JULY 20 1999

Nicole told me that her and Billie do not consider themselves animal activists. "We are just animal lovers who want to see these things shut down."

Because of the efforts of these two lovely ladies, one of the bins were shut down last fall but then they were reopened. Rutherford County received an offer from HSUS for $5000 to help rebuild the bins to be more humane but they didn't take the offer. Hill's Pet Nutrition has offered $5000 to help rebuild the bins. The commisioners havent taken their offer for help either.

When Billie and Nicole originally started their campaign to stop the use of these bins, the Animal Control was run by the Animal Control Board. They had full authority and had to answer to no one but themselves. They made all the decisions. They did this under the private act. The private act has since been removed and they now answer to the County Commisioners, etc. Gerry Scudder who was the chairman of the Board has now resigned.

(The Tennessean story 7-21-99)
TWO QUIT ANIMAL CONTROL BOARD

Rutherford County is the number one area in the nation for rabies outbreaks.

Monday, July 12, 1999 DNJ reported:
FAMILY DOG POSITIVE FOR RABIES.

The Commissioners of Rutherford County have been bombarded with e-mail from people opposing the bins. They don't answer the e-mail, they couldn't care less if you send it. So I have decided to remove the links containing their addresses.

"Spay USA" should be made aware of the situation and Rutherford County could apply for the Dufffield Family Grant.

The Dufffield Family Grant which gives money to states and county's with the highest destroying of animals per capita and sure enough, their states in the top ten! The money is to be used to promote Spay and Neuter programs to start a mobile spay neuter clinic.
Spay USA
The person to contact:
Esther Mechler

Duffield Grant
Mr Richard Avanzino, President
Meddie's Fund
2223 Santa Clara
Alameda, CA 94501
Phone: 510-337-8989

I believe the only thing that will get these bins shut down permantly will be the result of more media attention and public outrage!

We need to send snail mail and e-mail to Pres. Clinton, VP Gore, Governor Don Sundquist (TN), US Reps/Senators from TN, and the State Legislature. http:/ /www.state.tn.us/gov.html

(UPDATE:8-4-99) There will be a rally on August 28 at the bins location. It is scheduled for 1 pm. Here is a map to the Smyrna Drop-bins location, where the rally is being held. The address is 135 Weakley Lane, Smyrna TN. If you are interested in attending the rally please contact Lisa Preston or go to I.M.O.M and sign up there.

The media will be there and the more media that can be contacted the better.

Please copy and send this PRESS RELEASE:8-9-99 to your local t.v. stations, newspapers, and the national media.
Updated August 10th, 1999.

CONTACT THE MEDIA:

THE TENNESSEAN
Ted Power 771-5401 Editor
Community News Mark Cook 771-5411
Managing Editor David Green 726-5989
Frank Sutherland 259-8003 Editor and vice president/news
John Shiffman Reporter

DAILY NEWS JOURNAL

USA TODAY
(this was the only e-mail I could find, please e-mail me with a better addy if you have one)

ABC-NEWS:20/20

DATELINE

OPRAH

Address:
CBS EVENING NEWS WITH DAN RATHER
524 West 57th Street
New York, New York 10019
Phone: (212) 975-3247

also contact John Roberts
(same address and phone number as above)
Address To:
CBS Evening News With John Roberts

60 MINUTES
524 West 57th St.
New York, New York 10019
Phone:
(212) 975-3247

48 HOURS
Address:
48 Hours
524 West 57th St.
New York, New York 10019
Phone:
(212) 975-3247

THE NEW YORK TIMES
Address:
News Editor
The New York Times
229 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036
Phone and Fax Numbers:
Phone: 212.597.8001
Fax: 212.597.8165


Please e-mail me if you have more links to add to this list, or if you have more suggestions on alternative ways of dealing with the stray problem.

There are two sets of bins. The bins facility located on Weakley Lane have been in operation for three years. The bins on Haley Road have been there for eight years. Unless you and I ban together and declare that THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE then they will remain for many more years to come.




Inside the small room marked DOGS!
These bins are NOT air-conditioned. Ventilation and lighting consists of one small vent located at the top of the room. The temperature inside the bins have reached to over 105 degree these past two weeks (7-24-99). They are tiny, germ filled, disease infested, closet sized rooms.

If you cannot attend the rally please wear a purple ribbon to show your support for the animals of Rutherford County.

LINKS