With an investigation into allegations of neglect still ongoing, Mary Claire Borys has been named interim director of Memphis Animal Services.
City of Memphis Mayor Paul Young made the announcement during during a meeting with animal advocates at City Hall on Thursday, July 11.
MAS director Ty Coleman was placed on suspension four days after the heat-related death of a dog named “Lulu,” on June 24. The pit mix was allegedly left outside in an unshaded playpen at the Memphis Animal Shelter as temperatures reached 93 degrees. The heat index hit 105 degrees.
Coleman was renominated for the position by Young – who is in his first term – and was reappointed by the Memphis City Council in January.
Borys previously served as the strategic initiatives administrator of Division of Housing and Community Development since 2017. Her employment with the division includes Young’s tenure as its director. His five-year helm at the department ended in 2021.
Her stint with MAS begins Monday. A title is pending.
Prior to Borys’ appointment, City of Memphis Chief Administrative Officer Antonio Adams had been leading MAS. On Tuesday, July 9 he addressed the issue with city council members.
“Addressing the elephant in the room, I’d like to thank you all for your support as we in the administration, we in the city go through…turbulent times at Memphis Animal Services. We are continuing to stabilize services there,” Adams said.
He also said MAS was currently implementing a plan to improve services – including hiring more staff.
During the Libraries and Neighborhood Improvement Committee meeting, council members approved an intergovernmental agreement with Shelby County for animal housing and rabies tag collection. Opponents fear the resolution will add more responsibilities to an already troubled division.
“Our Memphis animal shelter is in a hot mess right now,” said Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton. “We’re going to have to get our own house clean before we start adding other stuff to our house…and get it managed well.”
Meanwhile, Young has promised a “broad” investigation into Coleman’s leadership. He earns $120,000 annually.
With an annual budget of $6 million, MAS’ 70 full-time and part-time shelter employees care for around 9,000 animals per year.
