Kingsport Police Department Code Enforcement Officer Melanie Adkins said when she responded to a home on Donelson Drive Thursday, she found a Pomeranian dead of apparent heat stroke.
"The animal was tied to a post with no shade and no water," Adkins said. "The thing that went wrong in this case is that the witnesses watched this dog in distress for over an hour and were attempting to make contact with someone. They tried to call the animal shelter. They tried to call the humane society. The animal shelter (wasn't open at the time)."
Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney Julie Canter says prosecutors are pursuing felony charges against the people responsible. In addition, she and Adkins are trying to educate the public about how they can help prevent these kinds of animal deaths.
"If you see an animal in distress, obviously suffering in any way, especially with the hot temperatures coming on, you can call 911," Canter said. "Animals, children, the elderly, those are three groups that cannot protect themselves and I think it's an opportunity that as a community we look out for the groups and animals that can't speak up for themselves."
Adkins says if an animal is at risk of losing its life at the hands of a person witnesses should call 911.
"You may not be able to get animal control or the animal shelter within the time that you need and this would be considered an emergency and it is acceptable to call 911," Adkins said. "An animal must be provided with shelter, shade, and water at all times in this heat, 24 hours a day."
(Tri Cities News - June 5, 2012)
