Local animal abuse cases are not being handled properly by Warren County law enforcement officials. That was the message delivered Friday afternoon by a group of about 15 local residents who picketed outside the district attorney’s office on Main Street.
“Tennessee has very good, very strict laws against animal abuse,” said Ruta Ivy, who spearheaded the protest. “All we want is fairness and for the DA and the sheriff’s department to enforce the laws we have. The law is the law so enforce it.”
District Attorney Lisa Zavogiannis called the protest “absolutely wrong,” saying her office has always taken animal abuse cases very seriously. She points to the fact there are 12 animal abuse cases which have just been completed or are pending in Circuit Court. She said that doesn’t include cases in General Sessions Court.
“Anyone who abuses animals, and we have the evidence to prove it, we prosecute to the fullest extent,” said Zavogiannis. “That’s the way we have always operated since the first day I got in office. I don’t know what else I can do but put them on the docket.”
Marlena Lawson was among the group of protesters upset at what she perceives to be lax punishment in some recent cases.
“If we keep letting people off who do horrible things to dogs, this behavior is only going to continue,” said Lawson.
Protesters said they plan to be in court this Tuesday for the preliminary hearing for Brandon and Judith Kester. The two were charged last month for allowing a dog to starve to death while it was chained outside their home.
Ivy said she doesn’t feel other animal cases have been handled appropriately by law enforcement officials in recent years. She said a case surrounding Corona, a dog that was reportedly shot down its throat, was treated as an afterthought.
Ivy said a woman accused of running a puppy mill with 125 dogs in the Centertown area was given a slap on the wrist with no jail time for what she considers a serious crime.
Zavogiannis said protesters have unfounded complaints. She said she would like everyone to work together because they share a common goal.
“If they want to help animals, they should work with us, not fight against us,” said Zavogiannis. “I am doing my job the way the law says to do it.”