As if the story of heartbreaking abuse at the Robeson County Animal Shelter in North Carolina isn't bad enough, County Attorney Hal Kinlaw, made it plain that he was not pleased with with having to respond (by mid June in court) to the lawsuit filed by animal advocates.
News 14 Carolina reported Kinlaw as stating ""We have to try a case. It's going to take a lot of resources and time, a lot of people tied up. It's never a good thing to be in court when you could be doing your job."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but as an attorney, isn't this exactly Mr. Kinlaw's JOB? Perhaps he can't find the time to file a response and perform the duties of a lawyer because he's too busy "falling asleep" during public county meetings that end up being held behind closed doors as reported here on June 6th (a direct violation of state open meetings laws).
His reluctance, combined with the county's lack of response to animal cruelty charges at their shelter nine years in the making shows the possibility of either extreme apathy or deep corruption in Robeson County's governing bodies.
In the meantime, Jeff Bass still maintains his position as shelter manager, an outrage in itself as his record keeping for pet adoptions and the money paid for said adoptions is already in question. Where is it all going when witnesses state he pockets the receipts on the occasions he actually is moved enough to write one out? In addition, it was noted by many visitors to the shelter that the animals showed great fear of Mr. Bass, a telling sign in and of itself.
The fact that Mr. Bass still continues on at the shelter has rubbed all animal advocates and animal lovers the wrong way. A petition has been started by Change.org with the specific goal of removing him from the shelter in order to protect the animals. Click here for more information on Change.org.
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Until this case goes to trial, a judge has extended the ban on euthanizing any animals requested for adoption for at least 24 hours. The state requires a 72 hour hold, but Robeson County regulations show a 120 hour hold for all animals. Despite these laws and regulations, animals were being routinely euthanized by heart stick without benefit of sedation even when someone requested them for adoption. (picture from NBC-17)
The shelter cited overcrowding and lack of funding as their reasoning, yet one wonders why they haven't stepped up fund raising efforts, and worked to begin a fostering program to alleviate the overcrowded conditions in a humane way?
"Calley Gerber, attorney for the plaintiff, argues that the shelter's refusal to take advantage of legal alternatives to euthanization constitute unnecessary animal cruelty. (Link to news story and video of both attorneys responses to the case).
Perhaps Ms. Gerber could ask the judge to appoint a Guardian ad Litum (or equivalent, similar to those assigned in child abuse cases) to the shelter to keep all animal care on the up and up.
This lawsuit against Robeson County Animal Shelter is being funded strictly by donations from people just like you who are tired of seeing animal abuse cases continue unchecked. If you would like to help aid this action, visit the Gerber Animal Law Center for more information.
All articles by Michele Gwynn are under copyright and cannot be re-posted whole without written consent by the author. Partial re-posting with a link back to the original article is permitted. For consent, questions, or comments, email megwynn@msn.com.
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Comments
Thank you beyond words Michelle. You are exactly what the news media needs. Straight forward and tell it like it is kind of reporting. It's about time. You are a breath of fresh air.
Oh, I need to say that Jeff Bass keeps the shelter half empty so it is easier for his crew to clean the kennels. They claim it is much easier on them to just move the 50 animals to the 50 empty kennels when they clean, but they don't mind using bleach around the animals and have actually burned their paws with it. That is a great indication, I think of how much they want to help the animals. Zero Nada Zilch
The public loves cats and dogs. Cleaning up the corruption, ending waste and unnecessary killings is exactly what the public wants any county attorney to do. Once this shelter is overhauled, morale of the citizens and the remaining employees will go up. Marketing is the key to adoptions. Local news media and papers need to step up and start promoting these animals.
It is not unbelievable that Jeff Bass is still working at the shelter but it is completely also unacceptable.
He must be fired, charged and sent to jail big time. There needs to be a complete change of employees who are compassionate and caring people. Where is the police? And why has Jeff Bass still not been arrested? Send the police now and arrest him.
