Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 14, 2007 15:23:01 GMT -5
ATLANTA -- A Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy finds himself on the other side of the law. Sergeant Donnell Cockhren is charged with one count of animal cruelty. The charge was filed after one of his dogs was found dead in his backyard -- another survived.
Police tell Channel 2 it all happened last Saturday. That’s when police found two dogs in a Southwest Atlanta backyard. For one dog it was too late -- the other is getting a second chance.
At first glance, the shepherd-chow mix appears healthy, but upon closer examination it’s easy to tell she is severely malnourished.
Workers at Fulton County Animal Shelter are calling her “Chance.” She’s been at the shelter since February 3 when she was picked up at a Southwest Atlanta home.
Fulton County Police say an anonymous tip alleging neglect led them to the house.
“They did find a, what appeared to be a pit bull, that was dead at the scene, still on a chain,” said Dep. Chief Gary Stiles with the Fulton County Police Department.
Police have identified the owner at Sergeant Donnell Cockhren – a sergeant at the Fulton County Jail.
A spokesman at the jail says Cockhren has not been suspended and is continuing his work at the jail as the investigation continues.
“Being in law enforcement, it’s always disappointing when anybody in law enforcement is charged with any crime. But remember, this is a charge based on the evidence that animal control found and there will be a thorough investigation,” said Dep. Chief Stiles.
The pit bull’s body was taken to UGA for the equivalent of an autopsy. Channel 2 did contact Sgt. Cockhren, but a spokesperson told us he would not be commenting on the case since it’s still under investigation.
Police did tell us that when Sgt. Cockhren came to animal control to find out why they had taken his dogs, he was quite surprised that one of his dogs had died.
www.wsbtv.com/news/10975384/detail.html
Police tell Channel 2 it all happened last Saturday. That’s when police found two dogs in a Southwest Atlanta backyard. For one dog it was too late -- the other is getting a second chance.
At first glance, the shepherd-chow mix appears healthy, but upon closer examination it’s easy to tell she is severely malnourished.
Workers at Fulton County Animal Shelter are calling her “Chance.” She’s been at the shelter since February 3 when she was picked up at a Southwest Atlanta home.
Fulton County Police say an anonymous tip alleging neglect led them to the house.
“They did find a, what appeared to be a pit bull, that was dead at the scene, still on a chain,” said Dep. Chief Gary Stiles with the Fulton County Police Department.
Police have identified the owner at Sergeant Donnell Cockhren – a sergeant at the Fulton County Jail.
A spokesman at the jail says Cockhren has not been suspended and is continuing his work at the jail as the investigation continues.
“Being in law enforcement, it’s always disappointing when anybody in law enforcement is charged with any crime. But remember, this is a charge based on the evidence that animal control found and there will be a thorough investigation,” said Dep. Chief Stiles.
The pit bull’s body was taken to UGA for the equivalent of an autopsy. Channel 2 did contact Sgt. Cockhren, but a spokesperson told us he would not be commenting on the case since it’s still under investigation.
Police did tell us that when Sgt. Cockhren came to animal control to find out why they had taken his dogs, he was quite surprised that one of his dogs had died.
www.wsbtv.com/news/10975384/detail.html