Starved dead dogs found chained, others emaciated
Harriman, TN (US)Incident Date: Friday, Sep 16, 2011
County: Roane
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Matthew Tyler Walls
A Roane County man is accused of letting three dogs starve to death.
Matthew Tyler Walls, 19, of Harriman, has been charged with three counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
Roane County Animal Control received a complaint almost 2 weeks ago of dogs barking behind a residence on 251 Clear Springs Road.
Animal Control officers went to the property but the area where the dogs were being kept was deep on the property and no one was at home. A note was left for Walls to call, but he did not.
Officers made a second attempt to check on the complaint, but again, no one was home.
After a call from a neighbor complaining on a bad smell coming from the property, officers felt they had probable cause to enter the property and check on the animals, and they did so on September 16.
The officers found three dead hound dogs, one was chained up and the other two were in a doghouse. It appeared that all three had starved to death.
Three other hound dogs were still alive, but appeared to be malnourished. There was no food or water in their enclosure. They were confiscated and taken to a vet to be checked out. After treatment, investigators believe they will be available for adoption.
Walls was released from jail September 16 on a $2,250 bond. He's scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on December 5. References |
