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TEDDY EDWARD WOOD sentenced to prison for beating a defenseless puppy

Updated: Oct 23, 2024

- West Virginia, USA -

 

~ Update: October 23, 2024

 

After hearing back from Prosecuting Attorney Ciliberti, Jr. I learned that at the time of the incident the furvictim was “approximately 3 - 4 months of age.”

 

To my question about the furvictim’s name, Prosecuting Attorney Ciliberti answered: “We don't know the name Mr. Wood may have given the dog, but after the dog was taken from Mr. Wood, she was given the name ‘Lady Bug’.”

 

I was also kindly provided with a picture of Lady Bug that was taken at the veterinarian's office.

 

I further asked Prosecuting Attorney Ciliberti whether WOOD had been charged with animal cruelty in the past and I was told: “Mr. Wood has not been previously charged with animal cruelty based upon a review of his criminal history.”

 

~ Original story:


The Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office announced that on October 18, 2024, Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing sentenced 44-year-old TEDDY EDWARD WOOD (pictured) to not less than one nor more than five years in prison for the felony offense of cruelty to animals.

 

The incident that led to WOOD’s arrest happened on February 27, 2023, when law enforcement responded to a disturbance at a residence in Ansted. According to the press release by Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr., neighbors reported hearing WOOD yelling and a dog yelping in distress.

 

Witnesses told law enforcement they saw WOOD striking a young dog with a metal pole and his fists. Witnesses further stated that when they tried to intervene, WOOD told them the dog was his and therefore he could do whatever he wanted to.

 

In the yard of the residence, officials found a young female mixed-breed puppy who “appeared extremely scared and was unable to walk”, stated the release.

 

An Animal Control Officer took possession of the furvictim and took her to a local veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. The vet reported that the puppy’s pelvis had been fractured in two places, a tooth had been broken off, and that she sustained multiple cuts and abrasions.

 

The Innocent Soul gradually recovered but “walked with a noticeable limp.” According to the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office, the puppy was later adopted through a rescue organization.

 

On August 12, 2024, WOOD pled guilty to the felony animal cruelty charge.

 

As explained by Prosecuting Attorney Ciliberti, WOOD must serve a minimum of one year in prison before being eligible for parole and under West Virginia law, he “is also prohibited from owning, possessing, or living with any animal for a period of fifteen (15) years.”

  

# # #

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the press release by the Fayette County Prosecutor’s Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.






RANDALL LARRY THAXTON sentenced to five years in prison for dogfighting and animal cruelty

- Georgia, USA -

 

The Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office announced that on Friday, January 12, 2024, in Cherokee County Superior Court, 59 RANDALL LARRY THAXTON (pictured) was sentenced after being found guilty of running a dogfighting operation out of his Canton home.

 

On December 8, 2023, after about three hours of jury deliberation, THAXTON was found guilty of nine counts of dogfighting and seven counts of cruelty to animals.

 

Superior Court Judge Tony Baker sentenced THAXTON to twenty (20) years in prison, with the first five years to be served behind bars.

THAXTON was ordered to pay $45,000 in fines and to serve 360 hours of mandatory community service. Additionally, according to the DA’s Office, THAXTON is forbidden from “owning”, “possessing”, or breeding dogs and may not have contact with any known dogfighters or people who attend dogfights.

 

It all started in November 2022, when Cherokee and Paulding County authorities received a tip about possible dogfighting activity.

 

The Cherokee County Marshals conducted a welfare check at a home on Union Hill Road in Canton and reported “signs that Thaxton was possibly involved in dog fighting.”

According to the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office, “Officers noticed that eight of his dogs were tethered outside with heavy logging chains commonly used by dog fighters. The dogs were chained close to each other but just out of reach, a tactic that serves to build dog aggression. These signs of dog fighting, along with additional investigation, led to the Marshal’s Office following up with a search warrant.”

 

A search warrant executed at the home on December 6, 2022, led to the discovery of items associated with dog fighting. Authorities found steroids, a break stick, medical supplies for treating wounds, a journal with animal workout regimens, documents linking dogs to other dog fighters, contracts for dog sales, and a dog fighting creed.

 

The DA’s Office said that the veterinarian who examined the Voiceless Victims “found that they had skin infections, rashes around their necks from their collars, and swollen paw pads.”

 

THAXTON was placed under arrest and all the furvictims were taken to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter where a pregnant dog gave birth to puppies soon afterward.

