Why won't a well connected, Dallas Animal Shelter Advisory Commissioner say when she first learned of the trapped cat that died in shelter walls?

Last week, after presenting with very defensive and protective comments over the trapped cat incident at Dallas Animal Shelter, I asked Dallas Animal Shelter Advisory Commissioner, Rebecca Poling, via Facebook comments, when did she first learn of the trapped cat that was left crying and clawing for at least 6 days, in the walls of shelter before dying. Shelter Manager has been indicted on Felony Cruelty Charges; his boss, Kent Robertson quickly resigned after indictment of Tyrone McGill. Employees asked Tyrone to rescue the cat. Did Tyrone mention the trapped cat to Kent Robertson? If so, who did Kent Robertson mention it to? We the people deserve to know if any of the Commissioners knew of the trapped cat before it died. Just for the sake of integrity. Let's start with home base.

Guess what? Within two hours of asking Poling this evidently, daunting question, I lose my position of Ft. Worth Chapter President with Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN)! Commission Chair, Skip Trimble is Secretary/Tresurer of THLN. Poling, Mr. Trimble and other THLN leaders are good friends. What's up with all of this? I smell something.

No one is above being questioned and because it's been several days with no answer from Poling, tells me that something really does smell pretty bad.

Tyrone McGill, Dallas Animal Shelter Manager Charged w/Felony Animal Cruelty - why is he still on payroll?

It shouldn't matter if he is convicted or not, he needs to be off the taxpayers payroll! He knew about a cat caught in between two walls at the Dallas Shelter and he didn't bother to rescue the cat. Cat died. Something is badly wrong here! And what about Kent Robertson? Where is he in all of this mess?!

This is one way we should be solving the growing problem of dog overpopulation and rising taxpayer expense of Animal Control Services

"The program partners with schools, juvenile detention facilities, community centers, community based organizations......" not to mention the benefit to our youth, communities and society.

http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/

Ft. Worth Protecting Vagrants from the Law

City Code Sec. 30-12 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to enclose, build upon or make any other private use of any part of the street, sidewalk or other right-of-way, without first obtaining the express authorization of the city."

I have sent email to Councilwoman, Kathleen Hicks, who represents this area of Ft. Worth, asking for clarification of the law and why the law is not being enforced here in East Ft. Worth.

To my knowledge, it against the constitution to segment sections of society and protect them from the law. Gosh, I wished I were wealthy, I could then hire many attorneys to process my arguments in court.

To make private use of city street(s) right-of-ways.....is, according the Ft. Worth Code, unlawful! If you are not going to enforce the law, get rid of it!! Or is it racial -homeowner profiling -- they only enforce it on white people who own homes.

(The Salvation Army shelter is in the picture to the left -- they hand out freebies.)

That Big Bang Of A Dog-Fighting Bust Turns Into A Weak Whimper In The Courtroom - Houston News - Hair Balls

That Big Bang Of A Dog-Fighting Bust Turns Into A Weak Whimper In The Courtroom - Houston News - Hair Balls: "prosecutors doled out light sentences because, in most instances, the defendants were spectators, and were not witnessed entering dogs in fights. (Participants in dog fights can face up to two years in prison; spectators can get a year in jail and a $4,000 fine)."

Ft. Worth City Politics affecting Animal Welfare

Most animal control calls/concerns/problems/issues come from the same zip codes with greatest release of x-cons, heaviest crime, poorest residents, and the most populated areas of black & brown residents. Those are statistical facts. So, when Animal Control enforces the animal laws in the those areas and the City Council Reps., who represent those areas, holler racism or 'you're picking on my people,' or 'you're picking on the poor,' or any of that nonsense, it is the job of a leader to stay the course and address the facts. Funny how those City Council Reps don't have a problem looking at the factual stats when there's a chance of them getting taxpayer money such as with home foreclosures and such, but boy, let it be something that is sucking money from our pockets and they want to turn a deaf ear and blind eye. HA! Time for some real change in Ft. Worth!! I hope it comes soon.

