Tamira Thayne Who Took Ownership of Michael Vick’s Dogs Wanted for Animal Cruelty
by Robert Littal | Posted on Monday, August 27th, 2012
The Irony is thick like school teachers working at Magic City.
Wonder if Ms. Thayne will get two years in jail?
Wonder if Ms. Thayne will get two years in jail?
The owner and founder of a group that bought Michael Vick’s former Surry County home in an effort to care for rescued dogs is being sought on animal cruelty charges.
According to Tracy Terry, Chief Animal Control officer for Surry County, Tamira Thayne is wanted for animal cruelty and inadequate care of animals. Animal Control has received numerous complaints about the property, but could not go into detail about the complaints.
Terry told WAVY.com Thayne has been operating an illegal shelter as long as she has been in the state of Virginia.
When Animal Control began to receive the complaints, Terry said officers and officials from Virginia’s Office of Veterinary Services visited the home and property.
While Michael Vick deserved to be punished for his dog fighting ring, two years in jail was too harsh of a penalty and I will venture a guess that Ms. Thayne charges will only amount to a slap on the wrist.
That is the difference when you are a starting QB in the NFL and just a random home owner.
Other athletes should take note.
Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne wanted by police, charged with cruelty
Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better
Credits:
Dogs Deserve Better
In shocking news released this afternoon,Surry County authorities have announced that a warrant on animal cruelty charges has been issued for Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne.
Thayne made headlines last year when she purchased Michael Vick's former dogfighting compound in Virginia. Renamed "Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs," the property was transformed into a facility for dogs rescued by Dogs Deserve Better.
In July, Surry County Animal Control received multiple complaints relating to the treatment of animals at the kennel. According to chief animal control officer Tracy Terry, it was these complaints that led to a visit of the site by officers and representatives from Virginia's Office of Veterinary Services. What they observed was enough to charge Thayne with animal cruelty and inadequate care of animals.
Authorities have refused to comment on the specifics behind the charges, however, Terry has noted that multiple animals are involved. While the dogs have not been removed from the premises, Terry states that her office is taking steps to ensure that the animals receive the proper care and treatment.
Officials have been unable to locate Thayne to serve the warrants. They have asked that anyone with information regarding Thayne's whereabouts contact the Surry County Sheriff's Office. A court date has already been set for September 25.
It is important to note that while Dogs Deserve Better operates several chapters across the country, no other chapter or representative has been named in the recent charges, which focus solely on Thayne's Virginia operation.
* Update #1: Shortly before 4pm, Dogs Deserve Better posted the following statement on their Facebook page: There is no truth to the recent news articles. This is another attempt by a small group of people who are trying to put an end to Dogs Deserve Better and other rescue groups. They have been sending in false claims to the Surry County officials and demanding they close our rescue. We have copies of their letters and are in the process of getting it straightened out. There will be an official statement soon. *
As of 11pm, the above statement has been removed from the Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page.
Update #2: Shortly before midnight, Dogs Deserve Better posted a note on their Facebook page. In the note, DDB denies the abuse allegations while pleading for the return of Jada, a pit bull who was seized by Surry County Animal Control.
Update #3: Read August 28 article, "New details emerge behind Dogs Deserve Better cruelty charges."
New details emerge behind Dogs Deserve Better cruelty charges
Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better
Credits:
Dailypress.com
Search warrants filed Tuesday are shedding light on the charges being levied against Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne.
According to the warrants, "animals are being maced and tased on a regular basis." The seizure report reflects that one taser and nine cans of Mace were confiscated from the Surry County property. Also taken into evidence was an invoice for the purchase of the Mace.
The paperwork further states that Thayne's dogs were being kept in unsuitable size crates, "a minimum of 19 hours a day unless it is raining outside, then they are crated even longer."
The warrant goes on to allege that sick and injured dogs were not receiving veterinary care. Animals with bloody, runny and watery stools were said to have been continually dewormed instead of taken to a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
One pit bull was seized from the compound, a site that formerly housed the Michael Vick dogfighting ring but was later purchased by Thayne and transformed into the "Good Newz Rehab." The dog, Jada, is currently being held at the shelter and is not available for adoption at this time.
A handful of other dogs remain on the property, however, chief animal control officer Tracy Terry has stated that her office is ensuring that the animals receive the proper care. According to anote on the Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page, these dogs will "now have to wait" to be rescued or adopted.
Thayne has denied the charges against her. A since-deleted post on the Dogs Deserve Better Facebook page blamed the allegations on a small group of people who were trying to shut down the rescue by making false claims to Surry County officials. Dogs Deserve Better later posted anote stating that Thayne had been out of the country but the animals were "well taken care of by three caretakers and an office manager." According to the note, "They had each other's backs while Tami was gone, and they did great."
Thayne is facing charges for animal cruelty and inadequate care of an animal. She is due in court September 25.
