 
This is Tennessee's idea of pet control. What are these people thinking when
they shove a poor defenseless animal down one of these chutes? Animals of
all kinds are disposed in these bins, even snakes. Please read on, WE CAN
HELP!!!!
Here is an email I received 08/25/99...this is getting really bad...PLEASE,
if you do something, at least sign the online petition (link is below).
These poor animals cannot help themselves, we are the only ones who can.
... Dear All: You all know by now that I've been very involved and
vocal in trying to put an end to the "live" animal drop bins in Smyrna
and Murfreesboro, TN. I spoke before the Animal Control/Rabies Board
on July 20th and volunteered assistance if they would close the inhumane
boxes. All to no avail. They've turned down monies offered, free
labor/construction supplies, volunteers, even fans. In case you
aren't aware, it is a small Concrete building (in Smyrna) with no
ventilation (no heating or a/c) and is unstaffed. It is located next
to a recycling center and dump site. People can drive up and drop off
their animals in one of three chutes: kittens/cats, puppies and
small dogs, and large dogs. No person is at that facility but the
County says they pick up the animals there once a day. Well, the
weather has been in the upper 90's and 100's this week, and over
the weekend a local t.v. crew went with me to drop in a thermometer
inside with registered 105 degrees (only at 1:00p.m. and it was only
left in for 5 minutes)...
..."Someone thought it would be a good idea to build drop off bins for unwanted pets, to be disposed of after shelter hours".....These poor furbabies are actually dropped down a chute where all types and breeds are left together, often with no food or water..." In the fall of 1998, Tennessee received national media attention over the usage of these so-called animal bins. Some Tennessee county's use them so area IRRESPONSIBLE pet owners can shove their live animals down the chutes. All sorts of animals are discarded, usually in the same bin, regardless of size, age or species. They are left for days without food or water and probably many of them die simply from fright. Some supposedly were closed down for a short time...many have been re-opened. Tennessee needs to address its animal cruelty laws. The animal lovers of Tennessee must unite and speak out to make a difference for their pets. These bins are being called "Death-Pits" and Pet Trash Cans. I cannot believe that people in the United States would even consider being so heartless. A new organization has been formed in Tennessee called VOAT (Volunteers for Animals in Tennessee). On August 28, 1999 there will be two press releases and one rally on this atrocious problem.
In November, 1999, the Rutherford County Commission voted 19-2 to tear down the drop bins. The dump bins were demolished on November 11, 1999. This is a day that will make everyone fighting against this atrocity very happy. They are gone, no more Dump Bins. Unfortunately, dump bins are cropping up in other states. Currently they are: Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and probably others not listed here. We are a throw-away society and it has finally crossed over to our beloved pets. Please help make a difference!!!! It is not the dog or cats fault that some pet owners can't or won't take the time to train their pets or have them spayed or neutered.
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