Memphis Animal Services Director Ty Coleman is on leave, effective immediately, Memphis officials said Friday. Officials said an investigation would follow, but did not specify what the focus of the investigation would be.
However, Coleman has come under fire from animal rescue organizations around the Memphis area after the death of a dog within MAS care earlier this week. And that comes on the back of years of issues for the shelter, which has been criticized for a high kill rate.
MAS posted a statement on June 26 on social media about the death of the dog and said it was likely from the heat. The post has since disallowed comments.
There is uncertainty among rescuers about the availability of vets on staff at MAS. The city said that there is currently an interim vet on staff and that the part-time contract vets are at MAS four days a week.
According to Suzy Hollenbach, founder and CEO of All 4s Rescue League, the dog who died was Lulu and that dog was microchipped to their rescue. The rescue was informed last week that MAS had Lulu and contacted All 4s Rescue League to come and pick up the dog.