- Tennessee, USA -
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office says 55-year-old RANDY LYNN GARNER (pictured below), is facing aggravated animal cruelty charges after he ran over a family dog with his postal van.
The incident happened on May 1, on Dave Lane in Maryville where the dog’s family lives.
Mrs. Autumn Putnam told WKRN that her husband and their 4-year-old son were startled to find their dog, a 1-year-old Australian Shepherd, named Stormi, bruised and bloodied in their driveway.
Mrs. Putnam said at first, she thought Stormi had been shot because she had a hole in her head.
But then, they looked at their surveillance camera and got the answers they were looking for.
The footage shows a postal van that runs over Stormi and the driver, GARNER, looks out of the window. He then proceeds to deliver the family’s mail and drives off leaving Stormi for dead.
Mrs. Putnam rightfully said GARNER should have stopped to check on the dog and knocked on their door to let them know what happened so their young son wouldn’t have witnessed all that blood coming out of Stormi’s face, mouth, and nose. Stormi wouldn’t have been left bleeding for 45 minutes before being found.
Stormi was taken to the vet and the family filed a police report.
The Putnams showed a sheriff’s deputy surveillance video of what happened and that led to GARNER being identified as the driver of the postal van.
When he was interviewed by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, he explained that he felt a “bump” and then he “panicked” and drove off.
When he was asked why he did not stop, he answered that there weren’t any cars parked at the house but surveillance camera footage shows there were cars parked at the driveway.
As reported by The Daily Times, GARNER, of Glasow Street, was taken into custody on May 19.
He was released on a $500 bond pending a hearing scheduled for May 28, in Blount County General Sessions Court.
According to the Putnams, GARNER has never contacted them and has never apologized.
WKRN reports that WATE 6 On Your Side reached out to USPS to see if GARNER still works there and they confirmed that he did. According to the Putnams, for the time being GARNER has stopped delivering mail to their home.
Thankfully, Stormi is gradually recovering from the injuries.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.