Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Troubled TN Shelter Raided by Authorities

Sheriff's deputies in Shelby Co, TN executed a search warrant this week at the Memphis Animal Shelter:

According to the search warrant, "detectives have learned that some animals have been deprived of food and water while at the Memphis Animal Shelter," and while in the shelter's care, "some dogs have been starved to the point of requiring euthanasia."
[...]
District Attorney Bill Gibbons said an investigation into practices at the shelter was launched after his office received a tip from a citizen earlier this month.
[...]
Gibbons said one or more people could face criminal charges. Up to 300 animals were inside the shelter, but officials did not say how many were in bad condition.
So I guess we can hold out hope that they may have fed at least some of them?

This shelter is no stranger to cruelty allegations, as this report from last month illustrates:
The incident in question took place at the animal shelter last Friday, when an injured dog ended up buried beneath bags of euthanized animals. The animals were on their way to an incinerator where dead animals are burned.
The employee involved in this incident kept his job.

Failure to properly feed the dogs in their care has been alleged in recent months as well, although the shelter denied the allegations:

The complaint alleges the shelter was at full capacity, ran out of food, and a dog fight began when an employee trying to stretch the food supply brought one dish into a cage.

"We were never out of food," [Memphis Animal Shelter administrator Ernie] Alexander said.

He then explained what really happened.

"We had an influx of dogs to come in from both the city and the county, where we had three to four animals per kennel," he said.

Alexander claimed the dog fighting was due to the overcrowding, and not a food shortage.

That was in July. So if there truly was no food shortage but now the dogs are starved nearly to death, either someone's lying or intentionally starving the shelter pets. Will everyone keep their jobs this time?

2 comments:

Pai said...

We had a similar case up around here with our local shelter -- animals being untreated and left unfed over the weekends/holidays. Despite two separate reports denouncing the terrible conditions at our shelter, the Mayor defended the director. It's very frustrating how little accountability many public shelters have for their failures.

valeri said...

I do know that horrible things go on and helpless dogs and cats are terribly treated. By people who are under paid under train and flat dont care. However there are some, the one my town will move soon to a badly needed new bldg. But i want to share that thes ladies have worked long hard thankless hours to make sure that every animal is clean w/water & food inside and out weekend or even on Christmas. even with a shortage of money and help with this old bldg being full to the max. every pet has been taken care of. Thank You all
BMPAS Ottawa KS