SMALL TOWN SCRAMBLES TO FIND HOMES FOR ANIMALS
|| By FITSNEWS || A small town South Carolina mayor has sparked an uproar after allegedly trying to reclaim land he previously “donated” to a local animal rescue effort.
Michael Miller – mayor of Wagener, S.C. – made plenty of political hay last year when he donated five acres of land to the “L.E.A.S.H. Squad,” which he claimed would provide a new home to dozens of neglected animals. Specifically, Miller told local television station WAGT TV 26 (NBC -Augusta, Georgia) that his “pure love for rescuing dogs” compelled the donation.
“Every single one of these dogs could do something for somebody, if given the chance … every single one,” Miller told reporter Elizabeth Hughes, recalling his own personal experience rescuing a dog.
Peach of a guy, huh?
Eh …
A year after this story aired, multiple sources in Wagener tell FITS Miller is “evicting (the dogs) from the land he donated to them.”
“The non-profit he donated it to has been told it has to move and find homes for about seventy-five dogs,” a source tells us.
That’s left local residents scrambling to find homes for the animals. In fact, one of the residents we spoke with encouraged us to publish the story because it would “help spread the word about dogs who need homes.”
Miller? He did not respond to our request for comment.
Wagener was last on our radar in late 2013, when the town served as the setting for an unfortunate case study of rural South Carolina justice.
Anyway …
If you’re interested in adopting one of the Wagener dogs, email us. We’ll put you in touch with the right people.
UPDATE: Here’s more information for those of you looking to help the Wagener dogs.
110 comments
Moral: register the deed.
odds are the Cockroach never provided them with the proper documents
You are more than likely right..it would mean he would actually have to do it instead of talking about it. So everyone can think he is a “good” mayor not really He is only in office cause of free water. Bet the police that covered for the councilman’s son and got fired by the way to get him out the way, now the cop could get a job at the shelter. Yep keep him in office cause he cares….that’s funny.
That would be correct.Mayor Mike Miller would NOT sign over the deed.
Special place in hell for that man.
Lets hope and guarded by all the dogs that will be lost.
You can leave a personal message for the Cockroach Mayor at the link below
http://www.wagenersc.com/content/contact-us
Done.
Done.
Done!
Done
I will offer him praises and a campaign contribution. Death to the Shelter Dogs!
Stephen Winkler – has a nice ring to it
Of course your comments would have more impact if you used your given name
Bless your heart Mayor Miller
My full name is Stephen Samuel Winkler. I do not hide behind some nickname or idiom. I would consider you among the greatest mayors of America along with New York Mayor LaGuardia, and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. “Keep fighting right to the last minute.”
This guy is a world class asshole that is for sure. Hopefully this will give the group publicity and get more dogs adopted as they will need the help thanks to this indian giver.
This guy is my hero. Today, it is hard to find heroes for our kids to emulate. This mayor is a true American hero.
For those with Facebook and Twitter, take it there… Mr. Miller may have a change of heart once this hits the media and finds out he’s in the running for Asshole of the Year.
I contacted the local TV affiliate that originally ran the story…let’s see if they give an update on this douchebag with as much publicity as the first story.
I also contacted WAGT 26 several times but have not seen or heard anything… Please correct me if they did do a follow up story :0(
I believe they have to be off the land by Monday. So so sad!!! I hope Karma will follow Mike Miller of Wagner forever for this one!!!
Perhaps he saw how the crap from all those dogs was defiling his land. Maybe he was getting complaints from nearby residents and property owners about thd smell and the noise.
Maybe he’s just a dickhead.
That’s always a possibility. I wouldn’t want a facility like that setting up near my home, though.
I wouldn’t have that much of a problem with it if it was run correctly.
Why would you give land to a dog shelter, then complain about the noise or dog crap? Dog crap at any good shelter is picked up several times per day and bagged. The smell is minimal if at all, it’s not like stepping into a barnyard.
