Arrest made in apparent starving dog case

McINTOSH, Ala. (WALA) - The Washington County Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation regarding a dog that appeared be neglected in a resident's yard.

FOX10 News was there when sheriff's deputies arrested James Samuel Newbill and charged him with animal cruelty. He was taken to the Washington County Jail and was being held on $3,000 bond.

The dog was found on Monday chained up in the yard without food or water in sight. When the dog stood up, you could clearly see its ribs and backbone

Washington County Sheriff's Office was notified about the dog around 8 a.m. February 13.

"Deputy Ronnie Southerland came to this location. Nobody answered the door, and he could not find the dog at that time,” said Washington County Deputy Chief Ferrell Grimes.

The owner of the property wishes to remain anonymous. He said the dog belongs to his stepson.

"The dog is fed every day just like the rest of them. The other dogs on the property are healthy. Something is wrong with the dog whether it be worms or what. I don't know," the stepfather said.

The stepfather said when it comes to taking care of the dog, there wasn’t a lot he could do.

“I'm on a limited income. And if I did that (took care of the dog), I'd have to fight with my wife and everything else; so, I'm in an impossible situation,” the stepfather said.

Officials said the stepfather turned Newbill in around 11 a.m Tuesday morning.

"He came to our office, gave us a statement of who the dog belonged to," said Chief Deputy Grimes.

After Newbill was arrested, SouthBARK (Southern Based Animal Rescue Kinship) rescue volunteers said they set the dog free.

"The chain just weighs her down, and she can't get away. She is just lying there in the cold; she can’t go find shelter,” said SouthBARK Adoption Coordinator Nadine Mosley.

Rescuers then walked the dog toward her new life.

"One more night in this cold, I don't think she would have made it much longer," Mosley said.

The dog was given water and food and taken to Ark Animal Clinic and Rehabilitation Center in Mobile, where she is receiving veterinary care.

The sheriff's office said they received calls all the way from Rhode Island and Canada from people concerned about the dog.

“We don’t have animal control in Washington County. When we get calls about animal cruelty; we look into it, investigate if something needs to be done with the animal, and try to find an individual that will take the animal and nurse it back to health,” Grimes said.

Grimes said on average, Washington County Sheriff’s Office receives one call every two weeks for animal cruelty but most reports are concerning horses.

The case is under investigation.

While the event happened near the Mobile County line, it actually took place in Washington County. Mobile County had no jurisdiction in the case.

Animal rescuers said the dog will remain at the clinic for a couple nights. From there, the rescuers believe the dog will be taken to the Safe Haven Animal Care Kennels , or S.H.A.C.K. They said they think she has a good chance of survival.

She will be at the ARK Animal Clinic and Rehabilitation Center under BELLA if anyone wants to contribute to what will probably be extensive vet care, treatment and diagnosis. You can reach them at this number: 251-342-2956.

To help her, donate on PayPal to  theshackrescue@gmail.com .