Ft. Worth needs a new Animal Control Director

It's time and it's overdue. Our elected 'officials' in Ft. Worth have been asleep at the wheel for far too many years. It's sad, disgusting, empowering and costly to the taxpayers! I won't go into details, just take my word for it.

City of Fort Worth is attempting to help millions of neglected, abused animals.

If you are a fiscal conservative like me and care greatly about the massive amount of dollars that the government takes out of our pockets, you hate it when taxpayers are held accountable for others' irresponsible choices and actions, such as animal neglect, abuse & cruelty to name one, of the issues that I'm referring to. Sign up to be a volunteer for Ft. Worth's Animal Control and let's change the way this city does business, help the animals & taxpayers in the process.

Texas Humane Legislation Network fundraiser - Monday, Aug. 31st, Grapevine, Texas

Do you care about the neglected animals, cruelly confined animals, starving animals, stray animals in your neighborhood, community, city and/or state? Please attend our party or call and just donate over the phone, Monday, August 31st, 5p-7p, D'Vine Wine, 409 Main St., Grapevine, Texas. http://www.thln.org/. Guest speakers: Senator Wendy Davis, Cile Holloway, President of THLN, Rick Bousquet, Executive Director of THLN.

Ron Wilson, Chief Financial Officer of FWISD, did he resign/get fired? What's up? Where is he?

Someone said he left his position in the middle of the night along with others in the department. Did our local paper report anything? Not that I've read, of course, I don't subscribe to the paper nor read it daily, so maybe I missed it. I bet now they write something. Local politics in Fort Worth, very entertaining to follow.

No coincidence that Land Developer was first in line at Ft. Worth City Council meeting Animal Ordinance Hearing

Fort Worth City Council approved changes to the Animal Control Ordinance and first called to the microphone was none other than Happy Baggett, one of the largest land developers in North Tarrant County. A 3 year old relative of his was killed after climbing through the fence into neighbors yard and killed by neighbors dog. Very sad indeed; however, no sadder than anyone else who is killed by a dog, especially at such a young age. Remember several weeks ago when the gay activists were calling out the Mayor because he put them last on the agenda and he explained it as "somebody's gotta be last?" Funny how when a political buddy has something to say, not only is the issue put first on the agenda, but the friend is first as well. And you think everything that happens at City Hall isn't political? Better think again. If I were Mayor, whatever issue was expected to draw the most people (and they know), would always be first. Seems Mayor Mike Moncrief puts things on the back burner when he wants the people to go away and not be heard, and puts things first if he wants them to be heard, especially his high dollar supporters and friends. I'm sure he thinks he's sneaky and no one is noticing his slick moves. Funny.

Ft. Worth's Mayor Mike Moncrief's response to the outcrys from gay activists at City Council meeting did not contain true statements.

When questioned on why the Rainbow Lounge discussion was put last on the City Council agenda when there were "hundreds here to hear the issue," pleaded the protestor; Mayor Moncrief's reply was 'well there's hundreds here to hear the discussion on homelessness as well." Not true! There were maybe 10 - 15 there to hear issue on homelessness, and literally hundreds to hear about the Rainbow Lounge incident. All overflow rooms were full and people standing outside that could not even get in the door to City Hall. Of course, this issue was put last for a political reason but it back fired on Moncrief this time and will continue to do so until the light is beamed down on the truth about the excessive, brutal, unlawful force used by the Fort Worth Police Department in the gay bar, Rainbow Lounge Raid by FWPD & Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).

http://fortworthgov.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2

Watch "Election of Mayor Pro Tem" for July 14th meeting and listen for yourself. After the homelessness issue, do you see hundreds of people leave? No! What else is the Mayor untruthfully telling us and hoping we will believe? That he doesn't know where the millions upon millions of tax payer dollars are, that are missing from City Hall?

In response to gay activists angered by being last on agenda, Ft. Worth's Mayor Mike Moncrief says "somebody had to be last."

