MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com)- Memphis Police are investigating claims dogs are being starved at the Memphis Animal Shelter.
“I think it is awful. My dogs were healthy going in,” said Christine Benson.
Benson’s four dogs were impounded at the shelter last November in connection to "dogs running at large" charges. Three months later, Benson said the dogs are in horrible condition.
“It is ridiculous. Every time I came over to visit, it looked like they were getting smaller and smaller,” said Benson.
It is not just Benson who is concerned about the animals' condition at the shelter.
abc24.com uncovered an animal control worker filed a police report earlier this month about shelter conditions.
According to the police report, there has been and continues to be neglect at the shelter. The animal control officer stated that as of last week, she found several dogs emaciated and sickly. The report also said the animal control officer advised management on several occasions that the animals were not being fed or cared for, and after telling management, no one took action.
Sources tell abc24.com the animals which are not being fed are kept in the court cases area. Those dogs are housed at the shelter for long periods of time until cases are resolved.
Benson was so concerned about the condition of her dogs, her lawyer said she pleaded guilty to charges, instead of fighting in court.
Her lawyer, Don Siemer said, “She said they weren’t being taken care of, she wanted to conclude the case so they were able to turn the animals back over to her."
A spokesperson for Mayor A C Wharton said at this point, there will be no comment because it is an active investigation.
In 2009, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office raided the shelter after dogs starved to death. Several employees were criminally charged.
