BROWNSTOWN — The Brownstown Town Council voted to euthanize a dog that attacked other dogs and left one dead.
During an emotional meeting on Wednesday, board members heard testimony about Shannon Root’s dog Memphis, a three-year-old 100-pound pit bull. Root resides in the 500 block of West Walnut Street in Brownstown.
Brownstown Police Chief Tom Hanner told the board that officers have responded four times after reports of Memphis attacking dogs. On Tuesday, August 6, Memphis attacked Anne and Weldon Carlin’s six-year-old, eight-pound Morkie, Annabelle, killing her. Chief Hanner reported that Memphis was running loose again on Wednesday, August 7th, at the middle school. Memphis was picked up by animal control. The dog was held on a police order until a vicious animal hearing could take place.
Weldon Carlin said the pitbull would not let loose of their dog. Carlin stressed that there is a daycare and middle school in the neighborhood and was concerned that the pitbull would attack a child.
Larry Curry, who lives in the 500 block of West Spring Street, reported that Memphis attacked his neighbor’s German shepherd, biting it in the neck on Thursday, July 25. He intervened, pulling Memphis off the shepherd, and Memphis ran off, following a boy chasing him.
On Friday, August 2, Memphis attacked two dogs owned by Jamie Temple, who lives in the 200 block of South Francis Street. Memphis attacked Iggy, a golden retriever, and Teddy, a golden doodle, biting the dog’s necks and refusing to let go. Temple told the board she grabbed Memphis by the face and punched the dog in the face to let go.
Root told the board that on Tuesday, July 16, a tree company cut down a tree, which fell on her fence, allowing Memphis to escape. The company agreed to repair the fence, but it kept pushing the repairs back. Root told the board it was her 10-year-old grandson’s responsibility to care for Memphis, but he refused and would open the door and let Memphis run free.
Root said yes when asked if Memphis exhibited aggressive behavior toward animals. The board asked if the only thing protecting the public from being attacked by Memphis was the fence, and Root agreed.
The council labeled Memphis a vicious animal. Root asked the board to take Memphis to a family member in Franklin. The board voted against allowing Memphis to be rehomed and ruled that the dog would still be a public safety threat.
The board voted to have Memphis euthanized. Root was allowed to see Memphis before the procedure.
