Wayne County officials have dropped charges against Tammie Hedges, founder and executive director of Crazy’s Claws N Paws, a non-profit, no-kill, volunteer and donation-based animal rescue shelter in North Carolina.
On September 17th, Wayne County Animal Services removed 27 cats and dogs from her shelter that had been rescued from Hurricane Florence. Later on September 21st, Hedges was taken into custody. She was charged with practicing or attempting veterinary medicine without a license and soliciting a schedule four controlled substance.
But according to an animal rescue volunteer, all of the medication was available over-the-counter, and getting the animals to certified veterinarians was impossible because they were closed.
In a statement, Wayne County officials claimed that “the safety and well-being of the animals was the primary concern of Wayne County Animal Services officers.” The District Attorney stated that “the removal of animals from a building that failed to meet suitable standards for license as an animal shelter and away from the control of this defendant who has previously been censured for the unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine was a prudent decision made with the best interest of the animals in mind.”
While some shelters and safe spaces for animals in the path of Hurricane Florence were reportedly planning to euthanize animals if they were not adopted before the storm hit, Tammie Hedges and the volunteers at Crazy’s Claws N Paws were trying to help and care for abandoned animals. Volunteers picked up animals and brought them to Crazy’s Claws N Paws to be safe during the storm. They noted the location of each rescue with the intention of reuniting the pets with their families after the storm. This group was part of an admirable contingent of humans who made significant sacrifices to help protect and care for nonhuman life during and after the storm.
Kathie Davidson, a Crazy’s Claws N Paws volunteer, stated that the displaced cats and dogs were being held and cared for in good conditions. “Each one had its own cage or playpen, its own water, its own food, and cats had their own litter box. There was a kennel set up with pads that dogs could be taken to to use the bathroom. All of this was inside, dry as a bone. Someone stayed all night, so the animals were never left alone.”
Thankfully the charges have been dropped and Tammie and her team can return their focus to their mission– helping animals in Wayne, Johnston, Lenoir, and Wilson counties in North Carolina find loving homes.
Glad they were dropped, can’t believe anyone would charge someone for saving animals. Mind boggling!
This is good to hear.
Thank Goodness. More people should get involved with animal rescues.
And BIG thanks to Tammie Hedges and the volunteers at Crazy’s Claws N Paws.
I hope they all get help that’s so needed when it comes to helping animals.
The price of ONE latte per week every month can make a huge difference in an animal life.
TAMMIE YOU ARE A GOD SEND. GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. THE MORONS WHO ARRESTED YOU ARE DUMBER THAN HELL. ARREST THE PEOPLE KILLING AND ABUSING ANIMALS…NOT THE ONES WITH HUGE HEARTS.
Has Tammie been compensated for wrongful imprisonment? Have the animals been returned to Tammie to continue to care and re-home with people who care and love them as they should be loved. Thank you Angel Tammie, don’t let idiots grind you down, keep doing what you and your fabulous team do best. Take care.
Disgusting. This is disgraceful why was she charged in the first place, the facts should have been known before wasting the time of the police.
I’m with Kathlen, charges against those who abandoned their pets during the hurricane, not those who tried to help. What in hell has our country come to?
Charge people who hurt animals ! Do not charge people like Tammie who helped animals during hurricane and storms or when in any need. Tammie is a hero. Return the animals back to her ! Please !
So happy for her and thank the Lord.
What about the pets that were taken out of her care? They should be returned otherwise if not claimed by owners they will be euthanized!!
WOW……………PUBLIC OUT CRY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We made calls, sent emails and texts and we made this happen. Thank you to everyone who helped get this animal lover out of jail where she should never been. This story made be so sick and mad that someone trying to help and save animals could be prosecuted is just plain wrong.
GOOD LUCK TAMMY TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR NEW LOCATION TO HELP SAVE ANIMALS!!
Charges should have been made against the people who left their animals behind, not anyone involved in rescuing and sheltering them… even giving them medical treatment. There is something very wrong with Wayne County Animal Services, but I am glad someone came to their senses and dropped the charges.
Thank God for the Tammie’s of the the world who will step up and
help animals. Thank you Tammie and team!
Thank you Tammie and thank you to every volunteer that helps our furry babies.
If the safety and well-being of the animals was the primary concern, then there should be procedures to determine that this was indeed the case, and no charges should have been filed. – Thank you Tammie.
Only an idiot would charge someone trying to help animals during a disaster. A waste of taxpayer money and the people who did this should be removed from their jobs. Tammie Hedges thank you for helping these furbabies when they needed it. To the idiots, go arrest the people who LEFT THEIR ANIMALS TO DIE!! Do your job and get it right!!
COMMENTMuchas gracias, esta mujer es inocente, esta claro que hay una corrupción en la política por parte de algunos políticos corruptos indeseables que ven un negocio en matar o dejar morir a los animales.
Absolutely! Where are the people who left their animals in harms way??
Agree.
VERY GLAD TO HEAR THIS!
WHO THE HELL IS DOING ANYTHING WRONG WHEN THEY ARE RESCUING AND SAVING ANIMALS?!
Thanks for helping the helpless! Those who do not care want to punish those who do because it makes them look bad and incompetent.
