Terra Cotromano

Terra A. Watts Cotromano (born August 25, 1948; died June 10, 2018) was the founder and executive director of The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (TEARS).

Terra was the daughter of J. A. and Esther Watts. She worked for thirty years as a veterinary assistant to Larry Britt at the Emergency Animal Clinic on 4th Avenue North, and to Jerome Williams at Animal Medical Clinic East and at the Red Mountain Animal Clinic on Green Springs Highway.

She founded TEARS in 1998 and built it into one of the most active pet and wildlife rescue services in the state. She was fired by the organization's board of directors in 2009 amid allegations of mismanagement of funds and mistreatment of animals. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigated and charged her with 20 counts of animal cruelty. She was arrested in March 2010. Judge Eric Fancher dismissed all charges against her in January 2011.

Cotromano died in 2018.

References

• Stock, Erin (December 31, 2009) "Birmingham animal rescue agency director denies allegations of cruelty." The Birmingham News
• Robinson, Carol (March 11, 2010) "TEARS founder arrested and charged with animal cruelty." The Birmingham News
• "Terra A. Cotromano" obituary (2018) Crestview Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home