The Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrested 57-year-old DENNIS WAYNE DONALD (pictured).
Ms. Karren Ewing, Animal Crimes Investigator in the case, told The Natchez Democrat that on April 12, 2025, deputies received a call regarding two dogs who had killed a neighbors’ two Poodles on Meadow Ridge Road.
Ms. Ewing recounted the heartbreaking facts. Two of DONALD’s dogs entered the neighbor’s yard where the two Poodles were. Ms. Ewing told The Natchez Democrat that when the Poodles’ guardian looked out, she saw one of DONALD’s dog killing one of her Poodles while the other dog was carrying the other Poodle back to DONALD’s house.
Ms. Ewing tells me the Poodles were two males named Boaz and Proverbs who soon would have turned 2 years old.
When the Poodles’ guardian went to DONALD’s house, she discovered her Poodle lifeless in the yard. She said she had bought Boaz and Proverbs “after her husband died as a way of handling her grief”, reports The Natchez Democrat. The woman further said she would only let Boaz and Proverbs out to use the bathroom.
Ms. Ewing explained to The Natchez Democrat that she asked deputy David Nations to accompany her to DONALD’s house to deliver him a summons to appear in court and stated: “We couldn’t even get out of the vehicle when we got there. About five dogs outside were coming toward us aggressively. We kept blowing our horn until Donald came out. Another dog came outside with him.” According to Ms. Ewing, the dog who came outside with DONALD bit deputy Nations on the leg.
Reportedly, DONALD told Ms. Ewing and deputy Nations that none of the dogs had vaccinations and had never seen a veterinarian.
According to The Natchez Democrat, Ms. Ewing instructed DONALD that the dog who had bitten deputy Nations had to be quarantined for ten days. Additionally, she told DONALD that the other five dogs needed to be contained on his property in some fashion until, at least, he went to court.
When DONALD went to court, a judge ruled the two dogs who killed Boaz and Proverbs, sadly had to be put down. DONALD claimed he had already killed the dogs himself and kept saying he buried them.
According to The Natchez Democrat, Ms. Ewing told DONALD he would have to take her to the area where the dogs were buried so that she could take pictures as proof of their death. At that point, DONALD confessed he had not killed the dogs but instead had dumped them in the Union Church area.
Ms. Ewing asked DONALD why he would turn the dogs loose and potentially cause problems for someone else. She also inquired whether he had gone to provide food and water but DONALD said he did not adding that he just dropped them off. Ms. Ewing pointed out that constituted animal cruelty.
The Natchez Democrat reports that Ms. Ewing said the dogs have “a history of aggressive behavior.” She further said: “I don’t believe they are in Union Church. I think they are still around here. These dogs are like a pack. Those two dogs have proven they will kill other animals. We know they are dangerous. The whole thing is heartbreaking. The owner of the poodles was almost inconsolable. She came to court. Those poodles were just mauled because those dogs had nothing better to do. If you have a problem with a dog and can’t control it, you need to have it put down. You don’t dump it and leave it to be someone else’s problem.”
I do agree with Ms. Ewing that the whole thing is heartbreaking but I strongly disagree that “If you have a problem with a dog and can’t control it, you need to have it put down.” Moreover, I don’t agree that DONALD’s dogs killed Boaz and Proverbs because they “had nothing better to do.” This is just another case where irresponsible and ignorant humans cause tragedies at the expense of innocent animals.
If DONALD’s dogs had a history of “aggressive behavior” then I would like to know whether Animal Control was alerted to the situation and what was done to resolve it.
Maybe, if DONALD had taken his dogs to the vet, an experienced professional would have noticed questionable behaviors, the situation could have been addressed, and given a different outcome.
Don’t take it upon yourself to kill an innocent animal whom you are unable to discipline. There are resources and organizations out there that can help and provide advice!
Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the Natchez Democrat and information provided to Voice For Us by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.
In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.
DONALD’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office
Pictures of the furvictims provided to Voice For Us by Animal Crimes Investigator Karren Ewing.
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