Of course someone has to be last, the Mayor, I'm sure hoped that by putting the Rainbow Lounge discussion last that most people would give up, go home and let the issue die. With all due respect, which isn't much at times, the Mayor has no idea how to handle this issue, how to glide and slide around the issue about Fort Worth police force using excessive and unlawful force that he, and 8 other council members are suppose to be knowing how they operate. You must watch this, it's great entertainment. http://fortworthgov.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=522 Go to about 25:00 into the meeting.

Fort Worth City Council members have ignored complaints against Police Department for years before the Gay Bar Raid

I have sent email after email to all Fort Worth City Council members about the behaviors and inactions with the FWPD. Not one Council member responded. Yet when something happens such as the planned raid on the Rainbow Lounge and it makes national news then the career politicians come out of the woodwork and try to convince us that "we enforce the law equally, blah blah blah." How many times have I sent emails detailing the facts of poor police work on the Eastside and not one Ft. Worth City Councilmember has given a darn, not even my representative, Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks. Ft. Worth does not enforce the law equally. They protect the indigents, they protect the homeless and they selectively enforce the laws and ordinances. They protect each other, even the Department Heads and Police Chief. The egg belongs on the faces of every Ft. Worth City Council person except for Mr. Zim Zimmerman who was just elected to office. The Councilmembers don't have a clue to how the City Departments are managed and on what principles. I pray that the seats will stay hot for Ft. Worth's City 'leaders' regarding this incident.

What's up with Fort Worth Cops raiding a Gay Bar?

What are the 'Good ol Boys' up to now? "One patron was seriously injured in the raid, several protesters said, as police used excessive force in making seven arrests. Police defended their actions."

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1458523.html

Grapevine Cops wouldn't do anything about this case of Animal Cruelty -- said there was no law against it!

Grapevine, Texas Police were called to the scene of 3 dogs chained in back of a pickup truck in 100+ heat with no water, shelter, food and cruelly confined. If a dog can't move because the chains around him are so tangled, that's cruelly confined. If you don't supply proper food, water and shelter for a domesticated animal, that's cruelty and against the law. Why won't our municipalities and County District Attorney's prosecute animal cruelty BEFORE the animals are dead?

The Facts are:

Sunday, 6/21/09 @ Uncle Julios Grapevine. 7:00 p.m. in 104 degree weather -- 3 dogs -- 2 chained in pick up bed. Couldn't move. No food, no water, 6 gasoline cans. Uncle Julios would only provide water. Management did nothing else. We asked management to call the police. They said they would. Grapevine police has since confirmed Uncle Julios never called. Grapevine Police Call Record # 43233

Two officers came out -- J Newman [badge 7500] and B Estill [badge 5216]. They had no idea there was a Texas law. They basically said they could do nothing. " [The only thing they could have done anything about was if the dogs were locked inside the pick-up - which wasn't the case here]." However, one could see that both officers [in their eyes] knew it was wrong what was happening with these dogs. Anyone with a heart would know it was wrong... And why would anyone tether a dog to the bed of a truck in 104 degree weather with six gasoline cans and no water? Nothing was done.

We have two of the dog's names: Bob [Black Lab mix] and White Sox ["Heinz 57"]; third dog was a yellow Lab. All three reside at 4101 Dundee Court in Colleyville, Texas.

THE LAW:

Texas Penal Code states:

(b) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

(1) tortures an animal or in a cruel manner kills or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(2) without the owner's effective consent, kills, administers poison to, or causes serious bodily injury to an animal;

(3) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food, water, care, or shelter for an animal in the person's custody;

(4) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person's custody;

(5) transports or confines an animal in a cruel manner;

(6) without the owner's effective consent, causes bodily injury to an animal;

(7) causes one animal to fight with another animal, if either animal is not a dog;

(8) uses a live animal as a lure in dog race training or in dog coursing on a racetrack; or

(9) seriously overworks an animal.

