Branden Lane Adams, 32, was taken into police custody in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and transported to Butte where he was booked into the county jail on an aggravated animal cruelty charge late Friday night.
Adams was initially charged in Butte city court, where in late June he denied that he stabbed his black Lab while it was chained in the back of a pickup truck parked at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort west of Butte. He failed to appear at his trial in October.
Deputy County Attorney Ann Shea said in November she had revisited the case, dismissing the misdemeanor offense and filing the felony charge. A warrant was issued for Adams’ arrest.
Adams was formally charged at his initial appearance before Butte justice court Judge Debra Williams on Monday morning. He is being held at the county jail on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is slated for Jan. 14, 2016.
Butte-Silver Bow police found the dog bleeding in the open bed of a pickup about 3 a.m. June 26. The resort’s general manager said Adams was a guest of a registered guest.
Witnesses told police that they heard the dog barking and yelping. The resort had received complaints, and Adams was asked to move his truck.
According to police, Adams said he would put the dog down because it was terminally ill. One witness saw Adams stab the dog. A pocket knife that police believe to be the weapon was not found at the scene.
The dog was treated at a Butte animal hospital after the incident.
Jacki Casagranda, animal shelter supervisor at the Chelsea Bailey Animal Shelter, declined Monday to comment on the dog’s whereabouts.
(Montana Standard - Dec 14, 2015)
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