In the Hollybelle Maltese puppymill case in Tennessee, the
Defendant, Jennifer Siliski, was convicted of 9 counts of animal cruelty
and 2 counts of animal torture. She had 240 maltese, housed 2-3 per cage,
in her home. Needless to say, the conditions were deplorable. She tattooed
the eye rims of many dogs so they would appear to have black eye rims as
required by the breed standard.
The judge sentenced her to 10 days in jail. The volunteers
that have fostered close to 300 maltese dogs and some ragdoll cats are now
being forced to return these animals to animal control for a public
auction. About 150 volunteers have spent 50-300 hours caring for these
dogs and cats. The auction proceeds will be used to pay off the
Defendant's debt owed to the county for caring for the dogs. From
statements made on other forums, it appears that people (puppymill
breeders and brokers most likely) as far away as NC and IL are making the
journey to bid on the dogs at auction.
Volunteers have donated time and money to care for these
animals and paid for the vet bills while in their care. Now they have to
raise money to "outbid" potential puppymill/puppy broker buyers on each of
the 289 maltese dogs (many dogs were pregnant and have given birth to
puppies) and 20-30 ragdoll cats. These volunteers, and the animals they
are caring for, need your prayers and support.
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to:
People for Animals, Inc.
P.O. Box 991
Franklin, TN 37065-0991
All money will be used so that the volunteers can purchase
these animals in order to keep them out of the hands of other puppymillers.
If any money is left over, it will be used by People for Animals for
spay-neuter assistance in Williamson County, TN. You can read more about
people for animals at www.people-for-animals.org
<http://www.people-for-animals.org>
Additional Info: The judge has refused to allow the
animals to be spay/neutered prior to the auction because it would "reduce
their value." There is a very good chance these poor animals will end up
in yet ANOTHER mill situation.
Contact info for protesting this mess is:
Mayor Rogers Anderson
Admin Complex
Suite 125
Franklin, TN 37064
Voice:615-790-5700
Email: dianeg@williamson-tn.org
County Commissioner:
Houston Naron Jr.
1320 West Main Street
Franklin 37064 TN
Email: houstonn@williamson-tn.org
Local Newspapers:
www.tennessean.com <http://www.tennessean.com>
The Judge (if you can call him that):
Hon. Robert E. Lee Davies
Williamson County Circuit Court
P.O. Box 1469, Franklin, TN 37065
Also send a copy to the Judge's administrative assistant
at the Judicial Center.
Donnise Soloman
Williamson County Circuit Court Judicial Center
135 Fourth Avenue South
Franklin, TN 37064
The auction is October 16th
Go on to Requiem For a
Victim of Vivisection in Oregon
Return to 19 September 2004 Issue
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