Case Details


Case Snapshot
Case ID: 17751
Classification: Kicking/Stomping, Beating
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Pet beaten, kicked by pet-sitters
Murfreesboro, TN (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Apr 19, 2011
County: Rutherford

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Donald Jennings Dye
» Christy Dye

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A pet sitter in Murfreesboro is being accused of kicking and hitting a 12-pound Shih Tzu to the point it had to be put to sleep.

The owner filed a police report and is hoping for animal cruelty charges. Teresa Williams said her dog, Precious, was more than a pet, it was family.

"That was like my daughter I never had. She was so spoiled, she meant the world to me, the world," said Williams.

That world came crashing down on Tuesday when she received a call from the woman watching Precious, a woman she's used several times over the past year.

"I get a phone call that my dog is non-responsive, tongue hanging out, turning blue," said Williams.

She immediately questioned if Precious was hit by a car or fall off a bed. She also wondered if the pet sitter intentionally abused her dog.

"I confronted her and they said they don't know what happened to the dog. No, I do not believe that which is why I am going down to file charges," said Williams.

When Williams brought precious to the Murfreesboro Animal Clinic, not only did the veterinarian say the injuries looked intentional, but she believes one of them matches up exactly to the size of the front of a shoe.

Dr. Lisa Bartolotto treated Precious and showed NewsChannel 5 the dogs X-rays. She pointed out four broken ribs about four inches wide and said the dog also suffered a concussion and brain swelling.

Dr. Bartolotto said they are injuries don't appear to be accidental.

"Kicked, hit with an object or kicked, some type of trauma to the head and the right side," said Bartolotto.

"I think she kicked my dog or picked her up and slammed her on the floor," Williams added.

Williams was forced to put Precious down and now she wants her once trusted pet sitter to fess up and face animal cruelty charges, or tell her who abused her best friend.

"I hope that they come forward and let me know what happened to my dog. I want justice so I can lay her to rest," said Williams.

As of Thursday, the pet sitter has not been charged with any kind of crime. NewsChannel 5 did reach out to her for comment on the story, but she did not return our phone calls.

Dr. Bartolotto said pet sitting is an unregulated industry and owners should always get recommendations first.


Case Updates

A Murfreesboro couple has been charged with aggravated animal cruelty for allegedly beating a dog so badly that it later had to be put to sleep.

Donald Jennings Dye and wife, Christy Dye, of Tremont Avenue, were pet-sitting a small dog belonging to Teresa Williams earlier in the week when police believe the incident occurred.

Williams received a call from Christy Dye Tuesday afternoon stating her animal was ill, according to a Murfreesboro Police report. The woman picked up her dog from the home and took it to a local vet.

"She stated the veterinary clinic doctor stated that her dog needed to be put to sleep due to broken ribs and head trauma," reported MPD Officer Mick Rea, adding the vet said the injuries "had to be intentional."

The Dyes denied beating the dog in an interview with The Daily News Journal earlier this week.

"We are animal lovers," explained Christy Dye. "What I think it was, Teresa told me that sometimes she accidentally rolls over on the dog while she is asleep."

Local animal control officers began investigating the case after the report was filed with MPD, and the Dyes were arrested Thursday evening, according to an MPD report.

The couple was booked into the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a misdemeanor aggravated animal cruelty charge. Both are scheduled to appear before a judge June 23.

Maximum penalty for a Class A misdemeanor is a fine up to $2,500 and 11 months and 29 days in jail.
Source: dnj.com - Apr 22, 2011
Update posted on Apr 22, 2011 - 3:21PM 

References

  • « TN State Animal Cruelty Map
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