A Gerrardstown man was charged March 23, 2005 with a felony count of animal cruelty in connection with an incident in which a dog was killed with a pickax and buried, according to court records.
Kenneth James Watkins, 22, of Cheyenne's Trail, is charged with killing the 11-year-old border collie because he did not like its name, Felony, police alleged in documents filed in Berkeley County Magistrate Court.
Berkeley County Sheriff's Department Deputy Terry S. Shetley, who investigated the case, said he was dispatched Tuesday to a home on Gerrardstown Road for a report of a dog being killed.
Watkins told his family and a neighbor what he had done, said Berkeley County Sheriffs Deputy Terry S. Shetley. An aunt kicked Watkins out of the house and called police. Watkins' brother showed deputies a sign over the dog's fresh grave in the yard that said, "Don't Kill No More Dogs."
Watkins is being held in the Eastern Regional Jail on $20,000 bond.
On Feb. 17, he was charged with a felony count of grand larceny in connection with the theft of a pickup truck, according to court records. He was released on bail Feb. 25. Case UpdatesKenneth James Watkins, 22, of 20803 Cheyenne's Trail, Gerrardstown, W.Va., was indicted on one felony count of animal cruelty and one count of grand larceny. Watkins was charged with killing a family member's 11-year-old border collie mix because he did not like its name - Felony, records state.
The dog was killed March 22 and buried. A sign placed over the burial spot read "Don't Kill No More Dogs," according to court records.
About a month earlier, on Feb. 17, Watkins had been charged with another felony, grand larceny, after he allegedly stole a pickup truck, records state.
Conviction on a charge of felony animal cruelty carries a sentence of one to 10 years in prison.
The grand jury is scheduled to continue meeting today.
Members of the grand jury meet behind closed doors, hearing evidence from prosecutors and police. Neither defendants nor their attorneys are allowed to be in the courtroom or present evidence. | Source: The Herald Mail - Oct 20, 2005
Update posted on Oct 20, 2005 - 7:33AM |
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