Animals kept in unheated, unlit shed Jellico, TN (US) Incident Date: Thursday, Jan 5, 2006 County: Campbell Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Case Images: 1 files available Alleged: Leroy Ruiz

Case ID: 6887 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Suspect was in animal welfare field Login to Watch this Case

A tip from two sources uncovers an alarming case of animal cruelty in the city of Jellico. The tipsters informed 6 News an animal control officer was storing dogs and cats in an abandoned shed behind city hall. Reports show the dogs and cats were piled into an abandoned concession stand with no heat or ventilation. After 6 New uncovered the reports, sources led a crew to the location, within feet of city hall and the city police department.

On January 5, 2006, 6 News received an exclusive look inside the facility. Inside, you can smell the intense odor of animal feces inside the stand. 6 News learned over the weekend, up to nine dogs and two cats were locked inside the small space. The cages were stacked one on top of the other with no heat or electricity inside. The situation was so severe, sources say the animals in the shed urinated on top of one another.

City Commissioner Alvin Evans says Jellico animal control stored the animals there because the county shelter was closed. "We're not sure exactly what happened other than they were housed, and it was just an inadequate problem we had there." During the 6 News investigation, a crew also found a small dog trapped inside the city's salt house near the concession stand. For food, they fed him pieces of raw chicken. No water was in sight and the building had no heat or electricity. Mayor John Clifton says he had no idea this was happening within feet of city hall. "I'm not sure about the conditions or how long ago this animal was collected...or anything along that matter, again I'll have to look into this, and the council and I will look into it very carefully."
The mayor tells 6 News the animal control division in Jellico is closed indefinitely. Campbell County animal control says all the animals involved in the case are in safe keeping.

6 News also tracked down animal control officer Leroy Ruiz, who's accused of hoarding the animals. He told 6 News he was unaware of the concession stand and he had no part in keeping the animals there.

A full report on this case is expected on January 9, 2006.

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References

WATE News - January 6, 2006

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