Nemacolin man charged with animal cruelty
Gunner, a German shorthaired pointer, is recovering from abuse at the Greene County Humane Society. His previous owner, Cody Rush of Nemacolin, was recently charged with animal cruelty.
Gunner, a German shorthaired pointer, is recovering at Greene County Humane Society after being abused.
Gunner, a German shorthaired pointer, is recovering from abuse at the Greene County Humane Society after being abused.
NEMACOLIN – A Nemacolin man is facing animal cruelty charges after an incident last month, when Cumberland Township police said they found his dog malnourished, with severe cuts on his hind legs exposing muscle tissue and bone. Police said the brown and white German shorthaired pointer, named Gunner, belonged to Cody Rush, 25, of 675 Nemacolin Road. On March 18, neighbors of Rush witnessed the dog walking across the road and contacted police when they noticed the dog’s injuries, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said Gunner’s plastic lead was tied around his back lower legs for as long as five days.
“The dog’s ankles were raw, swollen and cut into the muscle tissue with possible exposed bone on one ankle,” the complaint said. “The dog was unable to walk on his back right leg.”
Police also said Gunner appeared to be malnourished, with a visible ribcage, and no sign of food or water available to him.
Police said Rush assisted officers in getting Gunner into the patrol vehicle and showed police the plastic lead that was tied around the dog’s legs. He also reportedly told police that he was aware of Gunner’s injuries.
Gunner was taken to Cheat Lake Animal Hospital for medical treatment before being transported to Greene County Humane Society, where he will continue to receive care.
Police said Rush provided them with a 2017 dog license but could not provide vaccination information.
Rush was charged with three counts of cruelty to animals along with five summary violations related to the incident. A warrant has been filed for his arrest.
Gunner is doing “much better,” according to Jane Gapen, director for the Humane Society. She said that at first, veterinarians thought they might need to amputate Gunner’s right, hind leg, but it has since been healing well. She also said Gunner already has been adopted by a new family.