From Bob Crumpton, who represents In Defense of Animals in this area:

"Magellan" and "Mastasia", male and female Harlequin Great Danes who were being neglected and starved, were both rescued in April, 2001, by In Defense Of Animals (IDA), by way of court order. We took this action only after theTupelo-Lee Humane Society (TLHS, which operates the animal shelter under discussion in all this controversy) refused to come to their aid because they were in the county and not the city. After we rescued the animals, we turned them over to TLHS for temporary housing, after shelter manager Marie Parker assured IDA they would be cared for. 

Just six days later, we found out that TLHS had returned both dogs to the very owners from whom the dogs had originally been rescued! IDA did not receive even a phone call before this action was taken. Their excuse? "Legal action" was threatened by a non-attorney representative from a certain local law firm. Without any regard for these splendid animals, TLHS caved to this threat and allowed the dogs to be taken right back into the conditions from which we had saved them.

 On October 4, 2002, an anonymous report came into TLHS, stating that these same dogs were once again being neglected and abused beyond belief. As soon as TLHS learned that the dogs were outside the city limits, they wanted nothing to do with it and gave the caller my number at IDA. Any animal protection organization should feel an obligation to at least investigate such a report. Nonetheless, they quickly washed their hands and did nothing.

 We did investigate and found these dogs to be in a horrible state of malnourishment and neglect. They were chained with heavy log chains, apart from each other, and were so malnourished that they were skeletal, weighing approximately half what they should weigh. They were parasite-ridden and appeared hopeless.

 IDA went to Lee County Justice Court and again got a court order to be able to rescue the animals. They are now wards of the court and in capable hands outside the area, and will probably be adopted out of state once their rehabilitation is complete.

 The key point here is that had this been left up to TLHS, it's pretty obvious to us that no action would have been taken, despite the fact that they are obligated as paid contractors to investigate reports of animal abuse and neglect. Exactly why are we the taxpayers paying these people?

 To show that we are not exaggerating the condition of these dogs, we've put together a couple of photo galleries to show their condition when rescued in 2001, after which they were handed back to the owners, and also their condition as of October, 2002. To see these photos, just click the links below. Please also note that we will accept donations to help with the costs of rehabilitating Magellan and Mastasia. If you would like to help, please visit our Financial Help page.

 Thanks...

 Bob Crumpton

 2001 Photos     2002 Photos     Rehab Photos (NEW!)