RFP Staff
♦ Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of 4625 Long Ferry Road in Rowan County was found guilty today of animal cruelty at Rowan County District Court with Judge Kevin Eddinger presiding for duct taping her dog’s muzzle shut last October and displaying her pet on Facebook. Today Howell received a 45 day suspended sentence, 18 months probation, and 36 hours of community service working at Rowan County’s Animal Control. At first her attorney Bill May said he would appeal the ruling, but Howell had the appeal withdrawn.
The RFP Article appearing on October 1st 2015–“Kimberly Ann Howell of Rowan County Busted for Allegedly Duct-Taping Her Pooch’s Mouth Shut. Charged with Cruelty to Animals”:
“Kimberly Ann Howell, 25, of 4625 Long Ferry Road in Rowan County, N.C. was arrested early Thursday morning by a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office detective and charged with cruelty to animals for duct-taping her dog’s muzzle shut and showing it on Facebook. The dog pictured in the Facebook snap was a short-haired female mixed breed alleged to have multiple bands of duct tape cruelly shutting its muzzle. (Facebook Pictures Below)
Its reported that the original photo, of the alleged abused dog, was removed soon after after a number of Facebook posters began an outcry of protests against what they viewed as animal abuse. Photos of the stressed animal are difficult to stomach especially the one of the dog cowering on the floor.
According to sources in law enforcement the Sheriff’s Office was alerted about Howell’s Facebook activities when a tipster contacted the Rowan County Department of Social Services and reported Howell’s alleged Facebook caption for the duct taped dog said words to the effect that the dog barked all night and her mouth had to be shut. A child was said to share the photo with the animal. The Department of Social Services responsibly reported the alleged cruelty to the Sherriff’s Office who took action.
When the Sheriff’s Office Deputy initially investigated, both the boyfriend and Howell allegedly claimed the photo was harmless good fun. It appeared to the investigator that the animal seemed in good health with no signs of ill-treatment. However, Howell’s cellphone revealed the photograph in question. Howell was promptly arrested and charged with cruelty to animals (misdemeanor).
Under a $2,000 secured bond, Howell was released.”
Kimberly Ann Howell record (Record below fails to show more recent charges of larceny and a failure to appear):
The Duct-Taped Dog from Facebook:
