FLORIDA -- Daytona Beach police are looking for the owner of a dog after officers found the animal Sunday starved and bound to a tree with a choke chain that dug into its neck.
According to a police report, Kenneth Junior Williams, 37, of North Caroline Street, faces a charge of animal cruelty in connection with the incident.
A charging affidavit states an anonymous complaint prompted animal control officers to respond to Williams’ residence shortly after noon Sunday. Daytona police arrived soon after and found the medium-sized brindle mix chained to a tree in the backyard of the home.
The chain was embedded into the dog’s neck with two dead bolt locks, and was so tight it cut a gash into its neck between 2-3 inches deep, the report stated.
Officers noted the dog smelled of rotting flesh and the exposed flesh around its cut appeared infected, with pus and other fluid leaking from the neck.
The dog also appeared malnourished to the point that its ribs showed through its skin, reports show. Police believe the dog was being starved, and noted he seemed to be “suffering from repeated infliction and unnecessary pain and suffering.”
Authorities freed the dog and animal control officers transported it to an emergency animal shelter where it was treated.
Police questioned Williams’ uncle, who said Williams was at the home Saturday and spent time with the dog. The man messaged Williams to come to the residence to speak with officers, but he never showed up, reports show.
(Daytona Beach News-Journal - June 12, 2016)
