Failure to provide vet care for broken leg Blue Earth, MN (US) Incident Date: Saturday, Apr 8, 2006 County: Faribault Disposition: Alleged Alleged: » Kevin Edgington » Shantille Edgington

Case ID: 8227 Classification: Neglect / Abandonment Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MN (US) Login to Watch this Case

Five-month-old puppy named Charcoal is recovering at Chain of Lakes Pet Hospital after his owners, Kevin and Shantille Edgington of Blue Earth, allegedly abused him.

According to documents filed with Faribault County District Court, Shantille, 31, adopted Charcoal Feb. 23 from the Martin County Humane Society. In a contract with the Humane Society, Shantille agreed to provide immediate medical attention to the dog if he was injured or became ill.

Kevin, 39, was previously arrested in September and charged with animal cruelty, plus four other felonies: terroristic threats, maltreatment of a vulnerable adult, reckless discharge of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. He pleaded guilty in March to terroristic threats.

The incident leading to his arrest at that time involved him allegedly beating, shooting and killing a dog at his residence and reportedly threatening and forcing a vulnerable adult to participate. He posted bail with $30,000 cash. His sentencing for this case will be scheduled after the probation department completes the pre-sentence investigation.

This week extensive orthoscopic surgery was performed on the couple�s Australian shepherd-lab puppy, with the veterinarian rebuilding the hip�s ball and socket and mending a second fracture to the leg, according to Cindilee O�Connor, a volunteer at the Humane Society.

�As much pain as this dog had to be in, he was walking, which just amazed me,� O�Connor said. � ... I can�t say whether he was abused or not ... but if he was abused, he�s the friendliest, happiest dog still.�

�There are a lot of medical procedures we can�t afford, and we have to euthanize because of it,� O�Connor said, �but this dog was not going to be put down. We all agreed immediately we were going to have the surgery done.�

On April 8, a Faribault County deputy received a report that the dog was unable to walk because of an obvious injury to its hind leg. The deputy videotaped the dog�s movements, reporting it was �very evident� the animal had a severe injury to its right leg.

When the deputy confronted Kevin, the man said his wife had accidentally backed over the dog�s leg with a vehicle approximately one week prior. Kevin indicated the couple had been giving the dog Ibuprofen for pain.

The deputy told Kevin the dog required medical attention, which Kevin allegedly agreed to arrange.

On April 13, Faribault County�s animal control officer met with the Martin County Humane Society to arrange for treatment of the injuries since Kevin allegedly had not sought medical attention for the dog.

X-rays taken by the vet revealed a complete mid-shaft fracture of the left tibia and a complete fracture of the right femoral head. Neither of the injuries were the result of an automobile accident, in the veterinarian�s opinion.

The vet also reported the dog�s liver enzymes were elevated to three times the normal values.

As for the Edgingtons, Shantille was released from jail April 14 on her own recognizance, while Kevin is still in jail with bond posted at $20,000. They are scheduled to appear again in court 1:30 p.m. Monday for two felony counts of animal cruelty. The maximum penalty for their alleged offenses is two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

�The actual abuse case is in the hands of the police and the county attorney and the justice system,� said O�Connor. �And if this dog was abused, I hope that they�ll be punished for what they�ve done as anyone who abuses an animal should be. But my No. 1 priority is to make sure this dog is happy and healthy and we take care of it and find it an awesome home. And we will � there�s no doubt in my mind.�

Anyone wanting to adopt an animal from the Humane Society has to fill out an application and give references.

�You can�t come in and just get a dog because you want a dog,� O�Connor said. �We talk to people extensively; 99 percent of the time, our adoptions are good ones ... we�re very picky about who our dogs go to.�

However, about 1 percent of the animals adopted do �fall through the cracks,� as may have been the case with Charcoal. However, most people who abuse their pets don�t get caught, O�Connor believes.

�We feel like we are the only spokespeople for these animals, so we are going to do everything we can to make sure they go into a loving home,� she said.

Even if the Edgingtons are not convicted of cruelty to an animal, O�Connor said Charcoal will not go home with them since Shantille allegedly failed to follow through with the Humane Society�s contract to give the dog immediate medical attention if necessary.

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References

The Sentinel - April 24, 2006

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