|
Two arrested, charged with felony cruelty to animals, abandonment
By Lynn Hotaling
Two Sylva residents are free on bail after being arrested and charged with cruelty to animals and animal abandonment after officers found dogs and horses penned or chained without access to food and water.
|
|
|
|
Wilkes
|
Wood
|
|
Arrested Aug. 4 were Eric B. Wilkes, 32, who listed a Starlight Motel address and Crystal M. Wood, 23, of Oaks Lane.
The neglected animals were spotted by animal control officer Bobby Painter near a trailer at 5204 Canada Road where the two had lived for a time before moving and abandoning the animals, according to Capt. Steve Lillard of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Andi Clayton investigated the incident along with animal control officers Painter and Chris Tyson, Lillard said.
Three horses, three dogs, one dead dog and a number of dead chickens were found at the scene, which is located about 1 mile past Bear Lake, Lillard said.
Wilkes faces one count of felony animal cruelty, one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and six counts of misdemeanor animal abandonment, Lillard said. Wood faces one count of felony animal cruelty, one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty and three counts of misdemeanor abandonment, Lillard said.
Most of the investigation was by the animal control officers, with the Sheriff’s Office assisting once the charges reached the felony level, Lillard said.
The investigation is continuing, and more charges are pending, Lillard said.
|
