Humboldt, Tennessee – Witnesses in Humboldt, Tennessee, claim that animal control officers were seen beating a dog to death with a shovel outside of the animal control facility. A social media post about the disturbing situation reads, in part, “he just witnessed two guys from the dog pound in Humboldt beat this poor dog with a shovel til it was dead. One guy had the shovel as the other one held the dog down with the dog catcher pole. The poor dog was yelping til its last breath!! Kevin said the sound of that dog crying was horrifying.”
The witness claims that the men threw the dog’s body into a garbage pile, and then covered it with a bulldozer. Other witnesses (said to be five in total) claim that the men continued to harm other dogs until they realized that they were being recorded (screenshot of social media post below).
These are not just baseless social media claims. The local Humboldt Police Department has started an investigation and Mayor Marvin Sikes has released a statement:
“I promise this issue is being investigated by Humboldt PD and the DA’s office and I will do everything in my powers to see that these employees will be punished to the severity of there (sic) actions. I will not tolerate the actions being claimed. I promise I will not accept this kind of behavior from any city employee.”
Please sign the petition today – we will be presenting your signatures and comments to city officials along with a request for a full investigation. If the investigation confirms the damning eyewitness claims, we want these men to be fired and charged for their actions!
The allegations from these witnesses are abhorrent! There is no reason that ANY dog should be beaten with a shovel, much less by city employees. We do not want this situation to be swept under the rug. The local police department was inundated with calls from outraged people, and Humboldt Police Chief Reynard Buchanan has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
We want your signatures and comments to present to the district attorney when/if the investigation reveals that the eyewitness statements are true. If this is the case, these men must be fired and charged! Animal cruelty cannot be tolerated!
Animal Victory is committed to following this situation and we will keep petition supporters apprised of the investigation findings.
Update 11/17/2022: Animal Victory has learned that the case was dismissed as of Oct. 5, 2022. The case had been sealed because the judge made a deal with the defendants to dismiss the case if they stayed out of trouble for a certain period of time. Official court record states “Diversion complete, case dismissed 10/5/2022.” According to City Hall, the defendants are prohibited from working for the state/county/city. We are disappointed in the outcome, but thankful to everyone who took the time to sign the petition and help Animal Victory fight for justice.
Update 5/04/2022: Animal Victory was told by the court clerk that this case was disposed and sealed. She was unable to see or provide any other information.
Update 3/3/2022: The court clerk has informed Animal Victory that the next court date is scheduled for 4/4/2022 at 1 p.m.
Update 11/29/2021: Animal Victory has been informed that the next court date is scheduled for 2/23/2022, at 1:00 p.m.
Update 10/12/2021: Animal Victory has sent 39,938 signatures to Attorney Frederick Agee.
Update 9/17/2021: Animal Victory has learned that both defendants, Johnson and Pafford, are set to appear for a preliminary hearing on 10/13/ 2021 at 1:10 p.m.
Update 6/28/2021: Animal Victory has learned that court has been rescheduled to Aug. 25, at 1:00 p.m.
Update 6/24/2021: Animal Victory sent over 24,800 signatures to District Attorney Frederick Agee for the trial scheduled for June 25.
Update 6/21/2021: Animal Victory spoke with the Humboldt, Tennessee, clerk of courts and learned that the trial is ongoing, and no pleas have been entered. The next trial date is for June 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Update 1/12/2021: Animal Victory sent our letter of intent along with over 15,500 signatures to District Attorney Frederick Agee. Read our letter here.
Huge update 1/9/2021: On Thursday, police arrested James Johnson, 76, and Bruce Pafford, 56. The men are facing a Class E felony aggravated animal cruelty charge which could result in up to two years in jail. District Attorney Frederick Agee said, “If they’re found guilty, the amount of time they’d be sentenced to would depend on what kind of past record they have.”
Individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
News:
Animal-Protection-Laws-of-Tennessee-2020-Animal-Legal-Defense-Fund (1)
Prior Signatures 26,980
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive email updates from Animal Victory. You may unsubscribe anytime.
1319 Military Cutoff Road, Suite CC, Unit #101 Wilmington, NC 28405
info@animalvictory.org