Lyons, GA - In a perfect world, only people that were dedicated to life-long dog ownership would exist. In a perfect world, animal shelters would not brim with unwanted pets discarded by the general public for every "move", "baby", or "busy schedule".
In a perfect world, the un-wanted would be wanted and euthanasia would be a word never uttered.
The world is far from perfect and modern-day solutions to problems are typically far from ideal. A mass killing of dogs at the City of Lyons Animal Shelter has sparked huge controversy and anger among animal advocates.
Late last week, a staggering 77 dogs were killed at the animal care facility. Though animals die each and every day at shelters across the nation, typically the public does not become aware of all dogs losing their life in one fell swoop.
As is the case with most controversial incidents - allegations are flying from both the animal control facility, and the rescue organization that typically pulls dogs from this "shelter".
According to a Yes Biscuit blog entry earlier this week, the animal control officers stated that there had been no animal killings since last July at this facility. They claim that the primary rescue that pulls from the shelter, Sweet Onion Animal Protection Society (SOAPS), typically pulled the puppies and smaller dogs - not the big dogs. (Please note - typically, not always)
They advised that the kennel runs became over-crowded as the months went by and they worried that the over-crowding and months of confinement were becoming cruel.
The decision to make a "clean sweep" at the kennel was made by Chief Darryl Corley, who claims that he was receiving pressure to make room for incoming dogs.
On the other side of the argument is SOAPS - the rescue group that is primarily pulling from this facility. The group is appalled by the mass killing. And they refute the allegations that they only pulled the puppies and small breed dogs.
A quick glance at their adoptable pets does show many large breed dogs available for adoption - how many came from Lyons is impossible to know for certain.
The organization is stunned and angered that they were not given advance warning of the mass euthanasia - that they were not provided with an opportunity to attempt to pull the homeless dogs to safety.
Though is may sound insignificant in light of the massive loss of life - that they were not even given at the very least, a courtesy call to inform them of what was planned at the shelter.
Though knowing what the outcry would be, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to guess why this killing was kept hush hush.
It is difficult to understand how an animal control facility could undertake such a sad, daunting task without at least trying to enlist help.
A heads up statement of "Next week on XYZ date, all dogs will be euthanized". Nobody would like it. Rescue networks would be up in arms with "how could they let this happen?!", but networking would indeed take place and the frantic scrambling would likely have saved many of the dogs.
The Lyons Animal Control deaths are disturbing and sad. But this is the way of the imperfect world that we live in right now. 77 dogs died in one day at that facility, but thousands more are killed quietly at shelters across the nation each and every day.
These deaths are not marked by fan-fare and outrage....they just happen.
To the amazing rescuers that keep cleaning up society's mess - bless you. So much more needs to be done in terms of educating about the benefits of spay/neuter, squealching the backyard breeders and puppy mills, and trying to convince dog owners to stay committed to their companions.
In a perfect world, these things wouldn't even be issues.
Sadly, when clicking the link to the "adoptable" pets at the Lyons shelter - a simple statement pops up "There are no pets that meet your search criteria".
You can't help but hurt for these dogs. The old, the young, the sweet wiggle-bottoms that have no future. The innocent, harshly discarded....may you all rest in peace.
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Apparently, nobody puts them on PetFinder, but there ARE a bunch of pups and a few dogs, including a couple of beagles, at Lyons Animal Control right now that need to be gotten out. The Chief said he would kill everything left over at the end of each month, so time is running out swiftly for these animals.
Thank you for writing this. Hopefully, keeping the spotlight on this issue will result in fewer deaths and more adoptions. This place doesn't even have a SIGN to show people where it is. I doubt most residents even knew the place existed until now.
I'M TO SICK TO COMMENT, REST IN PEACE SWEET HEARTS.
BURN IN HELL LYONS.
Well put Maria....
Would you rather these dogs run loose in packs and attack people? It is not Lyons fault that society has a complete disregard for right of ownership in PROPERTY. It is not his fault that he is man enough to give these animals a humane death while society keeps filling his pound up. You need to burn in hell for your stupid comment.
First I DO NOT condone the killing of these dogs. I do not condone either the one "rescue" that had a total of $4,000 + in Chip-Ins claiming to want to SAVE the dogs at Lyons. They had an album of many of these dogs.. Photos taken by a SOAPS volunteer.. Going around Facebook since 1/16 ~ 4 DAYS~ before they were killed. I know I was tagged in it during the 4 days to share it. Why don't we here about this? Why didn't they step and help the dogs they were collecting money on?
