Massachusetts: Kevin Kennedy, owner of dog who chewed off leg, to appear in court

MASSACHUSETTS -- The owner of a dog who chewed off his right rear foot will be arraigned on animal cruelty charges Thursday.

MSPCA law enforcement officers and shelter workers believe Maverick had been trapped and tried to free himself from the tether that was twisted around his leg for days, if not weeks, officials said.

The Enterprise reported Maverick was seized July 12 after Middleboro’s animal control officer found the dog and rushed him to a nearby animal clinic, where he was sedated so veterinarians could clean the severe wound to his right rear foot.

MSPCA said Maverick’s other legs were covered in rope burns and scars that had healed over.

 

MSPCA adoption center manager Alyssa Krieger, who cared for Maverick, called Maverick’s plight “one of the most egregious cases of neglect we’ve seen.”

On July 19 Maverick's owner Kevin Kennedy was charged with one count of felony animal cruelty for neglect and failure to pursue necessary veterinary care. He will be arraigned in Wareham District Court.

Anyone convicted of animal cruelty faces up to seven years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

(WCVB - Aug 17 2016)

Earlier:

• Massachusetts: Emaciated dog forced to chew off his own paw to escape after 'being tied up for weeks' as owner is charged with animal cruelty