This is my account of what happened with the puppy known as
Spirit. It is a PDF file. Click here.
Let me know what you
think about this! Fill out
my feedback form. I
may post your
comments without
your name.
Had problems with the  
Wythe Co. Animal
shelter? Contact the
County Administrator or
Board of Supervisors.
Speak up! 276-223-6020
"I looked at all the
caged animals in the
shelter...the cast-offs of
human society. I saw in
their eyes love and
hope, fear and dread,
sadness and betrayal.
And I was angry."
"God," I said, "this is
terrible! Why don't you
do something?" God
was silent for a
moment, and then He
spoke softly. I have
done "something, He
replied. I created  you".
Jim Willis          
http://www.crean.com/ji
mwillis
"We call them dumb
animals, and so they
are, for they cannot tell
us how they feel, but
they do not suffer less
because they have no
words". Unknown
"We can judge the heart
of a Man by his
Treatment of Animals."
~ Immanuel Kant
Prayer for Animals

"Hear our humble prayer,
O God, for our friends the
animals, especially for
animals who are suffering;
for animals that are
overworked, underfed
and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in
captivity that beat their
wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or
lost or deserted or
frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put to
death. We entreat for
them all Thy mercy and
pity, and for those who
deal with them we ask a
heart of compassion
and gentle hands and
kindly words. Make us,
ourselves, to be true
friends to animals,
and so to share the
blessings of the merciful."

- Albert Schweitzer
"I hold that the more
helpless a creature, the
more entitled it is to
protection by man from
the cruelty of man"
~~M. Gandhi (1869-1948)
I emailed the
following people. Do
they not care?
Anne B. Crockett-Stark
10/6/07- No reply!

Trent Crewe 10/6/07-No
Reply!

Sate Vet 10/8/07and
10/14/07- Response on
10/22/07-see below

Emailed Board of
Supervisors on
10/18/07, as of 11/6/07
no reply from any
member.
Susan Crigger?
Charles Dix ?
Lisa Eaton ?
James Hagee ?
Daniel McDaniel ?
Wythe Sharitz ?
Martha Umberger ?
There Email, then click
their name
Update, he made it through the weekend and is supposed to have his leg
removed on Tuesday 10/9/07 but the animal control officer Danny Blanchett
interfered and caused a delay till Thursday 10/11/07.
Update 10/10/07: We met with the County Administrator's Office today and
were told that a mistake was made and that disciplinary action would take
place but they could not say what. They are over the Animal Shelter.
Update 10/11/07: The surgery was put on hold to see if the leg could be
saved! He was able to stand today.
Update 10/12/07:His pelvis is healing and The Vet has got an orthopedic
consult for him...she thinks he may be able to keep his leg!! They put it back
together somehow and he can hop around on it a bit...it is crooked but it looks
much much better than Saturday... He is also gaining weight and wanted to
PLAY...  :o)
Update 10/15/07: Spirit did have to have his leg amputated on Saturday :( but
is doing well...so well, in fact, that he is ready to go home.
Update from sarah 10/15/07:The incision already appears to be healing and
his stitches come out Saturday...  And yes he can RUN and play...  Would you
like to guess how much his bill was? 138$ total... Now who gets the bill to
...Steve Baer or Cellell Dalton the County Admin??? Bruce is the golden (who
is blind) and the pit is Ms. Annie (who also came from the Wythe pound). He
lives with Sarah now. See below, payment was denied.
Sign Spirit's Petition? Please ask everyone to sign. This is not just for Spirit but for
every dog that has suffered by their hands and for every dog that could have the
same fate as Spirit. We have to stop this now!
Sign Spirit's Petition? Please ask everyone to sign!
See all the
comments
posted here!
WARNING: People who steal and abuse dogs, sell animals to laboratories and
train fighting dogs often answer "free to good home" ads. For your dogs's
safety, research potential adopters carefully before directing them to your
home.
This was the response by the State Veterinarian & Director on 10/22/07

The Wythe County Pound was inspected on September 27 and has
been asked to respond to the Pound Inspector on areas of
noncompliance found at that inspection.  I feel that the Wythe County
response to the letter of information from the Pound and Shelter Inspector
should cover the concerns about the availability of veterinary care for animals
at the Wythe County Pound as well as other concerns.  I will not comment
further on this incident until the Wythe County Administrator has had an
opportunity to respond.

Thank you for intervening on behalf of the puppy.  I assumed from your
message that you and the Wythe Humane Society are in possession of the
puppy and responsible for its care at this time.  Please let me know if this
assumption is not accurate.
I emailed him back to let him know that the puppy was with the Humane Society.
Update 10/26/07: Last word I received was that Spirit was doing well and
recovering. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition, please keep it going.
I asked for a copy of the 9/27/07 report by the Freedom of Information Act on
10/25/07
This is what you are funding when you buy from
breeders(puppymills) or pets stores.WATCH
Here's a copy of the State Inspection report. Read the summary. Spirit was the
2nd dog in 8 days denied medical treatment. The shelter was told 8 days
before Spirit was taken in that they were required to provide medical treatment
to ill or injured animals. Read all of the violations. Click here for the pdf file.
Here's a copy of the State Inspection report. Read the summary. Spirit was the
2nd dog in 8 days denied medical treatment. The shelter was told 8 days before
Spirit was taken in that they were required to provide medical treatment to ill or
injured animals. Read all of the violations. Click here for the pdf file.
Update 11/3/07: Spirit is doing well.  Please read the September 27 Inspection
report. See below. I was told by the Humane Society that Danny Blanchett said
they would charge them for any medical care given to a dog by the shelter if
they wanted to rescue the dog.
Download ADOBE
Reader for PDF files
at www.adobe.com
I sent an email and the petition to the Wythe County Board of Supervisors on
11/7/07 asking for the dismissal of all responsible for the ongoing neglect at the
animal shelter. I have not heard from any of them. They are elected officials,
contact them and let them know how you feel! 276-223-6020, There Email is here
http://www.wytheco.org/gov/bos, address is 340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA
24382. The County Administrator  R. Cellell Dalton's email address is  
rcdalton@wytheco.org his web page is http://www.wytheco.org/gov/admin
Update from Sarah11/8/07: The Board of Supervisors denied the Vet bill for
Spirit, $138.00. I'll quote the letter from the Wythe County Administrator dated
11/2/07. "At its October 23, 2007 meeting, the Board of Supervisors denied
payment of the veterinarian bill from Wythe County Animal Clinic. Please feel
free to contact me should you have any questions. Sincerely, R. Cellell Dalton
County Administrator" it was also signed by Mr. Dalton 2762236020
Update 11/23/07: Still no response from the Wythe Co. Board of Supervisors.
Update: I sent an email and the petition to the Wythe County Board of
Supervisors on 11/7/07 asking for the dismissal of all responsible for the
ongoing neglect at the animal shelter. I have not heard from any of them. They
are elected officials, contact them and let them know how you feel!
276-223-6020, There Email is here http://www.wytheco.org/gov/bos, address is
340 South Sixth Street, Wytheville, VA 24382. The County Administrator  R.
Cellell Dalton's email address is  rcdalton@wytheco.org his web page is
http://www.wytheco.org/gov/admin
All of Spirit's siblings have been adopted, his mother Mary Jane still needs a
home.