Author's Note: Since publishing this objective news article, the terminology included in this piece has been disputed by persons challenging reports that Mace and a Taser were removed from the property. According to a family member of Thayne, the items seized were actually pepper spray and a stun gun. All terms and quotes used in this story have been taken verbatim from the Surry County search warrant. Per the Search Inventory & Return paperwork attached to the warrant:
The following items, and no others, were seized under the authority of this warrant:
1. Mace located in front closet (2)
2. Female black and white pit bull, 1 year female
3. 3 located in kitchen (Mace)
4. 2 located in kitchen drawer (Mace)
5. 2 located in bedroom office (Mace)
6. Copy of invoice for Mace
7. 1 taser found in desk drawer in living room
8. Vet records for pit bull named "Jada"
I would once again like to remind all parties that I am an impartial observer who reports on current events involving animals and animal rescue. I have no experience with DDB besides writing a flattering piece in the past about a Pennsylvania DDB rep who was helping a chained dog. I have no opinion on the allegations against Ms. Thayne, and am simply reporting on the charges that she is facing in Surry County.
Founder of Dog Rescue Wanted for Animal Cruelty
(ANIMAL NEWS) VIRGINIA — Could Michael Vick’s animal abuse be living on? Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne recently took over the compound infamous for Michael Vick’s former dogfighting operation to create a dog rescue in hopes of bringing justice to the hundreds of dogs that were abused there. But numerous complaints about the treatment of dogs at Dogs Deserve Better has caused a new investigation. The kennel is still up and running, but accusations against Thayne for animal cruelty are flying. Hopefully the whole situation is a misunderstanding; no more dogs need to suffer at this site, or anywhere for that matter. — Global Animal
Photo Credit: Adrin Snider/Daily Press
Examiner, Terese Seaberg
In shocking news released this afternoon, Surry County authorities have announced that an arrest warrant has been issued for Dogs Deserve Better founder Tamira Thayne.
Thayne made headlines last year when she purchased Michael Vick’s former dogfighting compound in Virginia. Renamed “Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs,” the property was transformed into a facility for dogs rescued by Dogs Deserve Better.
In July, Surry County Animal Control received multiple complaints relating to the treatment of animals at the kennel. According to chief animal control officer Tracy Terry, it was these complaints that led to a visit of the site by officers and representatives from Virginia’s Office of Veterinary Services. What they observed was enough to charge Thayne with animal cruelty.
Authorities have refused to comment on the specifics behind the charges, however, Terry has noted that multiple animals are involved. While the dogs have not been removed from the premises, Terry states that her office is taking steps to see that the animals receive the proper care and treatment.
Officials have been unable to locate Thayne to serve the warrant. They have asked that anyone with information regarding Thayne’s whereabouts contact the Surry County Sheriff’s Office. A court date has already been set for September 25.
It is important to note that Dogs Deserve Better operates several chapters across the country manned by area representatives with an interest in assisting and rescuing confined dogs. No other chapter or representative has been named in the recent charges, which focus solely on Thayne’s Virginia operation.
* Update: Shortly before 4pm, Dogs Deserve Better posted the following statement on their Facebook page: There is no truth to the recent news articles. This is another attempt by a small group of people who are trying to put an end to Dogs Deserve Better and other rescue groups. They have been sending in false claims to the Surry County officials and demanding they close our rescue. We have copies of their letters and are in the process of getting it straightened out. There will be an official statement soon. *
More Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/article/dogs-deserve-better-founder-tamira-thayne-wanted-by-police-charged-with-cruelty
Foster care needed for dogs ordered removed from Dogs Deserve Better facility
Virginia state officials have ordered Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, to secure foster homes for the eight remaining dogs being housed at the Good Newz Rehab center in Surry County. Although Thayne had been given until September 30 to place the dogs, she recently told the Daily Press that this deadline has been put on hold while her attorney works with officials from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Authorities began investigating Thayne in May after an anonymous tip alleged that volunteers and employees were subjected to unsafe working conditions. In July, several more ex-employees came forward and e-mailed photos and complaints to Surry County animal control. The complaints accused Thayne of keeping dogs confined for long periods of time, denying animals veterinary care and using cruel methods to break up dog fights.
Those reports ultimately led to an August raid on the property that was once the site of the Mike Vick dog fighting ring. A warrant and seizure report released to the press indicated that both Mace and Tasers were removed from the property. A young pit bull named Jada was also removed from the site; she was later returned to Thayne's custody.
An article published Thursday by the Daily Press sheds new light on the charges against Thayne. Cited is a recent letter to Thayne from Daniel Kovich, a manager with the state's veterinary office. Kovich alleges that at least 30 dogs have been confined at the center since its opening last year. He further goes on to state that the facility is in violation of Virginia's safe shelter laws; according to the letter, one concern was that proper precautions were not being taken to prevent dogs from fighting. He references one dog fight which resulted in over $1000 in veterinary bills before naming other hazards, such as animals that suffered snake bites while outdoors on overgrown grass and dogs being housed in a kitchen with direct access to hazardous materials.
