BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
BEAUTY — A Beauty man was arrested May 6 after Martin County Sheriff John Kirk said deputies found a severely malnourished dog chained outside a kennel and too weak to walk normally.
Dustin Clay, 46, was charged with second-degree cruelty to animals after Kirk investigated a complaint at a residence on Beauty Road, where authorities said the dog would likely have died without intervention.
According to Kirk, he obtained a warrant for Clay after responding to a report about the animal. When he arrived, he found a dog kennel between two rental properties, with a dog chained to the fence.
Kirk said Clay told him the kennel belonged to him and that he had agreed to care for the dog after a former neighbor, identified as Christina Spears, moved away and could not take the animal.
“Mr. Clay informed me that the kennel belonged to him, and that the dog had been left in his care by a former neighbor that he identified as Christina Spears,” Kirk said. “He said when she moved, she had no way of taking the dog with her and didn’t have anyone else to care for it, so he volunteered.”
Clay allegedly told the sheriff he had been feeding the dog twice a day. Kirk said the animal’s condition did not support that claim.
“That poor dog was starving,” Kirk said. “Its ribs were showing to the extent that you could count each one and it was so weak it could barely walk. In my opinion, the animal was not even fed once a day, let alone twice. It was heartbreaking to see an animal in that shape.”
Kirk said he contacted local volunteers for help before requesting the dog warden respond to the scene. The dog was initially taken to a local shelter but required immediate veterinary treatment.
“As soon as photos were posted on social media, we were contacted by a woman who loves animals and wanted to step up for the dog in need,” Kirk said. “She pledged to pay the total amount of the veterinarian bill to get it back to a healthy state. In all honesty, there’s no doubt in my mind that her generosity and kind heart saved this dog’s life.”
The sheriff said the dog, believed to be around 10 years old, had been chained and unable to search for food on its own.
“Given another few days, the dog would have died of starvation,” Kirk said. “Thanks go out to the individual who reported the situation and to the kind lady who is paying the vet bill. Both are heroes to this animal. I pray that attempts to find it a good home after this are successful. It sure deserves one.”
Kirk also urged residents not to take responsibility for animals they cannot properly care for.
“The bottom line is this,” he said. “Do not ever assume responsibility for an animal of any kind if you’re unable to care for it, can’t afford to take care of it or have no concern for its well-being. Animals depend on us for their care. It’s beyond cruel to starve one to death—and that’s what was happening in this case.”