A10
LOCAL
THE ITEM
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2013
NATIVITY from Page A1 Nativity scene to Palmetto Chapel on base. “An offer did go out for other displays, but because we only had a sole religious symbol, we had to take it down,� Rake explained. “We waited for recommendations and approval on where we can place it, and volunteers put up the display at noon (Thursday).� The controversy regarding the removal of the Nativity scene sparked many comments on social media from the community and statements from local political officials. Bill Connor, Republican candidate for U.S. senator, released a statement Wednesday calling on Sen. Lindsey Graham to restore the Nativity scene on Shaw Air Force Base — stating that Graham’s silence in the
matter was “puzzling.� On Thursday afternoon, Graham, Sen. Tim Scott and 5th District Congressman Mick Mulvaney released a joint statement saying that the local representatives were concerned about the incident and have been in contact with Shaw throughout the controversy. “We are pleased the Nativity scene has been restored at Shaw Air Force Base. From the start, our offices have been in touch with Shaw officials expressing our concerns about this matter,� they said in a prepared statement. “We appreciate the Air Force for listening to our complaint, keeping the Nativity scene on base, and moving it to the Chapel.� Reach Raytevia Evans at (803) 7741214.
AIRMAN 1ST CLASS JENSEN STIDHAM / SPECIAL TO THE ITEM
U.S. Air Force airmen and community members watch the Nativity scene being set up by volunteers outside the Palmetto Chapel on Thursday at Shaw Air Force Base. Complaints were made about the scene to the Military Religious Freedom Foundation after it was originally set up near Memorial Lake, prompting its removal last Friday.
DOGS from Page A1 issue the evening of Dec. 4, when Sumter County-City Animal Control received a call about a possible doghoarding case. According to Staff Sgt. Robert Reynolds, supervisor of Sumter County Animal Control, his office received a call that there were a number of dogs outside a home on Benenhaley Road running at large, killing other animals in the neighborhood. In addition, Reynolds said his department received complaints about the stench coming from the property. “I’d say about 10 of them were running at large, loose in the yard,� Reynolds said. “There were at least 20 corgis and other smaller-breed dogs in one kennel, at least 10 in another, and an amount housed in the other two kennels.� In total, officials found about 60 dogs living in only four kennels, Reynolds said.
MATT WALSH / THE ITEM
Kennels that Shelby and Christian Bird erected to house some of the 45 dogs they rescued on Saturday from an Air Force retiree who had been collecting them are seen Wednesday. “He really was trying to do a good thing,� Shelby Bird said.
The living conditions of the animals raised an immediate red flag; they were residing not only in cramped quarters, but also in kennels that apparently had not been cleaned in some time. When officers spoke with the homeowner, an Air Force retiree who had been collecting these dogs for more than 20 years, they learned he had rescued them from Shaw. All of the dogs had been abandoned, wandering the base, scrounging for scraps to eat, Reynolds said the homeowner told them. According to
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Reynolds, some of the animals were even left to live alone, trapped in the home of their former owners until discovered by Air Force officials or maintenance workers. What began as an attempt to assist and take care of the pets became more and more difficult for the man throughout the years and had become out of control. An older gentleman, he walks with a crutch and was not able to get around as well as he once did. There were times when
he himself would not eat, ensuring that his dogs could, he told Animal Control officers. When the man became unable to make his way to the kennels the dogs were housed in on a regular basis, he began to pay a few boys in the neighborhood to come out and feed them for him. To assist with the situation, Reynolds called Shelby Bird, owner and operator of For Belle’s Sake, a local dog rescue. This was not the first time that Bird has been
contacted by Sumter County Animal Control for assistance. In the past few years, she has taken in at least 100 dogs from them because of the limited capacity at the Animal Control location. She and her husband, Christian, own the only rescue in the Sumter County area that is
signed up with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. “He really was trying to do a good thing,� Bird said. “It just eventually got a little too much for him to bear, especially alone.� On Dec. 5 and 6, the dogs were assessed by Reynolds, Bird and her husband. From 2 p.m. until 11 p.m. Saturday, the Birds spent their day building makeshift shelters to accommodate the dogs at their home. Saturday evening, 45 of them were relocated to the Birds’ home and rescue center, where they already had roughly 25 in their care. The other 20 dogs rescued from the hoarding case are temporarily located at Sumter County Animal Control. Reach Holly Bunch at (803) 774-1211.
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