AP: Director fired from Tennessee shelter where dogs starved

[Ben Swan]

From The Associated Press:

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton has fired the director of the city’s animal shelter following revelations of mistreatment that included at least three dogs starving to death.

The Commercial Appeal reports Wharton said he fired Ernest Alexander because shelter employees were unable to follow proper procedures for euthanizing animals and complete basic tasks like paperwork. The announcement came Friday morning, a day after about 100 animal lovers gathered at the shelter for a candlelight vigil.

Alexander was hired in 2008 after a nationwide search for an administrator who could improve conditions at the shelter.

The newspaper reports Alexander also faced allegations of mistreatment of animals at his previous job in Albuquerque.

The District Attorney’s Office has said criminal charges against employees are possible.

[CindyR]

How the HELL does this happen??
Mary M. can you give us any insight? They did a "nationwide" search and didn't turn up the abuses in ABQ?
WTF??

[mary]

Hi Cindy
a nationwide search sure isn't the same as a background check. Was he ever charged in ABQ?

[Susan Stephens]

Last week I wrote about the ASPCA Forensics Team being sent to collect evidence in an animal cruelty case at the Memphis Animal Shelter. The investigation began after a local resident took pictures of starving and abused cats and dogs at the city-run shelter and turned them over to the District Attorney’s office. After seeing the photos, District Attorney Bill Gibbons issued a search warrant and ordered a raid on the shelter.

Since the raid on October 27th, a lot of the sad details about the case and the abuse the innocent cats and dogs endured have been released. The following are the facts that have come to light so far:
* At least 3 dogs died of starvation in recent weeks.
* Employees euthanized at least one dog without following shelter procedures.
* Confirmation was made that sick dogs with rabies were placed in shared kennels alongside healthy dogs without the disease.
* Volunteers working at the shelter had made several complaints to Shelter Director, Kenneth Moody and Animal Services Administrator Ernest Alexander.
* Neither administrator moved to improve the situation at the animal shelter.
* The District Attorney’s office collected 17 boxes of evidence, 4 computers, 6 CD’s and DVD’s.

It was also confirmed that a little female mixed breed puppy was brought to the shelter in mid August and died on September 4th of “non-accidental starvation.” The veterinarian that examined the puppy said she had lost one-quarter of her body weight.
Memphis Mayor – AC Wharton took immediate steps to protect the homeless pets at the city-operated shelter. He has suspended euthanasia until the initial investigation is complete and he assembled a task force to examine the situation. He has also placed cameras throughout the shelter.
The investigation has also uncovered details about Ernest Alexander’s past work experience at an animal shelter in Alburquerque, NM. While working there, the shelter received complaints about empty food and water bowls and objections that the pets were exposed to extreme temperatures.
During his tenure in Alburquerque animal rights activist, Marcy Britton sued the city over conditions at the shelter. She said in an interview with The Commercial Appeal, “You couldn’t have found a worse person. Ernie never seemed to know what was going on. As bad as this is, I’m thrilled you had law enforcement there that would touch this.”
The raid of shelter has had an emotional impact on the residents of Memphis. A candlelight vigil is being held on November 5th to honor the innocent cats and dogs that died at the shelter and to raise awareness about the conditions at the facility.

[CindyR]

Oh my God Susan. This is the most horrible thing to read at the start of the day. This turns my stomach. The shelter is supposed to be the SAFE ZONE for these animals for god's sake. God this makes me want to disembowel the humans involved. ..... or much, much worse. Our inhumanity towards our creatures constantly astounds me.

[Ben Swan]

It's just amazing that they didn't do an adequate background check to find out about the issues in Albuquerque. Thanks for keeping us informed about this Susan ... I knew someone would have more information about it .... Thanks again.