everyone and degrade the city's image just so they can make a buck?  It's time to pick up the garbage and unchain the dogs!

Make sure you check back tomorrow.  We've got an incredible day coming up.  The press has been notified.

Alert: An Imposter?

We have received two reports from law enforcement that a woman, or perhaps two women together, are going to homes in Monroe telling people if they have more than two dogs that they must get rid of them.  This woman even went to far as to tell one pet owner who had puppies that she should kill the puppies!! We have no idea who is doing this.  Whoever you are, you must stop immediately.

Because of what one pet owner was told by this woman, today he surrendered two of his dogs to animal control.  You know what that means in Union County: Gas Chamber.

If anyone knows who is doing this, we want to know.  Don't try to stop this woman, just get her description and vehicle tag number.  We will turn it over to the Monroe Police. 

It is important for everyone to know that in less than two weeks the following has been accomplished:

1. Dog houses are in the process of being given to those in need at no charge.
2. The fence company was out today measuring for pens for those in need at no charge.
3. The Humane Society of Union County will spay/neuter dogs over 40 pounds at no charge.
4. The Monroe Police have brought shavings to dogs in need at no charge.
5. There is a volunteer who has been visiting the pet owners in the company of Animal Control or the Monroe Police.  This volunteer doesn't go alone, is there solely to HELP and has been well received by the pet owners.   A dog owner will never be told to give up their pets.  Never.
6. One Pit puppy was willingly given to rescue.  An adoption is in progress.  

We are making great progress.  The dogs are getting helped.  We do not want a rogue "do-gooder" to spoil relations and stir up trouble in the community; the pets will suffer.  

Sunday: Quiet

It's been quiet for a few days and that's okay.  This week things will be back in gear.  

The fence company will be coming out to measure for the pens / fencing.

Remember, Tuesday evening at 6pm is the City Council meeting. 

We Have FREE Spay/Neuter

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Monroe City Council Meeting: Next Tuesday

Tuesday, Feb 21st @ 6pm

 Location: City Council Chambers located at City Hall, 
300 West Crowell Street, Monroe, NC 28110

Note: It's starts at 6 so if you wish to speak, get there a few minutes early to sign in.

Note: This blog has been up for just one week.  It's had over 4500 hits and has basically traveled the globe.  We are making progress thanks to some fabulous volunteers, an Animal Control officer who really cares and the Monroe Police Dept who are of great help when they're called.

But how did things get to this point?  What needs to change on a city level?  There are many other questions.   

Incredible Update plus a Plea

1. An anonymous donor has offered to donate an Igloo doghouse and hay to any dog in need.  As I type, a Project Slum Dogs volunteer is going out with Monroe Animal Control to check with the dog owners to see if they want an Igloo for their dog.

There is one catch though.  The anonymous donor will not reward people who keep their dogs chained.  Bravo!! The dog has to come off the chain in order to receive the Igloo.  If the owner agrees to unchaining their dog, the donor will give them a 10 X 10 dog kennel!!
DOUBLE BRAVO!!! 

2.  Now to the plea.  This little pup is a pure bred Pit, going back 4 generations.  Yes, the owner who surrendered her to a Project Slum Dogs volunteer told of her pedigree.  I know we don't care about pedigree but the point is that this pup needs a rescue that's Pit savvy.  Please, pass the word.  Her temporary foster mom named her Valentina.  She's 12 weeks old, working on her  housetraining, getting crate training too and is as sweet as they come.  Please HELP.

Project Slum Dogs has evolved faster than any of us imagined.  Looking back it wasn't unexpected that people would owner surrender their pets.  We need rescue help.  We are not a shelter or even a rescue group.  When we find an owner of a neglected dog or puppy is willing to surrender the dog, we will put the word out to rescue.

RESCUE NEEDED ASAP

This just in from a viewer:

IMPORTANT UPDATE: EAST AVE., MONROE - 

Air Conditioner Puppies

"I went to the home with a Captain & an Officer of the Monroe P.D. who were MORE than accommodating to me & overly concerned about the welfare of this situation as well as all we have reported and many more."

