Arsby J. Blackmon, 32, and Divas A. Taylor, 27, were charged with animal cruelty after police earlier this month found a dog living in poor conditions and in need of medical care. The female, American Staffordshire terrier was tied up in the back yard and hiding in a dog house behind an empty residence in the 1000 block of Brown Street. It reportedly had no food or water.
On Tuesday, May 3, Alton police officers responded to the address after receiving a call from a neighbor about an abandoned dog. The reporting officer said the dog appeared to have extensive mange and was bleeding from open wounds on her body. The living conditions around the dog were also found to be inadequate, police said.
Recognizing the dog was in need of medical attention, the responding officer called for assistance from Alton’s Animal Control Officer, Steve Bosaw.
Bosaw took the dog for immediate veterinary care from the scene. A veterinarian at Daniel Randall Veterinary Clinic PC of Godfrey told The Telegraph that she determined the dog was suffering from generalized, Demodectic mange, which caused an infection. Veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Drescher also said the terrier had ulcerated skin lesions all over her body, and a general skin infection from the mange. Drescher administered antibiotics and mange treatment to the dog, who she estimated is 1 to 2 years old.
Once the clinic administered medical treatment, animal rescue organization, Hope Animal Rescues of Godfrey, took custody of the dog — naming her Malu — and continued to rehabilitate her to good health. Co-founder Jackie Spiker and Drescher both said the dog was friendly.
“Community partnerships like that which we have with Hope Animal Rescues is what makes it possible for cases like this to have a happy ending,” said Alton Police Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons. “I am proud of the responding officer’s initiative to get this dog medical attention and the response from Hope Animal Rescues every time we call, without fail.”
An investigation by the Alton Police Department Investigations Division led to the identification of Blackmon and Taylor as suspects, who reportedly had lived at the Brown Street residence.
On Wednesday, Blackmon and Taylor responded to the Donald E. Sandidge Alton Law Enforcement Center and surrendered to police.
“In cases like this, proving ownership of a dog can be difficult, but the detectives assigned to this case wouldn’t rest until those responsible for this dog’s suffering were identified,” Simmons said. “Alton Police officers prove time and time again that they are the best in the business and I could not be more proud of the results of this case.”
(The Telegraph - May 19, 2016)
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