Pet owner, Ricky Gee, charged with animal cruelty, arrested in Rowan County

KENTUCKY -- A pet owner, charged with animal cruelty, is now behind bars, after one of his dogs was found dead and the other was considered to be near-death.

According to the Rowan County Detention Center's website, Ricky Gee was arrested Saturday morning and is charged with two counts of second-degree animal cruelty, a class A misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to 90 days in jail.

 

 

Lola, a Doberman, was found chained to a pole behind Gee's house. A tip led animal control to the home on US 60 where they found her, and the body of her young puppy.

Gee does face a felony charge from an existing warrant for theft in an unrelated case.

STAR, Saving the Animals of Rowan, have been caring for Lola since she was rescued two weeks ago.

"She seemed like she was almost near-death," said Jan Dacci, STAR Co-Founder.

Dacci says Lola is eating normally and gaining weight.

 

"She out grew her new harness already," said Dacci.

Dacci feels a misdemeanor charge isn't a strong enough punishment for Gee.

"I don't think the maximum penalty for a class A misdemeanor is really justification for one life and the suffering of the other life," Dacci told WKYT.

STAR will continue to nurse Lola until she's well enough to be adopted. They will make sure she's back to a healthy weight, spayed, and has all of her vaccinations.

The group needs help paying for Lola's vet bills and food. They are accepting monetary donations.

(WKYT - Dec 22, 2014)