OT: Sen Kent Williams Dumps Pregnant Dog in high kill shelter

And this man is a Democrat!! A disgrace! The letter that I wrote to the newpapers and the television stations is below and I hope that you feel free to write to the local media as well. This is a high kill shelter, his German Shepherd was very pregnant, and he is involved in who will be running this shelter in the future. A rescue group wants to take it over, and the county councilman is in the running also. The County councilman's name is John Rogers, and his son dumped TWO dogs off at the shelter in the past week.

Here is the petfinder page for this shelter -
http://search.petfinder.com/...

Many of these black labs will be put down, even puppies. This senator, who cares not a bit about animals, is trying to get his crony to run the shelter.

I really, really need Keith Olbermann's email for Worst Person in the World.

Contacts below: please consider an email or call if you care about animals.

Here are some contacts for the good senator and local papers/news stations:

Senator Kent M. Williams
District 30 - Dillon, Florence, Marion & Marlboro Cos.
Contact Address:
(H) 4205 Stirk Place, Marion, 29571

Bus. [phone] Home [phone]
(C) 602 Gressette Bldg., Columbia, 29201

Bus. [phone]
E-Mail Address: [e-mail]

Local Media:

There are 2 local stations that cover Florence/Myrtle
Beach WPDE 15-ABC affiliate, and WBTW 13-CBS affiliate
and a newspaper in Florence called the Morning News.

[e-mail]  Ms. Maddock, Exec Editor, Columbia Star
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
TV:
[e-mail]
[e-mail]
If you can at all about animals, could you please email or call these people and demand a story about this disgraceful senator and his cronies. My letter is below.

I am writing about a terrible situation that has come to my attention through a dog rescue. Senator Kent Williams, District 30, coldly and irresponsibly had animal control pick up and drop his very pregnant German Shepherd Dog at the Marion County Animal Shelter. This is disgraceful on
several levels: first, Senator Williams is responsible for deciding the fate of the Marion County Animal Shelter, South Carolina. There are two groups trying to run it, one being John Rogers, the County Councilman, whose son dropped off 2 dogs at the shelter the week before. These are the people who are
going to decide the fate of animals in this county?  I think an investigation is needed into this situation.

Secondly, there is NO excuse for the Senator to have failed to spay his dog if he didn't want the responsibility of raising puppies, and to dump his family dog off in a kill shelter to be heartlessly killed, or to have her puppies and have them be possibly killed too, is just heartbreaking.
Instead of dumping his dog in such a disgraceful and cold act, Senator Kent Williams should be working to fund spay/neuter programs at low cost for the community and finding solutions to the tens of thousands of young
and healthy dogs put to death in South Carolina shelters every year.  Any responsible person can see that the dog situation in the state is a disgrace and needs to be addressed immediately. The senator chose to be
part of the problem, rather than be part of the solution. He should be ashamed of himself, and I hope he reconsiders his attitude toward this situation.

> Regards,
Adigal

•  ugh, shades of Michael Vick

  "who cares...they're just dogs..."

  and on top of that, the political connection you describe makes this all the more unseemly

  I love dogs of all breeds and mixes, but help with greyhound rescue myself.

  Maybe Keith will pick this up - sometimes things on his show appear to be right from DailyKos!

  by Pandoras Box on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 10:59:28 AM PDT

•  Yes, this deserves some Worst Person attn

  Seriously, what an a-hole.

  I'd take them in myself, but we have six shelter dogs already...

  by rhetoricus on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:00:04 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for rescuing dogs - anyone have Keith's

    email??

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:01:37 AM PDT

    •  I think it's

      [e-mail] or you can try [e-mail].

      by Floja Roja on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:09:14 AM PDT

  •  We have 4 fosters right now, and I'm waiting on

    a friend of mine to come pick one up.

    A client's dog that, 6 month old Jack Russell that started eating Mom (human) at 4 months old.

    Too much dog. He's going to a real performance home.

    Friggin' beastie!

    Check out our online TV show pilot page:
    http://rescuedogs.tv .

    Totally incomplete, funding fell through recently and we have to get our farm and training business back up and running after a long winter.

    I'm going to pimp my recent diary and diary series:

    Sunday Morning Canine Interaction

    Let me know if you have any fosters that are performers. We also have a performance dog rescue.

    Cheers,
    Ron watson

    by k9disc on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:50:35 AM PDT

•  Do you have a link

  to a newspaper article or something about this?

  by pattyp on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:01:29 AM PDT

  •  NO, I heard it from a rescue group, they are

    trying to get the newspapers and television stations down there to report it as we speak.  

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:02:11 AM PDT

    •  This is third-hand information?

      Please.  The man's a Dem, and before I condemn him I'd like to see something a bit more concrete.

      by Jaime Frontero on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:08:01 AM PDT

      •  Oh, please, a rescue group that works with the

        Marion County shelter had the story firsthand. He's a Dem. So what????

        by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:18:20 AM PDT

        •  Look, I'm sorry.

