Dog left out in the cold is returned to owner who was cited for animal cruelty

TENNESSEE -- A little dog who was left out in the cold long enough to be seized by animal control in Nashville, Tennessee, was returned to the same owner who was issued a citation for animal cruelty, reported Thursday's WKRN News.

Just five days after the Chihuahua was taken in by animal control, he was back in the possession of the woman who had left him outside when the temperature plunged.

 

 

According to a previous WKRN publication, the woman who owns the dog was cited for animal cruelty because the animal control officer found no evidence of food or water - and most importantly, given the weather, no shelter.

Why would the dog be returned to the same individual who left him outside? Metro Animal Control explained that the woman was "educated" about proper dog ownership.

Unfortunately, on Thursday, when news crews visited the home again, they found the same little dog outside.

 

 

The news agency reached out to Metro Animal Control and an officer arrived in short order - the dog was not removed from the individual's care, but the owner was "educated" once again. Animal control officers have indicated that they will continue to monitor the dog's situation.

How many times does this owner need to be 'educated'? I can see giving the dog back ONCE, but the second time the dog should have been seized. Will they finally take it once its dead and frozen stiff on the front porch??

(Examiner.com - Feb 27, 2015)