Tennessee: Donald Wattenbarger found hiding under a pile of clothes. Arrested for felony animal cruelty and other charges

TENNESSEE -- A man wanted for allegedly abusing his dog was taken into custody Tuesday.

According to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy, Donald Wattenbarger, 45, of County Road 273, was taken into custody at his residence by McMinn County Sheriff's Department deputies Tuesday morning.

The deputies reportedly found him hiding under a pile of clothes in his house.

  

  

 

Wattenbarger was already wanted on warrants for criminal impersonation and driving on a revoked license when the MCSD took out warrants against him last week for aggravated cruelty to animals. He was accused of seriously injuring a pit bull on his property.

"It appears the animal was somehow bound or tied with some type of wire, possibly barbed wire," Guy said last week. "We've been working on this case for almost two weeks, getting statements from neighbors and input from a veterinarian and our District Attorney's office.

"This type of animal abuse is serious and cannot be tolerated," Guy added at the time.

The dog has been in the care of a local veterinarian and is expected to recover.

Wattenbarger was booked into the McMinn County Justice Center.

 

 

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Donald Wattenbarger
Arrest Age:45
Gender: Male
Block: 100 Co Rd 273
City: Niota, Tennessee 37826
County: McMinn County
Height: 6'01"
Weight: 180 lbs
Date:02/28/2017
Time: 12:05 PM
Total Bond: $6500
Charges
#1 AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
STATUTE: 39-14-212 ( Felony)

#2 AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
STATUTE: 39-14-212 ( Felony)

#3 CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION
STATUTE: 39-16-301 ( Misdemeanor)

#4 CRIMINAL IMPERSONATION
STATUTE: 39-16-301 ( Misdemeanor)

#5 DRIVING ON REVOKED DL 4TH
STATUTE: 55-50-504 ( Misdemeanor)

#6 DRIVING ON REVOKED DL 4TH
STATUTE: 55-50-504 ( Misdemeanor)

#7 THEFT OF PROPERTY BY POSSESSION
STATUTE: 39-14-103 ( Misdemeanor)
NOTES: (UNDER$500)

#8 THEFT OF PROPERTY BY POSSESSION
STATUTE: 39-14-103 ( Misdemeanor)
NOTES: (UNDER$500)

#9 VANDALISM
STATUTE: 39-14-408 ( Misdemeanor)

#10 VANDALISM
STATUTE: 39-14-408 ( Misdemeanor)

#11 VIOLATION OF PROBATION MISDEMEANOR
STATUTE: TITLE 30 ( Misdemeanor)
NOTES: MONROE COUNTY

#12 VIOLATION OF PROBATION MISDEMEANOR
STATUTE: TITLE 30 ( Misdemeanor)
NOTES: MONROE COUNTY

(Daily Post Athenian - March 1, 2017)

Earlier:

• Tennessee: McMinn Co. Deputies looking for Donald Wattenbarger, accused of abusing dog