A man facing a felony count of dogfighting was expected to turn himself in to the Gates County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, but as of 4 p.m. he had not.
Joe Outland, 18, of Gatesville was charged with 10 misdemeanors last Thursday after two dogs were found dead on his property, said Deputy Lacey Wilkins, an animal control officer.
The dead animals still were chained to their dog houses, and four other injured dogs also were chained up nearby, Wilkins said. An anonymous tip led to the discovery.
Outland signed the injured animals over to the Sheriff’s Department. Two were taken to the Tri-County Animal Shelter in Tyner, and two were taken to Chowan County Animal Control . They all had to be euthanized, Wilkins said.
Outland was charged with six counts of cruelty to animals, two counts of failure to properly dispose of dead animals and two counts of inhumanely restraining an animal. He was given a $10,000 secured bond for the 10 misdemeanors, Wilkins said.
He posted bond last week, Wilkins said, but deputies have since found evidence of dogfighting, which le d to the felony charge.
The suspect’s boss called the Sheriff’s Department on Friday, saying that Outland had just learned of the felony charge and would turn himself in later that day, Wilkins said.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, Outland had not presented himself.
Lauren King, (252) 338-2413, lauren.king@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
