Angel Ridge Animal Rescue, 390 Old Hickory Ridge Road, and owner/director Nancy Shannon, of Meadow Lands, were cited in January and February by the state dog warden following two separate inspections that showed the shelter failed to keep the buildings and grounds of the kennels maintained, failed to ensure complete records were kept on dogs and failed to ensure the kennel had an effective control program against insects, pests and parasites, among other things.
The shelter and Shannon were cited in January for alleged violations found during a Jan. 9 inspection including failure to keep the kennel in sanitary and humane conditions in regards to temperature and pests, failure to keep proper kennel records, not having a health certificate for transportation, failure to produce a bill of sale for a dog and dealing with an unlicensed out-of-state dealer.
Both were cited again during a Feb. 18 inspection by dog Warden Steven Stoehr, who was accompanied by two other dog wardens, after he allegedly observed rusted kennel posts and drains.
Food and water receptacles reportedly contained bird excrement. Bird excrement also was found on fencing, floors and walls in the areas housing dogs and throughout the kennel including walls, shelving and stored food.
The wardens also reportedly observed infestation of birds and damage to the ceiling and insulated walls where birds made holes to nest. Drains were reportedly clogged with hair, food and excrement.
Shannon testified in court she spent roughly $15,000 during the winter in order to comply with the violations. The shelter lost heat Jan. 8 after the property’s gas and water lines froze. Shannon said heat was restored Jan. 9 after the wardens’ visit.
“If it had gone on for days or weeks, I would have done something. But we are talking about a 48-hour period,” she said in court. “Our building is pretty well insulated and all the dogs were provided blankets, straw and kennels.”
Shannon testified missing records were the result of vandalism and she had taken the remaining records home with her to South Carolina for safe keeping. She said everything was returned to the shelter.
As for the bird problem, Shannon said she contacted experts and purchased a fog-like machine that creates a mist to drive away birds. She said birds have been a problem for about five years, and, this year, the problem doubled. The use of the machine required nice weather as the shelter’s doors needed to be opened and the dogs removed. Shannon’s attorney, S. Stephen Ferito, argued the violations were the result of poor timing.
“Ms. Shannon has done everything in her power to abide by the dogs laws,” he said. “They were doing everything they possibly could and the problems have now been addressed.”
Both Ferito and Shannon declined to comment following Tuesday’s hearing. Stoehr also declined to comment.
The shelter is required to pay $200 per violation and court costs.
(Observer-Reporter - April 14, 2015)
Earlier:
