| Case ID: 3571 |
| Classification: Other |
| Animal: dog (non pit-bull) |
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Tuesday, Oct 31, 2000
County: FranklinDisposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
One of Mitzy and Herman Smith's hound dogs was found skinned in their backyard about 5 a.m. The hound weighed about 45 pounds and was kept with approximately 25 hunting dogs in a nearby kennel on their property.
Animal cruelty, including torture and killing, is a misdeameanor punishable by 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
A preliminary necropsy report said dog probably died of shock within 24 to 36 hours of suffering blunt trauma to its midsection. A scapel or razor blade possibly used to cut the dog's skin. No broken bones or other injuries were found.
Another autopsy done early December concluded that the partly skinned hound dog had died of natural causes.
The autopsy done at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine showed the dog suffered a bowel ailment. The autopsy also showed the dog was skinned about four to six hours after it died.
These findings mean no crime was committed.
The first necropsy conducted at Rocky Mount veterinary clinic indicated the dog died of blunt trauma to its midsection.
While no crime was committed, the humane society's investigation as to why the dog was skinned and placed in Mitzy and Herman Smith's backyard is continuing.
Franklin County Sheriff W. Q. Overton said he office would continue investigating. Overton said, "I would still like to know who did this."
References
- The Roanoke VA Times - Nov 29, 2000
- The Roanoke VA Times - Dec 5, 2000
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