Centralia Police have released additional information about an April incident that has resulted in a 36-year-old Centralia woman being formally charged in Marion County Court this week with aggravated cruelty to an animal.
Lieutenant Steve Whritenour says the large mix breed dog was found in distress by an officer called to the Shamika Swan home on North Sycamore for an unrelated case. Whritenour says the dog was starving to death as its jaw was swelling as a result of having its neck wrapped in a metal cable for a lengthy period of time that had cut into the dog’s neck and was completely buried. He said the dog was not able to eat or drink as a result and had become very skinny.
Whritenour says the dog was taken into protective custody and Crook Creek Animal Hospital completed emergency surgery. After a few days of recovery at Crooked Creek and medication, the dog began eating again. The dog has since been moved to the Centralia Animal Control Facility where Centralia Community Development Director Gayla Harting says it is doing well. The dog will remain at the facility until the court case is completed. `
Swan is expected to make her first appearance in court Friday on both the felony cruelty charge as well as a misdemeanor offense based on the same incident.
Whritenour is commending the officer for spotting the dog in distress and taking action and Crooked Creek Animal Hospital for their quick action to help the dog.
