Ty Coleman, head of Memphis Animal Services, placed on leave, investigation looms

Memphis Animal Services Director Ty Coleman has been placed on leave effective immediately, according to the City of Memphis. An investigation will follow.

This comes amid years of problems for the shelter, which has been criticized for a high kill rate. Coleman has come under fire from Memphis-area animal rescue organizations after a dog died in MAS’s care earlier this week.

MAS posted a statement on social media about the dog’s death on June 26, saying the death was likely due to the heat. Comments on the post have since been closed.

Suzy Hollenbach, founder and CEO of All 4s Rescue League, said there is currently no full-time veterinarian employed by MAS, but confirmed that a part-time veterinarian visits a maximum of twice a week. All 4s Rescue League is currently a partner of MAS in pet rehoming.

According to Hollenbach, the dog that died was Lulu, and that dog was microchipped for the rescue organization. The rescue organization was notified last week that MAS had Lulu and contacted the All 4s Rescue League to pick up the dog.

When Hollenbach sent someone from her rescue team to pick up Lulu from the MAS on June 24, they were informed upon arrival that the dog Lulu had died.

Lulu was in the outdoor kennels, which at the time had no shade to protect the animals from the scorching sun. On June 24, the day Lulu died, temperatures rose to 100 degrees Celsius, according to the The National Weather Service warned of this and a heat warning was issued.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page, MAS said it had “immediately adapted” outdoor play areas to provide more shade.

After Lulu’s death, Hollenbach said she tried several times to recover the dog’s body. Since the microchip was registered with All 4’s, she has a claim to the dog’s body, Hollenbach said.

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