The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

March 16, 2010

22 dogs euthanized in Summers County animal cruelty case

By Amelia A. Pridemore Register-Herald Reporter

Twenty-two dogs have been euthanized after Summers County authorities say they found the dogs “sick and in distress” and living in “disgusting” conditions.

Choya Adkins, 34, of Elk Knob, has been charged with five counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty, said Summers County Sheriff Ed Dolphin. Adkins was given the citations and will have to appear in the county’s magistrate court at a later date.

Dolphin said he and deputies arrived at the home of Adkins and his wife Angela, 28, around noon Monday. They found 23 mixed-breed dogs outside — and living in a filthy, muddy outside area.

“It was nothing but mud and feces all over. It was big mess,” he said.

Dolphin said the dogs were obviously sick and in distress. He described some of their conditions as “disgusting,” saying some had blood and mucus on them. At least two female dogs were pregnant, and there were six, six-week old puppies.

“One was just about dead,” Dolphin said.

Choya Adkins was told it was in his best interests to sign over the dogs, and he did this, Dolphin said. Animal control officers could not be reached, but employees of a Nimitz veterinary clinic came to the scene and picked up the dogs.

The veterinarians told authorities the dogs had diseases like parvo, worms and giardia, which is an intestinal parasite, Dolphin said. They advised euthanizing 22 of the dogs.

“There was no way they could have survived,” he said. “Their illnesses were too far gone for recourse or treatment.”

Some deputies wanted to adopt the puppies until receiving the veterinarians’ news, Dolphin said.

“There was an officer who wanted to take a couple of the puppies, but the vet advised that it wasn’t feasible. They were too far gone,” he said. “They were cute puppies, and I might have taken one myself.”

Dolphin noted Choya Adkins was not charged with felonies because the dogs were not starved or physically abused. Adkins told authorities so many dogs were on the property because his wife liked dogs.

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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