Aaron Hatcher, 25, pleads guilty to animal cruelty after chopping off his dog's ears

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Greenville man was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and pay nearly $1,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to animal cruelty in Pitt County Superior Court on Monday.

Aaron Hatcher, 25, pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty for cutting the ears off a young female pit bull and wrapping duct tape around her head. He also was placed on probation for 24 months.

Greenville police officers discovered the dog on Sept. 2, 2014, when they served a search warrant at 314 Kristen Drive, Apt. B, after people complained of drugs and gang activity at the residence.

Inside, they found the dog with the duct tape wrapped around its head. Upon further investigation, they saw that the dog’s ears had been cut off.

Animal Protective Services took the dog to a veterinary for treatment of its wounds, and soon found a permanent home for the dog called Libby.

During the search of the residence, police also found crack cocaine, a bag of marijuana, scales, a loaded SKS 7.62 mm rifle, a loaded .22-caliber rifle and ammunition.

Hatcher remains in custody on multiple drug and other charges and is scheduled to appear on court on those charges on Nov. 25 and Dec. 2

(Greenville Daily Reflector - Nov 20, 2015)