Two ACOs in Sullivan Co, TN were charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty this week in connection with an incident involving a shelter pet one year ago. The ACOs allegedly failed to provide appropriate care for the animal and the word “torture” was mentioned:
“In Tennessee, the State Legislature has defined torture of an animal to be any act, omission, or type of neglect that causes pain or suffering,” [Sullivan Co Assistant DA Julie] Canter said. “(Failure to provide necessary care) can be obviously failure to provide veterinary care to an animal that’s in pain or suffering or any other type of care that’s needed.”
The ACOs are currently on paid leave. Both are pet owners. If convicted, I know a place in TN where they could probably get a job and fit right in.
Me too! They would fit right in with the rest of the 2nd chance programmers…and 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. chances!!!
You pretty much said it all.
If up to me, torture would be classified as a first class felony. The problem is, District Attorneys won’t go after animal abusers, especially those who work for the city, unless they are put on the spot by the Mayor.
There are many folks in Memphis who abuse their “pets” and think it’s normal behavior, just like MAS employees. They’ve been abusing & neglecting pets for so many generations, it IS normal, to them. Somehow, a city-wide re-educational program on pet care is warranted.
Providing adequate care should come before any selfishness, not after an arrest.
I testified at the trial. Apparently some of the people in this community believe that leaving a cat with a fractured pelvis, covered in blood sitting in a cold dark metal cage with no blanket for 6 days is not neglect or abuse. The 2 ACO’s were found innocent of torture by a jury of their peers. Unbelievable.