It’s in the middle of nowhere, and no, the far away neighbors don’t have anything to do with the fact the mayor just wants his land back so he can sell it to someone else. Doesn’t give a crap about the dogs either. I’m sure he never did. Just wanted to be elected.
You said it correctly
I do not give a crap about the dogs either, except to train some of them for riding kids on their backs. Destroy the rest of them.
http://www.myfoxla.com/story/22628520/stephen-winkler-tossed-off-saugus-union-school-district-board
So, is your account still hacked after two years?
I do not have the money to launch a full investigation, but the dog lovers removed me from a public office, which had nothing to do with my service. Do I have to be a dog lover to serve on a board of education? Perhaps, because I would vote against the presence of dogs on school grounds. It is a safety issue. A dog is a dangerous, carnivore with fangs and does not belong on school property.
“Winkler had also come under fire for posting content on social media sites that seemed to support Nazi Germany and animal mutilation. Winkler claims he didn’t write the posts and that his account had been hacked.” — actually, I was referring to the animal mutilation part. With the comments I’ve seen you make on other posts, I think someone should launch an investigation on you for animal cruelty, you know, since you have talked about strangling dogs and letting kids use them as punching bags, and spraying ammonia up dogs noses.
When a dog comes up at you and wants to sniff your with its ugly and wet nose, then the dog is asking for the ammonia up its nose. Why should I submit to the humiliation of having a creature wipe its nose on my pants after it wiped its nose on its behind or another dog’s behind. I will not tolerate particles of feces on my clothes. I will kill the dog, first. So dog walkers, allow this to be a warning to you. Keep your filthy animals far away from me or they are going to get the treatment.
Yes, because there were anti-Semitic statements posted on that account, which I never made. I’m not anti-Semitic! That is why I got terribly angry, when Saugus teachers quoted from Henry Ford. If you are too stupid, to know the Anti-Semitism of Henry Ford, then you are too stupid to be a teacher. When I said that, the teachers went after me and got rid of me.
Stephen Winkler doesn’t give a crap about the dogs either, except some may be used to ride kids on their backs or give pleasure to our President (LBJ versus Beagles) Incidentally, I hope their ears hold on straight.
I completely agree. The dog droppings brings the flies. The flies bring disease. Dogs in a community make the community unhealthy.
This land has been cleared, cleaned and has a nice concrete padding with approp fence. It looks better than it did
Wait till the rest of the nation gets word of this pig shit. They will come after him with pitchforks.
I will give my life to protect this mayor.
He plays musical land deals anyway, gives to Christ Central, swaps with Christ Central, with all the land he has why not let the animals have a no kill shelter?
I prefer a kill shelter for the animals. Who needs them anyway?
Maybe one will bite you in the ass!!!
Maybe I will spray that dog with a bottle of ammonia right in the nose. This proves my point. Dogs are too dangerous for society to have as pets, unless they are used as small horses by kids and they should be muzzled at all times during dog riding.
Help get the fur babies adopted: https//www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.960191344006206.1073741851.472467052778640&type=1
I’m a volunteer for this rescue and it’s a tragedy for these pets to go through this, because our mayor is a backstabbing ass!!!!!!!!!
Is there no legal action that the group can take? If he donated the land to the organization a year ago (or so), and made it publicly known, is there no legal basis for the organization to keep the land?
The group has been attempting to acquire a lawyer but their funds are all but depleted. It is widely known that this so called good samaritan is a dirty dealer and would seem to have his hands in a number of local officials pockets. Small town politics will bury this group and little will be done about it.
Will no lawyer take on your case pro bono?
They only have one with
contact Stephen Soltis in Lexington. see if he can help you.
No lawyer is that stupid, otherwise they would not be lawyers.
Rescue dogs do not deserve the land, unless they ride kids on their backs.
What sort of comment is that? Do you know anything about rescued dogs? Have you ever had a rescue? Your comment seems very ignorant and out of place on this thread. I hope that was not your intent, but if it was you need to educate yourself about the world of rescue, & how desperate these organizations are for assistance in any form.
