Memphis Animal Services director placed on leave
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Animal Services Director Ty Coleman has been placed on leave less than a year after taking the job.
The City of Memphis confirmed the action Friday but did not release any additional information.
Earlier this week, MAS confirmed that a dog was found unresponsive in a play yard, and the animal’s death was likely heat-related.
MAS volunteer heartbroken after shelter dog dies in the heat
The chairwoman of a city advisory committee overseeing MAS said there was no question Lulu died from the heat since her body temperature was over 109 degrees.
Vet sheds light on problems at Memphis animal shelter
Dr. Jennifer Karnes, the owner of Central Animal Hospital, also told WREG that two longtime veterinarians at Memphis Animal Services and several supervisors at the city shelter had resigned in recent months.
“MAS brought in Dr. Isis Johnson-Brown as the DVM of record for the Tennessee Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. I am very unclear whether Dr. Johnson is a part-time city employee or a contract per-day worker,” said Karnes. “They have daily veterinarians that come in some days of the week, somebody who’s just doing a shift.”
Dr. Karnes said MAS was releasing some unaltered dogs into the community with only a promise from the adopters that the animals would be fixed and said MAS no longer had a scheduled drug DEA permit to administer pain medications or a USDA veterinarian on staff to issue health certificates.
“I know they had a doctor come in two Fridays ago and spayed and neutered 15 or 20 dogs. They try to get as many appointments as possible at Spay Memphis on Summer, but of course, Spay Memphis is doing their own thing, so they don’t have a lot of overflow for MAS.”
Friday morning, MAS released the following statement.
“Since June 1, MAS has used relief vets and organizations to perform spay/neuter surgeries. Pursuant to T.N. law for spay/neuter practices, for any animal that is unaltered at the time of adoption, pet parents sign a contract requiring them to complete the surgery within 30 days (T.C.A. Sections 44-17-501-504). If they do not comply, they may receive a citation, and a court order may be issued. MAS maintains an active DEA license and premise permit and has been administering pain medication, as needed, to animals in our care. MAS is not required to have a USDA vet on staff.“
MAS also said Lulu’s cause of death would be determined by an external agency.
All 4’s Rescue League said Lulu was chipped to their group, and they were notified about her death. CEO Suzy Hollenbach said Lulu was an owner surrender, but they had found someone who wanted to adopt her.
Hollenback has been critical of MAS and Coleman for allowing dogs to be adopted out before they are spayed or neutered.
Coleman was named interim director of Memphis Animal Services in September of 2023 before becoming the permanent director.
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