By Elaine Furst For Dog Files
Across the street from the Ferguson Grove Baptist Church sits the empty property where Michael Vick ran his infamous dog fighting ring. An organization called Dogs Deserve Better is raising money to buy the property to turn it into a dog rehab center. If Wallace Johnson, Jr. has his way however, this will not happen.
Johnson, who is a member of the church but claims to not be speaking on their behalf, is fully opposed to the idea and is concerned about the smell and noise that the dogs could bring.
After he raised his concerns, Johnson says the church heard an earful. Some were asking why it was okay for dogs to live there before, under such horrific circumstances.
Johnson says, “As much time as I spent at 1876 Moonlight Road, I never saw a dog, never heard a dog.”
The pastor meanwhile, says the church is not taking a stance.
?The founder of Dogs Deserve Better says she’s willing to work with the church by ensuring that the dogs are inside the house during worship services.??Johnson says that would help, but he’s still opposed to their plans.??
“It’s my full intent to do whatever I can,” he says.??
There may not be much action he can take though. According to the director of the Surry County Planning Department, the land is already zoned an agricultural/rural residence district. That zoning allows for private and commercial kennels.??
Meanwhile, Dogs Deserve Better continues to raise money for their rehab center. They now have more than $71,000 out of the almost $600,000 they need by March 20th to buy the property.
And, yet they had no problem with dogs being tortured to death on the property. Says a lot about them
Makes me think Johnson was right there watching dogs tear each other apart and cheering them on while it happened. I hope they get their rehab center!
One would think that the noise and the screaming from the dogs; the numerous vehicles that I’m sure were parked; the gathering of the masses (no sarcasm indeeded) to view the fights would have been just a bit of an indicator that something was going on. What a delightful Christian attitude than church going people have. Instead of vetoing the desire to want to create good out of something bad, why not do the Christian thing and come to a resolve that both can work with. It seems the rehabilitation folks are more than prepared to do that. Work together people; that’s what Christianity is about!!
This is ONE guy who DOESN’T live or work there. He’s not a “neighbor” nor is he “neighbors.” He has no say in the matter. I could easily complain about stuff that happens in Colorado or Manchuria, but as I don’t live, work, or know anyone there my argument holds very little weight.
So boo on this jerk and boo to whoever decided to use the word “neighbor” and whoever decided to use a plural in the title. Misleading journalism is what gives proper journalists a bad name.
i dont understand…Johnson says :“As much time as I spent at 1876 Moonlight Road, I never saw a dog, never heard a dog.” This was when there was dog fighting, jeers from the crowd most likely and abuse. If what he’s saying is true than why is he so paranoid about the rehab center? Dogs that are well taken care of are going to much more quiet and much less stinky than the dogs who were there when it was run by Vick….This guy is not making much sense….He’s either a supporter of dogfighting or is just really…..loony.
Shame on the Christians!
I’m with Meg…he sounds like he supports dogfighting..so long as they keep it on the que tee….oboy…