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RICHARD LEE TYLER RUSSELL arrested for burning a live kitten who later died

- Tennessee, USA -


On Monday, September 19, 2022, Portland Police and Animal Control responded to a report of an injured animal on Strawberry Street, in Portland.


On the scene, officers made contact with the reporting party who showed them a kitten who appeared to be burned, and in poor health as a result.


According to a press release by Portland Police obtained by Voice For Us, 39-years-old RICHARD LEE TYLER RUSSELL (pictured), “was determined to be the individual who previously had custody of the kitten, prior to the complainant's call to the police.”


The kitten had apparently been injured on Saturday, September 17, 2022, in a fire pit behind a residence on Strawberry Street. RUSSELL had failed to obtain any medical attention for the furbaby who was left injured until he was finally found two days later.

Animal Control took the VOICELESS VICTIM to True Rescue of Mount Juliet.


In a Facebook post True Rescue said: “There is not one part of his little body not singed or burned. …………….This will likely be a long road of recovery for him, so we are in need of a medical foster once released from VetMed. Of course we are staying positive because this guy is a fighter and deserves every chance at life. We have named him Phoenix, because we do believe he will rise from the ashes and become new again.”


Sadly, Phoenix did not make it.


Before announcing his death, True Rescue had posted a hopeful update that read: “We brought Phoenix back from the vet this evening, and he is with a staff member tonight. Our vet said that right now he is in a “wait and see” period. His front feet are extremely damaged, and one leg in particular is likely to get an amputation, as there is no indication of feeling in the leg whatsoever. The other front leg is problematic as well. He is on pain meds as well as antibiotics, and will need quiet bedrest for a week before re-evaluating. His latest report is that he has pooped on his own, has eaten a bit of food on his own, and is extremely exhausted, as we can only imagine. Our vet, Dr. Gables, related the entire burn situation to chess, as he explained....we have to wait until the wounds make a move, then we make a move...and so on and so forth. Get ready for check mate, because this little guy is fighting for his life!”


RUSSELL was located by PPD detectives and interviewed regarding the incident.

Police said RUSSELL made no admissions about injuring Phoenix “but gave an account of the incident that was not credible.”


RUSSELL, a human trash, was arrested on September 23, 2022, and charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.

He is being held in the Sumner County Jail pending a court date of November 9, 2022, in Sumner County General Sessions Court on a $25,000 bond.


I will never get tired of saying that Voice For Us is in favor of the death penalty for animal abusers.

Scum like RUSSELL do not deserve a second chance in life. They are society’s vomit and the only thing they deserve is to rot in hell along with those judges and lawmakers who do not take animal cruelty seriously!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



Phoenix's pictures shared from True Rescue



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DAVID A. HENDRIX arrested after nine dogs were rescued from deplorable conditions

- Tennessee, USA -


On Wednesday, August 3, 2022, the nonprofit Animal Rescue Corps rescued nine dogs from a property on Savely Drive in Hendersonville.

The organization aptly called the rescue “Operation Out of the Dark.”


The Hendersonville Police Department said in a news release that on August 3, 2022, the investigation of property maintenance code violations resulted in the initiation of an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the department’s detectives.


Detectives contacted Veterinarian Dr. Heather Schwartz, who along with a representative of Animal Rescue Corps, was able to respond and quickly assess the need for immediate intervention and treatment.


Detectives then executed a search warrant at the property and with the assistance of Dr. Schwartz, Animal Rescue Corps, and Hendersonville Animal Control, all nine dogs were rescued from the deplorable conditions they were found in.


In a Facebook post, Animal Rescue Corps said: “This was no place for the living. The homeowners moved out years ago -- but they left their dogs behind in this house that was more like a tomb. Windows sealed up. No lights. No air conditioning. Doors wedged shut from years of waste. Buckets of food and water were pushed in through a crack in the door, but it was years since a caring human stood in this house.”


ARC also said that in some areas in the house, feces was more than a foot deep and compacted with trash and bones of several dead dogs.


Part of the Facebook post said: “We had to shovel a path for the door to open enough to bring our tactical equipment and teams inside.

Inside, the remains of dead dogs are scattered throughout the home. Bones by where the buckets were pushed in through the crack in the door speak to a desperate fight for survival. There are mothers who have given birth recently, but no surviving puppies. The surviving dogs are gentle and terrified, blinking from the sudden light from our spotlights and in desperate need of medical, physical, and emotional care.”


Animal Rescue Corps mentioned Hawkeye, one of the dogs rescued from that hellish place and said that the furbaby lost his sight “likely from years of living in the potent ammonia fumes inside.”


Many of the dogs are suffering from “open wounds, dental disease, sores, corneal scarring, emaciation, dehydration, and more”, explained ARC.


Needless to say, that Animal Rescue Corps needs our help to help these VOICELESS VICTIMS.

The nonprofit is providing urgent medical, physical, and emotional care to the innocent souls but it’s not easy. If you can wish, and can afford to donate, please click here. Thank you!


As for the criminal aspect of this heartbreaking case, the Hendersonville Police Department arrested the homeowner, identified as 57-years-old DAVID A. HENDRIX (pictured).

On Thursday, August 4, 2022, HENDRIX was booked into the Sumner County Jail on nine counts of aggravated animal cruelty. He was released after posting bond.

HENDRIX’s General Sessions Court date has been set for August 24, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.


WKRN reports that Tim Woodward, ARC’s Executive Director, said: “We are grateful that law enforcement reached out for assistance for these animals who desperately need medical care and attention. The level of suffering we witnessed here is some of the worst we’ve ever seen.”


Police said the investigation is ongoing.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




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