Tennessee man sues Animal Control after he says his dog was neglected while it was in their care

TENNESSEE --A Hendersonville man suing Sumner County Animal Control says deputies left his dog to starve and lying in its feces and urine, causing physical injury to the animal.

Jason Corlew recently filed the lawsuit in Sumner County Circuit Court. In the complaint, he states a Great Dane named Chief was neglected and improperly cared for. The Sumner County Sheriff’s Office oversees animal control.

On Aug. 22, animal control deputies detained Corlew’s companion dog to put it under quarantine. Chief was detained for aggressive behavior toward a young child of a family caring for the dog while Corlew’s family was on a trip. Due to the dog's actions, the child sustained “an unfortunate cut” on the face that required medical attention, according to court documents.

Chief was at the county-run facility for about 11 days.

Two days later, Corlew spoke with animal control Sgt. Sean Ryan and provided food for his dog, the lawsuit states. On Aug. 25, Corlew gave the agency copies of the animal’s vaccination records.

Negligence claimed 
The lawsuit says that on Sept. 2, Corlew went to pick up Chief and found the dog lying in its feces and urine. The dog was swollen in some areas and had numerous sores, burns from urine and dried feces on its body, the lawsuit says.

“The canine had so much feces that his paws were severely irritated and ‘burning off,’” Corlew’s attorney Roland Mumford wrote in the complaint.

Chief was immediately taken to a veterinarian, who determined the animal had lost 40 pounds, was emaciated and had a blood infection. Because Chief had laid down for too long, his joints were filled with fluid, Mumford wrote.

The facility was not properly maintained and exhibited “dangerous or defective” conditions, the lawsuit says. More specifically, the facility did not offer proper floor drainage for feces and urine. The unit where Chief stayed was not cleaned of bodily waste nor was the dog bathed, the document says.

Additionally, agency staff failed to inform Corlew of the dog’s condition or provide veterinary care, the complaint says.

Compensation sought
Corlew, who incurred $600 for veterinary bills, is asking for $1,000 in compensation, court costs and attorney fees, among other granted entitlements. The plaintiff also asks the court to issue a declaration stating that his companion animal was neglected and suffered damages.

 

Further, Corlew wants the court to require animal control to “repair the dangerous or defective conditions” and provide a “proper slope and angle” for drainage so that animals no longer remain pooled in their own urine and feces, the lawsuit says.

County Attorney Leah May Dennen said she recently received the litigation and has not had time to examine it.

“It will be answered in a timely manner,” Dennen said.

The county has 60 days to respond.

(Tennessean - Nov 20, 2015)

Earlier:

• Sheriff disputes abuse allegations as dog owner prepares to sue county