Animal Cruelty Charges Filed

La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath reports that on Friday, Aug. 7 at 3:20 p.m. Animal Control Officer Dean Ahlschlager and La Grange Police Officer Cari Haman responded to a deceased animal in the back yard at 849 E. Upperline St.

Ahlschlager and Haman looked over the wooden fence and observed that two dogs were tied with chains in the back yard. Officer Haman observed a German shepherd lying on its side and appeared to be deceased. A pit bull type dog was tied across the yard from the German shepherd.

Officer Haman noticed that the back yard had no trees for shade or water for the German Shepherd. The Pit-bull type dog had a small amount of water and a little shade from the fence.

Ahlschlager and Haman spoke with the dog’s owner who was identified as Eric McKenzie. The dog’s owner opened the gate to the back yard. Ahlschlager and Haman entered the backyard, and confirmed their suspicions that the German Shepherd was in fact deceased and had been for a while.

Haman presented the case to the Fayette County Attorney’s Office and filed charges against McKenzie for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals, a Class A Misdemeanor. McKenzie was arrested on a warrant for Cruelty to Non-Livestock Animals and transported to the Dan R. Beck Justice Center.

Chief Gilbreath recommends not having your dogs tied in this heat and says pet owners must always provide proper shelter, water and food for their animals.