"In any event, the owner was willing to surrender the 2 of the 3 puppies free and clear. One of the puppies is rehomed. Currently I have the girl."  ----------->



"There is a boy at the premises & the owner still wants to surrender the male as well. I told him we need to set up fosters/rehoming for him before I can come back."

I believe the pupppy will be inside, but I cannot be certain... I will also need a rescue for the female that I currently have as well. The puppies are approx. 12 wks. young, wormed & UTD on their vaccines & deflea'd believe it or not. The Captain & I saw the receipt which the Owner needs to show AC." 

"I am asking at this time for your help in rehoming these two (2), pups ASAP."

Contact:  MUSTLOVEDOGZ2195@HOTMAIL.COM

Update on the Bragg Steet 3 Pits

A comment was sent in with an update.  I don't want anyone to miss it so here goes:
"Just to let everyone know, the police did respond to Bragg Street in reference to the pitbulls. 
The Captain and a Lieutenant spoke with the dogs owner. The dog chained out front stays inside most of the time and the dog in the backyard his pen had been moved over to a dryer spot. The dog house was put back in the pen and the owner was going to bring him in for the night. The third dog had a blue barrel house but nothing inside. The officers went and bought shavings and put them in the house for the dog."

I'm so relieved.  When I went to bed last night I worried about those dogs.  Thank you Monroe Police Dept for taking care of this.

Folks, you are making a difference; a huge difference.  And just think, we've only just begun. 

A Comment For ALL to Read

This is very important in light of the response the woman got today when she phoned the Monroe Police Dept asking for someone to check on 3 Pits.  She was told they'd leave a message for AC when they returned on Monday.  Mind you, she told them the dogs had no food, no water, two were chained and none had doghouses AND that it is going to be the coldest night of the year.  She insisted they do something and she was put through to "the Chief". 

Here's the comment:
"Yes, don't ever let them tell you that it has to wait until Monday. If it is the weekend, the police are supposed to investigate all calls concerning animals, and if necessary they will call out an animal control officer.

However, for future reference, this is what a police patrol officer told me to do: you should call this number 704-289-1591 rather than calling the police directly. This number goes directly to a 911 operator and the police are absolutely required to respond RIGHT AWAY when you call this number, no questions asked.

Also, if you live in one of these nasty neighborhoods and wish to remain anonymous so that you do not become the target of your nasty, hostile neighbors you must tell the 911 operator this. And, please, all you people who live in nice middle class neighborhoods and have no idea what it's like to live in these areas must realize that people who live in these nasty neighborhoods are indeed compromising their safety if they call the police on their neighbors. This is REALITY and this is why some of us wish to remain anonymous, and why we are also grateful for you people who don't live here who are helping these dogs. Thank you."

This Just In: AC Needed on Bragg St.

Update 2:15pm:

This was just phoned in to the Monroe Police Department.  Per the person who phoned it in, initially she was told that they'd leave a message for AC, that they'd return on Monday.  The caller insisted and was put through to a woman, "the Chief", who said she'd personally go out to the house.  Fingers crossed.  

This was received from a reader:
At 806 s Bragg St. 3 pitbulls living without shelter, fresh water, food.  Chained to tree and front porch. One in small fence in yard without shelter. Basic needs are not met, 0% love or affection. Thank God for this blog.  Animal control has been to this house before.

This has been called in. We don't want to swamp the police department with phone calls.  We do want AC to go out there.  Does anyone have a phone number for AC?  

On another case, a reader wrote in yesterday that she'd called the police over for obvious animal violations and the officer called AC.  She said AC arrived promptly, was very courteous and met with the owner.  

It's going to be very cold tonight. NO dog should have to sit outside freezing without even a dog house.  Remember, chained dogs can't even go to a warmer spot; they're stuck. 