          But this 'donation' process is anonymous, there's nothing on their website (which I assume would violate some confidentiality rule), and it's kind of a big deal - if true.

          This story just requires...

          ...more.

          by Jaime Frontero on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:24:07 AM PDT

          •  Who asked you for a donation??

            I asked you to write an email, there is nothing about a donation! I am totally confused now. The shelter is NOT going to advertise who dumped their dogs. Huh??????

            by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:28:33 AM PDT

            •  I was addressing the process of donating...

              ...an animal to the shelter.

              I did see some Black Labs which might be the ones you mention in your Diary being offered for adoption - but I didn't notice a pregnant female Shepherd.

              by Jaime Frontero on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:33:00 AM PDT

•  do you have any more information

  about the circumstances that might help us in forming an opinion, or writing our own letters?  The link didnt' really give any information on this situation that I could find.

  A couple of questions that hit my mind - do we know why the dog was surrendered?  As an example - it would make some difference to me if, say, he had small children, and the dog had suddenly become dangerously aggressive for some reason.  Not that it would justify a pregnant mommy dog being put down, but it may mitigate him making a decision to get the dog out of his home quickly, without take the time to try to find a home, for instance.  Even there - I'm such an animal lover (and have lots of furry critters of my own) that I'd still be upset, and still wonder whether somehow he was at fault, but still - it would somewhat explain.

  And second - are there other shelters or rescue programs that were available to him that he didn't take advantage of, just 'cause he didn't give a damn?  Or is this pretty much the only place he could have used?  

  Poor mommy doggie.  I hope someone will adopt her and give her babies a chance to find good homes as well.

  by American in Kathmandu on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:02:04 AM PDT

  •  Right now, the rescues are trying to get SC media

    to write a story on it, or report it. I don't think it matters what the reason was, he has spoken to other rescues about the deplorable conditions at the shelter, and that they are high kill, and he had her dumped. He could have taken her to the vet, asked one of the many rescues to help him out. He just had her dumped. No excuse.

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:04:12 AM PDT

    •  Do you know if SC has a German Shepherd

      rescue group?  Think I'll look around and see if there's one in the area.  Surely someone would give her a foster home??

      by sherlyle on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:07:40 AM PDT

      •  there may be a national GSD rescue through

        the breed club. you can also search shelters and rescues in the area through petfinder.

        by nycstray on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:13:08 AM PDT

        •  Just googled for SC German Shepherd rescue

          groups, found two right away that may be able to help:  Noble Shepherd Rescue Group (nobleshepherdrescue.com) and Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue (MAGSR.ORG) that serve North and South Carolina.  
          Looks like there are others, as well.  Surely worth emailing and asking.  

          by sherlyle on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:19:23 AM PDT

          •  Thanks - I don't know if the dog has been pulled

            but I will pass on the info. If you could write an email to the papers and ask them to do a story on this, that would be really helpful.

            by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:21:01 AM PDT

    •  if/when it hits the news

      please post the info. i can pass it on to a few rescues and pet forums.

      by nycstray on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:12:08 AM PDT

•  hope someone saves the dog an pups

  by defluxion10 on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:03:07 AM PDT

  •  This dog and pups will probably be saved

    but because of actions like the Senator's, tens of thousands won't, in South Carolina alone. That is why I am trying to get the spotlight on this man's actions - it could inform and educate a lot of people.

    Please consider an email or letter to the senator or papers. Thanks,

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:20:05 AM PDT

    •  I like you even more adigal!

      Thanks for being a bulldog on this!

      Pretty heartless stuff...

      Please check out my comment upthread...

      by k9disc on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:53:03 AM PDT

      •  Thanks - and I like you too! I know people

        are saying to be cautious, and I will, but the media in South Carolina is now looking into this. I wanted the media to investigate, that is the point of this diary. Thanks again!

        by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 05:28:50 PM PDT

•  there is no excuse

  for a person with resources to dump a dog at a shelter.

  Of course, being "down here" its hard to believe that it will affect his political future.  Money for animal shelters is very hard to come by.  Political figures are caught up in abuse cases of starvation, there is no shame.

  by jfromga on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:03:19 AM PDT

•  Never, ever trust a man

  (or anyone!) who has it within themselves to be cruel to any living thing.  What, he couldn't even try to find her a different home??
  One word from a guy as prominent in his community as he, and that poor dog and her babies would at least have a chance.
  But then, that would involve some effort on his part.  He'd have to actually DO something.

  by sherlyle on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:03:26 AM PDT

•  Damn, I hate this stuff

  I dream of an ideal world where politicians care about the welfare of the animals. In my opinion, you can tell a lot about a person by looking at his or her treatment of animals. I am even inclined to think positively about Republicans if I find out they are animal advocates.

