Judge extends service deadline in Terrell County dog lawsuit; Beckum says he has lawyer

Beckum has until Dec. 2 to properly serve defendants in lawsuit over removal of 12 French bulldogs

DAWSON — A federal judge has given a Terrell County resident until Dec. 2 to properly serve his civil rights lawsuit over the removal of 12 French bulldogs, and the resident says he has found an attorney after months of seeking representation.

U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands granted Talmadge Allen “Tab” Beckum’s request for more time Nov. 2, finding good cause to extend the deadline. Beckum must serve each defendant with a summons and a copy of his amended complaint, then promptly file proof with the court.

Beckum said in an email to The Albany Herald that Matt Handsfield of Dreyer & Associates agreed to represent him after he contacted more than 240 attorneys.

“Having an attorney and the opportunity to correct service is a tremendous relief after pursuing this matter on my own,” Beckum wrote. “I feel renewed hope about having my case heard.”

The lawsuit names Terrell County, animal control director Martha Ann Coe and County Commission Chairman Wilbur T. Gamble III. Beckum alleges 12 French bulldogs were removed from his property without a warrant June 11, 2024, and that he was denied a meaningful opportunity to contest their loss. He disputes that he voluntarily surrendered the animals.

The Nov. 2 order addresses service of the lawsuit. It does not decide the merits of Beckum’s allegations or resolve the defendants’ request to dismiss the case.

Gamble denied wrongdoing in a voicemail to The Herald during reporting for its earlier story.

“Obviously, I can’t talk a lot about it, but I can just say we categorically deny basically everything he’s got in his lawsuit,” Gamble said. “We absolutely did not do anything illegal or wrong.”

In a written response to Beckum’s records request previously supplied to The Herald, Gamble described the surrender as voluntary and said it spared Beckum potential charges and animal-care costs. Beckum said he signed an incomplete release form under duress.

Beckum filed the lawsuit May 21 without an attorney. According to the Nov. 2 order, he obtained summonses from the clerk June 22, and the defendants received them without copies of the complaint, which federal rules also require.

Beckum told the court he had left three stamped copies of the complaint with the clerk and they were not returned with the summonses.

After the defendants challenged his original complaint, Sands allowed Beckum to amend it. Beckum filed the amended complaint Sept. 16 and sent copies to the defendants’ attorneys. The court denied the earlier dismissal motions as moot.

In a joint motion filed Sept. 30, the defendants argued that Beckum’s failure to properly serve the original lawsuit meant his claims were barred by the statute of limitations. They also argued that his allegations failed to state a claim and that Coe and Gamble were entitled to qualified immunity.

The defense further contends that Beckum has not sufficiently alleged that available remedies for challenging the loss of his property were constitutionally inadequate, or that a county policy or custom caused a constitutional violation.

Beckum told the court the joint motion was the first time he learned the defendants considered service improper. He requested a 30-day extension Oct. 2. None of the defendants responded to that request, according to the Nov. 2 order.

Sands found that sending the amended complaint to defense attorneys did not substitute for the formal service Beckum had yet to complete. The judge nevertheless found good cause to give him additional time.

In a separate Oct. 7 order, Sands declined to appoint counsel but gave Beckum additional time to find an attorney and respond to the dismissal motion. That order set Nov. 16 as the deadline for an attorney’s notice of appearance and Dec. 7 for Beckum’s response.

Beckum is also seeking firsthand accounts from Terrell County residents who believe county officials forced or pressured them to surrender personal property, including animals. He said he wants to hear from people who have documents or other records.

Residents wishing to contact Beckum can reach him at [email protected]. Readers with information to share with The Dawson News or The Albany Herald can contact [email protected] or via facebook.