Ripley market owner responds to claims of animal mistreatment

WTVA reporter Wayne Hereford spoke with the market's owner and a local animal rescuer about the claims.

They say were pictures of dogs being mistreated at the first monday flea market in ripley.

Wtva's wayne hereford is live in ripley with more on the photos and how the owner of the flea market says he tries to make sure animals are treated humanely.

I am inside the grounds here at first monday and ripley.

The owner, jerry windham says he has no knowledge of dogs being mistreated or even not being fed and watered on his property during a flea market this past weekend.

But there are some who say the animals were mistreated here.

" i can't speak first hand i was not there at his place but the video clearl;y shows in my opinion it looks like that's where it was."

Alex snipes is an animal rescuer for the second chance animal rights group of pontotoc.

He says a woman from ripley mississippi sent him photos and even a video of animals being mistreated at the first monday in ripley this past weekend.

The video even showed a dead animal which is too gruesome to show.

He wants something done about it now.

"and just something needs to be done.

The people who have been subjected to this type of thing are just getting tired if seeing the same thing over and over again."

Snipes says first monday has a history of animal cruelty.

"regardless of what's said out there that's not the truth."

First monday owner jerry windham says that he cant't speak for the past , but he says since he has owned first monday he has been strict on those who mistreat animals and pets that they sell "these are all our materials as far as the treatment and transportation and sales of animals on our property.

All the rules that we go by.

And we hire people to go and maintain these rules."

Windham says he's not certain that the pictures were not taken on his property .

But he says he's willing ot talk to anyone who things differently.

Now alex snipes says his animal rescue organization will keep a close eye on first monday in the future.

Reporting live in ripley wayne hereford wtva nine