Numerous people reached out to us as well as the Bristol, Virginia police with a Facebook post, a picture of Dilbert the dog on the front porch of Richard Shephard's home (Note: The media has been spelling his name Richard Shepard as well). The question everyone seemed to be asking : can he keep the dog?
Police were out on Vermont Avenue picking up Shepard's dog, Dilbert, Monday morning. A judge ruled that Shepard cannot keep the dog until his case is resolved.
Police Captain Maynard Ratcliff said, "The judge amended his bond conditions to include the police acquiring and maintaining custody of any other animals."
Shepard has been charged with felony animal cruelty, but Shepard's fiancee Teresa Lilley says he's innocent. Their cat, Mighty Whitey, was 17 years old and his death was natural.
"We fed Whitey. We brought her outside. She's old. She's wobbling and stuff. All of a sudden, she fell down. I picked her up and I said, 'Richard, Whitey's dead,'" Lilley said.
If that were true, then how does she explain this:
When officers arrived at the scene, they found some white fur on the bat and the cat buried in a shallow grave.
She said the family misses their cat, and now they miss their dog, too. Based on the outcome of the case, the couple could get their dog back. When we examined the Virginia Code, we found nothing on the books that would prevent Shepard from owning other animals. When Capt. Ratcliff checked on the dog, he didn't find it in any danger.
"We checked on the animal the night after the incident originally happened and also the next morning. We could find no just cause to take the animal at that time," Ratcliff said.
Shepard's fiancee is looking forward to getting Dilbert back and then getting another cat. Shepard will be back in court on September 3.
(WCYB - July 13, 2015)
Earlier:
i read about this and its a shame the family pet they loved so much but old and dieing anyway they saying so that dont give aright to go kill it with a baseball bat,im glad they took their other animals too they dont deserve get them back it could happen again,im certainly glad he got caught teach the world you dont hurt animals or kill them for sure.i certainly hope the judge dont give dog back if hes found guilty and gets the max fine and jailtime possible,i cried when i read this story and wasnt even my cat no pity for the cat so no pity for the owners. one story in wjhl says its a neighbors cat here says their cat,so its even worse killing something you love.,i dont know what was wrong with him to do such a thing but he deserves punished if found guilty.
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