Graves County man charged after animal cruelty investigation
GRAVES COUNTY, Ky. – A Graves County man is behind bars after an animal cruelty investigation.
According to a social media post by the Graves County Sheriff’s Office, on Wednesday, Graves County Animal Control contacted deputies reporting an animal cruelty case.
Authorities say a request for a welfare check of two dogs on chains in the sun and without shade resulted in the discovery of a dead adult dog.
The sheriff’s office says a temperature measuring device was used to determine the dog’s body temperature. The device only reads up to 111 degrees, and the reading exceeded the limits of the device, authorities say.
The dead dog was tied and had no shade and was unable to seek shade due to being tied up, according to deputies.
As a result, the dog’s owner, identified as 29-year-old Gage Walker of Graves County, was arrested and charged with torture of a dog or cat.
He was transported to the Graves County Jail and later taken to an out of county detention center.
“This should serve as a stark reminder to all pet owners that during this excessive heat, you have a legal obligation to care for your pets. It isn’t optional, it is the law. If a person isn’t able, capable, or willing to care for your pets as the law requires, they should not be pet owners,” Graves County Sheriff Jon Hayden stated.
