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Trial Underway for Former Memphis Animals Shelter Vet

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Case Delayed For Former MAS Employees

Reported by: Jeni DiPrizio

Email: jdiprizio@abc24.com

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Published: 10/22/2012 6:58 pm

Updated: 10/23/2012 12:04 pm

MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Three years after a raid at the Memphis Animal Shelter, the trial of the former veterinarian is finally underway.

Angela Middleton is facing animal cruelty charges in connection to the care of three dogs, including one that starved to death.

Dr. Middleton walked in and out of the courtroom. She didn't want to talk to the media about the charges she faces. Her lawyer was also not talking, but he previously told ABC24 News "she's not guilty."

Truth is we don't know what jurors will think when they see the graphic pictures of the animals. As the shelter veterinarian, Middleton was supposed to make sure animals didn't starve to do death. But it happened.

Tina Quattlebaum, a former shelter employee also charged in the raid, is watching the trial closely. She has to decide whether to plead or go to trial.

Truth is the 2009 raid at the shelter didn't clean up the problems. Since then there has been one problem after another, with one criminal case after another involving other employees.

Earlier this month two former shelter employees were sentenced after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges. In those cases they hung or inhumanely killed dogs.

Former shelter worker Demetria Hogan is going to trial in February for charges connected to the disappearance of a dog named Kapone.

Those following Middleton's case say she was the victim; she was stuck in the middle of bureaucracy. Others say the veterinarian had an obligation to make sure the animals were being taken care of and at least fed.

The trial is expected to last all week. Taxpayers are also picking up the tab for the jury to be sequestered.

Animal Abuse, MAS, The Truth

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thethruthgirl - 10/28/2012 7:11 PM

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Hello all this is not the 12 year old I just wanted to say that killing ,euthanasia is the same no matter what name one uses. To suggest that anything should have its life eneded is morbit!! and is worthy of some mental assitance. I am livid that you people would respond to a child in that manner but i will excuse because of obvoiuse limitations.I wish that this discussion could be face to face especially now that the vet was found inoscent and the pictures proved to be false,how I would enjoy watching you all eat crow!! and thank god you could'nt decide the fate of the accused before the trial since you had already made up your minds without any evidance or experience of your own.That 12 yr old fosters animals and has been taught the responsibility of pet ownership. Just know that its your relatives ,neighbors ,co-workers,spouses etc.who are the idiots who bring animals to the shelter because of old school values among other things. so in a scence you and yours are responsible for the animal population overload you have no right to address the inoscent in that manner because she has not been around long enough to be at fault like you and yours !!!!And i might add i am a man who also fosters, i do what i can i dont waste air or electricity with worthless dribble like you all have.Oh by the way the shelter is at 2350 appling city cove ,im sure none of you have been there yet so wanted to give you the push to check things out and maybe help ,the suprise is the 12 year old can show you around!!!

MikeP - 10/24/2012 2:36 PM

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Animals starved to death on her watch. She was the medical professional in charge. There's absolutely no excuse for what happened in 2009. Just as there's absolutely no excuse for what continues to happen at MAS in 2012 - puppies are still being starved, animals still being neglected, kept "in the back" unknown and unseen until they are killed. Why does the Mayor allow this to go on? Why did he publicly voice support for the animal abusers/torturers and shut down the webcams? Why does he not fire the witnesses to the most recent abuse who saw it happen over and over again and said nothing? Why does he not fire the current vet who allows puppies to die, debrides horribly injured cats without pain medication, kills puppies by IC without any sedation, etc.?

ReligionStinks - 10/24/2012 1:04 PM

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thetruthgirl, it doesn't matter if I "know" her or not. What she did was despciable. NO, I will not back off. But since you are only 12, I will excuse you as your brain has not had time to develop fully.

1 Voice - 10/24/2012 7:14 AM

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Oh, and "rumors" don't bring about felony indictments. They're based on evidence! Do some homework on the justice system while you're at it. I'm sick and tired of hearing these people defend what they did because they were under pressure. No one forced them to stay there!!! If my employer told me to do something illegal and immoral, I would QUIT!

1 Voice - 10/24/2012 7:10 AM

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@thetruthgirl - you seriously need to seek professional mental health if you think the actions of this Vet and the other 6 MAS employees indicted on animal cruelty charges are excusable. And 12 years old is a good place to start as you need education and life skills in knowing how to treat animals and people who cannot help themselves. No one is denying that Memphis has a serious problem with irresponsible pet owners. But, when these animals get to the Memphis Animal SHELTER (yes, go the dictionary and look up the word), they are expected to be treated compassionately and humanely by a professional and compasionate staff. Every time I see the photo of Justice, I think of ALL the employees, volunteers, etc. who walked past that puppy's kennel every day and saw it deteriorate to that state. And, NO ONE cared enough to make the simple gesture to feed it. People like that do not need to be caregivers for animals, nor should they own animals. Being 12 years old, imagine being kept inside a small cage with people walking around you every day, but no one bothering to acknowledge your existance until you were skin and bones and so sick that you had to be put to death. I'm happy to share with you the name of a good child therapist.

thethruthgirl - 10/23/2012 10:21 PM

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she did not do that stuff stop acting like you know what happen. Instead of writting nasty comments you should physicaly help the animals. If you think she should be euthanized then you need some help, because you dont know her so back off. Unless you have personally seen this then you need to calm down. You need to understand how many animals the shelter gets each day. They do not have enough room for all these animals. And it all traces back to you people. If you had sense enough to spay and neuter your animals then these false accuzations would NOT be happening. Just because the MAS employees eunthanize these animals doesnt mean they enjoy this or think its right! It is there job! Have you heard of rumors geniuses? Well after seeing these comments im sure you have shared plenty. I am very dissapointed in some of our human kind. It is people like you that keep us from world peace. I apolagize for any grammatical errors...I am only 12