As I keep saying, the finish line is not in sight.

Project Slum Dogs: In The News

Monroe's Enquirer Journal, front page.

Here's a link:

http://www.enquirerjournal.com

Go to the top right of that page to sign up to read the article.  It's free and easy to do.  It will allow you to read the articles on the front page.

We're very happy that our local paper ran the story.  We think she did a fine job reporting the laws that were not being followed.  We also appreciate that she cleared up confusion regarding how many dogs a person in Monroe may own that are over 4 months of age.  The number is 2.

Sadly, it doesn't appear to be against any law to make a family pet live in filth, chained up inside a pen.  Why have the dog in the first place?  Why not just get a stuffed animal? Is a chained dog, inside a pen getting daily "vigorous exercise"?   Is anyone enforcing that law?

Project Slum Dogs isn't about tattling on negligent owners.  It is about trying to improve conditions for the pets in our community if  the owners aren't doing it.  And we will continue.

There's no finish line in sight.

 

Is This AC's "Best" Work? You Decide

Remember this picture from a couple days ago?  There are three puppies in a makeshift "pen" which is made up of a panel of fencing up against the house and the air conditioning unit.  Their nasty doghouse is turned on it's side making it useless.

Yesterday AC went to the home.  We were very happy about this and thought the puppies would finally be treated with some humanity.  

Today, one of our trusted volunteers went to take a look at the new & improved living conditions.  Or so we hoped.

Here are the puppies today.  We see two changes:
1. The nasty doghouse has been turned upright. 
2. There are now feces on top of the air conditioner unit.

Since when did it become a divine right to treat family pets this way?  

Why is the Monroe City Council allowing this? Why are they allowing degraded pets owners to treat their dogs this way?  Tell us!   Don't they realize it degrades the entire community to have this in their backyard?  What is stopping them from passing a law to forbid such treatment of pets? 

Does anyone have contacts with any national groups?  If so, now is the time to contact them.  

Please continue to email and call the contacts in the right sidebar.  If we let up, they'll smile and go back into a state of being comfortably numb.   

Dogs Who Need HELP on Friday

First Stop:
There are fates worse than death.  Look at the face of this Boxer and tell me if you don't think he's living proof.  This poor dog has that look of total resignation to a life of misery. 

He's living a life of hell in the 1100 block N. Johnson and  Icemorlee St in Monroe.  The person who took the picture said, "He has a chain of about 4 feet, ribs showing and filthy food and water bowls with a moldy & broken down doghouse.  He was very territorial when the picture was taken."  You can hardly blame the poor fellow for being territorial.  I mean, what does he have in life?  A toy to play with?  No.  A dog bone?  No.  So what does he have?  NOTHING and no help from society either.........until now.  We simply can not tolerate this kind of animal treatment in our community any longer.
 

If that's not bad enough, we know of at least TWO reports that went into Monroe AC about this dog and the conditions have not changed.  Why not?????

Did AC even go out?  Did they demand this dog be given clean water?  Food?  How about a blade of grass to walk on?  Look at that filthy, nasty excuse of a dog house.  Come on!!

What kind of standards does this set for the city?  For the county?  

Is this owner of the Boxer on public assistance of any kind?  This may be a sensitive subject but I'm bringing it up anyway.  From all appearances it doesn't look like the dog's owner can afford to keep this dog.  Wouldn't you agree?   Can the owner even afford to care for herself much less a dog?  It sure doesn't look like it. 


Next Stop: Kerr St. Monroe---
It's a dead end street.  When you turn onto the street, go about half way down (there are only about 10 houses), look to the right for a medium green house.  Bingo!  If you get there early enough, the crowing roosters will let you know you're at the right place.  That's right, roosters & chickens.