The only thing I know about rescue dogs is that nobody wants them. The second thing is, that with world hunger and all the problems of humanity, you have time to worry about dogs? How stupid can you be!
That jerk was probably trolling any comments I made, because I commented on his stupid, ignorant, hateful, Nazi comments on another article about children riding dogs. He’s an internet troll and should be ignored.
On the contrary, I’m a teacher, but you Carol, is not willing to learn. As I said before, land donated for dogs is landed wasted. We could use that land for a baseball field, football field, parking lot, or many other uses. Wasting the land, that God gave us, is a mortal sin and you will burn in hell for it. Land for dogs is such a waste.
You…is? And you’re a teacher?? Highly doubt it…because I am one, and you’d have been laughed out.
fireside reader, if your students are laughing you out, it is because of your poor class management skills. Obviously, you do know how to control your class or your students.
I feel sorry for any child in your class because you are seriously twisted.
Asshole.
I consider that a compliment.
*tips fedora*
First time I’ve ever made this comment, and it’s fully deserved.
Holy, sh*t, Stephen Winkler. Don’t you ever get tired of trolling? Or just plain being stupid and ignorant? Do you ever get tired of being a complete douchebag?
I LOVE THAT MAYOR!
Shame on you mayor of Wagner south Carolina! People who rescue animals only want to protect and save animals in need. When offering this land you should of thought of all involved. Never promise something without thinking it through. I know when you donated the land you lifted the hearts of all those involved with hope there was truly an answer to their prayers. Now you’re taking that away. Hope is a horrible thing to lose. Just like the lives of blessed animals in need. Shame on you for giving false hope. Also would like to remind you I live in the community and can promise you this you will never get a vote from me again. I just can’t trust a liar or someone who goes back on their word.
Well said!
AMEN!!!!
I agree—-use social media to change his heart!
What a loser!!! was he trying to avoid paying taxes on the land or something?? or take advantage of the donation on taxes? hope someone looks into that aspect!!
He was running for office. it was to get elected
Now that is one ugly dog. You should be ashamed of yourself, posting an ugly dog on the internet. That ugly dog needs to be hit by a car. Allow me to put on my seatbelts and adjust my rearview mirror.
this guy is a dirtbag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and a scumbag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This guy is a great man and a great American! LOVE THAT MAYOR!
I wasn’t aware that someone could “take back” something donated a year ago. Let me ask this question: When he “donated” the land, was it close to an election? If he donated the land to the non-profit, wouldn’t there be some sort of deed or something, some kind of legal action the non-profit can take against the mayor?
Yes it was election time!!! Deed was never signed over.
I’m going to go out on a limb here, and posit that someone wants to buy the land from him for a substantial amount, and that is why he’s trying to take it back. A donation of the land may have won him an election (if that is what happened last year), but a donation is not money in hand.
I’m sharing the links every time I see them! A friend of mine adopted one of the beautiful babies recently! What I want to know is, is this asshat of a mayor going to try to claim the “donation” on his taxes and then sell the property?! Wouldn’t that put him behind bars for tax fraud too?
Tell your friend thank you for coming out and adopting one of L.E.A.S.H. precious babies.
L.E.A.S.H. is NOT a non profit rescue. I don’t know the entire story behind this but there are 30 dogs who need homes. Several rescues have been networking the pictures of these dogs in order to help them find homes. You can go to L.E.A.S.H.’s facebook page to find pictures of some of the dogs needing homes.
L.E.A.S.H is a registered non-profit. Matter of fact what doesn’t get donated comes out of their own pockets, which is a lot. Just wanted you to know.
This is connie walters. No famous person, just putting my name out there in case anyone needs to contact me. Im not gonna hide. This place is in the “boonies”. There are no neighbors. This mayor helped move these people to an out of the way area. So far out im unable to give any immediate assistance. This is a non profit organization. LEASH is not making money. This work is coming from their hearts. The mayor is wrong. At least give them ample time to relocate. Right now they are having to scramble to get homes for the dogs left. And the ones that are deamed unadoptable because they are ‘freightened” this douch bag plans to put them to sleep. I dont live in wagener but I think this mayor needs a fine tooth comb run thru his office.
