NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
The owner of a dog who allegedly died while chained to a second canine could face charges of animal cruelty.
After receiving an anonymous tip, Metro Animal Control investigators visited a home Partner Way in south Nashville on Tuesday.
Behind the home they discovered a dead female dog and another dog secured together with a logging chain.
Investigators estimate the dogs had been chained together for more than three days.
"[She] died a horrible death," Metro Animal Control officer Billy Biggs said, "baking out in the sun for Lord knows how long. It could have been there four days, I guess."
Animal control investigators call the incident one of the saddest cases they have seen.
"It is sad. If you can't take care of them, don't have them," Biggs said, adding, "Not only did it sicken my heart, my stomach too. It was horrible to treat a dog like that."
Biggs said the owner of the dogs, Jose Palomino, had previously been warned.
He faces charges of possible felony animal abuse but the case is still being investigated.
According to Biggs, Palomino claims he is not responsible for the dead dog because he was in the Metro jail at the time for a reckless driving offense.
Biggs says others could be responsible.
"He gave me a few other names [and] we are looking into that now, but ultimately they are his dogs and ultimately he is responsible for them," he said.
Nashville's News 2 has tried to contact Palomino at his house twice but no one has answered the door.
Metro Animal Control officers planned to check with the district attorney's office to see what charges, if any, would be filed.
The surviving dog is reportedly doing much better and will remain in the care of Animal Control officials.
Depending on the conclusion of the case, it could be placed up for adoption.
Jose Palomino claims he is not responsible for the dead dog because he was in the Metro jail at the time for a reckless driving offense.
