A Grayson County man was arrested on Monday after Grayson County Animal Control Officer Todd Saltsman and Grayson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Corey Knochel found two dead dogs, six nearly dead dogs and over two dozen remains of dead chickens on his property last week.
After presenting the case to Grayson County Attorney Clay Ratley on Wednesday, Ratley issued an arrest warrant for 56-year-old Greg Ridgon, of Anna Lane. After several attempts were made to arrest Rigdon at his residence late last week and over the weekend, the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office arrested Rigdon on Monday afternoon.
He was transported to the Grayson County Detention Center where he’s been charged with animal cruelty.
Leitchfield Animal Shelter Director Jessica Fulkerson said officials “found six beagle hounds in two kennels off the ground. Their automatic feeders were completely empty. Five of the dogs were underweight and one of them was severely emaciated.”
Fulkerson said further inspection of the property revealed “the skeletal remains of what appeared to be two dogs” located in a kennel about 50 yards from where the six other dogs were located.
Veterinarians at the Leitchfield Veterinary Clinic told Fulkerson the grossly emaciated female beagle, named Lilac by animal shelter staff, had a body score of one (out of five), with the other five beagles’ having a body score of two, representing near death scenarios for all six animals.
“It’s time people start paying for their actions when it comes to the abuse and neglect of innocent animals,” Fulkerson said. “I’m proud of Grayson County law enforcement, Grayson County Animal Control, County Attorney Clay Ratley, and the concerned citizens who brought the issue to our attention.”
Fulkerson added that Lilac, somewhat miraculously, has survived the ordeal, with a family ready to adopt her once she is fully mended. Fulkerson stated that she is “doing great in her foster home and loves to sleep in the bed.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
