Ty Coleman has been removed as director of Memphis Animal Services, city officials said Tuesday, Dec. 3, bringing an end to his tumultuous 14-month tenure leading the animal shelter.

Coleman was facing both city and state investigations into his tenure at MAS; the results of those investigations weren’t immediately available Tuesday afternoon.

“Mayor Paul Young announced today that he has ended Ty Coleman’s appointment as the director of Memphis Animal Services, effective immediately,” city officials said in a statement. “Mary Claire Borys is currently acting as manager at the shelter, while long-term solutions are explored. The city remains committed to transparency and will keep the community updated as the shelter management situation evolves. The director position will be posted on the city’s (human resources) portal within the week.”

MAS director fired from previous job for alleged misconduct, lying

Coleman was suspended June 28, four days after a dog named Lulu died after she was put outside in a kennel on a hot Memphis summer day, allegedly with no shade or water.

City officials then began an investigation of Coleman’s tenure at MAS, which began when former Mayor Jim Strickland named him interim director in September 2023. Mayor Paul Young appointed him to the post full-time in January.

The Tennessee Department of Health’s Office of Investigations for Health-Related Boards, which includes veterinarians, also is investigating Coleman.