Animal Abuse

Crossing the line: Seminar tackles teen issues (02/23/12)
"If you feel physically unattractive, you don't like the person that you are, you don't feel loved ... cross the line," said Eric Johnson to a room full of middle school students last week. Dozens of bright, attractive students -- both boys and girls -- crossed the blue line marked on the floor in the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church...

Microchips: A pet's best friend (12/02/11)
Bedford County Animal Control and the Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic are teaming up in hopes to give your pet the ultimate Christmas present -- a sure way back hope in the event they stray too far. "Identification Station," as they're calling it, will be held Saturday, Dec. 17. From noon until 2 p.m. MTSNC will offer microchips for $25 and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. BCAC will have identification tags for your pets for $3...

Monkeys' owner faces short jail term (12/01/11)
A Bedford County man who was discovered with a number of monkeys at his home earlier this year will spend four days in jail and has been forbidden to keep any more exotic animals. Ricky Smith of Frank Martin Road was given a sentence of 11 months, 29 days probation on two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, with four days to serve in jail, according to assistant district attorney Drew Wright. The sentences are to run concurrent to any community corrections violations Smith has...

Rescue Waggin' saves dogs' lives (10/06/11)
This month, PetSmart Charities will celebrate the transport of the 50,000th dog saved through its Rescue Waggin' program, including 698 dogs and puppies saved in the past two years through Bedford County Animal Control and Shelbyville & Bedford County Humane Association...

Dad accused of injuring 4-month-old (09/22/11)
The father of a 4-month-old girl is accused of inflicting injuries that have left her fighting for her life in a Nashville hospital. James Tyler Cobble, 24, of Templeton Street was charged with aggravated child abuse and child abuse Wednesday afternoon, detective Carol Jean of the Shelbyville Police Department said...

County animal facility remains fully populated (09/22/11)
Bedford County Animal Control director Brenda Goodrich reported to the county commission's law enforcement committee on Tuesday that the facility is staying full -- even after the Rescue Waggin' program took some animals away, the facility quickly filled back up again...

Monkey owner faces charges (08/26/11)
The Bedford County man who kept five monkeys at his home is now facing multiple animal cruelty charges. Ricky Smith of Frank Martin Road has been charged with five counts of aggravated animal cruelty following an incident earlier this month when a Japanese macaque named "Yoshi," was shot and killed after it escaped and attacked two people...

Slithering surprise: Snake shocks showerer (08/25/11)
Louise Johnson just wanted a refreshing shower. The last thing she expected Tuesday afternoon was a snake falling from the ceiling into her bathtub. "I was taking a shower and this big, long thing started coming down out of the ceiling," Johnson, of Bugscuffle Road near Haley, said...

Monkey killed after 2 attacks (08/05/11)
Two victims of a rampaging monkey have been told they're fortunate to be alive. The monkey was shot and killed by a Bedford County deputy Thursday morning after it attacked a woman and another deputy and terrorized a Frank Martin Road neighborhood. Michelle Pyrdum, 42, said she underwent surgery for a deep gash to her calf muscle after the monkey attacked her from behind in her driveway...

4 other monkeys taken from site (08/05/11)
Four monkeys were removed Thursday night from the Frank Martin Road property where another monkey escaped and was shot to death by a deputy sheriff after attacking two people earlier in the day. Charges have not been filed but are pending, said Brenda Goodrich, director of Bedford County Animal Control...

Shelter pets may be altered before adoption (07/28/11)
A new, grant-funded program would allow Bedford County Animal Control to have animals spayed or neutered at Middle Tennessee Spay & Neuter Clinic before giving them to their new owners, as opposed to the current system, in which owners must have the animals spayed or neutered themselves...

Day camp promotes happy, safe pets (07/10/11)
How much do you know about keeping your pet happy, healthy and safe? How much does your child know? Many times, it's the son or daughter who pleads for the puppy or kitten -- and the mom or dad who ends up taking care of it. Some education, training and incentives can change all that...

