Justice for sweet Ray! Hoke Co. NC Animal Control Director Jimmy Carthens refused the free help that

Ray's Story & Our Plea for YOUR Help:

Ray was a very sweet and loving dog who had been left chained to a tree with no access to shelter and no evidence that any food or water had been left for him.  There was a dog house near Ray, however, the entrance to it had been blocked by a bucket and much of the house was buried in dirt.

An animal rescuer, Kathy Hynes, discovered Ray chained to the tree and, over a period of 1-2 weeks, checked on Ray regularly and not once noted any evidence of food or water left for Ray.

On March 9, 2011, Kathy knocked on the door of the home neighboring the property where Ray had been left and spoke to the neighbor.  She, too, was upset about the emaciated dog living on a chain next to her home and offered to help.  Together, they got a ladder and climbed up high enough to take photographs of Ray (attached).

Ray was living in filthy conditions in his own feces and urine.  He had scabs and wounds on his neck from where the chain had been cutting into his skin.  Kathy and the neighbor lowered a bucket with dog food and water on a rope over the fence so that Ray could eat and drink.

They then went to the magistrate to have a cruelty charge drawn and magistrate Jacobs agreed.  A court date was set for March 29 at 9:00 am and a warrant for one of Ray's two owners was issued (the name of the second owner was not known at this time).

On March 10, animal cruelty investigator, Ralph, was informed about Ray.  One day after meeting with the magistrate, animal control removed Ray from the property where he had been chained.  Ray was taken to Hoke County Animal Shelter in Raeford, NC.  http://www.hokecounty.net/county-departments/shelter/

At this time, they also checked on a white dog on the same property that stays locked in a garage.  They did NOT remove this dog, but required that the dog be taken to a vet within 72 hours.

On March 11, Kathy offered to take Ray to her vet & PAY FOR HIS VETTING, but was told she could NOT do this by the shelter manager, Carl after he spoke to the animal control director, JIMMY CARTHENS.  She was also not permitted (after offering) to bring in drontal plus, an excellent dewormer, for Ray.  She was also told he needed to remain at the shelter.

On March 14, Kathy saw Carl, the shelter manager, in Walmart and was told by him that Ray saw a vet on March 11.  Kathy learned Ray tested positive for heartworm disease and that ivermectin was going to be brought to the shelter for Ray to be treated with it.

Kathy asked questions about Ray's lab work, appetite, any medications he may be on, etc., and learned he has been vomiting.  She was told she needs to talk to Jimmy Carthens, the animal control director, for any more information.

On March 21 or 22, Kathy spoke with Christy who works at the shelter and was told Ray is throwing up, but that he likes going for walks and is very sweet.

On March 28, Kathy was told by Christy that Ray was still throwing up, but not as much as he was throwing up previously. Kathy asked if Ray has been to the vet and was not answered.

On March 30, the second rainy day in a row with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, Kathy went to the shelter at 11:10 am. She was told by Jimmy Carthens that the shelter is closed except for dropoffs.  She asked if she could see Ray and give the dogs some treats she brought.  Jimmy told her to go ahead.

Kathy saw two small dogs shivering and soaking wet in the runs and another 10 dogs also shivering and soaking wet.  This area has a roof over it, but it is open on the sides and in the front of the runs and the rain and winds are gusting through the runs.  The back of the runs have the main building behind them.  The runs are on cement and do not have any dog houses or shelter of any kind inside, only a 3' long by 1' wide metal grate that is about 2" above the cement for the dogs to sit/lie on.  The wind and rain were both very strong and the dogs were cold, wet, and shivering.

While this was happening, Jimmy Carthens was walking with the hose hosing down the runs with the dogs still in them!  The dogs have NO WAY TO ESCAPE from the wind, rain, or Jimmy’s blasts of hose water.

Ray was one of the dogs in these runs and he was shivering and emaciated.

Kathy explained to Jimmy that all animals, especially Ray, need warmth and shelter from the wind, rain, and cold temperatures. She explained that Ray, due to being emaciated and lacking proper body weight to help regulate his temperature, is at an even greater risk of developing hypothermia, which can lead to organ failure and even death.  She suggested moving the more frail dogs inside and placing the stacked white igloo dog houses that she saw there at the shelter in the runs.  Jimmy said he will take care of it.

