Four dogs neglected, one found dead
Danville, WV (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 19, 2006
County: Boone

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Robert Dotson

A Boone County man has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty after a dog he allegedly left outside for several days was found dead.

Another dog was found chained up, and two others were roaming the property.

Robert Dotson, 22, of Danville was arrested at his residence at 93 Kennedy Drive on July 19. Neighbors had called police and complained that his dogs had been left outside for a number of days.

When police arrived on the scene, officers found one dog dead and another chained up with flies swarming around exposed flesh wounds in its head, ears and tail.

Highs have been in the upper 90s all week, with the heat index climbing over the 100-degree mark.

Boone County Sheriff Rodney Miller said the gruesome scene was unlike anything he had ever witnessed.

"I've seen cases of mistreated animals, but this one was hard to ignore," Miller said, "the fact that you see one that was consumed by flies while it was still alive. It's just disturbing."

Dr. Mark Music, a Madison veterinarian, arrived with police and determined the deceased dog had suffered heat distress from being left in the sun without water and shade.

Two other dogs that were not tied up had taken shelter under a back porch at the residence, Miller said.

Miller said food dishes were nowhere in sight but remnants of food were found scattered on the grounds.

"It looked like the food was just thrown on ground at times for the animals to eat," he said. "It appeared some of the dogs may have had water at some time."

Miller said the dog found chained up appeared to be a boxer, while the others appeared to be mixed breeds.

Officials took possession of the three live dogs and transported them to the county animal shelter for care and treatment.

Dotson was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. He was also charged with an additional count of possession of a controlled substance after officers found marijuana during a search.

He was taken to Southwestern Regional Jail and was to be arraigned on the three charges in magistrate court on July 20.

References

• « WV State Animal Cruelty Map
  « More cases in Boone County, WV

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