Ex-Tennessee deputy accused of 'shooting and killing' 7 dogs during animal welfare check
An ex-Tennessee deputy is facing several charges connected to the shooting deaths of seven dogs, officials said Wednesday.
According to a news release from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), the McNairy County Sheriff's Office responded to an animal welfare call at a home in Betel Springs, located about 97 miles from Memphis, on Monday, November 4.
When Deputy Connor Brackin arrived at the scene to check on the dogs, he released one of them to the individual who made the initial complaint. Then, "for reasons under investigation," Brackin "fired his duty weapon, shooting and killing seven dogs on the property," the news release stated.
The TBI launched its probe on Nov. 7 following a request from 25th Judicial District Attorney General Mark Davidson.
Brackin resigned from the sheriff's office
Brackin, 24, was charged with eight counts of reckless endangerment and seven counts of aggravated cruelty to animals. The former deputy turned himself in after TBI secured warrants for his arrest earlier this week and was booked into the McNairy County Jail.
McNairy County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Zach Bay told Paste BN on Friday that Brackin resigned. He had been employed at the agency for less than a month.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for Paste BN. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.