An eastern Kentucky man previously indicted for killing his stepfather has been arrested after killing and skinning four dogs so he could make a “doggy coat.”
Jonathan Watkins, 38, of David (Floyd County), was arrested by Kentucky State Police after Watkins told his neighbors that he killed and skinned several dogs. Watkins, who was covered in blood as he spoke with his neighbor, has a history of mental illness.
The neighbor then saw four animal skins on Watkins’ front along with two skinned dog carcasses on his porch.
When state police responded, troopers found that Watkins had a large hunting knife in a holster hanging from his belt and blood on his clothing. When police asked Watkins why he was covered in blood he responded, “I’m making myself a doggy coat.”
He was arrested and charged with four counts of torture of a dog with serious physical injury or death and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. He is being held in the Floyd County Jail as he awaits a psychological evaluation.
WYMT.com reports that in 2012 Watkins was charged with the murder of Magoffin County Deputy Jailer Albert Bloomfield, who was Watkins’ stepfather. Bloomfield’s bullet-riddled body was found at his home in Salyersville.
A motion was later made to dismiss the murder charge against Watkins based on a report from the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center, which indicated Watkins was not criminally responsible for the killing.
In 2015, Watkins was accused of threatening to or engaging in conduct “intended to cause bodily harm” to the judge who dismissed the charges. He was indicted on a charge of retaliating against a participant in the legal process in 2016.
In 2017, another judge dismissed that indictment without prejudice because Watkins was again ruled not criminally responsible for his actions.
According to court documents, the prosecutors declined to file a Petition for Involuntary Hospitalization because Watkins did not meet the requirements under Kentucky law for such a petition to be filed, according to WYMT.com.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
