Tethered pit bull dies in heat Memphis, TN (US) Incident Date: Monday, Aug 27, 2007 County: Shelby Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 12170 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull), dog (pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

In a quiet South Memphis neighborhood near the Memphis Depot, people had to witness first hand how the brutal heat can and will kill. Debbie Bolden lives across from the house now under investigation by police and animal control officers, she says, "It's too hot, for a human much less a dog to be out here you know, no food or water, you know that's bad."

Investigators tell News Channel 3 they got the call just after 3 Monday afternoon when a neighbor reported what looked like a dead pit bull in the back yard. Police say 2 couples live at the corner of Silver and Compton.

Animal Control Officers and police say the male pit bull was chained up so tight he could barely move, with no food, no water and left to basically fend for himself beneath the summer sun. Lt. Donald Dickerson is with the Memphis Police Department, he says, "Pure animal neglect it's an extremely hot day, dogs had not way to suffice for themselves there was not water, no food available to them they had no room to move around because they were chained to the fence, there's no shade..just pure neglect."

Animal Control officers also found another pit puppy chained up outside and a Pomeranian they pulled from a shed in the backyard. Lt. Dickerson says, "In light of everything that's going on in regard to pit bulls mainly and dogs especially it should send a message that if people have these animals they are responsible for them."

Police tell us it is likely the dog owners will be charged with either Animal Neglect or Cruelty. In the State of Tennessee Aggravated Cruelty to animals is a Felony. Aggravated Cruelty according to Tennessee Law is described as 'conduct which is done or carried out in a depraved and sadistic manner and which tortures or maims an animal including to provide food and water to a companion animal resulting in substantial risk of death or death.'

Investigators say it's not clear what the dog owners will be charged with but say it is likely they will be charged.

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References

WREG - Aug 28, 2007

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