There is something very wrong going on in this county's politics and I think the public is becoming more and more aware of this. If they do not arrest Jeff Bass then others who have allowed this person to continue in this position should also be held accountable.
And this business about keeping half empty cages so that they clean them is absolutely ridiculous. As for using bleach, they must either be morons or do it on purpose to harm the dogs.
Sorry I meant to type the following: It is not ONLY unbelievable that Jeff Bass
Those cruel bastards need to be sacked and punished, and good compassionate loving people towards animals are who needs to work in shelters
Thank you for staying on this story Michelle. The world needs more journalists like you who report facts for worthwhile purposes. Justice in this case is worthwhile. It is demanded for the sake of the animals and the people who of the county who care about them. I'm a friend of Magdalena on Care2, operate two national websites, and if necessary will do what I can to help her put a national spotlight on the county attorney and those to whom he is accountable. They may wish to consider that such spotlights are not pleasant.
Thanks for being one of the good guys. So the DA believes prosecuting these bad people is a waste of resources and his time sounds like he needs a wake up call. Those who abuse animals also abuse people.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO WRITE THE TRUTH ABOUT ROBESON (HELL HOLE.) MR. BASS AND EMPLOYESS SHOULD BE CRIMINALLY CHARGED FOR THEIR ABUSE OF DEFENSELESS DOGS AND CATS.
Hi Gregory, I think you are talking about me and I would be thrilled with any help you can give. I sent you a private message so I will wait to hear from you and thanks!! Best Wishes, Cynthia
I have heard that the county is corrupt as most of the politicians/police staff are related to one another including Mr. Bass. The corruption is high and I also heard that they have a dog fighting ring going on and take dogs that will be either fighters or bait dogs. We need to end this type of "good ole boy" network and send them the away for a very long time. Where is PETA when you need them???
I'm unsure why they need half the cages to clean when even a 1/4 would be more than enough. All shelters would love to have that many empty cages. What seriously bothers me is every news video that comes out shows all the kennels all nice and clean, no feces and all the food and water bowls filled. What a crock. I have seen the videos with the reality of this dump. Why can't the media stop telling them when they're showing up so they can film the truth? I'll send them the truth if they'll show it. I'll send them pictures of the dogs that were never posted and ask them to go fetch the reciepts or documentation on where they are. Do they have to keep documents on dogs they kill or are they just common trash that nobody cares about? Can they just kill them with no paperwork involved? Someone was just there this past Monday and she said there were almost no dogs there except "adoption holds". Employees said 56 had been adopted Saturday. Sounds fishy to me. How can we check on that?
truth is PETA kills shelter animals as well this is a fight where we the people must fight alone....
what some have alluded to is that there is corruption at this shelter and it goes higher. Kittens sold for $4.00 to labs; pit bull type canines dropped off and never seen again. Yes, corruption is ALIVE AND WELL IN NORTH CAROLINA.
A waste of resources?!! Aren't there animal cruelty laws? A DA's job is to see that violations of ALL laws are prosecuted. That remark tells one a lot about how seriously the issue of animal cruelty is taken in some quarters. Obviously some feel it is trivial and ought to be brushed off.
I always remember Gandhi's quote that a nation and its peoples should be judged on how they treat their animals.
I saw a question about NC and the records theat need to be kept, Yes even if an animal is euth. records have to be kept with tyoe of animal, ID #, and method of euth. and date of intake and date of euth. ect. I heard that 50 dogs , puppies were adopted from the shelter and transported over the state lines without any health cert. this is a violation of state law and also most states have the same law that animals that are being transported )other than personal pets) have to have a health cert. before being transported. And while in transit the Animal welfare act has to be followed as to size of cage when watered and feed and potty stops, ect. how can someone transporting 50 puppies keep cages clean and puppies walked???
If this is a county funded animal shelter they MUST produce their records. It is the law. Do a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request. Request the Intake and Exit information for the dates you have questions about. Be specific.
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