Yes, let’s charge the ones who want to HELP animals but let’s let the abusers get away with literal murder!
This area of North Carolina is ridiculous. A bunch of good old boys. I’m thankful she was let go and able to continue her work! Keep going, girl!
Terrific news. This woman was taking care of abandoned animals. If you want to go after anyone you go after the people who abandoned them!
I still am in disbelief that this Angel and her helpers were charged FOR SAVING LIFES!!! Incredible…will never nor visit or love inthis place…
Despicable of Wayne county animal services. they should be giving Tammi and award! and send her a large donation for the emotion pain of their controlling, idiotic ways! as well as, Fire and replace the animal services people who made the decision to remove the animals and arrest Tammi. they should not have that job! no common sense or human or animal decency!
The American Government has and is a failure on every level. Money before Morales. Profit before Portection This has to change
COMMENTEstoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo,el gobierno de EEUU no piensa ni en los valores morales ni en las consecuencias. Los beneficios, el dinero, la buena economía se basa en la justicia, en los valores morales y en el sentido común,no en la estupidez y el dinero maldito y fácil.Estos animales pueden ayudar a salvar vidas.
So funny, they charged a woman helping animals, but do nothing to the countless monsters that are caught with evidence of animal mutilation or neglect or abuse, with full evidence!! Yet they do nothing to them!! Fuck this system and fuck these laws!!
Poor lady. Thanks to her.
Stupid ignorant wayne county officials. How dumb can you get?
Es triste que a uno que hace cosas por los animales que otros abandonan sin importarles nada si viven o mueren y un juez disculpe pero esta seguro de su carrera le hacen esto estos rescatadores no les piden a ustedes ni a los gobiernos se arreglan con las amantes de los animales asi que no tienen derecho a creer que lo que ustedes hacen esta bien LAS PERSONAS DECENTE SON LAS QUE AMAN Y DEFIENDE LOS ANIMALES DE QUIEN LOS ABANDIONAN
She should be commended. And praised..she have helped rescue these poor animals…they should prosecute those idiots S.O.Bs so called human beings that are cruel to animals… .
This is great news! I believe this woman is an angel for the animals!
What an amazing lady!! Keep it up!
Why do some people hate animals? Either this or it’s the control they love.
Where are the animals now? Are they in shelters ready to be euthanized. What is wrong with the District Attorney? The animals were safe and warm and protected.
This woman is one of Gods warriors, just doing his work to save the helpless animals.
This is good news. Thank you and Well done to you Tammie for rescuing these animals.
They are God’s Creatures.
And we shall not kill and hurt, but show compassion and care.
Our life is short also, let us take the chance, do good, stop the violence (‘God is Love’) and support the vegan lifestyle.
He is the beginning and the end, one day we will die also.
Thank goodness that was ridiculous charges in my book and hopefully our out cries made the authorities realize so. She was thinking of the animals in danger doing the hurricane that was going on at that time. And thought fast on her feet to save them. In my book she is a hero to our four legged friends and love one. Thanks you again.
God Bless her. I know she has a big heart and could not turn her back on these animals. I’m glad she was there for them. U R an Angel.
Thank you for this great decision — there IS a God
Never should of had charges to begin with
Heartfelt thanks to all at Crazy’s Claws and Paws for their selfless devotion to aninals. Thank you for caring for these 27 cats and dogs during a national weather disaster. You are all angels!!
Thankfully these ridiculous charges have been dropped- what a waste of time, money & resources puling these 2 dozen animals from a safe and caring environment in a major a hurricane producing catastrophic flooding and death of people as well as innumerous animals across several states. This woman and her shelter should be given a humanitarian award for what they have done.
I’m truly astounded the State wouldn’t recognize help when it was offered & needed. I could understand them checking into your offer under regular times not right before the storm we got!
Really? Officials didn’t have enough to do during al that flooding that they have to be so officious?
The charges were ludicrous, and good that they were dropped.
However, what a headache for this poor woman.
I hope the fools who trumped up the charges learn something from this.
It seems to me these so called “officials” have the combined brain power of a sand speck..it’s a hurricane, cats and dogs are left alone, scared, hungry, wet, she takes them in 2 show them some love, attention and proper care and you idiots take them away and charge her?? Do you charge animal owners since they too give OTC medication to their pets as well?? MAYBE LOOK IN THE MIRROR..AT LEAST TAMMY AND CREW WERE HELPING THE ANIMALS..MAYBE YOU IDIOTS SHOULD GO AFTER THE OWNERS WITH BETTER EDUCATION AND ALLOWANCE OF PETS AT SHELTERS!!..IDIOTS!!
Sometimes I really have to wonder about the intelligence of these “officials” seems all they want to do is ruin anything good that other people are trying to do or…they really don’t give a hoot about these animals. Thank goodness for people like Tammy Hedges & her volunteer’s. Take care Coreen
About time someone used some common sense!! NC should give her a medal and a Huge Apology!!!
Thank you for this great decision — there IS a God — especially under the circumstances of Florence, each fact must be taken into consideration — if this Rescue is a true NO-RESCUE and all animals are taken care of properly, then everyone MUST support these wonderful the best way they can.