Rabies Control Bans Pictures and Videos of Animals
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MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. – A battle is brewing over a new Jackson-Madison County Rabies Control Center policy. It bans anyone from taking pictures or video of the animals inside of the facility. Shelter management said in the last several months they have experienced outrageous emails, complaints and hysteria over false claims about their operation. At the advice of the Madison County attorney, the center put the new policy into place as well as installed a privacy fence and built a separate room inside of the facility where adoptions can be handled. Local rescuers believe the new policy hurts their chances of finding forever homes for the animals. “If we can’t get the pictures out to the rescues, then we can’t find a place for them,” said rescuer Susan Bell. “If we can’t take pictures then we can’t really network,” Rescuer Bridget Gross believes the new policy is an act of retaliation. “They want pictures shown of the dogs but only in the good conditions,” Gross said Center workers admit pictures taken by some local rescue groups have significantly helped animals find adoption. But they argue that they simply can not chance legal action from false accusations fueled by misleading pictures. Center workers are still posting pictures of the animals available for adoption on their website and will allow anyone who is willing to sign their policy waiver to visit. Jackson-Madison County Health Department officials said every allegation of wrong doing at the Rabies Control Center has been investigated with no findings. According to Rabies Control records, last year the shelter saw 1,325 adoptions with 488 dogs and cats euthanized. For more information on how you can adopt from Jackson Madison County Rabies Control visit this link: http://www.co.madison.tn.us/index.aspx?NID=364
