LA VERGNE, Tenn. -
Some Rutherford County residents are upset with the county's animal control response time in emergency situations.
Kasey Caraway, of La Vergne, was recently attacked by a pit bull as he was trying to help his neighbor's dog who seemed to be in distress.
Caraway was transported to an area hospital for a punctured thigh.
"It started trying to attack me and it [had] my leg and it kept trying to jump after me," he said. "I had a hole in my leg about like that from his teeth."
Nashville's News 2 spoke with Caraway's cousin Sandy Kaylor, who said she was disappointed in the response time of animal control.
She said an officer did not arrive to the scene until two hours after the initial call.
"Animal control issues are one of the biggest issues that I've dealt with since I've been in office," La Vergne Alderman Tom Broeker said.
Like the rest of Rutherford County, La Vergne relies on P.A.W.S. in Murfreesboro for animal control, but many like Caraway are not happy with the level of service.
Broeker admitted his residents have difficulty reaching representatives during emergencies and that officers often respond hours later, if at all.
Earlier this month, Broeker voted to eliminate the city's additional $21,000 donation to P.A.W.S.
"We want to do our part, but at the same time we want a level of service [that's] satisfactory," said Broeker.
Despite not receiving the addition donations, P.A.W.S. is still obligated to serve La Vergne and the rest of Rutherford County, since they receive county tax dollars.
"In my opinion, they're doing the best they can do with what they have," said Charles West, a Rutherford County resident who dropped off two stray dogs Friday morning.
He said representatives called him back within 20 minutes.
They told him they did not have the manpower to pick up the dogs, and he said he was more than willing to drop them off at the facility.
Representatives from P.A.W.S. did not return phone calls from Nashville's News 2 and declined an on-camera interview.
Currently, Smyrna is the only city in Rutherford County that gives the facility an additional donation.
