PDF: Letter from mayor
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield said he would "gladly wave good-bye" to The Pet Company at Hamilton Place if he had any say in the matter.
But he doesn't, a fact the mayor said Thursday makes him "very frustrated" that the city has made little progress in City Court to shut down the pet store accused of animal neglect and cruelty.
Mr. Littlefield said he wrote an open letter to the community Thursday to address that and many other frustrations. He said he had received inquiries from "a number of concerned citizens" over allegations that The Pet Company allowed dogs to wallow in feces, that pets weren't given enough water, that the store lacked air conditioning and that there was no real training plan for employees.
He called the quest for justice "slow, soft and reluctant" and said city code was written precisely to disqualify companies from operating in Chattanooga "who behave like this."
"If they're not guilty under the city code (with regard to the treatment of animals), I don't know who is," Mr. Littlefield said in a telephone interview.
On Thursday, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture said it is giving The Pet Company five more days to decide if it will comply with demands to clean up its act or risk suspension of its state operating license.
City Judge Sherry Paty already has ruled that The Pet Company has at least started to improve conditions at its store and will retain its city permit pursuant to the state's decision. She made her ruling despite arguments that the store must comply with city codes on the treatment of animals.
City regulators have complained that Judge Paty's ruling undermines tougher local codes that fill in the gaps of minimal state standards.
In the meantime, all but 19 of the 84 animals seized during the June 15 raid of the store have been returned to the control of The Pet Company. Its lawyers have complained of "vindictive prosecution" by Chattanooga animal care officials.
Judge Paty still could rule that The Pet Company is guilty of violating city code, which could result in hefty fines but likely would not affect its city permit.
The store also might be required to reimburse the city for housing its animals at the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center. The center says the bill is more than $40,000 and rising.
The Pet Company is fighting for the right to resume business operations. It has filed a motion to dismiss the city case, claiming it broke no applicable laws and that it is only responsible for following the Code of Federal Regulations.
Store attorney Andy Pippinger also pointed out in court documents that Mr. Littlefield attempted to contact Judge Paty behind the scenes to express concern over the case.
"The mayor did not succeed ... but it (was) obviously improper," Mr. Pippinger wrote.