March 26, 2008
Precinct 1 Constable Shane Johnson is "hoping for big hearts" to take care of some needy animals. In an unusual twist in his job description, Johnson has been taking care of approximately 20 mix-breed dogs and puppies, close to 30 chickens, about 10 pigeons, six to eight cats and one goat for close to a week now, since the owners of the animals were evicted from their home located between Central Heights and Cushing and left the malnourished animals to fend for themselves. It all started when he served an eviction notice to the tenants of a property near Cushing. He noticed unkempt cages and visible signs of neglect, which prompted him to file a complaint with the Justice of the Peace of Precinct 1. JP Kerry Don Williamson heard testimony on Tuesday from the constable and veterinarian Dr. Ronald Lott from the Appleby Sand Road Animal Clinic, who reported the conditions as “not acceptable” for the animals. “The owners did try to retain the animals, but lost their case,” said Johnson, who seized the animals. “These conditions didn’t just pop up overnight.” Friday, a justice of the peace will hold a public auction for the animals in hopes of finding them new homes. Interested adopters will be able to view pictures of the animals at the Nacogdoches courtroom Friday morning.
Johnson, who spends 40 minutes “on a good day” feeding all the animals, hopes “big hearts” will adopt them as pets and pick up where he has to leave off. Food for the cats and dogs is provided by the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter and Lone Star Feed, Johnson is encouraged by the veterinarian, organization and company support. “It really shows how a community can come together and support each other,” said Johnson, who fears the animals could be put down if not adopted on Friday. Evicted from their rental home, the animals’ owners abandoned them, as well as most of their furniture. Caged pigeons were found inside the home, while the cats, which roamed from inside to outside, covered the floor with feces. Outside, the goat and chickens were kept in a coop with some chickens lying dead in the same pen. The 20 dogs were randomly chained, caged or found freely walking about. The auction will take place Friday at 9 a.m. in the justice of peace courtroom, 9373 U.S. Hwy. 259, Nacogdoches, Texas.
May 9, 2008
No one came for Gemi and she ended up in the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter. But as time progressed, Gemi began to get a little depressed. Most dogs with sweet and sensitive personalities don't do well in the shelter environment. Combine that with her heartworms and recovery from surgery, not to mention the neglect of her prior home, and it was time to find a way out for her and fast. As luck would have it, the shelter had a plan! Through tag team efforts from the shelter and her new foster parents, Gemi would move to my home for the remainder of her heartworm treatment and recovery.
