- Virginia, USA -
After the Twin County Humane Society took custody of an extremely emaciated Pitbull mix, 46-year-old CHRISTOPHER LEE DONITHAN was charged with one count of animal cruelty.
The agency received an anonymous tip prompting them to investigate a dog’s safety at DONITHAN’s residence on 515 South Main Street in Hillsville.
The Carroll News reported that sources close to this case told the news agency that the furbaby, an 8-year-old male now named Chance, “was being held in a cage 24/7 and was within days of death from starvation and dehydration, and had bed sores from laying too long. It was also noted it took two days for the dog to be able to walk again from laying so long in the cage.”
Carroll County Animal Control Officer Terry Woods said he was contacted by the Twin County Humane Society after Chance was signed over to them by DONITHAN on December 27, 2022.
According to ACO Woods, Chance weighed only 26 pounds, being more than 20 pounds underweight.
GalexGazette reported that Twin County Humane Society Board Member Sarah Griggs said she went to DONITHAN's residence, quoting: “The owner brought the dog out to me, and signed to surrender it to the Humane Society.” She observed three other dogs inside the home who appeared to be healthy. It is currently unclear where the furbabies are.
Ms. Griggs immediately took Chance to the Carroll Veterinary Clinic for medical attention.
DONITHAN said he had taken Chance to the vet and had been treating him with over-the-counter worming medication. However, ACO Woods reported that after a medical evaluation, “no parasites or other factors were found for the dog to medically be in the condition that it was in.”
Chance was later transported to Waggin’ Train Pet Services in Carroll County, owned and operated by Jennifer Roberts, who has been helping him to make a speedy recovery.
Ms. Roberts told GalexGazette: “He is supposed to be flying out of Twin County Airport on Jan. 28 to a pit bull rescue in New York, called Out of the Pits.”
DONITHAN was charged with animal cruelty, a Class 1 misdemeanor under Virginia Code 3.2-6570(A). His arraignment is scheduled to take place on January 13, 2023, in Carroll County General District Court.
Online court records show that DONITHAN is due back in court on February 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.
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.
Some of the pictures were shared from Jennifer Roberts’s Facebook account.
#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #dogs #virginia #newyork
