Finding out what happened to Kapone between the time a former Memphis ACO picked him up and the time he was found living at a home in MS seems to be at the bottom of authorities’ Meh List. Kapone was found at a Senatobia, MS home on December 20, 2011. He was at the center of a criminal case implicating Memphis Animal Services due to cruelty charges against the ACO who failed to bring him to the pound. That ACO was allegedly tipped off by one or more city employees that police were waiting for her so she drove a dog named Max around in the sweltering heat while he suffered and died instead of bringing him promptly to MAS. Kapone was “missing” for 6 months and caring members of the public contributed to an $8000 reward for his return.
After the release of the local rotary club’s report which included allegations that selling dogs out the back door was commonplace and that some of the staff were connected to dogfighting rings, it seemed particularly important to find out as much information as possible about what happened to Kapone during his 6 month absence. Mayor Wharton and division director Janet Hooks say they need names regarding who is involved in criminal dogfighting activity at the pound – this would be their chance to get them.
But instead of a thorough investigation performed by a partnership between the Senatobia and Memphis police departments, it seems as if the case got – well, nothing actually. The Senatobia police apparently asked the guy who had Kapone to come down to the station and give a statement. The guy no showed. Then a few days later, he packed up and left town. The house is empty and available for rent. Police don’t know where the man is and say they can’t get a warrant because they don’t know what his role in Kapone’s disappearance was, if any.
The article mentions the cruelty case against the ACO going forward “as Memphis Police and Senatobia Police try to piece together the details of Kapone’s disappearance”. Do you see any evidence of either department working on the case? Hopefully there is something going on behind the scenes that they haven’t made public. Because what has been made public looks pretty shabby – as if no one really cares about a stolen dog, the intentional suffering inflicted upon another dog, organized dogfighting, or city of Memphis employees’ possible connections to any of these crimes.
(Thank you to reader Annie for alerting us to this story in the comments.)
And how much do you want to bet that the guy who had Kapone had more going on than “receiving stolen dog” as far as criminal activity goes? The police missed an opportunity to get a lot more info out of that guy concerning more than just the Kapone case.
They know who he is – do they have a BOLO out on him? If he gets pulled over in a traffic stop, is there a notation that he’s wanted for questioning? Can we make his name public so people can inform police if he resurfaces? Weren’t there minors at the home? Were they in danger from criminal activity?
I’m very glad that Kapone is home. I know a stolen dog or even dog fighting activity is not a high priority for police, but a thorough investigation could save another family from heartbreak and give police a way in to stopping bigger, badder crimes.
It stinks! It doesn’t seem like the police even seriously tried to find out the truth about this case. Is it wrong of me to believe that it’s no coincidence that the “anonymous tipster” didn’t claim the reward?
Also, whatever happened to those other two crated, freezing dogs in the back yard? I guess we will never know. :(
they can’t get a warrant because they don’t know what his role in Kapone’s disappearance was, if any
If there was a question of whether or not a person had killed a citizen a warrant would be issued.
It looks like Janet Hooks will have her hands full investigating corruption because Wharton in all his wisdom has decided to merge the divisions of Parks, Community Enhancement, and Public Services and Neighborhoods: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/jan/15/agency-under-scrutiny/?print=1
I’ve heard there’s a system of kickbacks arranged between contractors (who are allegedly starting the fires in buildings they are then being hired to demolish) and execs in the Community Enhancement division. Plus apparently a slumlord and a code management person are having a nice little romantic liaison. I don’t know exactly what all of this means but I’m guessing it will result in the MAS animals, including Kapone’s case being buried both literally and figuratively.
Who knew there was so much corruption in Memphis, with such a stand up guy like Mayor Wharton at the helm?!! /sarcasm off
Isn’t this just like Memphis…..had every opportunity to get to the bottom of “dogs going out the back door,” possible a real opportunity to actually changing MAS to a civilized facility and actually saving dogs and cats instead of the constant killing! The best opportunity I have seen to get to the bottom of the criminal activity has been blown!
It sure makes me wonder what everyone involved, Hooks, Warton, MPD, MHS employees, the tipster even Senatobia PD has to hide or run from over this dog & pony show. Every opportunity WAS ignored.
Why didn’t the Senatobia PD escort the dog’s owner to rescue Kapone with a search warrant? It’s obvious there was more criminal involvement going on other than just puppy-setting a lost dog. There is connections between Hogan, MAS, the tipster & him.
The tipster also had to have SOME involvement. An $8000 reward would of drawn too many questions for them. But thank her/him anyway for helping Kapone get home.
Still, It all stinks.
starting to question this woman’s involvement all together….seems like a lot of false allegations with no proof….especially in light of the facts revealed in court….ijs…Hogan sounds innocent…the key is the tipster
Well there is proof that she never brought Kapone to MAS (according to the security camera footage reviewed in the case), that Kapone showed up in MS, and that she drove Max around for hours while he suffered and died as police waited for her at the pound.
“Innocent” and Hogan do NOT belong together – sorry.
She took Kapone, he ended up not at the shelter, but in bad circumstances. She is responsible.
She killed Max while trying to evade police (who knew where she lived, btw, so…how stupid can you get?).
Not innocent. Selfish, cruel, and criminal.
I was in court and that wasn’t what was revealed regarding the secirity footage….I was as ready as anyone else to see Hogan fry…but I don’t want to see an innocent person villianized……there is a serious disconnect
security was a typographical error…my wife and I have had this debate…and she like some others seem to be operating based on emotions…I deal in facts….Sorry for the unpopular opinion
Then deal in the facts. What did the security footage reveal in court?