State funds boost anti-binge drinking effort (06/07/11)
The Bedford County Anti-Drug Coalition has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. The grant was made in response to the anti-drug coaltion's submission of a grant proposal "to reduce binge drinking among 14-25 year olds," according to a letter confirming the grant to Luci Taylor, Bedford County project coordinator...

Clock ticks for adoptable cats (05/31/11)
Last Tuesday, there were six cats and seven kittens euthanized at the Bedford County Animal Control Shelter. On Wednesday morning, there were still 66 cats and kittens waiting -- hoping -- to be adopted before they, too, have to be destroyed. "We're still full, cats and dogs both," said Brenda Goodrich, the shelter director...

Johnson court date scheduled for June (05/19/11)
The case of a Normandy man charged with first degree murder for the death of his infant son last fall has been continued until next month. Andrew Keith Johnston, 18, will make his next appearance before Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler on June 20...

Father charged in baby's death (04/19/11)
A Normandy man was indicted on charges of first degree murder for the death of his infant son last fall. Andrew Keith Johnston, 18, was arraigned Monday before Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler on the charges, and is set to appear again on May 16. Johnston was accused last October of abusing 1-month-old William Johnston after emergency personnel were called to a residence on Normandy Road on Oct. 15, 2010...

Dogs go from the street to YouTube (04/10/11)
It sounds like a classic Hollywood story. One day, you're kicked to the gutter, and the next day you're a star. In this case, the hero of the tale wasn't kicked to the gutter -- he was almost killed by a car. The YouTube video he "stars" in is one designed to save his life...

Soring trial set for May 31 (03/25/11)
A federal judge has set a trial date of May 31 for three people accused of "soring" horses. Last Friday, a four-count indictment was returned on Barney Davis, 38, of Lewisburg, Christen Altman, 25, of Shelbyville, and Jeffery Bradford, 33, of Lewisburg...

Johnson case doesn't go to grand jury (03/22/11)
The case of a Normandy man accused of abusing his infant son, who later died, was not presented to the March session of the Bedford County grand jury. Instead, Andrew Keith Johnston, 18, will appear before Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler when the jury meets again on April 18...

Johnston goes to grand jury (03/15/11)
Testimony about a written confession and an autopsy report was enough for a judge to submit a Normandy man's case to Bedford County's grand jury on charges he abused his 1-month old son, who later died of his injuries. Andrew Keith Johnston, 18, was accused last October of abusing William Johnston after emergency personnel were called to a residence on Normandy Road...

Animals' new BFF: Goodrich (03/06/11)
"I'm having a pretty terrific week." Brenda Goodrich is the new director for Bedford County Animal Control and her first couple of weeks on the job have been great, she says, thanks to the community support she's received, especially from local schools...

Animal carcass removal costs expected to fall (12/23/10)
County Mayor Eugene Ray told Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee Tuesday night that the cost of livestock carcass removal through Appertain Corp. would likely be reduced once a new contract is in place. However, the University of Tennessee and Middle Tennessee State University still haven't found a long-term alternative to landfill disposal...

Mental check denied abuser (12/08/10)
A woman already sentenced to 12 years for child abuse was denied a motion for a mental evaluation. Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler ruled Monday that Angela Venise Scruggs, 36, did not need an evaluation, due to the fact she had already had one before she entered a guilty plea in September for severely burning an 13-month-old child...

Violence, tragedy hit children hard across Bedford (11/18/10)
According to the annual Kids Count report released this month by the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, Bedford County has infant mortality twice as bad as the state average, a rate of substantiated child abuse that is nearly twice the state average and a rate of teen violent deaths that is nearly twice the state average...

Bond hiked on father of dead child (11/02/10)
The bond against a Normandy man accused of abusing his 1-month old son -- who later died -- was more than doubled last week. Meanwhile, sheriff's department investigators are awaiting results from the state medical examiner before upgrading charges against him...

Month-old baby dies of injuries (10/24/10)
A Normandy man could be facing more serious charges after the 1-month old son he is accused of abusing died Friday morning. William Johnson died at 8:52 a.m. Friday after doctors at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville removed him from life support Thursday night, said Detective Captain Becky Hord of Bedford County Sheriff's Department...

