Blackburn in court Friday for animal cruelty case

District 4 council member denies neglect, believes charge stems from politics, misunderstanding of cattle operation

1:42 p.m. June 10, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Peggy Sue Blackburn, a District 4 member of the Metro Council, is due in court at 1 p.m. Friday, June 12, after she and two relatives were issued criminal summonses on animal cruelty charges tied to cattle on Dog Tail Road and Womack Ridge Road.

Blackburn denies the allegations, saying she believes the case stems from politics, personal targeting, and a misunderstanding of how her family feeds and manages a large cattle herd.

The Metro Moore County Sheriff’s Department issued criminal summonses in January to Blackburn, 63, of Dog Tail Road, along with Billy Joe Blackburn and Billie Patrice Blackburn. Each was charged with one count of animal cruelty under Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-202, according to a public incident report. No bond was required.

According to the report, the sheriff’s office began investigating on Dec. 16, 2025, after receiving an anonymous complaint about dead cattle on Dog Tail Road in Moore County and Womack Ridge Road in Shelbyville. The report states both properties were under Blackburn’s care.

Deputy Brandon Thomas responded to the complaint.

The report says Thomas saw injured cattle in a pen on Dog Tail Road and later found two dead cattle on Womack Ridge Road. The report described the carcasses as badly decomposed, with bones showing. The Tennessee State Veterinarian’s Office was contacted, and Dr. Jill Johnson examined the animals.

Under Tennessee law, animal cruelty can include failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or care. A first offense may be charged as a Class A misdemeanor.

Note that the sheriff's department investigates a claim and turns over its findings to the Office of the District Attorney, which then decides whether to file charges based on probable cause.

All three defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Blackburn disputes neglect allegation

Blackburn said some of the cattle had “hairy heel wart,” a hoof disease. She said those animals were intended for slaughter and that some cattle can be hard to gather because they stay in wooded areas until they finally move into the pens.

Blackburn described the farm as a large feeding operation that used distillery byproduct – slop – as a major part of the cattle’s diet.

She said the family fed about 10,000 gallons of slop each day to roughly 500 cattle. According to Blackburn, the slop was about 80 percent water and contained corn, wheat, and barley. She said the cattle also receive round bales of hay for roughage.

Blackburn said that when Thomas came to the property, she and her sister, Billie, had already put hay in three pens and were preparing another load. She said they fed 18 rolls of hay that day, along with slop.

She also said shipping records show cattle typically arrive weighing 600 to 650 pounds and leave five to six months later at more than 1,000 pounds, which she said would not happen if the herd were being starved or neglected.

Dead cattle and disposal questions

Blackburn acknowledged that cattle carcasses were on or near the properties when law enforcement and the state veterinarian visited.

She said two cattle died in a steep hollow during a cold snap and appeared bloated, which she believed may have been tied to overeating. She said the terrain was too steep and slick to safely reach with equipment, leaving the family unsure how to remove or dispose of the carcasses.

Blackburn said she discussed disposal options with Johnson, including burning the carcasses where they were, but was later told that was not allowed.

She also said two dead calves were found in a pen. One, she said, was a newborn that likely died from exposure after a sudden temperature drop. Another may have died after being smothered when a larger cow lay down in muddy, hay-covered conditions.

Dispute over water, hay, and veterinary care

Blackburn said Thomas told her the cattle in the Dog Tail Road pen had “no hay” and “no fresh water.” She disagrees.

She said the cattle had slop, which she considers a major source of both nutrition and hydration, and that more hay was being distributed when Thomas arrived.

According to Blackburn, Thomas emphasized that the cattle needed fresh water and hay. She said he also questioned why the family did not regularly take the animals to a veterinarian.

Blackburn said her family usually treats its own cattle and contacts veterinarians when advice or medication is needed. She said they have spoken with veterinarians in Fayetteville and Tullahoma about treating hairy heel wart.

Blackburn also said Johnson did not tell her during the visit that criminal charges would be filed. She said Johnson later told her she had not asked anyone to file animal cruelty charges against the family.

The court file available before Friday’s appearance does not resolve the disputed questions over feed, water, carcass disposal, or the condition of the cattle.

Blackburn said some county officials oppose her because she has voted against tax increases, questioned retirement plans, and challenged what she considers unclear budget motions.

Blackburn said when Thomas served the summons, he told her she was “in the public eye” as a council member. Blackburn said she took that to mean her elected position may have affected how the case was handled.