A hamster was already dead when it was tossed into a trash compactor at The Pet Company store, the manager testified today.
Brandy Hallman, manager at the Hamilton Place store, said the hamster also had been partially eaten by another hamster.
On Monday, an employee of the store testified that the hamster was still alive when it was tossed into the compactor.
Ms. Hallman was testifying during the third day of a Chattanooga City Court trial in which city officials are fighting to put the store out of business.
Witnesses finished their testimony today and closing statements are scheduled to start Wednesday at 1 p.m.
On June 15, the store was raided by officials with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center. Eighty-two pets were seized and 90 City Code violations were filed against the store, including many tied to animal cruelty.
For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.