Memphis Animal Shelter Raided

Memphis, TN - The Memphis Animal Shelter was searched by Shelby County Sheriff's deputies early Tuesday morning as part of an investigation into reports of animal abuse and cruelty.

Shelby County sheriff's deputies served a search warrant just before sunrise Tuesday after receiving a tip about conditions in the facility.

Officers "found conditions consistent with what had been reported," said sheriff's office spokesman Steve Shular.

"They found dogs that needed food and water, and it was evident that some of the dogs were diseased," Shular said.

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton visited the shelter Tuesday morning on his first full day as mayor.

"(The investigation) gives me, in a way a clean slate, or either a dirty slate, from which to work forward," Wharton told The Commercial Appeal when reached later by phone. "The only thing we can do from this point is improve."

Shelter employees arriving for work Tuesday were taken to a separate area where deputies interviewed them, Shular said.

While no animals were being removed from the shelter, people bringing other animals to drop off were being directed to other shelters in the area.

Volunteers will care for the animals at the city shelter while the investigation continues.

The shelter is directed by Ernest Alexander. Wharton wouldn't comment on the employment status of shelter workers, but said, "There will be no terminations today, based on what I've seen."

The mayor expects an investigation report within three days.

The search warrant stated "some animals have been deprived of food and water" and "some dogs have been starved to the point of requiring euthanasia."

Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons said in a statement that it is possible that one or more people could face criminal charges based on the outcome of the investigation.