Animals neglected, groomer charged
Hendersonville, TN (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010
County: Sumner
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Stephen D. Miller
A Hendersonville man has been charged with 24 counts of animal cruelty and tampering with evidence after his supposed dog grooming business was raided Jan. 5.
According to Hendersonville Police Department Lt. Scott Ryan, police responded to an animal cruelty complaint at 108 Maple Street where Stephen D. Miller was operating what he claimed to be an animal grooming business in his home.
When Miller, 52, was told his animals would be seized, he picked up three dogs and tried to flee from police.
According to the police affidavit, police commanded Miller to stop three times. When police Det. David Harrell ran after Miller and “put hands on him,” Miller attempted to pull away while being taken into custody.
According to police, the search of the home revealed dogs, cats and birds that were filthy, and without food or water.
“There were animals loose and caged throughout the house,” said Ryan. “The animals appeared to be in poor condition.”
Police and Sumner County animal control officers seized 17 dogs, three cats and four birds. All are being cared for at an undisclosed location, pending orders of the court.
Miller has been charged with 24 counts of cruelty to animals; tampering with evidence; and failure to comply with police orders to stop, halt or submit to a frisk.
He is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court Jan. 27.
Ryan said police are continuing to investigate the case and have been unable to determine so far that the seized animals belong to anyone besides Miller.
“We haven’t had anyone come forward to say that they are their animals,” Ryan said.
According to Dana Swinea, the city’s business tax clerk, a Steve Miller had a business license in 1995-96 for Miller’s Pet Grooming. The address listed on that account was 107 Maple Street. Swinea said Miller’s license expired June 30, 1997. References |