Kovich also references pepper spray (referred to as 'Mace' in the search warrant) that was found at the center. Former DDB employees had previously told authorities that the dogs in Thayne's care were being maced and tased on a regular basis. Allegedly, one canister of the spray found inside Thayne's home showed evidence of having been previously discharged.
According to the Daily Press, Kovich told Thayne that "use of pepper spray as a deterrent to aggression is in no way an appropriate husbandry practice in an animal shelter environment. Negative interactions should be prevented from occurring in the first place."
Thayne has denied the charges against her, claiming in a since-deleted Facebook post that false claims were being filed by "a small group of people who are trying to put an end to Dogs Deserve Better and other rescue groups." Dogs Deserve Better supporters have also pointed to the return of Jada as evidence that the charges against Thayne are false.
Thayne is due in court November 13 on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. The state has forbid Dogs Deserve Better from taking in any new dogs at the center at this time. Dogs Deserve Better continues to operate and has now focused their efforts towards a fund that provides grants to cover veterinary expenses for formerly chained and penned dogs.
Photos and descriptions of the Good Newz Rehab dogs in need of foster and adoptive homes are available on the Dogs Deserve Better Petfinder and Facebook pages. Prospective fosters are encouraged to contact DDB via e-mail or by calling (757) 357-9292. Anyone wishing to permanently adopt one of these animals may fill out an application on the DDB website.
Author's note: Since publishing factual and impartial articles detailing the case against Thayne, members of the press including myself have been subject to a flurry of personal attacks from supporters of Thayne who believe that the charges against her are false. I, and several others who I am aware of, did indeed shy away from further discussion of this case due to the backlash brought on by a small group of people who did not want the charges against Thayne to be made public. Although the vitriol initially caused me to stop covering this case, I have chosen to publicize these recent events as I believe that burying this new information could prove to be extremely detrimental to these innocent animals who are in urgent need of placement through no fault of their own. There has been virtually no coverage of this new development on Facebook and only one Google News indexed article that details the DDB dogs' immediate need for foster homes.Regardless of how people feel about Thayne or whether they believe the charges against her, I would hope that both factions can look to the best interests of the animals that are involved in this situation. Should the state enforce the current order, these dogs have a very short period of time to find foster or adoptive homes and there is no denying that they would do better in a stable home environment than in a shelter or boarding kennel.
Vick homeowner claims abuse innocence
Updated: Thursday, 13 Sep 2012, 9:21 AM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 12 Sep 2012, 10:22 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 12 Sep 2012, 10:22 PM EDT
SURRY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) - The owner of an animal rescue facility housed at Michael Vick's previous home has been charged with animal cruelty and is exclusively speaking to WAVY.com about the incident.
Surry County deputies served Tamira Thayne with an arrest warrant two weeks ago and found pepper spray and a stun gun at Thayne's Dogs Deserve Better facility in Surry County.
Thayne told WAVY.com the charges she is facing are false. She says a former employee with an ax to grind went to deputies to get her in trouble.
"I've done nothing wrong but try to give these dogs the most home-like environment that I can," Thayne said.
Thayne opened the facility last year with a goal of turning Vick's dog fighting facility into a rehabilitation facility for abused dogs.
"It's been hell," Thayne said, addressing the charges. "I moved here a year ago to help dogs and I've literally been tortured since I've been here. It's very damaging to my reputation. The very worst thing you can accuse an animal rescuer of is animal cruelty."
Two weeks ago, animal control also took away a pit bull named Jada because they thought she was abused. Jada was returned to Dogs Deserve Better Wednesday because a judge said she showed no signs of abuse.
"It feels like one piece of validation," Thayne said.
But even with small victory, Thayne still must fight the animal cruelty charges. Regarding the pepper spray, Thayne told WAVY.com there was a reason it was at the shelter.
"That is for the protection of our staff and other dogs just in case the worst should happen," Thayne said. "Dogs have teeth, dogs can bite and dogs can kill. My staff deserves some protection."
As for the stun gun, Thayne claims her husband gave it to her.
Additionally, animal control officers also cited Thayne for not caring for sick dogs and keeping others in small crates.
"They sleep in crates here," Thayne said. "That's for their safety. If they don't sleep in crates, you are going to have dog fights on your hands. Dogs have to be crated at night for their protection and our peace of mind."
Thayne says she believes she will be proven innocent.
"I feel that Surry County needs to drop the charges and I think they owe me an apology," Thayne said.
Thayne said she never used the stun gun or pepper stray on any dog.
She is scheduled to be back in court September 25.
Thayne also told WAVY.com she plans to sue the Surry County Sheriff's Office for wrongful effect if a judge finds her innocent.
No comments:
Post a Comment