Pender Shelter NC is having construction on Feb. 1st. All their dogs needed foster or rescue or would be put down. Animal advocates sharing, networking, working had every dog safe in less than a week.
With $4000 and 4 days the Lyons dogs could have helped into temp. boarding or foster. It could have saved if not all some of the dogs. One boarder in GA. charges $200 per dog for pull, vetting and boarding for the 2 weeks required by GA. law. Any HW treatment or anything else is extra.
This disgusts me more than the shelter because this is a "rescue". They did get 2 moms and pups, 2 pups & 1 small terrier.They have another Chip-in started for the dogs ..."They saved the only dogs to make it out alive from the massacre at Lyons".
Lyons has a housing capacity of about 32 dogs. We know 65 -77 were murdered. This "rescue" is now claiming to need help for 31 dogs they saved. That would mean 96-108 dogs were at Lyons....
So the dogs at Lyons were tragically betrayed by every human involved.
REST IN PEACE BABIES !!!! THATS ALL I CAN SAY NOW, IM SICK TO MY STOMACH JUST THINKING OF THESE ANIMALS.
Penny that was very nicely written and with much respect to the ANIMALS,thank you.
SAlly
Penny,thanks for letting us know about this sad situation.At least their death didn't remain a big cover-up.And we can show them our heart felt remorse. RIP sweet fur babies.May GOD hold you in HIS ALMIGHTY HANDS and comfort you.May you have the joy and peace on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge which you never found on this cruel earth.
I don't know how Darryl Corley and the people at Lyons can sleep at night. None of them should be allowed to work, volunteer, whatever at a "shelter" ever again. They are murderers. They should all go to jail. They have no respect or compassioin for animals.
there is not enough room for all the unwanted animals. You should have stepped up and help make a difference.
I agree totally with vmaxchic. Thanks Penny for bringing this to attention. Hope the remaining can be saved. RIP for the ones that had to suffered.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!??? I agree with VMAXCHIC as well. Shelters across the country kill dogs every day, but this... It takes a truly twisted mind to even plan something like this, much less carry it out. There is another set of folks who should spend sleepless nights and rot: those who discarded these innocents. They are the ones ultimately responsible for this. These dogs never had a chance, from beastly owners to a cruel, inhumane animal shelter. I hope their time in heaven is what it never was on earth and that they find warm companions up there (and people who love them). I also hope that each and every individual involved in this sad affair spends the hereafter where they belong.
Thank You Penny. How very sad for all of the dogs .
CLOSE THEM DOWN...ANIMALS HAVE MORE RIGHTS I COURT IF AN INDIVIDUAL DOES THIS HOW COME WE LET ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS DO THIS??? AGANST THE LAWS......Has to be mandatory to Spay and Nueture(SP?) pets of all kinds...This the only way this is gonna stop, or HELP get the numbers under control!!!!
And where would all those animals go? To your house? Although Lyons should definitely have reached out to the rescue community, they are not ultimately the bad guys here. The people who abandoned their pets, didn't spay or neuter, and could care less about situations just like this in every animal control shelter in the U.S. hold the ultimate responsibility. And rescues who say they'll take animals and then back out.
It's a shame and i hope they will be prosecuted and closed.
>Apparently, nobody puts them on PetFinder, but there ARE a bunch of pups and a few dogs, including a couple of beagles, at Lyons Animal Control right now that need to be gotten out. The Chief said he would kill everything left over at the end of each month, so time is running out swiftly for these animals.
And this shelter wants people to believe that they love animals and are doing all the can to save them? As soon as an animal enters their door a photo should be taken and posted on petfinder. They could also start a facebook page and post there and on twitter. There is so much more most shelters could do if they really had the animals best interest in mind.
There are several individuals connected to southern rescue groups who broke this information on facebook several days ago, the day it occurred. I have no way of knowing the accuracy of their statements, but they have said that several of the dogs had been spoken for by rescue & for private adoption. Rescue volunteers showed up or called for pickup appts. & were told by personnel that the mass euth had just taken place to "wipe the slate clean." If that's true, this was a truly evil action & I sincerely hope the GA Dept. of Ag issues yet another investigation of this facility & those employed there. I've known many, many shelter managers & staff, been a volunteer myself, and Lyons, GA is NOT the norm. Many small shelters are staffed by people who truly love animals & suffer min. wage with no benefits because they are trying their best to make a change in people's disposable attitudes and a positive difference in the lives of animals. An action like this makes their jobs & efforts even harder...