Father accused of injuring baby (10/19/10)
A 1-month old boy is clinging to life in a Nashville hospital with severe head injuries and his father has been charged with inflicting them. Andrew Keith Johnston, 18, of Troupe Lane, Normandy, was arrested Sunday and charged with aggravated child abuse. He is being held under $100,000 bond and is set to appear before General Sessions Judge Charles Rich on Nov. 24...

'Evil came out' in child abuse case (09/14/10)
A Shelbyville woman will spend the next 12 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to severely burning an 13-month-old child. Angela Venise Scruggs, 36, of Stanley Boulevard was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Robert Crigler for aggravated child abuse on Monday...

County wants Thomas suit dismissed (08/11/10)
The attorney representing Bedford County, the sheriff's department and three deputies in a $6 million federal lawsuit has filed a motion to dismiss the case. Meanwhile, the man who filed the suit faced a judge in Coffee County on animal cruelty charges, while lawyers in this county continue to wait to schedule his next court date on similar charges here...

County can't afford to bid on building (05/26/10)
Bedford County Financial Management Committee heard Tuesday night that the county has no money to bid on the former Cannon Chevrolet building on Lane Parkway, even if it were to be available at a bargain. Deputy Finance Director Paulette Arnold reported on behalf of Finance Director Robert Daniel...

Possibly-rabid animals can remain at home (05/20/10)
Bedford County Board of Commissioners' rules and legislative committee and law enforcement and workhouse committee both endorsed a rules change for Bedford County Animal Control to allow in-home quarantine for animals suspected of rabies. BCAC had, at the recommendation of the county health department, already been allowing such in-home quarantine, in spite of the fact that its rules specified that such quarantine take place at the shelter. ...

83 and ailing, elder Thomas misses court date (03/18/10)
Court dates for John Darron Thomas, accused of hundreds of counts of animal cruelty involving dead and starved cattle, has been reset for later next month due to his attendance at an alcohol and drug treatment center. Meanwhile, Thomas' elderly father did not show for his first court appearance on related charges, while the remaining cattle that are at the center of the cruelty case have been sold...

621 more animal cruelty charges filed against Thomas (03/05/10)
A member of the state's agriculture crime unit says it's the worse case of animal abuse he's ever seen. John Darron Thomas now faces an additional 621 counts of animal cruelty after investigators completed their tally of dead and starved cattle discovered last month...

Roundup continues as officials search for remaining cows (02/17/10)
Snow has hampered the search for the remains of a cattle herd authorities claim have been starved, while more live cows are being cared for. Meanwhile, the man sheriff's officials say is responsible for the dead animals is free on bonds totalling over $1 million and new autopsy results have confirmed the cause of death to be starvation...

Starved or shot? Officials, owner spar over cows' condition (02/11/10)
Multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty are pending against a Wartrace man who authorities say has starved his cattle. However, the man accused claims that his cows were shot after he filed a $6 million federal lawsuit against the sheriff and three deputies...

Crowd welcomes Spay & Neuter Clinic (01/31/10)
It's just as well there weren't actually any pets at the Middle Tennessee Spay & Neuter Clinic's ribbon cutting and open house Thursday afternoon -- even a teacup chihuahua would have had a hard time finding room. Hundreds of people, including County Mayor Eugene Ray and State Sen. Jim Tracy, turned out for the event. The opening marks more than a year of hard work, dedication, donations and volunteerism to bring spaying and neutering services to low-income families...

Clinic cuts spay, neuter costs (01/27/10)
As a veterinarian, Dr. Megan Betzelberger has worked with Michael Gregory at the Bedford County animal shelter doing a job she hates -- euthanizing healthy animals simply because they are unwanted. "I hate it," she said. "It's one thing when the animal is sick or hurting and it's the only thing you can do for it. But to have to euthanize a healthy puppy?"...

Copper's ordeal: second horse rescued from icy pond (01/15/10)
For the second time within a week, emergency crews were called Thursday to rescue a horse from a partially-frozen farm pond. Copper was discovered in the pond on property belonging to Tommy and Tewaan Tucker off Anthony Road northeast of Shelbyville about 3:45 p.m., Tommy Tucker said...

