- West Virginia, USA -
~ Update: January 10, 2023
The Fairmont Police Department kindly responded to my email and I am now able to add a few details to the story.
The VOICELESS VICTIM is a 9-month-old Lab mix named Luna and Police provided me with her picture.
MASTERS’ relatives told police he was Luna’s guardian.
The day MASTERS was arrested, Marion County Animal Control responded to the scene and took custody of the furbaby.
Part of the officer’s narrative emailed to me read: “While inspecting the dog for any apparent wounds I observed where the white of the dog's eyes were red. I took photographs of the dog and the redness within its eye, these photos will be attached. After seeing the abnormal red color in the dog's eyes I took the dog out to my patrol car and transported her to xxxxxxxxxxx to have the dog evaluated. Upon arrival I made contact with the medical staff at the clinic and advised them of the situation. The doctor evaluated the dog and had stated that she observed inflammation/faint bruising in both of the dog's eyes. I asked the Veterinarian what the redness would be caused from to which she sated that it was caused by either blunt force trauma or an infection within the eyes. The Veterinarian stated that based on the time line of events it is very likely that the inflammation/bruising was caused by abuse.”
I have also inquired about MASTERS’ arraignment and learned he was arraigned and a $3,000 bond was set by magistrate. Police further told me that MASTERS is requesting a bond reduction. I will try again to access his court records and gather more information.
~ Original story:
The Fairmont Police Department arrested 22-years-old LUKE MATTHEW MASTERS (pictured), of Mannington, for beating and kicking a defenseless dog.
On January 7, 2023, officers responded to an animal abuse complaint at a home in Fairmont, Marion County and learned that MASTERS had punched a black Labrador Retriever in the head and had kicked the furbaby “in the guts” multiple times over a four-day period.
From an initial investigation it further emerged that at one point MASTERS had also pinned the VOICELESS VICTIM to the floor with his foot to the dog’s head.
Police said that while officers were on the scene, the furbaby was “shaking non-stop, put its paw up in fear of being struck, and had a redness in the white of its eyes.”
The veterinarian who examined the dog told police that the furbaby had “inflammation/faint bruising on both eyes caused by blunt force trauma to its head or an infection which is why the dog’s eyes were red.”
Police have not disclosed details about the dog’s well-being.
MASTERS has been charged with cruelty to animals and is being held in the North Central Regional Jail.
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.
Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.
MASTERS’ mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Fairmont Police Department.
#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #dog #westvirginia #marioncounty
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