On Friday, 22 April 2022, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of an incident regarding cruelty to animals that had recently occurred. Deputies and Detectives immediately began an investigation into the allegations, working in conjunction with officers from McCracken County Animal.
Working with information and items of potential evidence previously obtained by McCracken County Animal Control, deputies and detectives began providing investigative assistance in an effort to identify persons that may be involved in the incident. Items of physical evidence were examined for latent evidence utilizing multiple methods available to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office. With the assistance Animal Control officers, the scene was further examined for potential evidence and a thorough canvas of the area in an effort to develop information was conducted.
With the assistance of a local veterinarian, it was determined that approximately 3 month old female pit bull/pit bull mix puppy, had suffered multiple bite injuries consistent with that of a dog. The puppy had also suffered injuries to include fractured bones to the shoulder and skull. Based on the examination, as well as the collaborative efforts of all investigating parties, it is believed that the injuries sustained were from a singular event and the puppy did not show signs of previous injuries or abuse. There were no indications that the puppy had suffered from incidents associated with cruel treatment prior to this incident.
Through the investigation, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office has further learned that this area appears to have seen an increase in abandoned animals. In an effort to further the investigation into this incident, as well as to identify other possible criminal acts toward animals, the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office has began to monitor the area via covert video surveillance that is capable of providing near real time updates directly to deputies and detectives. Deputies and detectives, working with officers from McCracken County Animal Control, will continue to utilize this equipment in multiple locations in an effort to identify and interdict any persons responsible for incidents that are cruel towards animals.
At this time, the investigative efforts into the case involving the discarded puppy have yet to yield information sufficient to identify the parties responsible. The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and McCracken County Animal Control needs your help. Deputies and detectives understand the love that our community has for our animal companions, as well as the support that the community continues to provide our agency when called upon. The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office urges anyone in the community with information regarding this investigation to come forward so that our deputies and detectives can identify the parties responsible.
The puppy, an approximately 3-month-old female pit bull/pit bull mix, was discarded in an older, weathered dog crate wrapped in a purple sheet. The puppy was white, with a brown back, head and tail, with cropped ears that appeared to be near the end of the healing process. The crate was discovered on Wednesday, 20 April 2022, in the area of Pool Road and Bechtold Road in McCracken County, Kentucky.
If anyone has any information that may assist in the investigation and the identification of parties involved, please contact the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office at 270-444-4719 or their local law enforcement agency. Tips may also be provided via West KY Crime Stoppers at 270-444-8355, texting “WKY” and the information to 8474111 or the WKY Crime Stoppers App.