 

Animal Crimes Resource Prosecutor Jessica Rock said in a statement: “Dog fighters operate hidden in plain sight, in an organized, criminal enterprise that includes breeding and selling dogs, training dogs, hosting and spectating violent fights, and fighting dogs to the point of exhaustion or serious injury. It is a despicable activity that is incredibly cruel to the dogs. By prosecuting dog fighters, we bring this underground world to light, ensure that these dogs receive the justice they deserve, and work toward someday completely eradicating this crime.”

 

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Murphy said evidence suggested THAXTON may have been involved in dogfighting for decades.

 

Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway stated: “Let this be a clear message that Cherokee County will not accept or condone inhumane treatment of animals – especially the violence and abuse associated with dog fighting. It is time as a society that we step up and stop the abuse and mistreatment of innocent animals. Ordinary citizens can play a part in stopping the abuse of animals by recognizing signs of dog fighting and reporting concerns to law enforcement.”

 

Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.

 

 

THAXTON’s mugshot via the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office


Additional Sources:





DEBRA JANE CATLEDGE arrested twice in less than two days on animal cruelty charges

Updated: Sep 27, 2024

- Alabama, USA -


~ Update: September 27, 2024

 

On September 24, 2024, 64-years-old DEBRA JANE CATLEDGE (pictured) was sentenced after in August 2024, she was found guilty of thirty-seven (37) counts of animal cruelty.

 

Colbert County Circuit Judge Mitchell D. Hays handed down a thirty (30) year-split-sentence. CATLEDGE will only serve nine (9) years in prison and after her release, she will be on probation for the remaining twenty-one (21) years during which time she cannot have animals. If she violates her probation she will be sent back to prison for the remainder of her sentence.

 

WHNT reports that according to court documents, CATLEDGE entered a guilty plea for seventeen (17) counts of second-degree dog/cat cruelty, twelve (12) counts of cruelty to animals, three (3) counts of first-degree dog/cat cruelty, three (3) counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, and two (2) counts of failure to bury livestock. Four counts were abandoned by the court to be considered in the sentencing.

 

As reported by WAFF, CATLEDGE  is planning on appealing her conviction. Judge Hays set a $150,000 appeal bond at the end of the sentencing. CATLEDGE is booked in the Colbert County Jail on that bond.

 


~ Original story:


On Friday, September 29, 2023, Colbert County authorities executed a search warrant on a property in Cherokee.


Corey Speegle, the director of animal services at the Colbert County Animal Shelter, told Fox News Digital that back in June he received reports of dead horses on the property which prompted an investigation. On September 25, 2023, Speegle received another report, and after presenting it to both the sheriff’s office and district attorney’s office, a search warrant was executed.


County Animal Services and State Bureau of Investigation found at least twenty-nine (29) dead horses as well as ten (10) live horses who were suffering from starvation, and nearly fifty (50) dogs who were living in horrible conditions. Additionally, officials discovered skeletal remains of two dogs. One of the deceased horses was found in a pond.


Speegle told Fox News Digital the conditions “were bad as the hair on the majority of the dogs was matted, and they were living in urine and feces. Some of the dogs were so matted that it was difficult to find the eyes. The dogs were also covered in bugs and cockroaches.”

“This was a puppy mill,” added Speegle.


All the surviving animals, including horses, dogs, donkeys, and mules, were removed from the property, and taken to the Colbert County Animal Shelter.


On Saturday, September 30, 2023, deputies with the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office arrested 63-years-old DEBRA JANE CATLEDGE (pictured) on fifteen (15) counts of animal cruelty. CATLEDGE was booked into the Colbert County Jail and released the following day after posting $12,250 bond.


WAFF reports that CATLEDGE was then arrested again on the evening of Tuesday, October 3, 2023, on state charges of twenty-eight (28) counts of failing to bury or burn dead animals.


Through Facebook posts, the Colbert County Animal Shelter thanked the volunteers who came out and helped and everyone who stepped up to assist the shelter with monetary donations and food.


On a separate note, News 19 reports that CATLEDGE “is not a stranger to animal-related cases with law enforcement. She was convicted in 2013 after authorities rescued more than 120 small dogs that were found in cages outside her home.”

After pleading guilty to the animal cruelty charges, CATLEDGE spent some time in jail and according to a plea agreement, she was no longer allowed to breed animals.

Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine told News 19: “After she did her 14 days, she was ‘out of sight, out of mind’ and I’m not pointing fingers because I don’t know whose at fault for that… I’m just saying after this, as long as I’m in office, somebody is going to keep an eye on what’s going on.”


As I always say, animal abusers are toxic. Toxic people do not change, they only change their victims!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



CATLEDGE’s mugshot shared from the Colbert County Jail.





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