KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee man is facing criminal charges after allegedly threatening to blow up the University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital over a delay in care for his pet spider monkey.
The incident occurred around 5 a.m. on August 7, when police responded to a reported threat at the veterinary clinic.
Authorities identified 37-year-old Joseph McDorman as the individual who made the threatening call. According to the arrest report, McDorman initially called the hospital requesting urgent care for his spider monkey, but was informed that the clinic would not open until 7:30 a.m.
Frustrated by the wait, McDorman reportedly told the operator, “If my monkey dies, I am coming up there to blow the whole [expletive] building up.”
Following the threat, the clinic refused to provide service to McDorman. Police traced the threatening call through a background check on the phone number, which led them to McDorman.
He now faces charges including harassment and making a threat of mass violence.
