Animals Seized At Bellevue PetSmart 'Doing Better'

BELLEVUE, TN -- The six small animals seized during a raid at the Bellevue PetSmart are recovering, animal-control officials told WKRN.

Sue Baker, a Metro Animal Care and Control investigator, said infections in hamster, mice and guinea pigs are clearing up after a week with a veterinarian, according to the news station, and the animals are "much more active."

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MACC and Metro Police raided the new Bellevue PetSmart location March 29 after allegations of abuse and neglect surfaced against the store.

MACC seized six animals - hamsters, mice and guinea pigs - and requested veterinary records and animal-care policies from the Sawyer Brown Road store. MACC obtained warrants after the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals produced a video allegedly showing injured, sick and neglected animals at some PetSmart locations, including the One Bellevue Place location.

PETA said it provided authorities with photos and video of neglected animals specifically at the Bellevue location and praised Nashville authorities for quick action.

A PetSmart employee passed information to PETA, saying that a guinea pig contracted multiple illnesses, including infections that spread to its heart and brain. A mouse died at the store a month after contracting what was apparently a respiratory infection and eye irritation. PETA also said more than 200 dead fish were collected from tanks in a single day at the Bellevue store.

PETA said managers at the Bellevue store were "observed repeatedly refusing to provide sick, injured and dying animals with veterinary care in order to 'keep costs down' so they would receive bonuses." The organization said a supervisor ordered staff not to tell customers that PetSmart buys animals from a Georgia company put on probation by that state's agriculture department following a PETA investigation in 2010.

"We strongly believe that these animals - big or small - if there is a complaint, that's what we are here for, we're here to investigate that," Lauren Bluestone, Metro Animal Care and Control director, said.
No arrests were made and the store re-opened later in the day.

"Moving forward, we will use what we find today and work with Metro Law and the D.A.'s office to determine any potential charges," the Metro Health Department said in a statement.

PetSmart issued a statement following the raid:

"We are always committed to putting the needs of the pets in our care first. We empower our store associates to do what's right for all pets, which includes instruction to have any sick animal immediately seen by a veterinarian if needed. There is no adverse effect on a store team that takes every step possible to care for pets. We take these allegations very seriously, and are working closely with the Bellevue authorities to obtain the relevant facts. Additionally, we are investigating the validity of the video, given some of the footage is several years old."

Photo by J.R. Lind, Patch staff