Dog carers say MAS wrongly accused them of stealing puppies

MILLINGTON, Tenn. (WMC) – Two foster dog parents say Memphis Animal Services (MAS) accused them of stealing two puppies. According to MAS, there was a misunderstanding after employees made a clerical error.

Ed and Laurie Ward say they have raised hundreds of dogs, and they believed their intake of soy and sushi would be no different.

“We work with rescues to make sure they go to good homes,” says Ed. “MAS doesn’t do any of that.”

The Wards say they have reached an agreement with MAS to take in the two puppies.

Hours after taking her home on Friday afternoon, they received an unexpected visit from a MAS officer.

“He said my wife stole two dogs,” said a shocked Ed. “I explained everything to him. We showed him the documents.”

The next day, they received another visit from Shelby County sheriff's deputies.

“He said MAS will issue a warrant for their arrest.”

MAS interim director Mary Claire Borys denies threatening Laurie Ward with an arrest warrant.

She says the allegations against the nurses were all a big misunderstanding.

“Our employees made a clerical error,” says Borys. “Soja was actually already adopted. We realized that Miss Ward had left with Soy and we discovered that she had not completed all the paperwork for Sushi.”

After heated arguments over the phone, the Wards agreed to return the dogs to MAS custody the next day.

Ed Ward says they are in discussions with an attorney following the incident.

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