Memphis, Tenn. – A lawsuit was filed Thursday on behalf of Bryan McGarah, a North Shelby County homeowner, after an employee of Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) shot and killed his four‑year‑old dog, Snow, on September 10. The incident occurred on McGarah’s front lawn while a member of the utility’s Revenue Protection Team was inspecting equipment on the property.
Details of the incident
According to the complaint, the MLGW employee identified himself and explained the purpose of the visit. While the front door was open, Snow allegedly rushed out and charged at the employee. The utility’s spokesperson told Action News 5 that the employee felt forced to defend himself, and that the worker was armed as part of his duties on the Revenue Protection Team.
McGarah described Snow as a friendly pet who “just runs out, licks you to death and whatnot.” He said the dog was shot “in half a second” after an officer pulled a gun.
Legal claim under the T‑Bo Law
The lawsuit alleges that MLGW violated Tennessee’s so‑called “T‑Bo Law,” a statute that allows pet owners to seek up to $5,000 in damages when a companion animal is wrongfully killed by another person or that person’s animal. The law, named after former state senator Steve Cohen’s Shih Tzu, T‑Bo, was enacted in 2000 to recognize the emotional value of companion animals beyond their classification as property.
Under the law, plaintiffs may recover compensation for loss of companionship, affection, and other non‑economic harms. McGarah’s complaint seeks those statutory damages, arguing that Snow posed no danger to the utility worker.
Utility’s response and public reaction
MLGW reiterated that its officers are authorized to enter private property to inspect utility equipment and advised that “for everyone’s safety, pets should be restrained during inspection.” The utility has not provided a detailed comment on the lawsuit beyond that reminder.
A Change.org petition calling for revisions to MLGW’s inspection policies has gathered more than 250 signatures, reflecting community concern over the handling of pets during utility work.
Background on the T‑Bo Law
State Representative Steve Cohen (D‑TN) originally proposed the legislation after his own dog was killed by a neighbor’s animal. Prior to the law’s passage, companion animals were treated solely as property, limiting owners to recover only veterinary expenses in civil actions.
The T‑Bo Law remains one of the few statutes in the United States that explicitly recognizes the emotional bond between owners and their pets, allowing for modest monetary recovery when that bond is broken by wrongful death.
Next steps
The case is pending in the Shelby County court system. Both parties are expected to engage in discovery, and a hearing date has not yet been set. Residents and pet owners are encouraged to follow the proceedings for any potential impact on future utility inspection practices.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
