WHITE HOUSE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Some White House residents are demanding that the city hire an animal control officer. Recently, neighbors shared photos of dead and malnourished dogs, prompting a firestorm on social media.
Neighbors asked police to visit the home in question so that the owner would surrender the pets. However, it was too late. One of the dogs had already died.
For animal advocates like Sarah Gierens, that was the last straw.
"I'm exhausted, I'm frustrated, I'm upset," said Gierens.
Sarah has filled the role of animal control officer trying to save all the animals she can in White House.
"I've now got the nickname 'Safari Sarah' and it's just all sorts of animals it doesn't matter," she said. "People know that I love them, and that I thankfully have some training to be able to assist."
She took in 'Gunner' who was found with the dead dog over the weekend. Unfortunately, she has to quarantine him from her other foster animals until they go to the vet. in the meantime, she's looking for a better foster situation through a rescue.
"He wants to come in so bad to play, and it breaks my heart because I can't let him," Gierens said
Usually, a local animal control would handle this case, but the City of White House doesn't have one.
"County can't come because we're city limits, and then the police department has no say. They do the best they can, but their arms are tied as well," she explained.
She's begging city leaders to hire someone who can be the voice of abused animals. Until then, she'll keep loving on Gunner, who already has interest from a family who might want to adopt him.
NewsChannel 5 reached out to both the city administrator and White House Mayor but have not heard back yet. According to police, the animal control officer position was eliminated when the economy crashed a decade ago.