Go in the back yard and guess who you might find.  The JRT/mix, year old pup. You'll remember him from his photo in the first blog post.------->



If you look closely at the picture to the right, you'll see his little face peeking out next to the red plywood. --------->
I don't know if this is the same pen or a different one.  Could one family really have two such nasty enclosures?  Who keeps a family pet in these conditions?  I mean really, who does this?  Why is the community allowing it? 

Ask the owner to see the 9 puppies in the house.  Will they be banished to that nasty pen before long?  Ask to see the Rabies certs of the JRT/mix and the mama dog.

If they tell you they've got a dog house, ask to see it.  Take a closer look at what our volunteer saw. -------->
If they try to tell you that's really a skylight at the top, just arrest them. 

While you're there, make sure you go next door to the house on the left to see the  pregnant (?) Chihuahua.  She's out back, chained up in a pen.  Ask to see her Rabies cert too.  How about just confiscating the dogs???  Enough already!

Note to the City Council:
We know you'd like to revitalize downtown Monroe.  It would be nice to have some new businesses come in, wouldn't it?  Get the idea of a business thinking of relocating here but first sending in an exec team to check out the city. What would those execs think if they saw the pets we've shown in this blog?  What would they think if they saw roosters & chickens running free?  I'll tell you what they'd think.  They'd think they were in Haiti.  
Do something to fix this!  


Remember, keep checking back.  The finish line in not in sight.

To The Press

Project Slum Dogs was contacted by two tv stations today wanting interviews.  Both requests were declined. The reason for turning down the interviews were:

1.  We are not the story.  We are the messengers; the voices for the abused, neglected pets.  We will decline all interviews, tv & print.

2. The abused, neglected pets are the story.  So are the city & county that have allowed things to deteriorate to this point.  That's the story; The neglect & suffering of animals despite laws being on the books that would have prevented it if someone enforced those laws.

3. We wish to remain anonymous.  There is a large degree of safety in remaining so.  This way we don't have to deal with the anger of the abusive owners.  

4.  We know we've ruffled some feathers in the city government, including animal control, and by remaining anonymous we don't have to deal with them either.  Disclosing our identities would entail a large degree of trust which we don't have at this point.  We're delighted AC went out today to clean up East Ave but they have not regained our trust.  Does anyone really expect us to trust people who have let the animals of our community suffer for God knows how long without doing anything about it until we published this blog?   

****************************

Next item:

To the Monroe City Council: Read the comment left in the previous post.  There are only 3 comments so it's easy to find the one I'm referring to.  It's the long one.  You need to read it.

*Later tonight I'll post the areas AC needs to go to tomorrow. 

Remember, the finish line is not in sight.  

Amazing Update 3:30pm Thursday

THE HEAT IS ON!!!

Just got a call from one of our fearless volunteers.  She reports that the Monroe police and Animal Control are "all over East Ave".  She said there are 5 police and AC vehicles in total and they're going door to door!!! 

Remember the home with the puppies in that bizarre air conditioning pen?  The police "have the owners outside" and "it's not a very happy looking scene".

She also reports that ALL the dogs now have food and water.  Also, the dog on the 2 foot chain, is now on a 10 foot chain.  Still a lousy chain but as least the poor thing can move around.

Remember the tan dog with the so-called dog house that was broken in two pieces?  He now has a real dog house.

This is phenomenal and it's thanks to everyone who's done their part, whether it be taking pictures, writing emails, calling the powers that be or spreading the word about these poor pets.  

ps.  Keep checking back.  As one of our other fearless volunteers said, "There's no finish line in sight". 

A Word From Union Co. Animal Control

The email below was forwarded to Project Slum Dogs.  In order to keep everyone in the loop, I'll post it here and will address the specific points in red. 

From: MichelleStarnes@co.union.nc.us [mailto:MichelleStarnes@co.union.nc.us]
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2012 11:13 AM
Subject: Slum Dogs: Monroe, NC - A MUST READ - PLEASE READ THIS AND PASS ALONG & ACT ON IT!!!

To whomever is responsible for this "blog":

Thank you for writing. 

