Judge Throws Out Animal Cruelty Charge Against Mayor

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CAMDEN, Tenn. - A judge throws out animal cruelty charges against a Midstate mayor Friday.

In January, investigators found more than two dozen sick or dead dogs at shelter controlled by Benton County Jimmy Wiseman.

Police said 25 more puppies neglected and diseased had to be euthanized.

Wiseman was charged with one county of animal cruelty.

General Sessions Judge Larry Logan dismissed the charge, ruling that Wiseman didn't knowingly commit a criminal act and wasn't responsible for the actions of shelter workers.

Former shelter employees Jacqueline Boyett and Gilbert Jourdan pleaded guilty to cruelty charges earlier this year, but Wiseman maintained his innocence.

"I got good support. I go no problems with anyone in Benton County," Wiseman said. "I got a lot of friends in Benton County."

But many animal advocates in the county left the courtroom disappointed. They believed Wiseman knew about the terrible conditions at the shelter.

"I thought it was a joke. I don't understand why if he's so innocent why did he basically kick out all the volunteers unless he wanted to hide something?" said one observer.

"I was a little disappointed that they could not, hear some of the testimonies," said Shannon Dykstra of West Tennessee Animal Rescue. "I think they may have seen things a little differently if they heard the testimonies."

For the past few months, she has led the renovation of the shelter.

"I think we've made great, great strides here," she said.

She is ready to move on. So is Wiseman.

"We have a lot of work at hand," Wiseman said. "A lot of it was handed down to me when I became the mayor. And so we have a lot of stuff we have to work out."

Even though he no longer oversees the shelter, Wiseman likely isn't done with animal issues just yet.

Shelter officials are lobbying the county to build a new shelter. They will need the county commission and Wiseman to sign off on the project. Officials said the old shelter is next to a waste treatment plant and poses a health risk to workers and the animals.