I HAVE TO MAKE THIS SHORT, I HAVE ALOT TO SAY, BUT CAN'T I JUST GOT SICK WHEN I WAS READING THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THEY BETTER CLOSE THIS F~IN PLACE DOWN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CHARGE THE PEOPLE BIIIIG TIIIIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE F~ERS ON STAFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
F#*K ALL OF THEM, THROW THEM IN JAIL FOR YEARS, LET THE INMATES AT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FINE THEM BIIIIG $$ AND DON'T EVER,EVER LET THEM NEAR ANY ANIMALS OR HAVE ANY KIND OF ANIMAL BUISSNESS EVER,EVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I NEED TO STOP NOW~
I AM SOOO PISSED AND ANGRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS THESE 77 DOGS THAT THIS HAPPENED TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, AND KNOW THESE PEOPLE WILL GET WHATS COMING TO THEM FOR KILLING ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This so awful. It makes me sick knowing that someone could see this as a solution to over crowding. There is ALWAYS an alternative. This never should have been authorized.
This truly breaks my heart. Rest In Peace to these sweet fur babies...
Americans have lost their moral compass. We are a disposable society with little regard for life. Strict anti-breeding and licensing laws must be put in place. Puppy mills must be abolished. People cannot be allowed to discard their animals as if they were rubbish!
And just WHO is that sicko that allegedly states that 'anything left over at the end of the month will have to go'.
Just WHAT does he think he's talking about....trash??????
Unbelievable. I'm speechless.
This is circulating the world - I live in Europe. Great publicity for a total lack of compassion..........No comment.
This is so heinous - May Corley never sleep again, die of asphixia, and rot in an unmarked open air grave - I doubt even the vultures would pick at his carcass! Letters to the Georgia officials governing this shelter need to be written, which I will.
For those of you who want to write to the authorities, here's the site to check addresses. Copy and paste the entirety of the following link:
http://www.toombsmontgomerychamber.com/cwt/external/wcpages/government/g...
I wanna put a needle in Chief Darryl Corley and put him to sleep!!!! This is completely disgusting!
Don't expect any help from the Georgia Dept of Ag- they are a bigger bunch of lowlife scumbags that the administration at Lyons! Talk about do nothing stupid bureaucrats! They're part of the problem!
Catherine Ritlaw says it right. This is a throw away society. In actuality, it's not the shelters fault for this. It's the people who have taken their dogs there for someone else to deal with. Then all the outrage when it is done. Until we stop breeding for profit, letting our kids see birth ect, it will always be a problem. There are too many animals that need homes. And yes, I have earned a right to say this. I have fostered animals, worked with animals
and seen it first hand working for a veterinary clinic. I have spent alot of personal money helping animals. So maybe instead of being so outraged, we need to put ourselves where our mouths already are.
There are hundreds (thousands?) of puppy mills in this country, each with hundreds of dogs, giving birth to thousands of puppies that are sold in this country every year. How can we have an overpopulation of dogs, if there is enough of a DEMAND for dogs, to support these awful businesses? Many people would adopt, if they were AWARE of the dogs that are in need. This director did NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING to promote the adoption of these dogs. There is not even a sign on the facility, and people have to schedule an appointment, if they want to see the dogs. And he did not even show an ounce of respect or consideration for the people who were trying to help. Shelter directors like this ARE the reason we are still killing dogs in this country, NOT overpopulation. Check out the numbers- How many are being killed? How many people plan to add a pet to their home? And how many people are open to the idea of rescuing a shelter dog? You'll see for yourself, if you take the time to research it.
Just called 912-526-8114. Daryl Corley's office. Please lodge your complaint.
I know a lot of awful reaserch facilities that pay shelters for their euthanized animals. Maybe somone here was offered this. May not be the case here, but either way - NO EXCUSES - this is a tragic loss!! I feel empty and hollow inside - RIP to all those lost.
This is happening in shelters all over the U.S.A !!!!!!!
These are supposed to be shelters. People like this man have no business being in charge of anything much less a pound or shelter. "Bless the beasts and the children for they have no choice" I wish I could protect them all!
Ok, first of all, this woman cannot write. And second of all, It is NOT IMPOSSIBLE to know how many of the large dogs on SOAPS site are from Lyons Animal Shelter, just ask them. They are honest, trust worthy, animal rescuers who had the daunting task of trying to rescue animals from this shelter with little help or notice from the shelter itself. Shame on this reporter for calling herself an animal lover and writing such a biased, poorly written article. And shame on anyone who stands behind and supports the people who did this.
Linda Tew, Richmond, Virginia
Very informative article Penny thank you.
