Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Two dogs neglected, malnourished

Two dogs neglected, malnourished
Drummond, OK (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006
County: Garfield
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available

Alleged:
» David Ralph Cunitz
» Shari Lyn Epps

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 7270

Classification: Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Two dogs suspected of being abused and neglected are staying at Enid Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after being taken from a home in Drummond.

Garfield County Under-sheriff Jerry Niles said an investigation into the treatment of the dogs, a terrier-chow mix and an unknown mixed breed, was ongoing.

Niles said test results from a veterinarian who examined the animals could affect what charges are filed by the district attorney�s office.

�They want the test before they file,� Niles said.

Garfield County Sheriff�s Department received a call about the suspected abuse, and a deputy went to investigate at the owner�s home about 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sheriff Bill Win-chester said. The dogs were taken to a veterinarian before they were transferred to the SPCA.

The dogs are severely underweight, kennel supervisor Ramona Voelzke said, but are beginning to warm to those working with them at the shelter. However, the dogs are full of parasites, including tape worms, hook worms and fleas, Voelzke said.

One of the dogs, a female that could be expecting puppies, weighs 25 pounds.

�This should be a 50-pound dog,� Voelzke said.

The dog�s waist just above its hips is only a few inches wide, she said. The other dog, a black unknown mix, also is underfed. The smaller dog�s spine protrudes more than inch, she said.

One of the dogs was released into the custody of SPCA, which allows SPCA to have the dogs spayed or neutered and allows officials to adopt the animals out. However, the owner will not relinquish the other dog into SPCA�s custody, Voelzke

Case Updates

A Drummond couple was arraigned on two felony charges of animal cruelty March 17, 2006, for allegedly failing to provide adequate food, water and care to two dogs.

David R. Cunitz, 37, and Shari Lyn Epps, 46, could face fines of up to $500, up to five years in prison, or both, for each charge.
According to court documents, Garfield County Sheriff�s Department Deputy Shawna Cornish was sent to 306 Main in Drummond on Jan. 31, 2006 concerning reports of two dogs that appeared to be abused. Cornish saw the two animals, a black lab mix and a reddish-blond chow mix, in a fenced yard. She reported in the affidavit about the lab mix: �... I noticed that the ribs and tailbone were protruding and its stomach was extremely bloated and that the dog, while able to walk, could barley hold its head up.� Cornish also noted about the chow mix: �... I observed that its ribcage and tailbone were protruding.� Cornish spoke with Cunitz, who said he fed and watered the dogs and knew they probably had worms, according to court documents. He said he was treating them with a dewormer. Cunitz also said he had not taken the dogs to a veterinarian, but had thought about it. Cunitz said the lab mix, Gimley, was about 6 months old and had never really been in good health but he wanted to keep him because he believed he could save him, the affidavit states. Cunitz said the chow mix, Nan, had belonged to his girlfriend�s daughter, who had left the dog several months ago and was supposed to find a home for it but never did.

Cornish took pictures of the dog-food bowls, water containers and the surroundings where the dogs had been living. Cornish said both food bowls had dirt in the bottom that �appeared to have been present for a while and one had some small sticks in it,� according to the affidavit, �and the water containers both appeared to have very unclean water with mud in the bottom of the containers.� Cornish spoke with Enid SPCA President Gabriela Wilson, who said if the dogs were released to the shelter they would receive the medical treatment and care they needed. When Cornish told Cunitz, he said he would only release the chow mix and not the lab mix, stating it was the only animal he really cared about, the affidavit states. Cornish seized both animals for a veterinarian�s evaluation, taking the dogs to the Wheatland Animal Clinic. The animals were examined by Joel Lenz, DVM, who found Gimley weighed 18 pounds at 18 months old, the affidavit states. The vet also found Nan to weigh 23.6 pounds at 12 months old. Lenz said both dogs were about 30 percent underweight and needed to be transferred to the SPCA for treatment, the affidavit states. At the SPCA, fecal exams were performed and the chow mix had a �heavy to medium� infestation of hookworms and fleas, and the lab mix had a heavy infestation of hookworms and fleas.

Cunitz and Epps both posted $3,000 bonds. They are scheduled to return to court May 4, 2006 for a bond appearance.

Source: Enid News - March 18, 2006
Update posted on Mar 19, 2006 - 7:54AM

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Enid News - Feb 2, 2006

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Two dogs neglected, malnourishedDrummond, OK (US)

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Two dogs neglected, malnourished
Drummond, OK (US)