MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A former Memphis Animal Shelter technician is on trial on aggravated animal cruelty charges. Testimony continues today as Billy Stewart is tried, charged with using a metal catch pole to choke dogs into unconsciousness as they were led to a room where they were euthanized.
The Commercial Appeal reported Stewart listened Tuesday as a man he knew as Danny Lewis testified against him. Lewis is, in realty, Memphis police officer Daniel Arrington, who went undercover as a shelter worker between November 2011 and February 2012 to check on reports of abuses at the shelter.
Two other defendants charged in the case pleaded guilty to cruelty charges in October, including one who testified against Stewart in the trial.
The defense countered that shelter officials didn't adequately train Stewart.