By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer
Commonwealth Journal
Somerset —
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the violent death of a pair of dogs in eastern Pulaski County.According to the sheriff’s department. James Bolin and Jessica Bray reported returning to their home in the Piney Grove Road area near Shopville from a trip earlier this week to find that their two canine pets had been apparently killed.
“It’s a cruelty to animals case,” said Sheriff Todd Wood, who noted that authorities do have a suspect in mind, but no arrests have been made as of yet.The sheriff confirmed that a seven-year-old mini Doberman Pinscher and a 4-year-old Jack Russell mix were found dead and wounded. The Doberman had suffered stab wounds and head trauma, and its chain was pinned underneath a heavy piece of wood.
The Jack Russell was lying in the yard, its tail having apparently been cut off. Tire tracks in the grass indicated that someone may have run over the dog.Sheriff Wood confirmed that “Romeo’s Law” would be a factor in this case. “Romeo’s Law” changed animal cruelty offenses, involving extreme physical injury or death to a Class D felony from a Class A misdemeanor, carrying a possible five-year prison sentence as a result.
The statewide law was named after a a dog from Pulaski County whose abuse was caught on tape, leading to an outcry and the passing of legislation to toughen the animal cruelty laws.According to WLEX News, the couple who owned the dogs has offered a $500 reward for information that leads to a conviction. The couple could not be reached for comment.
