Case Snapshot
Case ID: 5127
Classification: Neglect / Abandonment
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Tuesday, May 31, 2005

County: Lee

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: David Sexton

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A man in Lee County is charged with animal cruelty after a bull mastiff was found allegedly starved, dehydrated and covered in sores. The dog reportedly weighed only 70 pounds when she was discovered. A woman named Debbie Jerrell took the dog, which she named Chance, in order to try and nurse her back to health.

After 5 weeks of Debbie's care, the original owners came back to claim the dog. At the time, authorities said there wasn't much they could do. Five days later, and with sufficient evidence, authorities went to the the home of the original owner and seized Chance, charging her owner, David Sexton with animal cruelty.

According to VA state law, this type of crime is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable with up to 12 months in prison and a 25-hundred dollar fine...to be a felony it must be a second offense or the animal must be killed. Chance is being held at the pound until the court decides what to do with her.


Case Updates

This case has been scheduled to continue Sept. 7 in the Lee County Circuit Court. Sexton is was charged with cruelty to an animal for an incident stemming from July. Arrest warrants allege that a dog, belonging to Sexton, was found to be starved, dehydrated, with matted eyes and open wounds on the hips, leg, and neck.

The case was set for trial Wednesday, but Commonwealth Attorney Shawn Hines entered a motion to amend the charge from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a different code section that better defined the offense.

Hines stated the charge remains the same but the original charge cited a code section defining the penalty, while the new charge defines the offense. The motion was granted and trial has been set.

Hines sought the continuance in order to have two witnesses, including a veterinarian who treated the animal Sexton is accused of neglecting.
Source: Middlesboro Daily News - Aug 4, 2005
Update posted on Aug 7, 2005 - 3:24AM 

References

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