Columbia Police Department (CPD)officers have charged two people in separate animal cruelty investigations and have warrants for the arrest of a third suspect.
In the most recent arrest, 23-year-old Keith Chestnut (DOB: 8-7-1996) was charged on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 with Felony Animal Cruelty.
He’s accused of leaving a puppy in an unattended vehicle while at the 1700 block of Devine Street on July 13, 2019. According to an animal control officer, the vehicle’s inside temperature was 115.9 degrees; the outside temperature was reportedly 91 degrees.
After police rescued the puppy, it was taken to an emergency animal hospital for treatment. A CPD Sergeant paid for the expenses out of his own pocket. More good news — the Sergeant adopted the dog and named him ‘Blue.’
The veterinarian advised the Sergeant that the dog would have died had it not been rescued. A judge set Chestnut’s surety bond at $7,500; He posted bail and has been released from the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center (ASGDC).
In another investigation, CPD officers arrested 27-year-old Melody Harvey (DOB: 7-13-1992) and charged her with Six Counts of Animal Cruelty. Harvey is accused of not properly providing six dogs with adequate shelter, food and water while at an Abraham Street home on August 28, 2019. At the time the animal control officers seized the dogs that were mostly pit bulls, they were severely emaciated.
A judge set Harvey’s surety bond at $10,000; Since then, she has been released from the ASGDC.
In the same case, CPD officers have active arrest warrants for 27-year-old Willie McKinnon (DOB: 8-19-1992) for Six Counts of Animal Cruelty. The warrants have been entered in to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
Citizens with information about McKinnon’s whereabouts encouraged to contact CRIMESTOPPERS in any of the following ways:
CALL toll-free, 888-CRIME-SC.
LOG onto: www.midlandscrimestoppers.com, and click on the red “Submit a tip” tab.
DOWNLOAD the new P3 Tips App for Apple or Android devices.