  Thank you for bringing attention to this awful behavior. And we should all remember that cats and dogs are dying every minute in this country because our system fails them.

  by Getreal1246 on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:05:56 AM PDT

•  Great fodder for GOP smear campaign

  Watch out.

  Meanwhile, there are many people ahead of him in line for deeds worthy of "Worst Person in the World"......

  Note: just because it's a high kill rate shelter doesn't mean it's an all kill shelther.

  Please don't add to any smearing and shaming of Dems. Just contact Sen. Kent Williams directly and advocate for dog rescue in general.

  Don't fan the flames, please...please.

  by LNK on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:14:05 AM PDT

  •  Please - just because he is a Dem does not give

    him a pass. That is republican thinking. And I DID contact his office and am waiting for a response.

    Disregard for life is more important to me than political party.

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:22:34 AM PDT

    •  But because he is a human being...

      Please - just because he is a Dem does not give him a pass.

      ...he gets a fair hearing.

      With hard information.

      by Jaime Frontero on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:37:26 AM PDT

  •  I've been thinking that the Rs are going to

    use dogs this election cycle.

    On our way to a disc dog contest last year I heard one of those freakshow Cons on the radio pimping his new book, and it was about dogs.

    I'll be willing to bet you'll see dogs in campaign commercials soon.

    by k9disc on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:54:48 AM PDT

•  i only wish...

  that we would get this fired up about the treatment of people.

  This diary made it through with very little attention:
  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by JackieandFritz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:17:57 AM PDT

  •  I wish we would care about all cruelty

    to all living things.

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:23:17 AM PDT

    •  Exactly

      It's not an either/or proposition.

      by raatz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:01:37 PM PDT

•  adopt and spay your animals!

  Please adopt a needy pet rather than purchase from a pet store or breeder.
  We adopted a two year old female German Shepherd two years ago from our Local SPCA. She is a great dog! It feels good to save a life!

  by Philly Quaker on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:18:26 AM PDT

  •  And support no-kill shelters

    Ask your town, city, or county to bring shelter expert Nathan Winograd in for a consultation. He's scheduled to appear in Pennslyvania and Delaware later this month. And you can listen to him right now on the Vegan Freaks podcast:

    http://veganfreakradio.com/...

    by raatz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:07:33 PM PDT

  •  Agreed. We adopted our 2 cats

    from a shelter when they were 2 years old. We could ask for better companions.

    by Treg on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:11:01 PM PDT

    •  should be "couldn't"

      by Treg on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:11:37 PM PDT

•  Are you sure it was HIS dog?

  Maybe it was a stray he picked up.

  by HeyMikey on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:30:45 AM PDT

  •  It was his dog n/t

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 11:35:35 AM PDT

•  "Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation . . .

  . . . and the No Kill Revolution in America"

  http://www.powells.com/...

  by raatz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:00:29 PM PDT

•  To the people reccing this diary,

  I would ask them to consider that there is no evidence other than the diarist's statements that the Democratic State Senator actually did what is alleged. The allegation is based on 2nd hand information that reportedly came from a rescue group associated with the shelter in question. The diarist has no 1st hand knowledge of these events. These types of records are confidential so it is not clear whether the people the diarist cites gained access to them or whether this was some rumor at the shelter. Before sabotaging someone's career, Democrat or not, there should should be some  evidence of wrongdoing. This may in fact have happened, but this diary presents no actual evidence above the level of a rumor.

  by Treg on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:07:22 PM PDT

  •  adigal has a history here . . .

    . . . and is trustworthy.

    by raatz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:08:58 PM PDT

    •  Okay, but I think everyone should tread carefully

      until evidence is forthcoming. However, the diarist is correct, Democrats as well as Republicans should be called on hypocrisy.

      by Treg on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:14:43 PM PDT

      •  Verification from other sources is good advice

        That applies to anybody in any kind of news-gathering endeavor.

        by raatz on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:29:31 PM PDT

•  adigal, your heart is in the right place

  and I applaud you for wanting to help, but unless YOU saw the Senator turn his dog in to the shelter then this third-hand information from a friend-of-a-friend is nothing but a smear.

  I've been doing rescue myself for over seven years and the dog rescue community of one of the most political arenas I've ever waded into.  Information so often gets said-and-spread through the communication channels that has no basis in reality!  

  Please, get this 'story' confirmed first, and then I'll gladly send out emails to the contacts you've listed.  Otherwise, you're just asking us to engage in a witch hunt.

  by joyful on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 12:24:17 PM PDT

  •  The media is working on it, so I will keep an eye

    on this. However, the source of this information has a LOT to lose if this is not true, so I trust her. Will keep researching, however, thanks for the advice.

    by adigal on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 05:26:57 PM PDT

•  Please let us know...

  I will do something as soon as there is more info. It's a sickening story and I will help promote it. Thanks for getting it out there.

  by sallyfallschurch on Tue Apr 01, 2008 at 05:40:09 PM PDT