Latest news with #MemphisAnimalServices
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Woman tries to help dog left in car in South Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis woman said it took three days to get help for a dog left inside a car in South Memphis. The woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, feeds dogs and cats throughout the city. She said Monday, she and her mother witnessed a pit bull fighting with another dog in the 1700 block of South Silver and called 911 and Memphis Animal Services. 'We could not break it up,' she said. 'We called the police five or six times, and they said they were sending it to animal control. We waited an hour and left.' The woman said she was shocked when she returned to the house the next day and saw the pit bull trapped inside a white Infiniti parked behind the home. She said an animal control officer was also there but left without the dog. 'I said, please don't leave him in the car, and she said I need to call MPD to open the door, and she never called him, and then that's what I made a post because it was going on day three, and I'm like, he's just sitting in this car,' said the woman. On Wednesday, she shared a video on Facebook showing her giving water to the very thirsty dog through a small, broken car window. She said the dog was being forced to spend a third night in the car, and there was nothing she could do about it. Hundreds of dog lovers from all over the country shared, liked, and commented on the post. 'I have people from the Bronx in New York. I have people from Ohio. I have people and just different parts of Tennessee writing me,' she said. Memphis Animal Services said it couldn't confirm the dog had been in the vehicle for three days. MAS said an animal control officer did try to contact the owner but couldn't reach anyone and left a Notice to Comply. MAS said the dog was removed from the car and moved inside the house on Thursday. 'The law requires that we post a notice for the owner and provide them with a timeframe to comply if we are unable to make direct contact,' said MAS Marketing and Communications Supervisor Amanda Baggot. 'The timeframe is left to the officer's discretion based on their assessment of the risks facing the dog. The only time we are permitted to bypass this notice requirement is if the dog is in imminent danger of severe harm or death.' But the woman who tried to help believes the dog suffered for three days, and she can't understand why the animal was allowed to stay with its owner. 'No food or water can't potty, and I fed him cheeseburgers and the bottle of water,' said the woman. 'He's scratching, trying to get out of this little SUV, crying. It was horrible last night.' WREG went to the house, but no one was home, and the dog was not there. The woman who went out of her way to care for the dog said she was able to find a foster home for the dog the pit bull was fighting. Unfortunately, she said, so many animals in Memphis are suffering. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than 100 dogs euthanized for the second time
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — More than 100 dogs have been euthanized at the Memphis Animal Services shelter because of a second outbreak of Canine Distemper in two months. MAS euthanized 104 dogs Wednesday after they contracted the Canine Distemper Virus. 'This closure will allow our team to focus on providing the highest level of care to the animals currently in the shelter and take all necessary steps to manage the situation,' said MAS in a statement. In January, WREG shared a video of a dog on the streets of Memphis showing signs of distemper during the previous outbreak where another 100 dogs were euthanized. Memphis shelter deals with second outbreak of canine distemper Hanna Juddin owner of two dogs said that it is concerning to hear about another Canine Distemper Virus outbreak at MAS. The virus is warned to be a disease that can rapidly shut down a dog's respiratory, intestinal, and nervous system. It is highly contagious and frequently fatal in kennel populations. 'I just know that I make sure that they are vaccinated, just like whatever needs to be protected talk to my vet,' said Juddin. Juddin urges pet parents to become more aware of the virus and take the necessary precautions. She said that while the stray population in the Memphis area is a problem. It is not all on MAS. 'We're living in the same community, so when everybody does their part it makes it easier rather than saying they are the ones who are in charge over everything.' Man accused of kidnapping 14-year-old girl faces new charges The shelter is urging all pet owners to keep their pets safe and healthy. Here's what you need to know to prevent and spot distemper: Vaccination: Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Distemper is preventable, and vaccinations are the best defense against this virus. Symptoms to Watch For: If your pet shows signs like sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, or lethargy, please consult your veterinarian immediately. Keep Distance: Limit interactions with unfamiliar animals and avoid dog parks until the situation is resolved. Spread the Word: Please share this message to help keep the community informed For more updates from MAS you can visit its Facebook page or contact Memphis Animal Services directly for more information. The city said that MAS will discuss the distemper situation later this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Yahoo
Concerns after horses fall pulling carriage
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some Memphians are saying horse-drawn carriages and passengers in downtown Memphis should be banned. For years, horse-drawn carriages transported passengers, many of whom were tourists, and have been a part of the downtown Memphis landscape. On Thursday, the sight of what some thought were injured horses lying on the ground near a white carriage left some people disturbed. Parents arrested after 3-year-old found dead at Arkansas home One of them was Memphian Annalisa Kirchner, who reached out to Your News Leader to share her concerns. 'So, I was driving onto Mud Island taking the back way and saw a horse under a carriage laying down on the grass on the side of the road, people standing around it. It appeared to be sick or hurt,' said Annalisa Kirchner, a Memphis resident. Some of the photos sent to WREG show carriage workers, witnesses, and first responders tending to the animals. Woman says MSCS paid another company $34k for work she never did 'There were a few people standing around and looked like the people who had been on the carriage and some people who stopped their cars to get out and help,' said Kirchner. WREG learned the horses belong to Mark Bills, who owns Uptown Carriage Company. In a statement, Bills tells WREG what he says happened. 'We were testing a team of new horses to make sure they are safe for the public,' said Bills. 'But on the way to the barn, one of the horses stumble,d causing the other horse to fall.' Burglars bust into Memphis gas station with sledgehammer 'Our team arrived on the site to transport the horses to the barn. Memphis Animal Services came by and inspected the horses,' said Bill. 'There was not even a scratch on the horses, and they are fine.' On the website some are calling for a ban on horse-drawn carriages on Memphis streets, similar to what was done in cities such as Chicago, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, and others. Kirchner said she and her friends signed the petition to see if they could make a change that way. Man critically injured in Orange Mound shooting 'This incident is extremely rare, and we've been in business for almost 30 years and like any industry you're going to have mishaps and at the end of the day the animals are safe,' said Bills. Kirchner said that she is still troubled that Memphis is continuing carriage rides and that the horses are being treated so poorly. WREG also reached out to the City of Memphis and Memphis Animal Services for an official comment but have yet to receive a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Memphis shelter deals with second outbreak of canine distemper
