UPDATE: Russellville man arrested on animal cruelty charge

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – A Russellville man is behind bars on an animal cruelty charge in Logan County.

According to a release by the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, 70-year-old Charlie Ramsey of Russellville was arrested on charges of one count of second-degree cruelty to animals and operating on a suspended license.

Authorities say around 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, a male was observed pulling a vehicle into the Logan County Animal Shelter at 1230 Morgantown Road.

The release states the male was seen exiting the truck and speaking to a shelter employee, who was waiting for a ride.

Authorities say the male was later identified as Ramsey.

Ramsey then retrieved a dog from the bed of his truck and asked the employee about “dropping” the dog, authorities say.

Deputies say the employee told Ramsey not to drop the dog and to bring the dog back on Wednesday.

Authorities say Ramsey then stated, “The dog is not going back home with me!” before being observed on camera tossing the dog into a recycling bin on the property.

According to authorities, the bin is not used for this purpose.

Authorities say Ramsey did not safely lower the animal but instead threw the dog, which landed on its hips and back.

The sheriff’s office states it spoke with the shelter on Wednesday, and an associate with the shelter confirmed the dog is uninjured and “appeared to be healthy.”

Authorities say Ramsey later called Logan County dispatch after seeing social media posts and stated he found the dog walking on Morgantown Road and “was afraid that it was going to cause an accident.”

Further investigation determined the dog was micro-chipped and belonged to Ramsey, authorities say.

Ramsey was arrested and transported to the Logan County Jail.