Bond set for Columbus Animal Care & Control employee at first court appearance.

One Columbus Animal Care & Control employee made an appearance Thursday in Recorder’s Court on charges stemming from a Columbus Police Department investigation into CACC.

Tennile Tolliver pleaded not guilty to one count false statements and writing, concealment of facts and one count violation of oath by a public officer. Tolliver’s arrest was first announced by Columbus Councilwoman Toyia Tucker.

Tolliver’s attorney, Shevon Thomas II, waived Tolliver’s preliminary hearing.

Tolliver’s bond was set at $3,000 for the charge of false statements and writings, concealment of facts, and $6,000 for the charge of violation of oath by a public officer for a total of $9,000.

Some of the terms of bond included for Tolliver to stay away from CACC, have no contact with co-defendants in the case and to not engage in social media regarding the case.

The case was bound over to Superior Court.

Thomas maintained his client’s innocence in an interview after the hearing.

Thomas said he was retained in this case Wednesday.

“We’re going to stand on our not guilty and we’re going to get to the bottom of this and hopefully we can get justice for everybody involved, both the animals and everybody who was involved with this place,” Thomas said.

Six of the other seven co-defendants in the case were scheduled to appear in Recorder’s Court Thursday, but they all bonded out and their cases were bound over to Superior Court, according to court records.

Those people included the following:

• Henry Hall, 77, former part-time veterinarian for CACC, charged with one count false statements and writing, concealment of facts and one count forgery in first degree.
• Canita Hardnett-Johnson, 51, CACC manager, charged with three counts cruelty to animals, one count euthanasia by unauthorized personnel, one count disposal of deceased animals, one count violation of oath by public officer, one count false statements and writing, concealment of facts and one count theft by deception over $1,500.
• Contreana Pearson, 57, administration coordinator, charged with three counts of cruelty to animals, one count euthanasia by unauthorized personnel, one count disposal of deceased animals and one count violation of oath by public officer.
• Alexander Pimentel, 27, CACC lieutenant, charged with five counts euthanasia by unauthorized personnel, one count leaving of animals unattended, one count false statements and writings, concealment of facts, one count violation of oath by public officer and one count disposal of deceased animals.
• James Elliot, 37, CACC officer, one count false statements and writing, concealment of facts and one count violation of oath by public officer.
• Alizabeth Morgan Rodriguez, 34, CACC officer/kennel staff, charged with one count forgery (second degree), one count false statements and writing, concealment of facts, one count euthanasia by unauthorized personnel and one count violation of oath by public officer.

This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 4:28 PM.