Pit bull neglect - 9 dogs, puppies seized Johnson City, TN (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 21, 2005 County: Washington Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Derek Evans

Case ID: 7155 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

Derek Evans, who was renting property at 854 Austin Springs Road, was first contacted by Washington County/Johnson City Animal Control officers when they did not see any food or water for the nine pit bulls and a "couple" of puppies that were on the property.

Andrew Barnett, animal control officer, testified he first left Evans notification on Nov. 5 and returned several times. On Dec. 21, the owner of the property called the shelter and requested the animals be removed.

Randy Buchanan, also with animal control, testified that when he met Evans the dogs "looked very thin. Either they were not being fed properly or there was a medical problem."

Buchanan said all of the animals needed to be dewormed, as well as having their lot treated for parasites, which would cost between $400 and $500.

Questioned by Lincoln, Buchanan explained parasites would consume any nourishment the dogs were given and eventually would kill them. When the judge asked why the dogs were not immediately taken from Evans, Buchanan said animal control was required to have a court order before seizing any animals. He said animal control officers are not considered law enforcement and have to rely on the Washington County Sheriff's Office to issue citations.

"I wish they would change the laws to better help animal control do their job," Buchanan said.

On Feb 1, 2006, Lincoln ordered the dogs taken from Evans and Evans to pay for veterinary treatment as part of his restitution. Evans will spend six months on supervised probation and another six months on unsupervised probation. He is forbidden from owning animals, but if he successfully completes probation, he can request permission from the court to be an animal owner.

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References

Times-News - Feb 2, 2006

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