The Anderson News is reporting that Howard D. Tinnell, 39,was charged early Sunday afternoon with second-degree animal cruelty and is scheduled to appear May 19 in Anderson District Court.
Police responded to a complaint and found that the minature pinscher had been chained up and had starved to death. They estimate the animal had been tied up for two weeks.
It was unclear how long the dog had been dead, but during the preceding two weeks there were at least several nights when temperatures dropped into the 20s. In his report, Crouch said the animal had no food, water or shelter.
Tinnell told police that he had chained up the dog because it was defecating in his house and admitted his responsibility and error in judgement.
Tinnell told police he would bury the dog and appear in court, but The Anderson News was alerted that he had failed to deliver on his promise. The paper contacted the authorities.
Animal workers arrived a short time later at Tinnell's residence and, with a police escort, removed the dog's body which was taken to UK Medical Center to determine the exact cause of death.
The animal cruelty charge is a misdemeanor. Tinnell was cited and not taken directly to jail.
To be a felony, a dog must be used for fighting with the knowledge or consent of its owner.
Tinnell had previously been in the news in February after he tussled with deputies, who used pepper spray to subdue him near the sheriff's office parking lot on Main Street.
For that offense, Tinnell was fined $125 in fines and court costs and given a two-year diverted sentence on charges that included public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
(Lex18 - April 13, 2016)
This is The Anderson News. Please contact publisher Ben Carlson at 502-517-5152 at once. Thanks
ReplyDelete