HENRY CO., Va. – The Henry County Sheriff’s Office announced that it had arrested and charged a former deputy following a criminal investigation into animal cruelty.
According to officials, deputies responded to reports of a dog running at large. Deputies responded to the area and located the dog. During their investigation, deputies discovered that the dog’s collar had become excessively tight and was embedded into the animal’s neck, causing injury.
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Deputies immediately transported the dog to a local veterinarian, where it received medical treatment and the embedded collar was safely removed. It was further determined that the dog was underweight.
Robert Tatum surrendered the dog, a husky, to the Henry County Animal Shelter. The dog has since been transported to Angels for Animals located in Ohio, where it will remain under care and will later be available for adoption.
The investigation determined the dog belonged to Tatum, who was employed by the HCSO at the time of the incident. In addition to the criminal investigation, an internal administrative investigation was initiated.
HCSO said that Tatum subsequently resigned from his employment with the sheriff’s office at the time of the investigation. Tatum was a deputy sheriff assigned to the corrections division/adult detention center, according to officials.
Upon completion of the criminal investigation, Animal Service Deputies presented findings to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for review. After reviewing the evidence, Tatum was charged with one count of animal cruelty.
The Virginia State Police arrested Tatum on the charge. He was subsequently released on a $3,500 secured bond pending further court proceedings.
Sheriff Wayne Davis stated, “The welfare of animals in our community is important, and we appreciate the partnership of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Virginia State Police in this investigation.”