TNT Kennels needs your help

Stephanie of TNT Kennels has had her dogs seized. She has been accused of both "dog fighting" and "abuse." All charges she is innocent of.

4 of her dogs are already dead due to the ignorance of the people who put them into custody. Her friends whom I know have asked me to post this information asking for any help from you all.

She has been wiped out by this crazy ordeal. Any and all help will be appreciated.

You can donate to help her at paypal through [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica]customk9performance@yahoo.com[/FONT] just please put TNT in the comments section.

Please, this is a case where owning pit bulls made her an easy target to be taken advantage of. If these were a bunch of labs or poodles they would never have been taken.


Here is the story in Stephanie's own words as to her situation:

This shit all started 3 months ago or about Sept 2008 when the crazy inbred neighbors got in some kind of section 8 trouble and wanted the place back that I was renting from the guy they were selling the place to on contract. Well they started off hand handwriting me eviction notices, which in turn I called my land lord wanting to know whats up? He said don't worry they are just trying to break the lease. Well then that's when all hell started breaking loose.

They started calling the sheriffs department on me 1x to 2x per week, and that caused me to loose 1 job cause you cant rush the cops when your on your way to work. They started doing things to my car, cant prove that but it cost me 3 weeks with no car and I lost that job. Then they broke into my house but didn't take anything that time but mean while they are harassing me. I'd come home with dog water moved out of chains, dog houses moved out of chains etc. And yes I did call the cops, made a report and they had me so freaked out I was afraid to be there by myself . When the weather got cold I found out I had no electric heat and the power in the place went out to the point I had a light in the kitchen and that was it. No shit.

So I had to start staying in hotel rooms to stay warm. And then shit got a lot worse. I was feeding and watering every other day usually after 10 pm, so I wouldn't get hassled by the crazy folks. They ganged up on me more than once and I always tried to have somebody with me as a look out. I told the cops every time that the neighbors are doing this to me. Even the time I was stranded for 3 weeks they called on me saying that the dogs haven't been fed in weeks. Boy did the cops get surprised when they found out I was stranded and dog feed was delivered, all BS. Well since that 3 weeks put me behind schedule, I put ads on craig's list ,I was getting desperate to get a place for the dogs. And the weekend it happened I was ready and had found a place for the dogs to rent temporarily and on contract to buy. But this whole thing was a set up that I couldn't get out of there fast enough. And The day it happened I was on my way to the dogs and had a mover scheduled to move my things after getting dogs off the property 1st, so I couldn't be accused of abandonment. That is what they tried at first, but the cop bill hunter had my number so we talked before he took steps.

The crazy people signed a statement saying nobody had been there in 2 weeks, and shortly after that they robbed my house, and of course my bail money paid by me was my moving funds 1300. Which left me broke that's why I'm needing help. All my things are in storage and whats left of my dogs 10 as of last Monday. The morons put a bunch in together and had a free for all, after they were told not to put them together. I told bill hunter. Now when they came to get me, it's kinda funny, cause I called them when my dogs were missing and the crazies had threatened me Dec 4th on paper that they had court order to have my dogs seized which was a lie. But I had a panic attack when they blocked me in and was banging on my car hood screaming at me there were 4 of them and when dumb and dumber showed up they didn't even know who they were there for. They spent at least 5-10 min, called in to see and then asked my name ,which i didn't give them until they said a first name and they never had my last until they got my Id at jail. I never saw a warrant. Never saw a search n seizure and never was read my rights. They did however call me Jennifer more than once. And when I got to jail, they wanted me to be an informant, and I told them I didn't know what they were talking about. Made them mad, and then I get a supper high bail and on top of it all they break into the house and rob me of my security tapes all my electronics and some dog things.

That's just an outline.

 

TNT used to run ads in the PBR awhile back..I would seriously doubt that she was involved in anything illegal pertaining to the dogs..

One thing that I noticed was when she said..

"..I was feeding and watering every other day, usually after 10pm so I wouldnt get hassled by these crazy folks.."

Feeding and watering every other day?.Whats up with that?.

 

She only went in the PM to avoid the neighbors and it was my understand when I talked to her she had someone else helping her take care of them when she didn't. She is a very great person who takes great care of her dogs and this whole thing is BS. But she does really need our help and I hope she can sue the pants of the county that let her dogs fight to the death! (The AC put her dogs in kennels runs together)
Thank you Allie for cross posting this and when I get more info from her I will add it to this post.

