KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The owner of Tri-Cities dog training business that's under fire has been suspended from her other ownership role at a Duck Donuts franchise here in Knoxville after a 9-month-old dog starved to death.
Randi Laferney, owner of Off Leash K9 Training Tri-Cities and Duck Donuts Knoxville, was arraigned Tuesday along with dog trainer Andrew Hunigan in Washington County Sessions Court on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals.
►READ MORE: Dog trainer, Tri-Cities company owner face animal cruelty charges after a young dog starved to death
Laferney and Hunigan are charged in the death of Dallas, a 9-month-old miniature bull terrier. Dallas died in the custody of Off Leash from starvation, according to a necropsy performed by University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center in Knoxville.
Duck Donuts responded Wednesday with a release on Facebook, saying they mutually agreed with Laferney to suspend her ownership.
"We are aware of the recent allegations pertaining to the franchise owner of the Knoxville location and her other business. Duck Donuts has taken this matter very seriously and kept an ongoing conversation with the owner during the investigation. In light of the ongoing investigation, we have mutually agreed with the franchise owner to suspend her involvement with the business.
Duck Donuts does not condone animal cruelty, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of Dallas the bull terrier."
Both Laferney and Hunigan turned themselves in to authorities this week. Laferney told WCYB News 5 in the Tri-Cities prior to being charged that the death was accidental.
Laferney's attorney, Rick Spivey, maintains his client is innocent because Hunigan worked as an independent contractor.
"That's the reason that you all have vilified her for no reason," Spivey said.
The dog trainer charged with cruelty and the Tri-Cities business had received complaints prior to Dallas' death. Text messages between Laferney and a former client show the company processed a refund when Jennifer and Bill Boylan complained about Hunigan's treatment of their dog.
"We don't want this to happen again," Bill Boylan said. "We really don't want somebody to lose their dog, to be maimed or neglected."
A petition, "Justice for Dallas," now has more than 8,000 online signatures. You can see it here.