Indiana: Dion Sloss charged with 16 counts of animal cruelty after dead and dying Beagles found

INDIANA -- Federal agents arrested a Delaware County man on 16 animal cruelty charges and drug charges.  The arrest comes just one day after deputies put out a "wanted sign" for Dion Sloss.

 

Investigators have been searching for the 45-year-old since a horrific discovery at his home on March 31.  Animal control workers found six dead dogs and ten other dogs in living what’s described as "horrific conditions."

Pictures show the surviving dogs in small cages and others in standing water or surrounded by feces.

 

“That’s sad, it really is. It’s a shame people treat animals that way,” said Georgieanna Smith, a neighbor.

 

Some of the six dead beagles were allegedly stuffed in trash bags and pet food bags throughout Sloss’s yard. Autopsy reports reveal one of the dogs died from starvation.  Veterinarians were unable to perform an autopsy on the remaining five due to their poor condition.

“It tears your heart out when you hear how he treated the dead dogs too,” said Greg Walters, a neighbor.

Investigators say the surviving dogs were malnourished and didn’t have proper access to food and water.

 

 

 

“It’s horrible, just terrible,” said Walters.

Federal agents ended up finding Sloss at a relative’s home on Indianapolis east side.  Authorities tell FOX59, before surrendering, Sloss tried to hide when agents showed up at the home.

Sloss allegedly owns a BBQ restaurant in Muncie.

(FOX59 - June 1, 2016)