In July 2023, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office had a search and seizure warrant for 42 hounds on a site in their county - they walked away from it. No charges. No seizure.

Melanie Thrift with Rimertown Rescue had driven over 4 hours to assist a woman who (as equally guilty as she is) had attempted to surrender over 20 hounds to Wilson County AC. AC got wind of the situation and quickly gathered search and seizure orders for the hounds. Lt Whaley saw the conditions of the dogs and chose to offer NO assistance to them or the rescue. They walked away. They could have been heroes and instead were just as culpable by allowing it to be considered “acceptable”. This is the 4th news documented incident out of MANY where this office has done nothing to help animals. The “sheriff”, Calvin Woodard, has made nothing but excuses with each incident. Had it not been for the phenomenal and MIRACULOUS efforts of Melanie and Sherry Bass, these dogs would have met the same fate of the deceased ones on scene being eaten by the others. Added to the piles of bones. The Wilson 42 deserve justice and deserve every person responsible for their state to be held accountable. We want “sheriff” Woodard and Lt Whaley removed from their posts effective immediately. They made the decision. They are RESPONSIBLE.

In addition, their department released a statement saying “some of the dogs were underweight” and chose to “educate the owner”. Try emaciated? They also said there were “no dead dogs”.. From day one they were offered assistance from Rimertown Rescue, who had the connections to handle a large amount of dogs. They ensured Melanie they would “take care of it”. Had she not convinced the owner to let her help, we already know what what could have happened. 

This department’s “sheriff” has passed off blame enough.