Sorry to hear it distresses you, pastormcd. I would think that because the shelter is part of the community, you would care about it and the people who work there. If you've ever had to work alongside an abusive person, then you know the stress and anguish it causes you. And people who abuse animals are also very likely to abuse children and the elderly. So you can see where routing out abusers is important to PEOPLE. The problems at the shelter are a symptom of the problems in the community - ignoring it as "an animal lover issue" is extremely short-sighted and potentially dangerous.

I am sick and tired of hearing about the animal shelter. My solution is all the animal lovers need to go to the shelter and adopt all the animals. Then we could close it and use the money constructively to help human beings.

Disgusting. These abusers have been "protected" for so long, it's disgusting. How many times did the Mayor defend them, even when everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) knew that they were animal abusers? How many more will you defend and protect Mr. Mayor? Because you're costing the city money, you're costing animals' lives, and you're bringing shame to the city of Memphis. The first time, in 2009, that wasn't your fault, but now, all of this - it's on you. Give James Rogers the instruction and ability to clean house at MAS once and for all! There are plenty of decent people who will jump at an employment opportunity like this and they won't abuse the animals in their care.

It ain't just a black thing. The percentile reflects the work force make-up. But it is a 'Good old boy/brother/nephew/son thing' It crosses all the urban-suburban city-county lines.It's all about being IN and it didn't just start. How many city employees retired after 12 years? How about the guy who died after being rear-ended by Herenton's daughter-in-law.And Punk Reginald French who was Herentons valet and hand maid who went on to become a tire slasher and a computer contractor that cost the city millions. I quote the tater head concerning his illigit child with one of his school suborbinates. "Hey,that's all in the past" Shaking hands with Mayor Wharton to me was a priviledge.

ANSWER THESE ??? What has been done to the first three who were indicted...the director,vet,supervisor. How much money did they get? How long has it taken? Now we have three more sitting on the payroll...for how long? How much is it going to cost taxpayers this time? Why are they civil service jobs to start with? How can this be changed ? Why are they allowed to keep their jobs after multiple offenses? This has gone on for years and nothing has been done...WHY?

I hope MAS realized how far reaching this story of animal cruelty is. I live in Ohio and have been following this story on facebook. There is a law against cruelty to animals. Why is MAS and the mayor not upholding this law. I wonder if the mayor or MAS has ever heard of the Humane Society of the United States? They are a far reaching and powerful organization that should be notified about all of this abuse taking place at MAS. These people should not be getting paid while they have been placed on leave. Why were they not terminated immediately. After all they have them on video. Personally I would ask all of you to contact the Humane Society of the United States and get them involved in this injustice to animals. I am going to do so immediately. Ann Johnson

This is why we need as few public jobs as possible. Everything is justified because of state or federal law. Farm everything possible out to private outfits. They couldn't do any worse.

Thank you, Jeni DiPrizio and ABC 24 for your ongoing attention to this story. I would love to hear the city respond to the question of "Is there any behavior that is egregious enough that if an employee of MAS did it we would terminate them immediately?" I've worked in union and non-union settings, as well as private business and state/federal government. In all those settings I've seen employees immediately terminated when they engaged in behavior that was unacceptable and indefensible. Please, city "leaders" do not have us think that our city cannot immediately terminate employees for flagrantly violating policies and procedures that "even a 2nd grader" would recognize. The city COULD do something immediately. To say that they could not is disingenuous and a lie. The city leadership, MAS leadership, MAS Advisory Board, and MAS supervisors seem to be more interested in protecting MAS employees than in adhering to their published mantra of "keeping animals safe from mistreatment and abuse." I see nothing in their information that their number one goal and mission is to provide employees with lifelong employment no matter what they do. It seems as if the employees at MAS have all the power ... nice work if you can get it ... not so nice for the animals who suffered and continue to suffer abuse at the hands of these three and other employees caught abusing animals on the videotapes. Also not so nice for we taxpayers who ought to be able to expect better from our city "leaders."

Just more corruption in the city of Memphis. blacks covering each others A$$es. the hole city is corrupt. Glad I don't live in that trash heep.

Oh come one, if this happened with any other job you would not be receiving a check, boom break the law you are fired. Sorry fire their butts and send them to jail for violating the law and breaking the code of what they were supposed to be doing.