Tennessee: Kingsport Police say James Camp starved his Labradoodle '45 days'

TENNESSEE -- The discovery of an "emaciated" dog has prompted the arrest of a Kingsport man, according to police, as he estimated that he hadn't fed the animal in a month and a half.

According to records at the Kingsport Police Department, an officer was called to the home of James N. Camp, 70, at 10:45 Thursday night. They were responding to the residence, 4028A Skyland Drive, to standby as a female retrieved clothing.

While on scene, an officer observed Camp's dog, identified as a Labradoodle, to be "extremely skinny." An incident report notes that police have been to Camp's home "numerous times in the past," with the dog never appearing "emaciated" — as it was on Thursday — on those previous occasions.

When asked multiple times how long it had been since feeding the dog, Camp is alleged to have repeatedly responded, "it's been a while."

After being advised that he was going to be questioned "one last time," Camp allegedly offered, "I don't know, 45 days."

Camp was then arrested and charged with animal cruelty. A neighbor agreed to take possession of the dog for the time being and provide proper care.

Once taken to the city jail Camp complained of chest pains, according to a police report, forcing transport to Indian Path Medical Center for a medical evaluation.

An emergency room doctor then cleared Camp for incarceration, at which time he was transported to Blountville and booked into the Sullivan County Justice Center.

(Kingsport Times News - May 15, 2015)