I constantly find items like this interesting.

We're glad of it!  These animals need help. 

First:  I am the Lieutenant of Union County Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Bureau and neither myself or this bureau have been notified of any of these situations.

The reason you or the county AC bureau weren't notified is because the dogs in the photos are in the city limits of Monroe.  Monroe AC was notified, twice.

We all thought that notifying the city was the proper channel.  Is this incorrect?  Should the county AC be also notified when these types of neglected pets are found? 

Second: I have spent the majority of morning patrolling these areas of the City of Monroe.  I have yet to see any of the animals in the pictures below. However, I have reported to the City of Monroe several other address which cause me concerns.

They're there alright.  One of our volunteers went by late yesterday afternoon.  No change.  The pups in that bizarre air conditioner enclosure were still there with virtually no space to move around.   Keep your eyes out for that weird MX3 sign which is on Walnut Street and you'll be right in the area. 

I just found out, the dog house with the $ sign, is on Phifer Steet, about half a block from the elementary school.  

Third:  There are no physical addresses to any of the pictures.  

You're right about that.  The reason we didn't put addresses on the blog was we didn't know if that would be considered illegal.  But, now that we're addressing that very point, if something is visible from the street, is there really any expectation of privacy? 

I have asked our volunteers to provide addresses for the dogs in the photos.  We will make sure you get them.  

I will assure you or anyone else if an address is of concern and reported to this bureau, the complaint will be checked and  we have the ability to enforce County ordinances and NC state law not opinions.

Perfect!  We still have a question about the city of Monroe AC.  Do we continue to notify them?  Ignore them?  We don't want the pets to suffer because we used the wrong channels. 

If you see these situations are in deed concerning to you, you have my email address and the phone number is listed below please feel free to contact me.

You do know people are going to take you up on this, right?  But it's a good thing.  The suffering of pets in our city/county has to end and those responsible must be held accountable by the law. 

Lt. Michelle Starnes

Union County Sheriff's Office
Animal Services Bureau
704-283-2308

Update 24 Hours Into This Project

1. In the 24 hours since this blog was published we've had 792 hits. 
That's phenomenal.  Thanks to everyone who has spread the word.  Please keep it up.

2.  The puppies being kept in the bizarre, cruel, cramped enclosure using the air conditioner and one panel of fencing , WERE STILL THERE TODAY.  Did AC even go out?  We want to know.  Folks, it's time to get on the phones. 

3. In one of the comments it was suggested that we do a petition.  Personally, I've never found petitions to be effective.  It's far too easy for the recipient to glance at it and hit delete.   What is effective?  A DEMONSTRATION.  There's no ignoring a large group of people with large signs.  For now, lets give Monroe a little time to get their act together. 

4. Some have written in wanting to help and wanting to know what they can do.  We are well staffed with volunteers and their trusty cameras.  That said, if any readers see abused, neglected pets make sure you notify AC.  Note the day, time and who you talked to.  If you get no results, we want to know about it.  Send pictures and any info you can to projectslumdogs@yahoo.com 

Man's Best Friend? Not in this part of town....

Lets preface this with a couple sections of the Union County Animal Control Ordinance.  I'm not using City laws because they're beyond pathetic.  Enough said.
Section V. E. number 2 states:
It shall be the duty of the owner or keeper to provide his animal or animals with proper shelter and protection from the weather, sufficient and wholesome food and water to keep his animal or animals in good health and comfort, the opportunity for vigorous daily exercise, veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering, and humane care and treatment.
and

E. Seizure and Impoundment

Be responsible for the seizure and impoundment, where deemed necessary, of any dog or other animal in Union County in a violation of this or any other County ordinance or state law.

F. Cruelty

Investigate cruelty or abuse with regard to animals.

THE TOUR

Part 1: Sutherland & E. East Ave part of town:
1. Vigorous exercise for this fellow?  Food?  Water?  Maybe in that nasty container to the right.  Comfort?  No comfort in dragging around a logging chain, that's for sure.

