CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #2753 Rating: 3.7 out of 5
69 dogs seized, husband and wife charged
Erin, TN (US)Incident Date: Friday, Sep 17, 2004
County: Houston
Disposition: Convicted
Defendants/Suspects:
» James Blaylock
» Paula Blaylock
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Animal rescue in Middle Tennessee found more than 60 diseased dogs living in feces-filled kennels with dirty drinking water. It happened in Erin, Tennessee. That's in Houston County, about 1 hour North of Nashville. A Fort Campbell soldier and his wife are charged with the crime.
In Erin, Tennessee the roundup is on for more than five dozen dogs living in deplorable conditions. Annamaria McCoy,
The owner, James Blaylock and his wife Paula were arrested and charged with 58 counts of animal cruelty. And that number could be rising. Sgt. James Blaylock is accused of animal cruelty. David Barnes, Houston Co. Sheriff's Dept. said, "They could literally be bonded out and back out here before animal rescue is finished loading all these animals." Volunteers spent most of Friday rescuing the animals. It's not an easy task considering most of the animals are aggressive. "They might have to be destroyed because of being so aggressive, we won't be able to take care of them properly while we wait for trial." All of the animals were taken to Houston County veterinarians. More than three dozen were so diseased they had to be euthanized. No word of what discipline, if any, the soldier may face at Fort Campbell.
When the property was raided on Sept. 17, 2004, 64 dogs and one cat were removed. When humane society workers went back the following day to gather the remaining animals, Paula Blaylock had fled during the night, taking with her approx. 20-25 dogs. Officials were able to catch the five that were left over, for a total of 69 dogs and 1 cat. The cat is the only one alive, as all the dogs were found to be past humane recovery, and had to be euthanized.
The Blaylock's were allegedly known to have owned over 200 dogs in their previous area of residence of Allen County, Kentucky - fleeing the area before officials could catch up with them to prosecute. Rescue workers in Erin contacted Allen County's officials, who caught Paula Blaylocks with 20 dogs. Charges were pressed at both location. The arraignment in TN is on Oct. 5, 2004. Arraignment for Paula in Allen County was on Sept. 22, 2004. She pled not guilty and requested a jury trial.
Contact info for Allen County:
Officer Davis from the Sheriff Dept. 270 237-3210
Animal Shelter Director Mr. Marsh 270 618-7387
Case UpdatesThe Blaylocks pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges on Feb 1. James and Paula Blaylock agreed to a conditional plea that restricts their ability to own dogs. The couple pleaded guilty to one charge each of animal cruelty and were sentenced to two consecutive terms of 11 months and 29 days each, with the sentence to be suspended in 2007 if they are found in good behavior.
The couple will appear in court again in February 2007 to determine if they have pleased the conditions of the agreement.
The Blaylocks were ordered to pay court costs, restitution to St. Francis Animal Rescue, which seized the dogs, and to not possess any animals until the probation period is over. They were given 30 days to find homes for the animals they currently own.
All of the dogs seized from the couple's property on Clay Tomlinson Road in September were euthanized because they were unfit for adoption or too sickly. | Source: The Leaf Chronicle - Feb 6, 2005
Update posted on Feb 6, 2005 - 4:26AM |
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