Well said…. They are down to 24 dogs now. They need homes now!!!!
Well, bring them over to my place. We always need dogs for kids to ride on their backs.
LEASH is a federally and state registered charitable organization. All of their information is listed on the South Carolina Secretary of States website. Does anyone know where to find the original story that aired on NBC 26 Augusta?
L.E.A.S.H. needs a new temporary home until all the remaining dogs are able to be placed elsewhere. Rather it be adopted, fostered, or other rescues can step in. If you can help in any way PLEASE let them know A.S.A.P as they have to be out in a couple days.
Lars needs to run for Mayor!!!! Who wants to support him.
OK if you people actually knew how to investigate. . He’s evicting them because they would not turn over their financial reports to the secretary of state for the rescue the mayor of wagener had no idea what he was doing ..by helping these crooks that so call rescue that were living off donations for the dogs.. dogs he’s had on go fund me for years .. moving rescue over and over because they were not taking care of the dogs.. Aiken county is also investigating them also. . So do a lil digging before you talk about a man that actually wanted to help a rescue. ..
This rescue organization is in good standing with the South Carolina Secretary of State. They were investigated early last year due to these exact claims and came out in good standing, still. They are not a 501c3 organization but they are a registered South Carolina charity and may accept donations (the donations are just not tax deductible).
He can’t take back something that was DONATED. Sounds more like he “LOANED” the rescue organization that land…..and now the slob wants it back…
You don’t go about solving the problem my making it worse. What kind of horrible man would kick out a dog shelter? Even if he had legit concerns over the financial statements, there are ways to handle that. You just don’t go kick them out. I say yes, it was awefully convenient that his good deed came around election time. I say yes, he is a major douchenozzle for evicting the shelter program. But the PRESSING issue at hand is how to get these dogs fostered until the BS can be resolved, either way.
What kind of horrible man would kick out a dog shelter. Stephen Samuel Winkler is the one! If it is possible, I will give a huge donation to the mayor’s campaign. Incidentally, instead of a shelter, why not have a concentration camp for dogs? Dogs that cannot or will not carry kids on their backs will be sent to the left of the line into the gas chambers. How cool is that?
Wow Mr. Winkler. Just looked at your profile. You are a sick man, and hopefully someone will euthanize YOU before it’s too late. I feel sorry for your kids, if you have any…
My kids will rule the world someday and then where will you be? In a concentration camp.
https://www.facebook.com/leashsquad?pnref=story
Sic the IRS on him. You know he got a huge tax break for donating that land.
I totally agree!!
Isn’t this the 4th time this rescue has been evicted? Didn’t they abandon 8 dogs in Aiken at the boarding facility that was their first eviction? I feel horrible for the dogs and want to see them safe because they dont deserve this but to deny that there is a serious problem with this rescue’s founders means theres some blinders on. The proof lies in their history. This is an ongoing issue and the dogs pay the price every time.
Actually they transferred 6 dogs to a start up rescue at that individuals request. Thus was after their rescue vehicle was totaled when another driver failed to yield the right of way. At it again are we Hershey..lol
This isn’t Herschel. I know Herschel took over those dogs. Regardless, there was a bad land deal (evicion #2) after you were evicted from All Paws. Then, you moved to Graniteville and it went bad there (eviction #3), then you went out to Wagner (eviction #4). Don’t get me wrong, I feel awful for the dogs but this doesn’t happen time and time again for no reason, Lars. For starters, once again you’re on an Internet crusade, just like you did the first 3 times instead of focusing on the dogs where your attention should be. I’ve read several comments from people who’ve tried to reach you to foster or adopt but they can’t get a response. For once, less drama, more focus where it needs to be. The dogs are depending on you!
