MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. (WREG/WKRN) -- A former McNairy County deputy is facing felony charges after another man's dogs were shot and killed last week, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The dogs' owner told News 2's sister station, WREG, that the animals were found dead after a deputy responded to an animal abuse call.
"I don't care what you do," Kevin Dismuke said. "I don't care if you give me $10 or if you give me $10 million. You cannot replace my dogs."
Dismuke did not want to appear on camera, but he still described what he found inside his RV on Monday, Nov. 4, including the dead dog laying just past the front door.
"Before I could step in the door and turn the light on, I stepped on him," Dismuke said. "He was laying right there at the door."
However, Dismuke did not hear his other dogs.
"I found our old dog, Gator, laying between the beds," Dismuke said. "I ain't heard Jasmine, I ain't heard Max, so I stepped back inside the trailer and I found Jasmine laying back there by the bathroom door. They're all dead -- all but Max. He'd hid under the bed."
According to Dismuke, seven dogs were killed. A neighbor told him a member of the McNairy County Sheriff's Office was responsible.
"They were told the property was abandoned and the dogs were malnourished," Dismuke said. "I've got the veterinary paperwork in my truck from three weeks ago. They all had a clean bill of health on them."
In a narrative released by the sheriff's office, Deputy Connor Brackin reported dogs in two trailers that appeared to be in "extremely poor health." The dogs were allegedly without food and water, some of them could barely walk, and one was "already deceased."
Officials also stated that attempts were made to find the owners and find homes for the dogs. A neighbor reportedly came and took one of the dogs before a deputy said, "I was cleared to put down the remaining animals safely by my supervisor."
Around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, several TBI agents arrived. They sealed off the area and designated it a crime scene as they began to look into what exactly happened.
"Explain to me why he done what he done," Dismuke said. "That's the million-dollar question. I don't have any rhyme or reason behind what he done."
WREG attempted numerous times to reach Sheriff Guy Buck but hasn't had any success.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the TBI shared additional information about the investigation, saying 25th Judicial District Attorney General Mark Davidson requested the bureau's involvement three days after the dogs were killed.
According to officials, TBI agents learned the sheriff's office received an animal welfare concern call on Nov. 4, so Brackin responded to the 8300 block of State Route 199 in Bethel Springs to check on the dogs' condition.
The 24-year-old deputy reportedly released one of the dogs to the complainant. However, for reasons that are still under investigation, authorities said Brackin fired his duty weapon, shooting and killing seven dogs on the property.
The TBI said it obtained warrants for Brackin on Tuesday, charging him with seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and eight counts of reckless endangerment. The now-former deputy turned himself in and was booked into the McNairy County Jail.
No additional details have been released about this case.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/OX2bxhe
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