KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)- The attorney for Off Leash K9 Training’s Owner, Randi LaFerney, is speaking out for the first time following allegations of aggravated animal cruelty.
Richard Spivey of ‘Spivey, King and Spivey’ in Kingsport is representing LaFerney and spoke to News Channel 11’s Jackie DeFusco over the phone Friday afternoon.
The phone call came after news surfaced earlier this week that a dog reportedly died in the care of Off Leash K9 trainer Andrew Hunigan.
Spivey said the following:
”In my 43 years of practicing law I have never seen a more egregious mistake made by the police. Randi LaFerney did not care for the dog, the dog was not in her control or possession at the time of its death. She is completely not guilty.”-Richard Spivey
Spivey said LaFerney does have certain responsibilities as owner of the facility but said he does not believe his client should be held criminally responsible for the actions of another party.
Tri-Cities dog training company charged with aggravated animal cruelty after dog dies in care
Spivey also denied accusations that the facility regularly uses starvation and high intensity shocking to get dogs to respond to training. He would not provide further explanation about the weight loss of the miniature bull terrier that passed away at the Johnson City training facility.
He denied that LaFerney was on the way to get the body of the miniature bull terrier cremated when the dog owners called to pick him up.
We also asked Spivey about the accusations of a Knoxville woman who said her dog lost weight and was shocked excessively in the care of Off Leash K9 Training in Johnson City back in 2015. He would not comment on those allegations.
News Channel 11 Jackie DeFusco is looking into further allegations against the Off Leash K9 Training franchise in other states. She will have a full report tonight on WJHL at 6 o’clock.