Lars and Jess actually had nothing to do with this news article. They have kept quiet about this matter for a couple of weeks, waiving adoption fees and transferring dogs to other rescues, etc. Someone shared this article with them and they were completely taken by shock. No clue who supplied info. It is my understanding they have steered clear of media and turned down interviews until court decision today.
If you really want to help, share dogs so that they can find furever homes and quit with your drama. You have a good night, now.
The difference this time, as I’m sure you will be happy to know, is that we ate not trying to save the rescue this time. We ate simply through with all of this. We want the dogs safe, then we walk away. So as badly add you want us give here is the chance. Dogs safe = We walk from rescue.
Pretty sweet deal for those that want us gone.
Someone needs to notify the IRS…
What a piece of crap!! Must have been re-election time or he needed a tax deduction.
I have known the mayor for a long time. I too am an animal lover, so at first blush this seems a bit harsh. However, knowing what I do know about Mike Miller, he has a very good reason and we do not have all the information in this situation. Mike is a fine man and loves animals. There is something more to this.
They have been given until Monday to remove the remaining 24 dogs and all possessions from the property.
This group will be holding an open house at their facility tomorrow from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Adoption and foster applications will be on hand! Let’s get these babies adopted!
You can meet dogs at their rescue located at 225 Inca Road, Wagener, SC 29164. You can reach Lars at 803-646-6221 or Jess at 803-646-6204 or email them at leashsquad@gmail.com.
Good morning LEASH.
For those that don’t know me, my name is Lars Swearingen III and I am the Co founder and President of LEASH Squad Inc. In regards to recent events we have been bombarded with emails, so much so we have had to bring in an additional person just to try and help sift through them.
I have seen a lot of them and I want to address a few things.
The first thing I need to address is how our team and our volunteers are to conduct themselves. If I find that any of our direct team or volunteers are publicly bashing or attacking anyone in regards to this situation they will be immediately removed from our organization.
The second thing I want to address is how others are responding to this situation. Our goal at this point is not to try and save the rescue, our goal is to simply get our remaining dogs to safety. Once that happens my family will be stepping away from rescue. For three years we have sacrificed everything to try and do what others talk about doing and for three years we have fought against more than most will ever know. We are burned out and our team is to small to keep it up any longer.
I ask that no bashing or attacking of another individual takes place in our defense. Our goal and our only goal is to save the remaining dogs. Not save the rescue.
Please keep your focus on the dogs and leading them to safety.
Thank you in advance.
Lars
Funny Mr. Winkler wants to take back all the disgusting comments he made because someone turned him in. http://www.scpr.org/blogs/education/2013/06/14/13993/saugus-union-school-board-member-in-hot-water-over/
You can see more of his beliefs here https://www.facebook.com/stephen.winkler.58
He is all over google with a ton of information if anyone is interested. What a despicable, nasty person.
There are 13 dogs remaining to find furever homes. Please help!
How many of those dogs can be trained for my dog riding program?
Thank you guys for posting this story! I grew up with the strong young woman who, with her husband, started this shelter, and I was shocked to see that this cruel man did this to them! I guess it’s true, no good deed goes unpunished. I hope they get a second chance elsewhere, with a TRUE land donation.
Land donated to dogs? How stupid can you be?
PLEASE RESPOND TO ME ASKING WHY YOU CHANGED YOUR PICTURE TO MY BIG MEDIA CAMPAIGN FOR PETITION & MEDIA. I MESSAGED YOU & YOU REFUSE TO RESPOND? WHY ARE YOU CHANGING TO MT BIG CAMPAIGN PICTURE AFTER I ASK SHOW PICS HOME SEE IF RESCUERS DUD LIVE IN FILTHY HOUSE TO PROVE? I POST THAT & THEN YOU WON’T ANSWER & CHANGE TO MY BIG MEDIA CAMPAIGN PIC?
It’ll be fun to watch these dog walkers beat you like the cow eyed, cloven hooved barnyard bovine you are. You fat loser.