Tails NC- Help Save Sargeant Butters
Donation protected
In August of 2019 Sargeant Butters, a cat who had been living in the Mocksville Police Department was suddenly removed, from the only home he has ever known, and his Facebook page was taken down. As the public started to inquire what had happened, there were conflicting statements released by the Mayor and the Town Manager. There have still been no clear answers to the community as to why this happened.
A Facebook Page called Save Sarge Butter was created for the public to join and sign a petition to bring him back( http://chng.it/SqNp2j6Rxy ). It now has over 5,800 signatures. The Facebook page quickly became a site to post news of things being discovered, a resource to post information for all to see and an outlet for media updates. The best resource to see what has been discovered to date and stay updated on issues is to go to The Save Sarge Butters Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2321995554720076/
Or read the following media stories:
https://www.wxii12.com/article/sarge-butters-mocksville-police-department-north-carolina-cat-controversy/28776422
https://www.wxii12.com/article/internal-assessments-underway-at-mocksville-police-department-town-board-member-wants-force-dissolved/28850075
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-city-leaders-hear-public-comments-on-removal-of-police-department-therapy-cat/28766351
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-police-officer-resigns-amid-town-department-controversy/28918831
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-town-board-member-breaks-silence-after-release-of-controversial-emails-text-messages/28906158
Over the past few weeks Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have been put in for the the Mocksville town boards members, the Town Manager and the Mayor. Only the emails and texts to and from the Town Manager were provided. The conversations within these, from two board members, showed their possible involvement with the cat being removed. More FOIA requests have been put in and other questionable emails and texts have been provided, raising even more questions and suspicions as to who removed the cat, why he was forced to be removed and possible political motivations for his sudden departure. As of today the town has still been silent as to what the real story actually is. The link to this post will provide information on the continued type of contradicting information that is received: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2321995554720076/permalink/2350678221851809/
We have asked the town to provide the personal emails and texts of the board members and other town employees in question (that discuss town business on personal computers and phones) but have been told there are none and they are not pursuing them. We have provided the burden of proof that board members use their personal emails and phones to conduct government business, yet the FOIA requests (which have to be provided based on NC general statutes) ARE NOT BEING PROVIDED. Under NC general statutes and guidelines it is the content of the emails and texts not the source that makes them FOIA material. Elected officials must provide copies of communications about government related business on personal devices to be documented for this very purpose. Our only alternative now to get these communications for clear answers is to hire legal counsel and though a state guided process get the court to issuet subpoenas for all their personal emails and texts discussing any government issues or business.
Sarge Butters was a cat with thousands of followers, that was loved and watched by people from all over the world. He was a positive influence on the town and brought people into the Police Department to interact with the officers. He lived in the Police Department for over a year, and it was the only home he had ever known. He was not a certified therapy cat, but provided therapy and support beyond the police department in so many ways. People came to Mocksville to meet the cat from all over, kids came to interact with him and he was fully supported with donations. He was also a huge positive influence on the town and for the Police Department, that had been in the news for negative things in the past. He was an inspiration for the town and the world and was without notice or explanation, ripped from the Police Department and our daily lives. Here is a link that best tells the story of Sarge Butters and how he became a Police cat: https://www.facebook.com/davontemckenith/posts/2216868108325489
The removal of Sarge Butters has brought forth information from FOIA requests that no one ever expected to find. Further requests identified a board member calling for a review to possibly dissolve the Police Department and questionable actions from other town employees. The community and the world deserve answers to what happened to Sarge Butters and why!
This fundraiser is being set up through TAILS NC, (https://www.facebook.com/tailsnc/) an organization that has filed to become a 501c3 non-profit to take on issues and fight for animals that can't speak for themselves. TAILS NC is 100% volunteer run and led, and no one makes a single penny on any initiative. Every penny raised and spent from this campaign will be posted with complete transparency.
TAILS NC will use 100% of the money raised to pay for legal support, advertising (fliers, signs, mailers, etc.) and registration fees (events, protests, etc.). The money will be used for 2 objectives:
1) To get answers as to who started the initiate to remove him and why, by obtaining through all means necessary the emails, texts and other communications from town employees and elected officials.
2) Have Sarge Butters return to the PD in some agreeable capacity, even if limited.
If there is any money unused or left over from this fundraiser, up to $2,000 will go to the person who is currently caring for Sargent Butters, for his care and support (food and vet bills). The remaining balance will go to the Humane Society of Davie County.
