TERRY EUGENE MICHAEL arrested for murdering his dogs and reporting they were stolen

- Virginia, USA -

How evil do you have to be to murder your own dogs and then lie to the authorities reporting that your dogs were stolen?

58-years-old TERRY EUGENE MICHAEL (pictured), of Ferrum, reported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office that on February 7, 2023, his two black Labradors, named Caleb and Colby, “were taken from the Waid Park area after they got loose from their owner to chase a squirrel.” MICHAEL told deputies that two males picked up Caleb and Colby, put them into an off-white color Jeep Grand Cherokee and drove off.

The Franklin County Humane Society offered a reward for the safe return of Caleb and Colby, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office made multiple appeals to the community to help look for them.

In one of the appeals, the sheriff’s office wrote: “We continue to ask for the public's assistance in locating these loving fur babies so that they can reunite with their owners.”

Investigators searched until February 14, when someone found Caleb and Colby, lifeless, on the side of the road.

The person called the authorities to report the heartbreaking discovery and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Animal Control Unit of Franklin County Department of Public Safety responded to the 500 block of Carolina Springs Road.

Through a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office announced: “To our great dismay, the dogs have been identified as the two black labs, Colby and Caleb, that were stolen from the Waid Park area last week. Both have been taken to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for further examination and cause of death determination. We are appalled at this senseless tragedy and extend our condolences to the owners of these dogs.”

Necropsies performed on Caleb and Colby revealed the cause of death was gunshot wounds.

A deeper investigation in addition to assistance from the community led to MICHAEL’s arrest on February 16, 2023.

The murderer is being charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty, two summons for improper disposal of companion animal, and one count of filing a false police report.

Online records show the murderer is being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond.

The Franklin News-Post reports that MICHAEL’s wife, Rhonda Michel, “has also worked closely with the Franklin County Humane Society and other groups to locate Caleb and Colby.” The sheriff’s office said Ms. Michael has been cooperative and does not appear to have any involvement.

All those appeals to the public by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the search for Caleb and Colby, the investigation, the hunt for the made-up vehicle, the community’s hopes and prayers for the safe return of two innocent dogs were all in vain as MICHAEL knew the ugly truth all along and played everybody!

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MICHAEL’s mugshots shared from the Western Virginia Regional Jail.

Caleb and Colby’s pictures shared from Franklin County Humane Society Planned Pethood & Adoption Center.

#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #virginia #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #murder #dogs

CHRISTOPHER LEE DONITHAN facing charges after an extremely emaciated Pitbull was found at his home

- 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.

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Some of the pictures were shared from Jennifer Roberts’s Facebook account.

#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #dogs #virginia #newyork

ROMAN VYACHESLAVOVICH GORELOV arrested for shooting a dog who later died

- Virginia, USA -

On the morning of Friday, November 11, 2022, the Fairfax County Police Department responded to a shot-fired call at an apartment building in the 5100 block of Brittney Elyse Circle in Centreville.

Upon arrival, officers learned that two males, both residents of the apartment complex who had their own dog with them, were having a verbal altercation in the breezeway of the apartment building. At some point 33-years-old ROMAN VYACHESLAVOVICH GORELOV (pictured), pulled out his gun and shot the other male’s dog several times. The other resident then picked up his furbaby, a 2-year-old yellow Labrador and Beagle mix, and left the breezeway area, at which point GORELOV followed them and again aimed for the already injured dog and shot a few more rounds.

Fairfax County Police Lieutenant Dan Spital said during a press release that Animal Protection Police responded to the dog to a local veterinarian hospital where he/she was sadly pronounced dead.

Lieutenant Spital also then explained that as part of the investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses in the area who were quickly able to determine what apartment GORELOV went back into. At that point officers made contact with another resident inside that apartment and GORELOV did surrender himself to police officers. A search warrant was executed at the apartment and a firearm was recovered. Lieutenant Spital said a further investigation will be conducted to determine whether that weapon was the same one that was used by GORELOV to shoot the dog.

Online arrest records show that GORELOV is no longer at the Adult Detention Center.

According to court records, GORELOV has a preliminary hearing scheduled for December 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

I have emailed the Fairfax County Police Department and asked whether GORELOV’s dog was removed. I will update you should I receive a response.

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#animalcruelty #crueldadanimal #cruautéanimale #tierquälerei #animalslivesmatter #deathpenaltyforanimalabusers #dogshot #murderer #virginia

Additional Source:

NBC Washington – November 12, 2022