A Rossville man has been charged with animal cruelty after a dog was found tied to a tree outside an East Ridge animal shelter, left without food or water for several hours.
According to an affidavit obtained by Local 3 News, 36-year-old Bryan Gardenhire was identified as the last person to have custody of the dog, named Townes. The dog was discovered tethered outside the East Ridge Animal Shelter, where authorities believe it had been for approximately seven hours.
East Ridge police and animal control officers traced the dog’s origin to a person currently enrolled in a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. That individual had previously rehomed the dog to another person in East Ridge. When that person could no longer care for the animal, he reportedly contacted Gardenhire via Facebook, and Gardenhire agreed to assume responsibility.
Authorities allege that Gardenhire subsequently abandoned the dog outside the shelter, leading to the charge of animal cruelty.
East Ridge Animal Services has agreed to care for Townes until the original owner is able to reclaim him upon completion of treatment.