Hillsboro Missouri Cruelty Case

Dog Death - He Could See Water, But Not Reach It
Owner Could Face Criminal Charges For Chaining Black Lab In Yard During Heat Wave

http://www.fox2now.com

By Chris Regnier FOX2now.com
6:07 PM CDT, June 22, 2010

HILLSBORO, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) - Police are calling it a case of pure animal neglect. Investigators say a dog died in the heat in Hillsboro, Missouri, after its owner left it chained outside without being able to get to water or shade. Police say the dead dog, a black lab between seven months and a year old, was discovered by a neighbor cutting grass. A young boy also noticed the dead dog.

Hillsboro Police Chief Charles Bennett, says it's tragic to think that in this heat the dog could see its water and shade but couldn't get to either.

This all happened Monday at a home on Ezekiel court in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro police say they got the call about 11:25a.m. Chief Bennett says a 29-year-old man left the dog chained outside in his backyard. There was water nearby in a bucket, but Bennett tells us it didn't matter because the dog's chain was too short for it to reach the water or the shade.

The chief says the owner told officers that the dog's chain had broken the night before and he didn't realize the replacement chain was too short.

We're told the chain left the dog 19 feet from water and another 20 to 25 feet from shade.

Neighbors are outraged by the death.

Chief Bennett says the owner could face animal neglect charges, "Just imagine the torture the dog was going through. I'm sure he could see the water, he could smell the water, and he can't get to the water. I mean that's pure torture and that's pure neglect."

Neighbor Dawn Wall added, "I'm devastated. I think it's ridiculous that a dog has to go through this. He should be prosecuted and I hope he never gets another animal again."

Chief Bennett says any charge against the owner will likely be a misdemeanor because he doesn't believe the owner intentionally tried to kill his dog.

We tried but did make contact with the owner for comment.