In Erwin, Tennessee, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is involved in an investigation after a former K-9 police dog was found neglected and malnourished.
Nero, a Dutch Shepherd previously served with the Jonesborough and Unicoi police departments. The dog was found last month emaciated with significant hair loss and skeletal issues.
Nero had been a K-9 for the Jonesborough Police Department and then the Town of Unicoi Police Department. He was no longer in service.
Lillianna Long, 19, had been Nero’s sole caregiver for two months. No charges have been filed.
On Monday, the TBI opened the investigation involving the Town of Unicoi Police Department K9 Nero at the request of 1st Judicial District Attorney General Steve Finney. In an internal review, the Unicoi County Sheriff’s Office recused themselves from the investigation because of a conflict of interest. Nero’s former police handler, Nick Hughes, had been hospitalized and had given Nero to a relative who was no longer the dog’s owner at the time of the abuse.
Nero is under the care of the Unicoi County Animal Shelter and is being helped by the generosity from community donations. Once Nero has recuperated, he will be adopted by his original handler, Tammy Ray, who worked with him at the Jonesborough Police Department.
Meanwhile, the Unicoi County Animal Shelter is in desperate need of donations for his vet care.
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