(c) An offense under Subsection (b)(3), (4), (5), (6), or (9) is a Class A misdemeanor, except that the offense is a state jail felony if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09. An offense under Subsection (b)(1), (2), (7), or (8) is a state jail felony, except that the offense is a felony of the third degree if the person has previously been convicted two times under this section, two times under Section 42.09, or one time under this section and one time under Section 42.09.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.009.00.000042.00.htm

Beloved family pet accidentally euthanized at Fort Worth Animal Shelter - a product of poor management & leadership of our Ft. Worth City Council

Every City Council member should have to ride out with an Animal Control Officer at least once a year. Every City Council member should have to spend 1/2 day working at the Animal Shelter. Every City Council member should have to spend an hour each year taking dogs to the room to be euthanized. Fort Worth City Council did nothing in addressing the out of control stray animal problem until people like me started taking action and bombarding their inboxes with emails and facts about Fort Worth's animal problems. This link below tells a very sad story of what happens when government ignores a problem and sticks their heads in the sand. The system gets overloaded, things are chaotic and out of control as evidenced by this story. This is what happens when City Council Representatives ignore the issues happening in the neighborhoods they represent, this is what happens when Neighborhood Associations ignore the issues happening in the neighborhoods, this is what happens when enough residents don't speak up & out and do their part. The issues get out of control and things like this happen. Heads should roll at Fort Worth Animal Shelter. There is absolutely no excuse for this mistake. Sure, mistakes happen; however, ones like this should not be tolerated. Shame on Fort Worth City Council for complete lack of leadership on animal issues for all the years up before 2008 (when they were forced to do something about all of the egg on their faces regarding this issue).

http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou090612_mp_family-pet-mistake.75447828.html

Looks like Fort Worth's Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks is not telling the truth (lying).

"Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks and Fisseler are named in the City Construction Company's incorporation papers as managers of the company. In an earlier interview both said they had no involvement with the company."
http://www.fwweekly.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1500:house-of-cards&catid=76:metropolis&Itemid=377

Ft. Worth Police Officer tries to trample on my liberties - says "You can't take pictures." What?

I was driving through my neighborhood in West Meadowbrook early one Saturday morning and noticed yet another crime scene at an East Lancaster bar in City Council District 8, East Ft. Worth. Stopped and spoke with some neighbors who were looking over at the scene. I asked what happened, they told me someone was murdered. I drove around to take pictures so that I could post it here on Morning Coffee, Evening Wine blog site. I got out of my car and started snapping shots to prove that no matter how much Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks and the leaders of West Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association like to ignore the fact that this neighborhood is crime filled, crime does happen here more than any other Council District in this great City of Fort Worth! The Fort Worth police officer says, "Hey, what are you doing, you can't take pictures, this is a crime scene!" I said, "Yes, I can, what law says I can't! What is your badge number?" Since I live, and own a business, in one of the worst areas of Fort Worth, I deal with the Fort Worth police force probably more than any of you reading this blog post. I see the side of the Department that not many see. I feel it is my duty and purpose to report what I see and experience. It is wrong for any police officer to abuse their power and I have seen it more than once or twice and everytime I see it, it makes me wish that my business could afford the luxury of a manager so that I could run for office and speak up for the taxpayers who pay the salaries of the entire police force and who continue to elect people to office who aren't doing their jobs well. No matter what people call me, I think the truth should be dealt with in an effective, open, efficient manner. It Fort Worth politics, I feel the truth is hidden, covered up, ignored and unspoken. I did report this officer and to my knowledge, the officer has been questioned and taught a lesson.

Shame on Fort Worth's City Council, including the Mayor for not being 'proactive' on animal welfare issues

The out of control animal issues in Fort Worth's 'uneducated' neighborhoods is astounding. Thanks to our local out of touch government for sticking their heads in the sand for the past 5 - 6 years. Especially, Council District 8 Rep, Mayor Pro Tem Kathleen Hicks, Councilman Frank Moss, Councilman Salvador Espino, Former Councilwoman Wendy Davis and the current Councilman Joel Burns who's Districts are high in Animal Control calls and pick ups.