CALDWELL TRE SMITH cited with animal cruelty after emaciated dog found dead in a crate in dumpster
- voiceforus
- Apr 26, 2022
- 2 min read
- Kentucky, USA -
Back in March Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control launched an investigation into a deceased dog found in a crate behind businesses on Russell Cave Road.
The agency had posted a video captured by CCTV showing a male exiting a red Ford Ranger, getting on the bed, picking up the crate and throwing it. The individual flashed the bottom of the cage to the CCTV and a brown dog's body was visible inside.
The incident happened on the early morning of Thursday, March 17.
The lifeless dog inside the crate, a female Pitbull mix, was severely emaciated with ribs and other bones visibly poking out of the skin. Investigators said she was weighing about 15 pounds when she was found dead. Sgt. Aaron Evans with Lexington Animal Care and Control said: “This dog was extremely emaciated. You can come to the conclusion that she died a slow, painful death. The smell was not just a dead dog. It was urine and feces and cigarette smoke.”
Back then, Jai Hamilton, animal cruelty investigator, told WKYT: “Our officer arrived and found a dog and she was in extremely poor body condition. She obviously suffered prior to her death.”
Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control reached out to the public and to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers who offered $1,000 reward for information leading to a criminal conviction.
On Friday, April 1, a citation was finally made in the case. Animal Care and Control has cited CALDWELL TREE SMITH (pictured) with second-degree animal cruelty.
Animal control officers were able to get a partial plate from the truck SMITH was driving, Lexington Police ran it through their brand-new Flock Safety Camera System and were able to match the suspected vehicle and obtained a full license plate.
SMITH could face a $500 fine and up to ONLY one year in jail if found guilty.
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OMFG! That poor baby suffered enormously! Now it‘s time this POS who starved her to death must suffer & pay for his cruelty. Take any dignity he believes he has since he even in death attempted to take hers. This innocent soul must not have suffered & died in vain. RIP PRECIOUS SOUL