A Hunt County firefighter was removed from his volunteer position after reportedly posting on Facebook a photo with two dead dogs lying on the ice, implying that he had killed them.
Union Valley fireman Tim Conatser posted the photo to Facebook on Tuesday afternoon, the Greenville Herald-Banner reported.
“Somebody didn’t put any truth my warning,” the caption on the photo read. “Keep your [expletive] dogs on your property.”
Constable Terry Jones, who is investigating the incident, said authorities received complaints Wednesday morning after screenshots of the photo started circulating on the social media site.
Jones said the dogs were found dead in the southwest portion of Hunt County, but he did not specify where exactly because detectives were still interviewing potential witnesses.
The Union Valley Fire Department, an all-volunteer force, said it suspended the fireman after learning about the photo.
“We do not condone the recent actions of one of our firefighters. We are following our policy in removing him from our department,” the Union Valley Fire Department said in a statement on Facebook Wednesday.
Conatser could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In a written statement, Royse City officials said they received several angry phone calls and emails about the photos.
“To set the record straight,” the department said in a Facebook post, “the person has been suspended as a Union Valley fireman, and lives outside of our city limits. Any offense did not occur within Royse City jurisdiction.”
Hunt County officials released few details of their investigation, saying they are still collecting information and evidence.
“It is an open criminal investigation,” Jones said. “There’s certain information I’m not at liberty to talk about right now.”
He said his office will present evidence to the county attorney, who will determine if criminal charges should be filed. The Royse City Animal Shelter and the SPCA of Texas are helping with the investigation.
Hunt County does not require owners to keep their pets confined, although a person has the right to use force if an animal on their property poses a threat to people, other animals or the property, Jones said. Someone who shoots an animal that didn’t pose a threat, however, can be charged with animal cruelty.
“Social media can be a great thing,” said Jones, the constable investigating the case. “It can also be not so great. People need to think before posting on there.”
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