Long-incarcerated Tenney dogs and cats released for adoption

A number of cats and dogs once owned by the Tenneys are now available for adoption at the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter in Front Royal.

Social media posts of some of the Tenney Australian Shepherd dogs prior to their seizure by County Animal Control./ Social media photo

After four months of incarceration in the Julia Wagner Animal Shelter in Front Royal, a total of 28 dogs and cats seized by Animal Control have been released by the courts for adoption. Two animals, a cat, and a dog, were euthanized following the September 12, 2018 seizure due to the presence of incurable canine or feline illnesses.

In confirming the court action Humane Society of Warren County (HSWC) Executive Director Meaghan Bowers said the animals, including 14 Australian shepherd dogs, would immediately be prepared for adoption as she sent out a Facebook advisory on Wednesday, January 30.

The animals were the property of former commercial breeding kennel owners Brian and Wendy Tenney, who face misdemeanor and felony charges related to animal cruelty and neglectful child endangerment following the execution of a September 12 search warrant. The property search resulted in six children under the age of 18 leaving the Tenney home and being placed with their maternal grandmother. The animals were seized by County Animal Control and delivered to the HSWC’s Julia Wagner Animal Shelter.

At the time of the September 12, 2018 search warrant’s execution the Tenneys, of the Limeton area of southern Warren County, were appealing a Warren County Board of Supervisors April 17 decision to revoke their commercial breeding kennel permit. The county planning department recommended the revocation in the wake of a March 6, 2017, kennel fire at the Tenney property in which 16 dogs died.

A handsome young Australian Shepherd named Merida/ Social media photo

In a media statement issued through their attorney on January 21, the Tenneys announced they were dropping their appeal of a December 12 General District Court ruling that they forfeit the animals. Apparently written by the couple, the statement termed their decision as “very difficult” since they claimed all the seized animals were kept as pets rather than for commercial breeding purposes. The Tenneys “press release” also dropped the couple’s legal challenge of the Board of Supervisors revocation of their commercial breeding permit.

Three sheriff’s office deputies, including animal control deputy Laura Gomez and investigators Brad Pugh and Allen Smoot, testified in the earlier court hearing to what they described as “horrid conditions” in both the enclosed shed where the dogs were kept penned, and the residence where one dog and most cats in which the Tenneys and their seven children, one over 18, lived.

Humane Society Director Bowers and Wagner Shelter Manager Kayla Wines hands were tied as far as adopting the animals out while the Tenneys’ appeal was being processed. Court verification of the dropped appeal was necessary prior to the adoption process commencing.

With that verification in hand, the shelter and HSWC have begun a spay/neuter program and other health checks for the dogs and cats before they are put up for adoption. A “meet the animals” process for prospective adopters has begun at the shelter.

A special plea for funds to cover the cost of these treatments, withdrawn a few weeks ago, has been revived. Donations should be marked specifically for the veterinary treatments of the 28 surviving Tenney dogs and cats. Call the shelter at 540-635-4734, extension 226 for further information.

On Saturday, February 2nd the Petco Front Royal will take donations towards the care and spay/neuter of the 28 animals that will be available for adoption. An HSWC booth will be set up to accept monetary donations as well as pet food during the pet adoption hours of noon to 3 p.m.

As well as dogs, there are also cats looking for permanent, new homes – and not just the Tenney animals are available for adoption into loving homes at the Julia Wagner Shelter.