Two years ago the city of Bessemer had a problem in their animal shelter. As a not so gentle reminder, here are pictures of two animals that were under their care.
Soon after this happened, "we" tried to address the problems before the city council, and as I was speaking the Mayor (Ed May) stopped me right as I was describing specific abuses and said my allegations were not true and that Bessemer did not have an animal problem.
My response in a column printed in the Western Tribune was that he was right. The animals were not the problem. The problem was with the people responsible for their care.
I think the Bessemer pound cleaned up its act, and though things might not be ideal, neglect has not been an issue.
At the time "we" recommended oversight and training by an outside agency.
Today neglect is occurring again, but this time the buck stops at the very top. The shelter was out of dog food. A sizable donation was made to buy food. A volunteer went to Walmart to buy food. She ran into city employees who were purchasing food. I assume they were on a tight budget because they decided that they would put their food back and accept the donation of food. I am told Rev. Eades OK'd that.
When they got to the shelter with the food, the employees were eager to feed the dogs, but they were told that the donation was being refused. Donations of that magnitude have to be approved by the mayor, they were told. The mayor refused to let the city accept the dog food.
The donation was in the form of a check from Robert White who runs the Anchor Club Charity Bingo. The mayor, who said "Something like this, quite frankly, it reminds me of Sodom and Gomorrah," when bingo was passed, would rather see dogs starve and die, I guess, than accept a donation.
There will be council meeting Tuesday evening, I am told, where this can be brought up. People are being asked to pack city hall at 6:00. Check back here on Tuesday to confirm this meeting time. I was told there would be two meetings tomorrow and that seems odd to me, so we may be getting the runaround.
At any rate, any animal neglect currently going on falls directly onto the lap of mayor Ed May.
"We" may attempt to get the shelter closed. If the city cannot affort to feed the animals, and will not accept donations of food, they should not be taking in animals.
17 comments:
Ed May ought to be locked up in a cage along with Rev. Eades at the animal shelter and both of them should be allowed to starve like the animals do.
be careful they might just decide to close the shelter. you know to save money. all that expensive dog food and all. just sayin be careful. you never know what can happen when the powers that be get offended when they are called out on something.
L
Pack city hall to talk about dogs. Oh man. There'll be 4 or 5, liberal homosexuals there to bring up their complaints.
Joe, you are such a loser. Get a life dude.
WHAT in the world is that top right picture of???
Please, what does animal cruelty have to do with homosexuals? This mayor is a mean and vicious little man. And a liar to boot. Someone should do something to help save these poor dogs.
I do not even live in Bessemer but I think this is such an injustice to the animals! What are you thinking Mr. Mayor? I assure you the animals do not care that the money came from Charity Bingo! As with many other officials in public office in this state, you let your personal opinions override the greater need (in this case, the hungry animals)....who keeps putting thse idiots in public office? Please, please remember this during the next voting
When you have animals that are starving for food and we have gotten the okay for the CHARITY bingo business to be in Bessemer and one of those business want to donate, which that is suppose to be there purpose. Why are we having this problem with the Mayor of Bessemer. It sounds like he is trying to prove a point for his own benefit instead of looking out for the well fare of the animals.
omg!! What horrible treatment of those poor animals. Those pictures were quite graphic and eye opening.
How said that the people who are to be caring for these animals who are in a bad way in the first place, don't give a damn about them.If I have learned anything it is that the animal rescuers of Alabama care and will get behind this and see that something changes.
Tim, you must be a complete dildo. I don't know what homosexuals or political leanings have to do with anything in this story. Both conservatives *and* liberals should be appalled by the treatment of these animals. Maybe you should be locked in a cage and anally raped by a donkey.
Ok so If I understand this right the mayor of your city is thinking its ok to abuse animals??? If your Mayor is involved he should be punished to the fullest extent of the law. If not then maybe get a lil hillbilly justice on him :)
The place is an animal control facility not a shelter. It is underfunded and understaffed and needs to be closed. It is a terrible place for dogs and cats to end up. Don't think there is much better for them around here. At Birmingham Jefferson County Animal Control 80-90% are killed. At the Birmingham Humane Society its over 70%. Spay and Neuter.
Having worked as Director of Opereations in a No-Kill Shelter and assisting shelters in Louisiana...I will offer my services to this community and shelter. I will assist in any way possible. Please just contact me. "Rudysmom"
I dont give a dam if this is a shelter or animal contol it is abuse no matter where the animals reside. put the lil wanna be mayor and anyone at the shelter who sat there and did nothing to help these animals in jail oh and ya dont feed them either. Are these people stuck in 1909 what the fk
a donation is just that no matter where it comes from who care about yer back woods religion get over it these animals are starving jack arse.
Tim your whats wrong with bessemer, people like you give us a bad name....
There is a group forming/formed for reform of Bessemer Animal Shelter, but needs citizens to support it - attend meetings, write letters, call and express the need, the obligation to provide adequate, humane shelter for the city's homeless animals. The HSUS has no authority, they will tell you, and rarely get involved in these local cases. Even if they did, they can only recommend. Its up to the citizens of your city and area. Do you care about innocent homeless companion animals who have been betrayed by human beings - being dumped in a hell hole like this shelter, merely existing in misery until they are killed by the hundreds. I don't live in your city but am appalled at how acceptable this treatment of helpless dogs and cats appears to be with the residents of Bessemer. What a shame. Its up to you. The animals have no one but you, and I, to speak for them.
Joe -
Hang in there on this. I think I see a line of attack that will help. Have been working on this sort of "shelter" problem for over a decade.
The "people" responsible for this horrendous treatment of innocent beings may not understand right and wrong, but they seem to understand money.
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