Even if you can donate just $20 it will add up and help with the long legal battle she faces. She goes back to court on Jan 20th

 

Damn shame that this is going on. hummmm

 

Damn it i not liking this road these breeder are going down too many breeders being falsely accused i wish i had money to help so sorry!!!! im not happy at all:mad:

Best of Luck
Aaron and Duke

 

Every little bit will help!

The problem is that we, in the pit bull community, are being hit on so many fronts that it's hard to support everyone who needs it. It's hard to say well I will give to everyone. But, what we can all do is give $10.00 to each worthy cause that will help our dogs. And, I think that this counts in that.

If someone like TNT can find herself with dead dogs and in court to save the rest anyone can. I would hope and pray that it never happens to me- but the odds are that it could happen to me. Or you. Anyone with a kennel or anyone who is "making waves" can be a target.

And, if they don't try and accuse you of dog fighting or abuse there is still the BSL to watch out for. On all fronts we are being attacked. This has to stop but no one can stop it but us.

I am donating what I can to help Stephanie and I hope that you all will do the same.

 

good fences make great neighbors

 

Oh no....another one:mad:? It sound terrible. I do not know TNT or the owner. Damn. My pocket is very light but will donate however.

Here is a suggestion for anyone in a similar position (financially) than me. If you are employed, fill out a W-4 and State tax forms with the words "Exempt" in the proper area. This will stop your employer from deducting tax. You can later complete another tax form to revert to your original setups. This method is ideal for anyone who usually receives refunds at the end of the year. You will get less at the end of the year but will end up helping needy people.

I hope this idea helps some get the money necessary to help.

Regards,


Rocky

 

StopBSL, could you please be the middle person for those of us who would prefer to keep our real names anonymous?

Could you provide another "paypal" link for this purpose? I read some time ago that you had another "paypal" or something of the sort. Please advise.

 

For any questions on donating please PM me. Thank you all!

 

k9 performance kennels is running this donation thingy. . she knows Stephanie personally and can send her the money via the mail once it is donated to her acct. The acct is a business acct for her, so it's just as safe as mine is. . .

I know many people who know her and she can be trusted. Also, I do have email for Stephanie if anyone is worried to check that their money made it to her.

 

hmmm... i have an idea that may help her and others like her. people are more willing to give if they get something back. maybe we can have a raffle for apbt items like a collar, lead, harness, even a puppy. the items can be donated or bought to raffle off. use the money made to ship the item(s) to the winner and give the rest to those kennels that need our help. maybe some one already thought of this idea. if not we should try it.

 

The raffle sounds like a good idea, but I dont know about a puppy though

 

We are working on this idea of a raffle. have been for a while.

We have a shirt going around which is collecting signatures from many good dogmen of the past and present.

When it is done we will be raffling it off and splitting the proceeds between ourselves and needy people who deserve it.

However, it has been making it around the country for months and still has some stops to make.

 

http://http://www.herald-citizen.co...s.view&id=64EF7270-19B9-E2E2-674AAFF75C7742B2

Starving dogs taken to animal shelter

Heather Mullinix
Herald-Citizen Staff
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2008
PUTNAM COUNTY -- Fourteen pit bull dogs were taken to the Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter Friday and their owner was arrested on charges of animal cruelty after the county's animal control officer found the dogs had been left with no food or water.

Stephine Schweitzer, 36, of Tom Lafever Road in Silver Point, has been charged with cruelty to animals, a class A misdemeanor. She has a Jan. 2 court date and bond was set at $13,000.

Cpl. Billy Hunter, the Putnam County animal control officer, investigated complaints of dogs being left with no food or water at 7314 Tom Lafever Rd.

Hunter said when he arrived at the residence, the dogs had no food or water and were kept in an area covered with mud and feces.

"I saw one dog bleeding from his head," Hunter said. "He was very thin and probably wouldn't have made it much longer. All of the dogs were very thin."

Hunter said the dogs were pit bulls or pit bull mixes. Witnesses stated no one had been to the residence in at least two weeks to feed or water the animals. The owner told Hunter she had last checked on the dogs Tuesday at 1 a.m.

