Hoarding - 35 dogs, 20 cats Hermitage, TN (US) Incident Date: Friday, Apr 28, 2006 County: Davidson Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Patrick M. Nash Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8250 Classification: Hoarding Animal: cat, dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in TN (US) Login to Watch this Case

Residents on Earhart Road in Hermitage have long had concern about the number of dogs kept by another resident of the street � and that many of the dogs have been allowed to run loose.

Metro Animal Control officials estimated that at least 30 dogs, and possibly more along with a large number of cats, have been at the property at Earhart Road. Monroe Cook lives on Earhart Road, next door to the home with the dogs. Cook's estimate is that there are at least 35 dogs and 20 cats.

"On at least six occasions I've had to call 862-8600 because of the dogs chasing me or my kids,'' Cook said, referring to the Metro Police Department's non-emergency number. "I've got a 6- and a 3-year-old, and we can't walk out the door. � ''

Metro Animal Control field operations Officer Billy Biggs said and spelled the name of the resident of the home with the large number of dogs and cats as being that of Patrick Nash. Other officials and Cook confirmed the name.

Retired Metro officer Pat Gibson said he has been at the property and written citations.

Gibson, who retired this past December, described a strong odor of feces from inside the house even when outside and bugs visible inside. He said he once found a bagful of dead puppies on the property. Gibson said he's been at Cook's house at least six or seven times.

"A lot of residents are fed up with the dog situation,'' Gibson said.

The residence on Earhart Road has had a large number of animals for years, according to Biggs.

"I think his heart is in the right place,'' Biggs said, "but I don't think he has the means to take care of the animals properly.''

Biggs said animal control and sanitation personnel had gone in the past to the home on Earhart Road and issued citations. But either the owner of the animals did not appear in court or the sanitation issues were temporally corrected, according to Biggs.

Councilman Jim Gotto says he, too, has gotten phone calls from area constituents on Earhart Road about dogs running through the neighborhood. Hermitage Precinct Commander Michelle Richter said police responded six times from January to July 2005. She said it has primarily been an animal control and health department issue.

Biggs and Health Department officials had also been discussing whether to use a new hoarding ordinance passed by Metro to cite the property owner. The ordinance was passed last year by Metro mandating if an owner has five or more companion animals that are not being taken care properly, they can be in violation.

Brent Hager of the Metro Public Health Department said several other hoarding cases also were being worked on by his department and animal control. He said most hoarding issues deal with cats.

Hager said dog hoarding often is related to animal cruelty. But the Health Department did not believe intentional cruelty was a factor in the case on Earhart Road. Still, Biggs said he did not recall a dog-hoarding case with the numbers involved in Hermitage.

"I know of several people who have 10 or 12 dogs, but their house is spotless,'' Biggs said. "You need to take care of them, make sure they have regular veterinary care and (be kept) in sanitary conditions. That takes time and money (with a larger number of animals).''

Overall, he said animal control has fewer problems in Hermitage about hoarding, cruelty, dogs running loose or dogs attacking than in other parts of the city.

"There are a few calls, but nothing like east Nashville or north Nashville,'' Biggs said. "They have good pet owners. � It's not one of our worst areas.'' �

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The Tennesean - April 28, 2006

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