Kathy then offered to foster a couple of the smaller dogs who were shivering in the runs.  However, each time she offered to help, she was told she would need to speak with Carl on MONDAY.  Kathy took photographs of some of the dogs who were shivering in the runs before she leaves, because that’s all she CAN do.

On April 1, Kathy tried calling the shelter twice, once at 11 am and once at 1 pm and nobody answered.  She tried again at 1:33 pm and Christy answered.  Kathy asked Christy about the dogs she photographed on March 30 AND offered to foster and was told they are all gone.  Three were KILLED (instead of going home with her to be fostered) and one she was told was adopted.  She then asked about Ray and was told he is not doing well.

Kathy requested he immediately be taken to a vet and OFFERS TO PAY 100% OF HIS VETTING COSTS.  She was told by Christy that she will need to speak to Jimmy Carthens to see if that would be ok!!!

Kathy asked to speak directly to Jimmy and was transferred to his voicemail where she left a message offering to take Ray to her vet and pay for ALL of the costs.  Jimmy Carthens never returned her call.

Kathy then drove to the shelter and was told that Ray was just taken to Raeford Animal Clinic.  She drove to the clinic and asked to see Ray and is told they must first get permission from Jimmy Carthens.  The vet at the clinic allowed Kathy to lay down with Ray.  He was on a blanket with one heat lamp pointed at him.

At this point, Kathy was crying and asked if lab work was done and if a warm blanket and IV fluids could be provided.  They started to run the bloodwork and the vet said he would speak to Kathy when he receives the results from the bloodwork.  Kathy even offered one of her dogs to donate blood to Ray because his blood count was very low and she was told she cannot do that.

Kathy and the vet reviewed Ray's lab results and she returned home.

On April 2, Kathy was told by the vet on duty for the weekend over the telephone that Ray is dead and that he died early that morning.  Kathy requested to see Ray and was taken to his body in the freezer.  She gave him a kiss and informed the staff that she wanted a post-mortem examination done and that she will pay for it. She asked that her request be passed on to anyone involved with Ray.

Kathy has all of Ray's medical records to validate the information below:

Weight on March 11: 52.5

Weight on April 1: 49.6 (Ray LOST weight after being “rescued” by animal control on March 10)

Documentation by the vet states that Ray was vomiting at the shelter for DAYS

Temperature on March 11: 101

Temperature on April 1: 91.8 (the normal temperature for a dog is around 101-102, Ray was suffering from HYPOTHERMIA)

Documentation states that on March 11 a fecal exam was DECLINED

Heartworm positive

Notes for April 1 state marked dehydration, vomiting for days, emaciated, and weak
WBC 20, RBC 2.1, BUN 49, ALB 2.1

Note: Hypothermia may cause organ failure and a low RBC will affect circulatory blood volume.  One way dogs get low RBC is through worms (like whipworms) that Ray was never treated for when he arrived at the shelter, EVEN THOUGH KATHY HAD OFFERED TO BRING IN DE-WORMER FOR RAY.

Please support Kathy Hynes and SPEAK UP FOR RAY and the countless other animals that are currently and will eventually be at Hoke County Animal Shelter in NC.  Kathy had offered to donate $475 towards his care to a rescue (with Pit Bull experience) who could take Ray once he was permitted to leave the shelter.  Unfortunately, Ray left one horrible situation of unimaginable cruelty and neglect, living his life on a chain without food, water, or shelter only to go to another at the Hoke County Animal Shelter, under the direction of  Jimmy Carthens.  Ray died a horrible death.  His already emaciated body lost even more weight after being taken to the shelter and became hypothermic after being exposed to cold weather and strong rain and wind without adequate shelter.  Ray never made it to a no-kill rescue.  Ray never knew what it was like to be loved in a forever home.  Ray should NOT have died this way.

Please take time TODAY to make a difference for the animals still living in Hoke County Animal Shelter. Make a call, write a letter, share this story on your websites with your friends and family...the animals need your help!

MOST OF ALL – INSIST THAT JIMMY CARTHENS BE REMOVED FROM HIS POSITION AND CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!

Be Ray’s voice.  Let his death not be in vain.