Saturday, January 7, 2017

Tennessee: National Guard member Kate Handley said she was running a 'rescue' and pet food pantry. Police say she and her boyfriend Michael Foster were hoarding animals and neglecting their baby

TENNESSEE -- A Newport couple was arrested for child neglect/abuse and animal cruelty after Newport Officers found a residence hoarding 22 neglected animals along with a neglected 2-month-old child on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Capt. Amy Gentry and Patrolman Mike Robey were dispatched to 596 Freeman Ave., to assist Animal Control Officer Lisa Laymen on a welfare check of a pit bull.

Photos are from her Facebook page

Upon their arrival, officers noticed the pit bull was severely malnourished and its ribs were visible as a result from starvation.


Officers then made contact with the owner, Katherine Ann Cogdill (aka Kate Cogdill, Kate Handley), 27, who said there were more animals inside the residence.

Notice the name on her badge says COGDILL

 
As Officers searched through the home to conduct a welfare check on the other animals, they found a total of 11 snakes, two spiders, three dogs, two cats, and four lizards, with one deceased, but still in the cage.

According to the report, all animals did not have water and the cages had not been cleaned in weeks. Capt. Gentry said the floors of every room in the residence were covered in animal feces and urine.

Officers also found a two-month-old child, who was dirty, all of his bottles were moldy, and his blanket was crawling with fleas. 

  
 

In addition, his playpen was in three feet of a cage that contained 12’ Burmese python with no secured lock, along with three other tanks of snakes.

DCS was called to the scene and removed the child.

 

Codgill and the father of the child, Michael Foster, 23, were placed under arrest and charged with animal cruelty and child abuse/neglect.

Bond for Cogdill and Foster was set at $10,000 each.

Online records say that Cogdill also has another child, a 6-year-old son who she had with her ex-husband Phillip Cogdill. Does her ex-husband have custody of this child? I hope so.


Katherine Anne "Kate" Handley 
Katherine Handley
Kate Handley
Kate Handley-Cogdill
Kate Cogdill
Katherine Cogdill
DOB: April 30, 1989

 

SAYS ON FACEBOOK SHE'S A NON-PROFIT, BUT ON HER WEBSITE SAYS "I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY NON-PROFIT STATUS YET". IT IS ILLEGAL TO CLAIM TO BE A 501c3 WHEN YOU ARE NOT.

 
 
 

 
 

SHUT DOWN THE PET FOOD PANTRY BUT STILL DAILY ASKING FOR MONEY

Pet food Pantry in newport,TN
December 31, 2016 at 4:25pm · Newport, TN · 
Due to personal matters we have moved and are having a rough time. We can not currently give out donations. And we apologize. thanks for all the support. If we ever get back up and running we Will let you all know.




How many times has a child been saved from a dangerous situation because someone has taken the time to do a welfare check on an animal? Even if people do not give a damn about the animals- think of how many situations are out there with not just animals needing saved- but, children.

According to Katherine Cogdill's Facebook posts (she appears to work under the name Kate Handley on social media) she was running a pet food bank and appeared to be involved in rescue. Fostering perhaps? For who? Independent rescuer? How was she obtaining her dogs and other animals? DID ANYONE WHOEVER HANDED HER A LIFE EVER STEP INTO THE HOME?? Anyone? Anyone?

"..the pit bull was severely malnourished..." (see story)

".. I run a food pantry out of my house.." Kate Handley - Nov. 16 2016 Facebook post


Someone PLEASE explain to me how any animal residing in the home of someone running a pet food pantry could possibly be malnourished??? Please, explain this to me.

"..two month old child... bottles were moldy..blanket was crawling with fleas... playpen was in three feet of a cage that contained 12' burmese python with no secured lock..." 

Again- anyone do a home check before handing her an animal? Thankfully, that child was taken and is being given non moldy bottles and a snake free place to sleep and play.

Michael Foster is the other adult who has been charged.

Running a pet food pantry but can't even pay for her own pets' food - and asking for donations???

 
 

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