According to arrest records, the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office says the woman did this to stop the dog from barking.  It also says she then took photos of the dog, and posted them to her page on the popular social media site, Facebook with the caption of “Ha ha.”

Another Facebook user caught wind of the pictures, and after checking them out, reported the page to Facebook, and the local sheriff’s office.  When police reported to the scene, she advised them that she took the tape off immediately after taking the picture and posting it.

After the arrest and arraignment, Howell posted the following to her Facebook page:

“Wow!  OK.  Maybe I should of said I was joking when posting that.  But honestly though people would know better anyone who spend (sic) a week at my house would see how spoiled and loved my dog is.  Anyways guess I really didn’t think through but anyone who knows me knows when I got Leah she [was] skin and bones how (sic) that animal (was) abused (sic).”

“I have made my mistakes in life too, and believe me either I’ve paid for them or am still paying for them.  But to call me an animal abuser or child abuser, that’s so not true.”

Regardless, animal abuse is abuse, no matter what light you paint it in.  As of the writing of this article, it is not known what type of or how many sanctions Howell will be facing.

The post Woman Charged with Abuse for Taping Dog’s Mouth Shut appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

A month ago we told you about Roadrunner, a Tibetan Spaniel who survived two murder attempts by his sadistic owner, which caused him to lose his eyes. But this dog had an amazing will to live, and is now recovering as his former owner has been charged with felony animal abuse.

This poor pup was strangled and beaten before being chucked off a third floor balcony and left for dead. It is amazing he survived all of that, but the injuries he sustained were so severe that his eyes had to be removed.

However, this has not stopped Roadrunner from living life to its fullest. Since being taken in and cared for by KC Pet Project, he has been recovering in a foster home, where he is receiving lots of love and care – likely for the first time in his life.

Meanwhile, his abuser, Kimberly Anderson, has been arrested and charged with felony animal abuse and misdemeanor animal abandonment.

“Acts of violence against a defenseless creature should be met with serious consequences,” said Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Baker’s office has asked for a $20,000 bond, and requests that Anderson have no contact with or own any animals, meaning that any pets in her possession would have to be surrendered, a condition that her fiancé, Darrell Doron, is fighting.

When Anderson was arrested on November 14th, she denied abuse allegations, and claimed that her dog ran out of her apartment and she could not catch him. She said she saw him get hit by a car and left him on the road. But witnesses say they saw Anderson wrap a leash around the dog’s neck, drag him outside, and pick him up and slam him down on concrete. She was also said to have choked and kicked him.

KC Pet Project spokesperson Tori Fugate says Roadrunner’s injuries are among the worst she’s ever seen.

“Everybody is rallying for him. Everybody I think wanted to see this day come. They wanted to see this outcome,” Fugate told 41 Action News.

A metal plate has been inserted into one of his hind legs, his broken pelvis has healed, and according to his foster family, Roadrunner is doing quite well.

“He loves snuggling. He loves playing with other dogs. He loves playing with toys,” Fugate said. “He’s really starting to just act like a normal dog.”

The post Roadrunner’s Former Owner Charged with Felony Animal Abuse appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.