MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man is facing slew of charges after police said he gave vaccinations to dogs without a license.
According to police reports, Eric Harton was operating out of Pet’s Choice Animal Clinic in the 6900 block of Winchester Road.
The business listed the names of several veterinarians on its window, but the vets have not worked at the business in years. The Tennessee Department of Health said Pet Choice’s Animal Clinic has not had a license since April.
“There was never anyone there,” Lynn Falanga said. “There was never anyone going in and out. A vet’s office you expect to see people coming in and out.”
Falanga took her dog Bella to Pet’s Choice several years ago and thought the Hickory Hill business had closed. She said she can’t believe someone who wasn’t trained would try to treat animals.
“That takes a lot of guts,”she said. “I don’t agree with that because you could really be injuring an animal.”
Police said Harton gave a dog several vaccinations in their presence and also had a number of controlled substances used to euthanize animals.
They also said the clinic was filthy, and there were 10 dogs in cages. Investigators said some of the dogs were malnourished and at least two had broken paws.
Police said they got a tip that Harton might be providing medical care to dogs used in fighting.
Community Action for Animals said it reported Pet’s Choice to Memphis Animal Services a year ago after it got a tip about what was going on at the business.
The dogs removed from the clinic were taken to the Memphis Animal Services.