A home for Patches: pet saved due to volunteer pilot (01/14/10)
The call went out on Twitter Sunday morning. "EMERGENCY! PILOTS NEEDED! Pregnant dog in animal control facility near Shelbyville, TN. We need to fly her to Ankeny, IA. paws57@gmail.com." By Monday afternoon, little Patches was on her way to the midwest...

Guilty plea to animal cruelty carries jail time (01/07/10)
A Unionville man will serve 15 days in jail, pay restitution to the county and won't be allowed to own any more animals after pleading guilty to cruelty charges on Wednesday. In his second appearance in General Sessions Court, Thomas Snell of Halls Mill Road pleaded guilty to 11 counts of animal cruelty...

Animals overrun filthy property (12/17/09)
A Unionville couple are facing multiple counts of animal cruelty and child neglect after authorities investigated conditions at a residence on Halls Mill Road late last month. Thomas and Brenda Snell of 1769 Halls Mill Road made their first court appearance Wednesday on the charges and will appear next in General Sessions Court on Jan. 6...

Chester needs you: Puppy nursed back to health available for adoption (12/16/09)
When a mixed breed, 5-month-old puppy named Chester was spotted in a cage at Bedford County Animal Control, he looked like he was dying. Mange had overtaken his body, leaving only spots of fur and visibly raw skin. In this condition, he was unadoptable and would most likely be euthanized. But Kimberly Warren, a board member and volunteer with the Shelbyville Bedford County Humane Association, saw the potential in this little puppy and decided to rescue Chester and foster him back to good health...

It's a dog's life: Charity saves lives of local canines (11/26/09)
If dogs had Southern accents, the northern United States would be filled with the sounds of Bedford County canines. PetSmart Charities' "Rescue Waggin," which moves adoptable dogs from overpopulated areas to shelters in regions where dogs are in demand, picked up 32 dogs from Bedford County Animal Control last week...

Riding Hawgs for the Dawgs (11/08/09)

Shelbyville man accused in sex abuse incidents (09/27/09)
A Shelbyville man is being held under $100,000 bond after being arrested on serious charges of a sexual nature against a child. Joe Jernigan, 61, of Richland Drive has been charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Jernigan allegedly had "unlawful sexual contact with a juvenile female that was 11 years of age," according to warrants filed by Detective Carol Jean of the Shelbyville Police Department...

Officers taser pit bull to stop attack on patrol car (09/09/09)
Shelbyville police said they were forced to use a Taser on a pit bull which attacked a patrol car Monday. The dog was subdued and taken to Shelbyville's animal shelter, Maj. Jan. Phillips' report said. Officers found the dog, which had been reported at large behind a West Lane Street home, outside an unoccupied house on nearby Central Avenue near another dog tied to a tree...

Marijuana, stolen gun found after traffic stop (05/03/08)
A gun stolen 15 years ago was recovered during a traffic stop late Thursday night, Shelbyville police said. Officer Jody Shelton said he stopped the car occupied by driver Jake Allen Raby, 22, East Lane Street, and passenger Damon Juvea Hickmon, 21, King Arthur Trailer Court, due to no headlights in use at night. A strong odor of marijuana was coming from the...

Foster mother accused of statutory rape (05/03/08)
A Shelbyville foster mother has been indicted by the Bedford County grand jury for allegedly having sex with a foster child she had access to. Alea Rhea Rippy, 25, has been charged with eight counts of statutory rape by an authority figure, according to true bills issued by the grand jury on April 21...

Thief enters home, departs with $8 (04/28/08)
A home on Kingdom Road in northern Bedford County was entered while the occupants were in bed early Friday morning. Only $8 was taken from one room, according to a report filed by Cpl. Kent Jacobs of the Bedford County Sheriff's Department. The screen was torn from a front window to gain entry...

Copper taken from underneath home (04/24/08)
An estimated $2,500 worth of copper wiring was stolen between April 16 and Monday from a home under construction in Valley View Estates subdivision on Red Hill Road in Normandy. Builder John Morton told the Bedford County Sheriff's Department the wiring was taken from underneath the home...

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