Fwd: Auction of Black Male Lab Narcotic Dog - Town of Mountain City, TN

November 25, 2008

Dear Companion Pet Lovers ~

Please join Columbus Top Dogs in our efforts to exclude the auction of a "black male lab narcotic dog" as part of a fundraiser benefiting the Town of Mountain City, TN Police Department.

Important contact information:

1. Mountain City Police Department

210 S Church Street,

Mountain City, TN 37683

Direct Line: (423) 727-2909

Fax: (423) 727-2911

2. Mayor Kevin Parsons

Direct Line: (423) 727-2940

Additional Line: (423) 727-8005

Fax: (423) 797-2925

E-mail: mayor

Thanks in advance for your kind consideration.

Mary

-------

Auction of Black Male Lab Narcotic Dog

"Mary O'Connor-Shaver" <mshaver_0462

Wed, November 12, 2008 7:07 am

mayor

Dear Mayor Parsons:

Recently, it has come to my attention that your Town of Mountain City Police Department is currently auctioning a black male lab narcotic dog (see below).

As a degreed professional and proud owner of five rescued canine companions, I strongly oppose the auctioning, selling, and donating of animals for fundraising. Bringing an animal into a home is serious commitment which may require dedication to that companion pet for up to seventeen years. Human and animal relationships are most successful after careful consideration into the related emotional, physical, and financial responsibilities of pet ownership. However, participants who participate in these auctions often react on an impulse to "win" or desire to outdo a fellow bidder. Unfortunately, a dog's lifespan is often longer than a consumer's

desire to maintain their "product." As a result, millions of purebred dogs are sent to animal shelters every year, where roughly half will be euthanized.

What is of greatest concern is that your auctioning format does not appear to allow for any adoption screening process, now required in most shelters and rescue groups to ensure the companion pet has the most suitable and safe home. While interested parties may have the financial resources to engage in a high price bidding contest, shelters still receive animals everyday from people who spend a lot on purchasing pure breed pets but relinquish them because they did not fully consider the responsibility of pet ownership.

Millions of wonderful animals in shelters and foster homes wait for great homes that Mountain City families can certainly provide. These groups carefully create great matches between animals and their families through adoption screening and work to reduce animal euthanasia by requiring spay and neuter. Auctioning off an animal to the highest bidder to simply raise funds with no concern for its long term welfare is unethical and your Town of Mountain City Police Department sets a poor example to the community.

As part of a team of public servants dedicated to serving and protecting people and their companion pets, please reflect on the implications of your auction item choice within the broader fight against pet homelessness through the methods of spay neuter and proper humane education and responsible adoptions. I respectfully request that you withdraw this black male lab from the auction list and institute a policy banning the auctioning, selling, and donation of animals for fundraising at all future Town of Mountain City Police Department events.

Thanks in advance for your kind consideration.

P.S. As you may also be very much aware, the American Kennel Club (AKC) considers auctions and raffles not to be reasonable and appropriate methods to obtain or transfer dogs - http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/position_statements.cfm#dogauctions. Most importantly, AKC registered simply means the puppy had two parents of the same breed; it does not guarantee the value or health of a puppy.

Mary O'Connor-Shaver

Lewis Center, OH

Columbus Top Dogs (Shure Pets)

http://www.columbustopdogs.com/

http://www.govdeals.com/eas/itmDisplay.cfm?itemID & acctID08

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Inventory ID

Description

Asset Location

End Date/Time ET

Start/Current Bid

102508

Black Male Lab Narcotic Dog

Mountain City, TN

11/14/08 7:30 PM

Current: $2,110.00

Bids: 39

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Category:

Animals and Animal Equipment

Current Bid:

$2,110.00

Bid Increment:

$20.00

Minimum Bid:

$2,130.00

Bids:

39

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Item:

Black Male Lab Narcotic Dog

Starting Bid:

$200.00

Tax Imposed:

None

Quantity:

1 Each

Condition:

Good

Current High Bidder:

smti

Auction Ends:

Friday, November 14, 2008 at 7:30 PM ET

Time Remaining:

2 Days 12 Hours

Description:

3 year old Black Lab. Certified: Meth, Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana. Narcotic Dog Only. Name is Diesel.

Black Male Lab Narcotic Dog

Seller Name:

Mountain City, TN

Asset Location:

210 S Church St

Mountain City, Tennessee 37683-1543

Map to this location

Special Instructions:

All bidders and other participants of this auction agree that they have read and fully understand these terms and agree to be bound thereby. Inspection: Most items offered for sale are used and may contain defects not immediately detectable. Bidders may inspect the property prior to bidding. Bidders must adhere to the inspection dates and times indicated in the item description. Please contact Terry Reece at 91423-727-8005 between 8-5 Monday through Friday to schedule an inspection. Payment in full is due not later than 5 business days from the time and date of the Buyer's Certificate. Acceptable forms of payment are: U. S. Currency, Certified Cashiers Check, Money Order, or a Company Check (with Bank Letter guaranteeing funds - mandatory) Checks shall be made payable to: Town of Mountain City. Removal: REMOVAL IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. WINNING BIDDER MUST CONTACT Terry Reece at 423-727-8005 or cityrecorder to schedule a pickup time and date. All items must be removed within 10 business days from the time and date of issuance of the Buyer's Certificate. The Buyer will make all arrangements and perform all work necessary, including packing, loading and transportation of the property. A daily storage fee of $10.00 may be charged for any item not removed within the 10 business days allowed and stated on the Buyer's Certificate. Items sold as is with no warranty expressed or otherwise.

Inventory ID:

102508