NORTH CAROLINA -- The black dog’s decomposing body is stretched out under the baking sun, nose pointed at the empty food dish several feet out of reach.
The heavy chain around her neck is tethered to a stake pounded in the dirt.
A white plastic igloo sits nearby, also out of reach.
The heavy chain around her neck is tethered to a stake pounded in the dirt.
A white plastic igloo sits nearby, also out of reach.
“It’s a whole different meaning of neglect,” said Sam Lockridge, Cleveland County health services coordinator. “It’s one of the most horrific things I’ve seen in my 26 years, as far as tethering goes.”
Bradley Eugene Short, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony killing an animal by starvation, misdemeanor disposition of dead domesticated animal and misdemeanor restraining dog in a cruel manner.
Animal’s movement restricted
According to a report by Cleveland County Animal Control officers, a woman called Animal Control on Monday to report a dead dog she found at a home at 1068 Lavender Road in Grover.
Bradley Eugene Short, 31, was arrested Tuesday and charged with felony killing an animal by starvation, misdemeanor disposition of dead domesticated animal and misdemeanor restraining dog in a cruel manner.
Animal’s movement restricted
According to a report by Cleveland County Animal Control officers, a woman called Animal Control on Monday to report a dead dog she found at a home at 1068 Lavender Road in Grover.
She said it looked as if the dog was abandoned.
When an officer went to investigate, he found a dead black and white pit bull mix tethered about 50 yards behind a mobile home, according to the report.
“The heavy logging-type chain was affixed to a leather collar around the animal’s neck,” the report states. “The chain was knotted several times and appeared to restrict the animal’s movement, where access to the dog house and bowls located near the animal could not be made.”
The report stated the two pet bowls had what appeared to be old rain water in them and were full of mosquitoes.
When an officer went to investigate, he found a dead black and white pit bull mix tethered about 50 yards behind a mobile home, according to the report.
“The heavy logging-type chain was affixed to a leather collar around the animal’s neck,” the report states. “The chain was knotted several times and appeared to restrict the animal’s movement, where access to the dog house and bowls located near the animal could not be made.”
The report stated the two pet bowls had what appeared to be old rain water in them and were full of mosquitoes.
Officers weren’t able to find the owner Monday but returned the next day and found a white barrel had been placed over the animal’s body.
While officers were still on the scene, Short showed up and told officers he found the dead dog that morning and had returned to bury it, according to the report.
Animal Control officers said Short did not live at that address.
While officers were still on the scene, Short showed up and told officers he found the dead dog that morning and had returned to bury it, according to the report.
Animal Control officers said Short did not live at that address.
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| Bradley Eugene Short |
‘The only relief it had was death’
The dog was dead for at least two weeks by the time it was found, the report stated.
According to Animal Control, the dog died as a result of starvation and was restrained in a cruel manner that violated the county’s tethering ordinance.
Short was arrested Tuesday and taken to the Cleveland County jail annex. He posted his $5,000 bond by Wednesday morning.
Lockridge said the animal suffered for weeks.
“The only relief it had was death,” he said.
Lockridge said cases such as this one are the reason the county adopted a tethering ordinance last year.
The ordinance lists the proper ways to tether an animal, defined as a means to tie or fasten an animal on a chain, leash or other device so it can only move within a set radius.
The ordinance states the tether should be at least 10 feet long with swivels on both ends and cannot exceed 10 percent of the animal’s body weight.
The tether should be attached to a properly fitting harness or collar to prevent choking, strangulation or pain and the animal should have access to clean water, food and shelter.
If the ordinance is violated, a $100 fine is possible and in extreme cases, animal cruelty charges.
(Gastongazette.com - August 2, 2012)