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Animal Services says it has to euthanize more dogs due to a second outbreak of Canine Distemper at the shelter in less than two months. MAS made the following statement on its website: The Memphis Animal Shelter is currently responding to an outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) affecting three kennel areas within the facility. To contain the spread of the disease and protect the health and safety of both the animals and the broader community, the shelter has made the incredibly difficult choice to humanely euthanize dogs who have tested positive for the virus, along with evaluating and addressing cases involving dogs at high risk of infection. Additional measures may be necessary as further test results become available. In January, nearly 100 dogs were euthanized at the Memphis animal shelter following another Distemper outbreak at the facility. Nearly 100 dogs euthanized at Memphis animal shelter due to distemper outbreak Mary Claire Borys said in January MAS was forced to euthanize exposed animals to prevent the disease from spreading to healthy animals and the community. The shelter allowed the adoption of a few previously committed animals based on the adopter's ability to safely quarantine the dog until it tested clear of infection. MAS said that Distemper is a highly contagious and serious disease that can spread rapidly in a shelter environment, particularly among young or non-vaccinated animals. During times of high puppy intake, outbreaks tend to occur as these puppies can be carriers of the virus. Toddler dies after being hit by car in Parkway Village The animal shelter said it's reinforcing ongoing sanitation protocols, continuing to isolate exposed animals, and closely monitoring the health of all animals in care. MAS remains open to the public, but they are temporarily closing intake appointments and public microchipping services until they can better control the population and ensure the safety of our animals. 'They are working with veterinary experts and the community to manage this situation responsibly and transparently,' said MAS on their website. 'Healthy, unexposed dogs remain available for adoption and fostering. We urge the community to consider adopting or fostering to help alleviate overcrowding and protect the welfare of animals still in care.' The shelter is urging all pet owners to keep their pets safe and healthy. Here's what you need to know to prevent and spot distemper: Vaccination: Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their vaccinations. Distemper is preventable, and vaccinations are the best defense against this virus. Symptoms to Watch For: If your pet shows signs like sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing, or lethargy, please consult your veterinarian immediately. Keep Distance: Limit interactions with unfamiliar animals and avoid dog parks until the situation is resolved. Spread the Word: Please share this message to help keep the community informed For more updates from MAS you can visit its Facebook page or contact Memphis Animal Services directly for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Positions remain open at Memphis Animal Services, no oversight board yet
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — WREG Investigators have uncovered new information about Memphis Animal Services, and it seems promises haven't been kept. No permanent director has been hired, a dozen positions remain open, and the oversight board has yet to happen. We got a copy of the letter sent Dec. 3 to Ty Coleman. The brief statement let him know his appointment as Memphis Animal Services' executive director had been terminated. Memphis Animal Services Director fired It marked an end to a several-month investigation. In June, a dog died in the MAS outdoor play yard. According to MAS' social media post, it was likely due to heat. From there, more concerns emerged. In January 2024, Coleman's appointment became permanent, and according to records, staff began leaving soon after. Fourteen people resigned during the first half of 2024 including two veterinarians who'd been at MAS for years. One wrote in her resignation letter, 'the environment as it exists is not one I found compatible with my values and processes.' It didn't go into further detail, but another report did. Coleman commissioned a nonprofit last year to assess MAS. The results noted a lack of centralized leadership, guidance, unprofessional culture, issues with operating procedures and disease control protocols. A lengthy list that could have been brought to and addressed by the MAS Advisory Committee. It's an oversight board designed to keep tabs on the shelter to make sure operations are efficient and humane. 'They have not met in some time. They were all appointed by the prior mayor,' Antonio Adams told the council in October. Unclear how often city's animal shelter board actually met MAS' interim director also chimed in. She said they were trying new ways to recruit staff and also requested an outside comprehensive review of operations and procedures. 'Nominations for the advisory board members will be presented at the council's next meeting,' Mary Claire Borys said. It's now February. That has yet to happen. MAS told us in a recent statement, 'We completed our part in the nomination process and are now awaiting final vetting from the mayor's office before presenting the candidates to the city council for approval.' It went on to say the search for a permanent director also remains open as they're 'approaching this search with intention and care.' Add that to the three part-time and nine full-time positions open, including two full-time vets. MAS stated right now, they have a 'part-time vet' remaining on board plus 'regular support from two additional veterinarians with two relief vets assisting as needed.' Get the latest from the WREG Investigators in your inbox Through the Tennessee Records Act, we found out MAS has only hired three people between August and January — two animal care techs and a marketing and communications person — despite the long list of openings 'The stray population has been an issue in Memphis for several years now,' animal advocate Suzy Hollenbach stated. She's with All 4s Rescue League. She and other animal advocates have told us time and time again, there has to be more resources and staff dedicated to the shelter to really get to the root issues. 'We need to focus on spay and neuter,' Hollenbach said. Otherwise, there's concern the shelter will be overwhelmed and tragedies will happen like what we saw last month. MAS was forced to euthanize 100 dogs due to a distemper outbreak. Nearly 100 dogs euthanized at Memphis animal shelter due to distemper outbreak In his weekly news blast, the mayor begged the community to stop with the 'negative comments.' He stated staff at MAS is working hard and 'deserve your respect.' The shelter has since opened back up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
