Oak Ridge Today

City code could require animal shelters to protect against cold, dampness

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James T. Akagi

James T. Akagi

A change to the Oak Ridge city code that will be considered Monday would require doghouses and shelters for outdoor animals to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness.

Current city code requires access to a barn, doghouse, or other shelter “sufficient to protect the animal from the elements.”

But new language could be added to that section: “Doghouses and similar shelters shall be made of durable materials with a solid, moisture-proof floor, and must contain clean bedding material consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, or the equivalent to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness.”

There have been concerns raised by residents, especially during cold winter weather, about keeping outdoor animals or pets safe and protected from freezing and below-freezing temperatures. It wasn’t immediately clear Tuesday night if those concerns led to the proposed code change.

The amended city code would require the approval of the Oak Ridge City Council, which meets at 7 p.m. Monday, March 12, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. The change would be done through an ordinance, which requires City Council to approve it in two separate meetings, usually two monthly meetings. [Read more…]

Police investigate alleged animal cruelty but find no evidence to file charges

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The Oak Ridge Police Department has investigated a report of animal cruelty after a social media post said a dog had allegedly been smothered by its owner, but there is no evidence that allows charges to be filed, authorities said Tuesday.

The ORPD received the complaint of possible animal cruelty on Sunday, November 8, a press release said. Officers investigated the complaint and conducted interviews with a complainant, an employee of a local veterinary clinic, and the owner of the dog, who claimed her pet was being treated for severe heartworm issues, the press release said.

“The owner of the dog advised that her pet was very ill, and she put it down for compassionate reasons,” the release said. “Results of the investigation are being forwarded to the Anderson County District Attorney General’s Office for further review. However, per Tennessee Criminal Law (TCA 39-14-212/Aggravated Cruelty to an Animal), no evidence exists at this time which allows officers to file charges against the owner of the dog.”

No other information is available at this time, the City of Oak Ridge said in the press release.

OSPD investigating possible animal cruelty

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Information from WYSH Radio

Oliver Springs police said they found two horses—one dead, the other alive but in poor condition—last week.

Few details have been released, but investigators said they are waiting on test results to see if any charges will be filed.

In the meantime, the owner has surrendered the surviving horse to Horse Haven of Tennessee.

Horses seized, Anderson County man charged

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Information from WYSH Radio

A Clinton man was arrested Wednesday on animal cruelty charges after two horses described as underfed and very thin were seized from his property.

The horses were seized from the property of Jason Shipley on Wednesday by Anderson County Animal Control officers and taken to the University of Tennessee Veterinary School for evaluation. The horses were then turned over to Horse Haven of Tennessee, where they are said to be doing well.

Shipley was charged with two counts of animal cruelty, and he was also picked up on several outstanding warrants unrelated to Wednesday’s incident.

Six dogs, two birds die in locked, unoccupied home; father, daughter cited

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Six dogs and two birds died after they were locked in an unoccupied home in Woodland for several months, and an Oak Ridge father and daughter were cited for animal cruelty this week because they allegedly failed to provide the animals with food, water, care, and shelter, authorities said.

On Tuesday, the father and daughter—Hillman N. Wright, 90, and Annette M. Wright, 57—received nine misdemeanor citations each for animal cruelty, authorities said. [Read more…]