Michael Kelley, 62, is charged with cruelty to companion animal, a fifth-degree felony, for allegedly killing his Yorkipoo on Nov. 2 at his residence in the 3300 block of Carol Ann Lane. He was video arraigned Wednesday in Butler County Area II Court.
On Wednesday, the case was bound over to a grand jury after Butler County Judge Kevin McDonough found sufficient evidence following a preliminary hearing, according to court officials.
Kelley is free on a $1,500 bond set last month after he turned himself into police.
According to the complaint filed Nov. 21, Butler County Deputy Dog Warden Jennifer Schwaller alleged Kelly took the dog outside and slit its throat with a kitchen knife. However, that attempt was unsuccessful so he then retrieved a fillet knife to finish the job.
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Kelley’s wife returned home shortly after 4 p.m. and found Kelley lying on his stomach on the kitchen floor and reaching out his arms while gasping for breath, according to the Monroe police report. He did not respond to her and the refrigerator door was open, according to police.
After calling 911, Peggy Kelley saw blood spots outside the home’s back door and could not find her dog, according to the report.
The dog was found in the yard near a fence with a nearly severed head, according to the report.
“Peggy stated he loved this dog and doesn’t know why he would do this,” the report read.
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A knife that appeared to have been cleaned off was located on a step in the entryway from the garage to the house, according to the report. Dish soap and bubbles were on the counter top in the kitchen.
Peggy Kelley said her husband had suffered from depression since 2005 and had stopped taking his medication. She said when she left for work at about 5:30 a.m. her husband was doing well.
The dog, which was wrapped in a blanket when officers arrived, was taken to a Madison Twp. veterinarian for cremation, according to the report.
Kelley was later taken to a hospital for treatment.
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