- Tennessee, USA -
UPDATE: January 8, 2021
EYEWITNESS NEWS reports that 56-year-old BRUCE LYNN PAFFORD and 76-year-old JAMES H. JOHNSON (both pictured below), of Humboldt, have been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals.
The two murderers are currently held in the Gibson County Jail in Trenton.
Their bonds are set at $10,000 each.
~ Original story:
Authorities are investigating a “possible” case of animal cruelty after two city employees at Humboldt Animal Control were seen and filmed beating a puppy to death with a shovel outside the facility.
Jackson Sun reports that numerous posts surfaced on social media alleging a possible case of animal cruelty.
According to Jackson Sun, on the night of Tuesday, January 5, Humboldt Mayor Marvin Sikes said in a statement to Humboldt radio station WJPJ: “I promise this issue is being investigated by Humboldt PD and the DA’s office and I will do everything in my powers to see that these employees will be punished to the severity of there [their] (sic) actions.”
And he added: “I will not tolerate this from any employee.”
District Attorney Frederick Agee said everyone associated with the investigation seems to be cooperating, as reported by Jackson Sun.
DA Agee said that : “Dr. Jennifer Dunlap, an equine veterinarian, also came out to the site of where this happened with a couple of students to do an investigation and provide a report to the city for improvements and best practices for the animal control center.”
Then he continued: “But when the investigation is complete, our office will review it and monitor the situation and see what disciplinary actions the city decides to take.”