(Memphis) A former animal shelter worker has been sentenced on animal abuse charges at the facility.
Billy Stewart was charged with four counts and one misdemeanor count of abuse at Memphis Animal Services.
An undercover officer saw Stewart choke five dogs instead of properly euthanizing them.
Stewart was one of three MAS workers indicted.
At the time of the indictments, Memphis Mayor A C Wharton said, “these acts are not up for interpretation as to whether or not they constitute animal cruelty.” “The examples are plain concise and direct, easy enough for a 2nd grader to know that somebody ought to get in trouble.”
Judge Paula Skahan gave Stewart the following sentence:
Sentenced :
Count 1- 2 years of which he must serve at least at 30%
Count 2- 2 years of which he must serve at least30% consecutively
Count 3- 2 years of which he must serve at least 30% concurrently
Count 4- 11 months 29 days of which he must serve at least concurrently
Count 5- 2 years of which he must serve at least at 30% concurrently
No probation was allowed.
Stewart’s defense is appealing.
