Neglecting dogs - 13 confiscated - Chesapeake, VA

Friday, Jun 27, 2003

County: Chesapeake City

Disposition: Convicted

Defendants/Suspects:
» John R. Taylor
» John T. Taylor

On 6/27/03, Chesapeake, Virginia ACO M. A. Hazlitt responded to a hunting kennel in the 3300 block of Galberry Road to investigate a complaint of cruelty to dogs.  The officer found violations pertaining to food, water and medical care.  She spoke with one of the owners, John T. Taylor (26yrs old, of the 400 block of Mimosa Road in Portsmouth, Virginia 23701) who was very irate and stated his refusal to cooperate.  ACO Hazlitt found it necessary to call for Police back up.  That day ACO Hazlitt confiscated one female walker hound that she found to be emaciated, dehydrated and that had difficulty standing.  
 
ACO Hazlitt gave instructions to the owner regarding the corrections needed as well as potential charges that might apply if the corrections were not made.  Officer Hazlitt left the scene and transported the female hound to a veterinarian for treatment.  The female hound was found to have erlichiosis, lyme disease, and heartworm disease.  Despite treatment, the multiple diseases were too far advanced, and the dog died on June 30. 

Officer Hazlitt contacted the father of the man she had met with at the kennel, John R. Taylor (54 yrs old, of the 2800 block of Wesley Road in Chesapeake, Virginia 23323).  She attempted to discuss the health concerns for the remaining dogs and the care issues that required corrections.  Once again, this individual was argumentative, threatening and ordered the officer to stay off of his property. 

Officer Hazlitt secured a search warrant and returned to the property on July 3, 2003.  She confiscated a total of 12 dogs.  She secured charges against both owners for cruelty to animals, failure to provide for companion animals, and failure to have animals vaccinated against rabies. 

On July 17, 2003 the cases were heard in Chesapeake, Virginia General District Court Criminal Division. The senior Mr. Taylor pled guilty to cruelty to animals and failure to provide veterinary care.  He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, which was suspended contingent upon his compliance with orders of the court regarding this case.  he was fined $50 for failure to provide.  Custody of the confiscated dogs was awarded to the Animal Bureaul.  The defendant was ordered to find new homes for his remaining hunting dogs or to surrender them to the Animal Bureau within 14 days.  Any such new home could not be with his son and co-defendant.  The senior Mr. Taylor was also ordered not to own companion animals and to pay to the Animal Bureau $1381 in impounding fees and $1300 for medical treatment for the confiscated dogs.

The younger Mr. Taylor, the son, pled guilty to one count of failure to provide for companion animals and was fined $50. 

The senior Mr. Taylor entered an appeal of his convictions and the custody order, but subsequently dropped it.

References

• VA Animal Control

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