 Nelgect/Failure to Provide
Chesapeake, VA (US)Date: Nov 10, 2004
County: Chesapeake City
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Abuser/Suspect: Charles Beamon
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On October 28, 2004, Officer R. J. Fagan responded to a complaint of cruelty to animals in the 2400 block of Cedar Rd. He found a female beagle loose on the property that appeared to be suffering from injury. The dog was not able to bear weight on her right rear leg and was unsteady when she tried to stand.
The officer also found a mother beagle and 5 puppies inside a pick up truck. The truck interior was covered in feces, trash and debris. The officer observed no food or water in the vehicle.
Officer Fagan spoke with several people on the property all of whom denied any knowledge of the animals or their owner. Officer Fagan impounded all of the animals and transported them to a local veterinarian. The injured dog was discovered to have a fracture of the pelvis with hernia profusion. It appeared to be an older injury that had not been treated. This dog also was heartworm positive. The veterinarian recommended humane euthanasia if an owner did not come forward within 72 hours to provide for surgery.
The mother dog and puppies were found to be underweight and to have a severe infestation of hookworms. Medication was prescribed.
Charles H. Beamon, BM, DOB 5/06/65 came to the shelter a few days later to claim the mother dog and puppies. He denied ownership of the injured dog.
Officer Fagan made a decision to charge Mr. Beamon with failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care for the dog and puppies, as well as no rabies vaccination or license for the mother dog. He also decided not to return the animals to Mr. Beamon, but to petition the Court for custody on the grounds that he felt he could prove that the owner was not a fit or proper person to have the animals. The injured dog was humanely euthanized. One of the puppies was so debilitated that despite treatment, it died.
The case was heard in General District Court on 11/10/04. Mr. Beamon was convicted of failing to provide for the animals, no rabies vaccination and no license. The judge expressed his disbelief of Mr. Beamon's statement that he did not own the injured dog. He was fined $500 on each of the 3 charges with $450 suspended on each conditionally upon Mr. Beamon's payment within 30 days of $133 impounding fees and $151.46 for medical care to the Animal Control. Custody of the animals was awarded to Animal Control. Mr. Beamon was prohibited from owning companion animals and must wait two years before he may petition the court to have this order rescinded.
All of the remaining four puppies were placed in new homes through adoption. The mother dog was transferred to another local shelter for adoption. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | City of Chesapeake General District Court-Criminal Division Docket numbers | | GC04-9438, GC04-9439, Gc049437 |
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