FLINT, MI – Three Flint residents are facing animal abuse charges after police found two dead dogs, two emaciated dogs and a nine-year-old boy living in what Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson called “deplorable” conditions.
Three individuals – Charles Ashbaker (38), Kelly Walker (29) and Dougal Nelson Jr. (47) — were each arrested March 3 and charged with several felonies.
“These are individuals that at any point could have called 911 and said, ‘I cannot take care of my dogs. I cannot take care of this child,’” Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said.
Ashbaker faces multiple charges, including killing and torturing animals, animal cruelty, using a firearm to commit a felony, fourth-degree child abuse, and another weapons-related felony. Walker is charged with killing and torturing animals, animal cruelty, and fourth-degree child abuse. Nelson Jr. is charged with resisting arrest, drug possession, and possession of stolen property.
AT&T employees were working nearby the home on Mabel Avenue in Flint spotted a lifted manhole cover with approximately $30,000 worth of WIFI cables that were cut and stolen.
Deputies arrived and found a dead dog right out in front of the home in a cage next to a living dog. They continued and found a puppy dead in a pizza box. One other live puppy was also found, the sheriff said.
The conditions of the house were so bad that nobody should have been living there, Swanson said. It had no power and rotten food throughout, he said.
Sheriff’s deputies saved the two living dogs and worked with Child Protective Services to find a home for the nine-year-old boy, Swanson said.
Each of the three individuals were housed at the Genesee County Jail.
Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free “3@3 Flint” daily newsletter.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
