Bardstown man arrested after police investigate animal cruelty complaint

STAFF REPORT

JOHN C. LEWIS

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 — A Bardstown man was arrested and charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty after police followed up on a complaint Monday evening.

John C. Lewis, 25, was arrested on animal cruelty charges following a police investigation at his home.

At about 7:22 p.m. Monday evening, Bardstown Police were dispatched to a home at 122 Hagan Drive to investigate a complaint of animal cruelty. Officer Kyler Wright arrived at the home and found nine pit bulls barking in the home’s backyard. Two of the dogs were fighting, and one dog was dead. All but one of the dogs on the property were chained up, and the dog that was not chained was attacking the other dogs.

Police said all of the dogs were aggressive; several dogs were injured, with ripped and torn skin, and it appeared the dogs were starving, malnourished and were trying to eat each other. None of the dogs had food, and only a few had water available.

The Nelson County Animal Control and additional police were called to the home to assist the investigation and take care of the dogs. Police also sought veterinarian help form Dr. Dena Fitzpatrick of Special Pets in Bardstown.
Fitzpatrick examined the dogs and one was euthanized. The animal control officer took the eight surviving animals to the animal shelter where they were treated for lacerations. The dead dog and the one that was euthanized were six to eights month old; the rest were adult animals.

The animals’ owner, John C. Lewis, 25, of Bardstown, arrived at the home while police were there. Lewis admitted he owned the animals but denied fighting the dogs. He was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty and lodged in the Nelson County Jail. Police were on the scene for about two hours.

Bardstown Police are asking that those with information about this investigation contact them at (502) 348-6811.

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