Blackburn issued criminal summons

District 4 council member denies neglect and outlines feeding practices

11:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Peggy Sue Blackburn, a District 4 council member in Metro Moore County, and two of her relatives face animal cruelty charges after authorities looked into reports of dead and injured cattle on Dog Tail Road and Womack Ridge Road. Blackburn denies the accusations, saying they are the result of politics and a misunderstanding of how her family runs their cattle operation, not neglect.

Criminal summons and investigation

On Friday, the Metro Moore County Sheriff’s Department issued criminal summonses for animal cruelty to Peggy Sue Blackburn, 63, who lives on Dog Tail Road, and two of her family members.

A public incident report says the sheriff’s office started investigating on Dec. 16, 2025, after getting an anonymous complaint about dead cattle on Dog Tail Road in Moore County and Womack Ridge Road in Shelbyville. Both properties were said to be under Blackburn’s care. Deputy Brandon Thomas responded to the complaint, according to both Blackburn and the report.

The report states that Billy Joe Blackburn, Billie Patrice Blackburn, and Peggy Sue Blackburn each face one count of animal cruelty under Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-202. All three were charged by criminal summons, with no bond required, which is permitted under state law. Billy Joe Blackburn was charged but not booked, according to the report.

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

State law on animal cruelty

Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-202 defines cruelty to animals as intentionally or knowingly torturing, maiming, grossly overworking, or neglecting animals by failing to provide adequate food, water, shelter, or care, or by abandoning them in a cruel manner. The statute also includes specific provisions related to dog shelters and animal transport.

Under the law, penalties can range from a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense to a Class E felony for more serious or repeat violations, with enhanced felony charges possible in cases involving severe harm or death to companion animals.

Blackburn’s description of herd conditions

In an interview with the Observer, Blackburn said some of the cattle had “hairy heel wart,” a hoof disease. She explained that these animals were meant for slaughter and that some cattle were hard to gather from wooded areas until they finally entered the pens.

Blackburn described the farm as a large feeding operation that uses distillery byproduct, known as “slop.” She said they feed about 10,000 gallons of slop each day to around 500 cattle. According to her, the slop is about 80 percent water and contains corn, wheat, and barley.

She said about 1,500 gallons go into an indoor trough, with extra 300-gallon troughs outside for younger calves. She also said they provide round bales of hay for roughage.

Blackburn said that on the day Thomas visited, she and her sister had already given hay to three pens and were getting another load ready when the deputy arrived. She said they fed 18 rolls of hay that day, along with slop. Blackburn also said shipping records show cattle usually arrive weighing 600 to 650 pounds and leave five to six months later weighing over 1,000 pounds, which she believes proves the herd is well fed.

Dead cattle and disposal questions

Blackburn admitted 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 looked bloated, which she thought was from overeating. Blackburn explained that the area was too steep and slippery to reach safely with equipment, so she was unsure how to remove or dispose of the carcasses. She said she talked with Dr. Johnson about disposal options, including burning the carcasses where they were, but was later told that was not allowed.

Blackburn also said two dead calves were found in a pen. She said one newborn calf probably died from exposure after a sudden temperature drop, and 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,” but she disagrees. She said the cattle had slop, which she sees as their main source of nutrition and hydration, and that more hay was being given out when the deputy visited.

According to Blackburn, Thomas stressed that the cattle needed “fresh water” and hay, and he asked why the family did not regularly take the animals to a veterinarian.

Blackburn said her family usually treats their own cattle and calls veterinarians for advice or medication when needed. She said they have talked with veterinarians in Fayetteville and Tullahoma about treating hairy heel wart. Blackburn also said Dr. Johnson did not mention during the visit that charges would be filed and later told her she had not asked anyone to file animal cruelty charges against the family.

Claims of political and personal targeting

Blackburn said she thinks the criminal case is politically motivated, not about animal welfare. She said some county officials oppose her because she has voted against tax increases, questioned retirement plans, and challenged what she calls unclear budget motions.

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

She also said she thinks other local cattle producers with dead animals on their property have not faced the same scrutiny, which she sees as proof her family is being treated differently.

Blackburn said the case has already affected her personally. She said a local animal rescue group turned down her application to adopt a dog, saying there was an “abuse” note on her record. She said her regular veterinary clinic later told her there was no such record and that she was highly recommended as an animal owner.

Blackburn said she and her sister have hired attorney Garth Segroves.

All three family members deny any wrongdoing and say they followed accepted practices for feeding, watering, and managing a large cattle herd. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. Upcoming court dates and more filings were not immediately available.