2. Look at this large tan fellow.  Where's his dog house?  There is none.  What you're looking at is a carrying kennel, in two pieces.  What does he do when it rains or is freezing cold?  Where's his water?  Food?  By the way, when our person with the camera first started watching this dog, he weighed around 80 pounds.  He's getting thinner by the day. 

3. This little fellow is on a 2 foot chain.  Vigorous exercise?  Water?  Not in those containers laying on the ground.  But he couldn't get to them anyway, not with that 2 foot chain  Food?  Maybe it's in that aluminum pot but again, he can't get to it.

4. Look at this mama dog and her puppies.  See where the puppies are; that's a section of fencing leaning against the air conditioner in order to make a pen.  Wondering about their dog house?  Check out the next picture. 

5. The "dog house" is on it's side with one of the pups standing on top of it.  In such an enclosure they'd have no choice but to be standing in their own feces. Does jumping up & down on that nasty overturned dog house count as "vigorous exercise"?  Not in any civilized community that I know of, it doesn't.

6.  This unlucky dog was found to be chained to the car. Humane care and treatment? 

7.  Where's the food?  The water?  The comfort?  The "humane care and treatment"?  Notice the $ sign at the top of the dog house.  What on earth is that all about?

8. While we on the subject of signs, how about this one.  Does anyone know what it stands for? 
 

  
What I've shown is only a fraction of what's there.  Take a drive and you'll see for yourself. In case anyone is wondering, Animal Control was called twice about these dogs.  To date, nothing has been done.  Do you think these dogs have had their legally required Rabies vaccines?  

Part 2: 
Now, on to another section of downtown Monroe.  This is in the Benton Heights area. 

1.  Here's the side yard leading
up to where the dogs live.  Those are beer cans strewn all over the place.   If the people live this way, imagine how the dogs are living.


Getting curious about the dogs?   Lets go to the next picture.

2.  This year old puppy is living chained up inside a trash filled pen.  Dog house?  He couldn't even get to it. Food?  Maybe on those nasty paper plates but from the looks of it, it seems like he's started chewing on the plates!

Please tell me who could consider this "humane care and treatment".


3.  RESCUED.  Below you'll see another year old pup, chained outside the pen with no water.  To the rear  you'll see a microwave.  Was the pup supposed to warm his food?  
But, there was an angel sitting on this little guy's shoulder.  He was given up into rescue.  Why?  We have no idea.  Probably because the lousy owners said he was a biter.  But guess what?  He wasn't.  He turned out to be the sweetest thing imaginable without an aggressive bone in his little body.   We figure the owners said that about him to justify giving him a life of misery, chained outside with no comfort or socialization. 

4.  I guess to make sure there's enough money coming into the household, there are 9 two-week old puppies inside the home!  Will they be turned outside to a nasty pen before long? Will they get any vaccines?

Had enough?  We're not done.  Lets turn the camera to the next door neighbor's white Chihuahua.

5.  Again, chained up inside a pen.  Plates of food are present; very convenient for the bugs and ants.  Water?  Is there any in that nasty blue bowl?  Is it my imagination or can I count her ribs or is she pregnant?  But all that isn't the worst of her story.  She's used solely as a breeding dog.  Whenever she gets in heat they put any available male in with her.  Then they have Chihuahua/mix puppies to sell.   Where's her "humane care and treatment"?  Where's her "vigorous exercise"? Current Rabies vaccine?   And "comfort"; what a tragic joke. 

The county laws on the books would handle this if this were in the county.  To say the City of Monroe animal control law are lacking is an understatement.  How can this be?  Do county laws take over where city laws are lacking?  See the link in the sidebar for the city laws.  Looks to me that the City Council needs to get busy. 

City of Monroe, handle this!!

Feel free to leave a comment!  The city officials need to know how their taxpaying citizens feel about this black eye that's currently sitting on the face of the city.