A 71-year-old man was in custody Monday after he was accused of abandoning a dog, according to a news release from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly before 1 p.m. Saturday, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that a man was seen driving near the Bulger’s Hollow Recreational Area “possibly abandoning a dog near the campground,” the release says. Witnesses said they noticed a dog running alongside a vehicle as it drove away from the area.
The vehicle left the Bulger’s Hollow area, and the witnesses said the dog was still in the area after the car let. Witnesses secured the dog and notified law enforcement.
The dog was eventually taken to the Clinton County Humane Society.
After deputies interviewed witnesses and and saw photos a witness took, they were able to identify the suspect vehicle.
About 5 p.m. Saturday, deputies found James B. Simpson Jr., who admitted to being in Bulger’s Hollow Recreational Area earlier in the day and abandoning a dog while he was there. Shortly before 11 a.m. Monday, Simpson was arrested on a warrant and charged with abandonment of a dog.
He was being held Monday in Clinton County Jail on a $100 cash-only bond, according to Clinton County Court documents.
“The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the community, specifically those who choose to treat animals in a manner that wound endanger, harm or otherwise be contrary to the animal’s welfare, that our law enforcement officers will diligently investigate these cases and pursue the most serious criminal charges allowed under the law. Although resources are limited, there is always an alternative to abandoning a dog/cat or other animal in the wild, no exceptions.,” the release concludes.