Kennett couple cited for animal neglect

KENNETT, Mo. -- Citations and a warrant were issued Friday to Kennett residents Crystal D. Holloway and Robert J. Holloway on two counts each of violating the city's animal health and safety and vicious-animal ordinances.

In a report filed with the Kennett Police Department and released through the city attorney's office, officer Tina Petix said she responded to a neighbor's call about a red Doberman pinscher on Wimberly Street. The caller said the dog was being forced to live in such poor conditions she could not bear watching it anymore.

Petix said when she arrived at the residence, she saw a healthy, aggressive pit bull chained in the front side yard. But as she drove around the home, Petix could see into the back yard and was shocked at what she found.

"It looked like a skeleton painted brown in the northwest corner of the back yard," Petix said. "It was heartbreaking to see this animal in such a pitiful state, while in the front yard, the pit was healthy and well fed."

In her report, Petix said when Robert Holloway came to the door, she asked whether she could go into the back yard to see where the brown dog was being housed. The report described the area as bare dirt, scraped free of grass by the chain the dog had been tethered to.

The report went on to say the dog was living in an undersized pet carrier and drinking green water from a bowl with no visible food.

"It was in such an emaciated state that all of its bones were visible," Petix said. "And, in some places, the skin had broken down, and the bones were [showing] through."

Petix said, at first, the owners said the dog had become that emaciated over the past week.

"There was no way the dog could get that thin in a week," Petix said. "It had been abused over a very long period of time."

Petix said the Holloways refused to surrender the dog. By the time officers procured the warrant, the couple had taken the dog to Dr. Carol Brigance at the Kennett Veterinary Clinic.

"The dog needed medical attention, but Dr. Brigance said the Holloways claimed they couldn't afford it and were taking the animal with them," Petix said. "The doctor asked the Holloways several times to surrender the animal to [the Kennett Humane Department], but they continued to refuse."

Petix eventually served the couple with the warrant and took the dog. She said, after speaking further with the pair, she found out they had purchased the Doberman, named Rusty, from Craigslist for $100 about a year ago.

"He was a service dog for autistic children," Petix said. "If that it true, it is sad to see this animal, who did so much for children of special needs, reduced to this condition."

The Kennett Humane Department report stated the Holloways are scheduled to appear in municipal court Oct. 8.

Petix said the dog will remain in the care and custody of the city.