By Joe Johnson
Three malnourished dogs were rescued last week from a home on Noketchee Creek Road when they were found to have been literally reduced to skin and bones.
The dogs had been monitored by county Animal Services since February, when owner Timothy Makiah Smith was cited for neglect.
During the most recent of subsequent welfare checks of the dogs, an animal control officer notified the police department because she believed that ”the condition of the dogs were now at the level of animal cruelty due to continued malnutrition and deterioration of the dogs.”
The police officer who responded agreed with that assessment, and in his report described the dogs as being “malnourished to the point where ribs, spine and hips were clearly visible.”
The dogs were removed from the property and impounded at the county animal shelter, where they were found to weigh 20 pounds less than they did when impounded in February.
Smith was arrested on three counts of cruelty to animals.
In addition to that case, he was indicted in August on charges of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with a firearm in the commission of a felony, and tampering with evidence.