"Whether it was two weeks or three days, that's too long," Hunter said.

Several of the animals had injuries, believed to be from fighting. Several had cuts, scrapes and bite marks. One had what appeared to be a broken leg. Another was suffering from what appeared to be a broken or injured jaw.

"One dog was so thin and weak, it could barely walk on its own," Hunter wrote in his report.

A veterinarian was called to examine some of the animals. According to the report, the veterinarian "stated the dog was almost to the point of death from the lack of food and water."

This was not Hunter's first visit to check on the animals. Over the past several months, Hunter had given Schweitzer oral and written warnings to provide food, water and shelter for the animals.

"She didn't heed any of those," Hunter told the Herald-Citizen.

The continuing lack of care, poor condition of the animals and cold weather were factors in Hunter deciding to seize the animals.

All of the dogs were taken to the animal shelter. Hunter said the one weak animal may not survive.

"The others should be all right with some TLC," Hunter said.

Catherine Lee, animal shelter director, said most of the dogs were eating well, though one was very weak and unable to eat on his own. She said they were all malnourished and had open wounds.

"They are eating well and we hope to get them back on their feet," Lee said.

Though the animals are being kept at the shelter, they are not available for adoption. Schweitzer has not surrendered ownership of the animals. Adoption would have to wait until she does so or a court order is obtained for surrender.

 

That don't sound too good?:confused: Especially when you take into account the Vet report.....

 

:confused: If half of what the news report states is true, then,...........(I will reserve this thought to myself).

Injured jaw? Dog weaken to the point that it cannot walk? Open wounds and one bleeding from head? One with a broken leg? Several months of oral and written warnings to cure these violations (no food, water, shelter)?

Is there any video footage or youtube of her dogs in their "prime"? I am looking for the other side of the story.....her version and explanation of these things being reported as truth.

Where I am sitting, it is a very tough position to be in. I love my pets and other dogs as well. It saddens me to hear "days without eating" and lack of attention.

Can someone help me understand?

 

I am waiting for her to send me a response to this news report but I already know they have tried to make this sound like a horrible story. When you read the news about anyone that has had their dogs taken away they always distort the truth. I have never read a story that was not trying to make them look like monsters. I know that right before her dogs were taken she had rescued 2 dogs that were emaciated and in horrible condition. She was nursing them back to health, these are the dogs in the report. more to follow...

 

one major problem with that is - if you cant take care of the dogs you have, you should not take in more. a humane death in a shelter/vet is better than getting put out on a chain to get fed every other day. ( i.e. if you are going to rescue emaciated dogs you need to realize the level of care they require)
and for healthy dogs, feeding and watering every other day(by her own admission) is unacceptable. let alone the whole cover of darkness, its just to much.
im not going to pass judgement just yet, but im certainly not impressed by the level of care here, esp for dogs that come heavily touted in this area. the TNT dogs are talked about like gold, but from what i have read here in the first paragraph of her explanation, it sounds like trailer trash gone wild.
and once again, its the dogs that suffer

 

From a person who has been volunteering at the shelter these dogs were taken to-

"A woman was caught fighting pits, and 17 of them were seized. These dogs are mutilated and starved."

"Some of the injuries were absolutely horrifying. One of the dogs had a broken jaw and it had set wrong. It's at about a 45 degree angle opposite the rest of him. He also has a broken leg that wasn't set. You can hear it crunch when he walks. These poor souls don't have any reason to, but they still smile that cute little doggy smile and mush against you for affection. My favorite is this gorgeous little brindle boy. He's got a patch of skin about as big around as a baseball taken out of his back, dangling and dry. But he is SO sweet. I cry every time I look at them. One of them died of starvation the day they were brought in."

"I just found out yesterday that another one of the pits died. They had so little room, they had to put two in a kennel together....Well, they were fine with each other usually, but they would get into about five fights a day. One of them died overnight. It's so pitiful, and there's nothing I can do. "

"Another one dead yesterday. God, they're dropping like flies, and I feel so helpless! Thank you, everyone, for the kind words. It's so hard to see those pleading eyes, begging for love and screaming that they need help."

"They really need more space. A customer heard the fight (employees only around the pits. The rooms are shut off from the public) and they tried to seperate them. The break stick didn't work, and they couldn't get the hose to them."