The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 03:56 PM

White Pine Police Investigating Deaths Of 10 Dogs Given Anti-Freeze

White Pine, Tenn. (SOURCE: WVLT)-- Several dogs belonging to different owners were found dead in Jefferson County. Officials started investigating whether the pets were given anti-freeze.

"It takes an animal worse than any dog to poison a domestic animal that's like your family," Michael Ramsey said. He told local news outlets that he suspected both his dogs were killed by poisoning.

"When he got up here, he was trembling; foaming," Ramsey said.

10 dogs died in the past two weeks in Ramsey's quiet White Pine neighborhood.

According to police reports, a local vet said the dogs showed symptoms of anti-freeze poisoning.

"It's a horrible feeling when you see your animal, which is like your kid that you've raised since it was a pup, since it was born, to be done that way. It's inhuman," Ramsey said.

Just across the street, Ramsey's neighbor said he lost several of his trained hunting dogs to poisoning. He said he received threats from deer hunters about the dogs. That sparked an investigation with the sheriff's office.

"I've seen dogs mistreated and it's wrong," Ramsey said. "That dog has a soul."

Ramsey and his neighbor offered a $1,500 reward for anyone with information.

"Because I want to see the people who did this be prosecuted for what they've taken from us," Ramsey said.

The sheriff's office said 4 more dogs were still missing. Animal control asked anyone with information to call 865-397-9411.