Chief Darryl Corley is a major idiot who has no compassion at all for animals.This piece of crap needs to be euthanased.He obviously does nothing to promote rehoming of animals in his care.Why aren't all adoptable animals listed on "Pet Finder" as should be the case.Pure laziness.
We reap what we sow- this man & employees under him have a large dose of karma to answer to! What goes around comes around.
If every household would take in just five dogs, we can save thousands of animals. WE NEED MORE RESUCE organizations. These can easily be opened in your own home. You can ask for donations to support you with food.
RESUES NEED TO NETWORK BETTER WITH SHELTERS.
burn in hell all those that kill innocent defenseless homeless animals in shelters. how can it be called a shelter when its really a slaughter house for dogs and cats. mite as well be serving them up for the grocery stores to sell in the meat department. Hitler didnt die, he works at the animal shelters across america.
I am so hurt by this! What would we do if this happened to at homeless shelters? These dogs/pets had NO WHERE else to turn to- they were discarded like leftovers. I am sure the timeline for their stay there had to do with this man's patience & bottom line rather than compassion. No one should work in a position like this without real regard for LIFE. These pets deserved a better chance at survival than they were given! Until everything has been done and there is nothing more than CAN be done should a pet be put down. I am so disgraced that members of our human race were behind this.
Speaking as a DVM, although the problem is rife throughout the United States, it's the absolute worst in the south. This canine holocaust just reinforces the deep dislike and hatred for these rural hovels that house ignorant rednecks who place no value on other lives except their own petty and worthless existence.
Speaking as a pet owner, suggest everyone go to Lyons, Georgia and remove it from the map of the United States.
May you all rest in peace and know that we carry your precious spirits with us and I know, as well as I know my own name, that each and every single one of you is sitting at the feet of Almighty God, right where you should be. Godspeed beloved souls, I love all of you.
I am a retired Cop from Ga and now have a dog rescue in Alabama....I can tell you that this shelter is one of the worse ones in the state. Its a shame that they put in charge of animals life's a person who would do such a thing. ANd I am told the shelter director is going to kill all dogs at the end of every month.
Curse these people and I pray that Almight God will let me hear his Judgement on these people when the time comes.
Is it true that this Lyons shelter do not let private citizens adopt the dogs ? I read where this is true and they won't let in any other rescue group other than this one small group that is trying real hard to save these dogs.
If this is true, Am I the only one that thinks this is a Red Flag!!!!! And the rules needs to be changed....
I recently contacted the mayor of Georgia @ breed specific legislation and asked @ gassing in this state and he ASSURED me, not in his state. Do you know how these animals were put down? Do you have contact # for those interested in calling?
Thanks
This is terrible!!! R.I.P. Doggies.
And we call ourselves a civilized nation:( Why not make spayed & neutering mandatory in all 50 State, make it State and Federally funded. There would be light at the end of the tunnel this way.
Plus it would save tax payers millions, instead of this endless system that clearly doesn't work.
Oh god, why????????????????????????????? RIP precious souls.
www.AwarenessHelps.info
these dogs were killed by heartstick
@ BRAD... THESE DOGS WERE NOT HUMANELY EUTHANIZED... THEY WERE BEATEN AND THEN KILLED BY HEARTSTICK, SOMETIMES STICKING THEM MORE THAN A FEW TIMES EACH... THEN THEY WERE DUMPED IN A LARGE MASS GRAVE BEHIND THE SHELTER... SOME OF THE DOGS STILL ALIVE WHEN THE DIRT WAS THROWN ON THEM
@ anonymous.... do you believe every thing that one rescue on Facebook has put out to stir up the bees in the nest??? The same rescue that has made almost $5000 in 3 Chip-ins since 1/16. The same rescue that stated these dogs would die on Thurs the 20th on one Chip-in and many comments on their own album. ALL those comments and wording gone after the dogs were killed!!!
Have you ever heard of using the compassion of people to get more donation? This rescue that put out the dogs were, beaten, starved, heartstuck and not sedated, that the dogs they had on hold were killed, and the dogs were still alive when dumped in a landfill, later a pit , did not use ONE CENT of the money they collected to save these dogs. Yes they knew about it since 1/16 when they started the first 2 Chip-ins.
This was a terrible reprehensible act done to terminate all the lives that were killed. This it's self is serious wrong doing by Lyons County AC.
The rescue putting out misleading statements are as culpable as the County. they call themselves a "rescue" but didn't even try and save these dogs. They failed these dogs.
R.I.P. sweet unwanted babies.
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