Help us get answers and help us in the fight to bring Sargeant Butters back to his home with your donations! #savesargebutters #mocksvillepdstays
A Facebook Page called Save Sarge Butter was created for the public to join and sign a petition to bring him back( http://chng.it/SqNp2j6Rxy ). It now has over 5,800 signatures. The Facebook page quickly became a site to post news of things being discovered, a resource to post information for all to see and an outlet for media updates. The best resource to see what has been discovered to date and stay updated on issues is to go to The Save Sarge Butters Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2321995554720076/
Or read the following media stories:
https://www.wxii12.com/article/sarge-butters-mocksville-police-department-north-carolina-cat-controversy/28776422
https://www.wxii12.com/article/internal-assessments-underway-at-mocksville-police-department-town-board-member-wants-force-dissolved/28850075
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-city-leaders-hear-public-comments-on-removal-of-police-department-therapy-cat/28766351
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-police-officer-resigns-amid-town-department-controversy/28918831
https://www.wxii12.com/article/mocksville-town-board-member-breaks-silence-after-release-of-controversial-emails-text-messages/28906158
Over the past few weeks Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests have been put in for the the Mocksville town boards members, the Town Manager and the Mayor. Only the emails and texts to and from the Town Manager were provided. The conversations within these, from two board members, showed their possible involvement with the cat being removed. More FOIA requests have been put in and other questionable emails and texts have been provided, raising even more questions and suspicions as to who removed the cat, why he was forced to be removed and possible political motivations for his sudden departure. As of today the town has still been silent as to what the real story actually is. The link to this post will provide information on the continued type of contradicting information that is received: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2321995554720076/permalink/2350678221851809/
We have asked the town to provide the personal emails and texts of the board members and other town employees in question (that discuss town business on personal computers and phones) but have been told there are none and they are not pursuing them. We have provided the burden of proof that board members use their personal emails and phones to conduct government business, yet the FOIA requests (which have to be provided based on NC general statutes) ARE NOT BEING PROVIDED. Under NC general statutes and guidelines it is the content of the emails and texts not the source that makes them FOIA material. Elected officials must provide copies of communications about government related business on personal devices to be documented for this very purpose. Our only alternative now to get these communications for clear answers is to hire legal counsel and though a state guided process get the court to issuet subpoenas for all their personal emails and texts discussing any government issues or business.
Sarge Butters was a cat with thousands of followers, that was loved and watched by people from all over the world. He was a positive influence on the town and brought people into the Police Department to interact with the officers. He lived in the Police Department for over a year, and it was the only home he had ever known. He was not a certified therapy cat, but provided therapy and support beyond the police department in so many ways. People came to Mocksville to meet the cat from all over, kids came to interact with him and he was fully supported with donations. He was also a huge positive influence on the town and for the Police Department, that had been in the news for negative things in the past. He was an inspiration for the town and the world and was without notice or explanation, ripped from the Police Department and our daily lives. Here is a link that best tells the story of Sarge Butters and how he became a Police cat: https://www.facebook.com/davontemckenith/posts/2216868108325489
The removal of Sarge Butters has brought forth information from FOIA requests that no one ever expected to find. Further requests identified a board member calling for a review to possibly dissolve the Police Department and questionable actions from other town employees. The community and the world deserve answers to what happened to Sarge Butters and why!
This fundraiser is being set up through TAILS NC, (https://www.facebook.com/tailsnc/) an organization that has filed to become a 501c3 non-profit to take on issues and fight for animals that can't speak for themselves. TAILS NC is 100% volunteer run and led, and no one makes a single penny on any initiative. Every penny raised and spent from this campaign will be posted with complete transparency.
TAILS NC will use 100% of the money raised to pay for legal support, advertising (fliers, signs, mailers, etc.) and registration fees (events, protests, etc.). The money will be used for 2 objectives:
1) To get answers as to who started the initiate to remove him and why, by obtaining through all means necessary the emails, texts and other communications from town employees and elected officials.
2) Have Sarge Butters return to the PD in some agreeable capacity, even if limited.
If there is any money unused or left over from this fundraiser, up to $2,000 will go to the person who is currently caring for Sargent Butters, for his care and support (food and vet bills). The remaining balance will go to the Humane Society of Davie County.
Help us get answers and help us in the fight to bring Sargeant Butters back to his home with your donations! #savesargebutters #mocksvillepdstays
Fundraising team: Tails NC- Save Sargeant Butters (1)
TAILS North Carolina
Organizer
Mocksville, NC
Alan Bagshaw
Team member
