The Emergency Animal Rescue Service
The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (TEARS) was a non-profit organization and SPCA affiliate which rescued abused and injured animals and provided treatment and placement services for them. It was founded by Terra Cotromano and operated from 226 Glasgow Road, in unincorporated Jefferson County just north of Pleasant Grove. The group provided services 24-hours a day and assisted wildlife and livestock in addition to pets.
Cotromano was fired by the group's board of directors in January 2010 amid allegations of mismanagement and animal cruelty. Her successor, Beverly Griffith Lepore, pursued plans to develop a 20-acre "TearsTown" animal refuge at the group's site. The criminal charges against Cotromano were dismissed by Judge Eric Fancher in 2011 and she subsequently sued to regain her role as head of the organization.
When Cotromano died in 2018 TEARS lost its lease to the Glasgow Road site and was forced to rehouse 24 dogs then on the property.
References
- Stock, Erin (December 31, 2009) "Animal rescue agency investigates director on cruelty allegations." The Birmingham News
- Stock, Erin (January 15, 2010) "Animal rescue group litigants agree to leave donations alone." The Birmingham News
- Stock, Erin (January 25, 2010) "TEARS animals likely to remain at other agencies, Jefferson County judge says." The Birmingham News
- Debro, Anita (January 29, 2011) "Animal abuse charges dropped against former head of the TEARS animal rescue agency." The Birmingham News
- Gasque, Conan (July 16, 2018) "TEARS dog rescue finds homes for all dogs before move." CBS42.com