Muncie man charged with abandoning dogs

INDIANA -- A Muncie man has been accused of abandoning his two dogs, one of which died of starvation and hypothermia after being left chained outside a northeastside house.

Rodrico C. White, 34, was charged Wednesday with two counts of cruelty to an animal.

However, it might be a while before White stands trial on those charges — Class A misdemeanors, both carrying a maximum one-year jail terms — in Muncie City Court.

Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig said Thursday that White is the target of three cocaine-related warrants in Tennessee, and is being sought by federal marshals.

Once found, “I would assume (White) is going to be dealing with those problems for a while,” Craig said.

A pit bull — posthumously named Tris by Muncie Animal Shelter employees — was found dead, of starvation and hypothermia, chained outside a house at 1415 E. Highland Ave. on March 5.

The dog’s body was frozen so solidly it took more than three days to “thaw” before it could be examined by a veterinarian.

Another pit bull found chained outside the same house — named Katniss by shelter workers — was emaciated, but survived.

The shelter’s superintendent, Phil Peckinpaugh, said Thursday that Katniss was doing “very well,” and was still at the shelter and available for adoption.

White has a long arrest record, with convictions for crimes including dealing in cocaine, maintaining a common nuisance, battery, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

His 2004 cocaine-dealing conviction stemmed from a 2003 raid at the same Highland Avenue address where the dogs were found a dozen years later.

(Muncie Star Press - Apr 2, 2015)