The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office served a Salisbury pair with animal cruelty charges, saying the two did not provide adequate food and water and did not provide sufficient veterinary care for their cats and dogs. The agency served the criminal summons Monday on behalf of Rowan County Animal Control.
Kenneth Lee Kiser Jr., 41, of the 700 block of Safrit Road, was charged with four counts of failing to have dogs vaccinated for rabies, eight counts cruelty to animals, five counts allowing animals to run at large; all are misdemeanors.
Samantha Nicole Miller, 19, also of the 700 block of Safrit Road, was charged with eight counts of cruelty to animals, four counts failing to have dogs vaccinated for rabies and five counts of allowing animals to run at large; all are misdemeanors.
The summons says Kiser and Miller did not vaccinate a 2-year-old female boxer/pitbull mix, a 1-year-old male pitbull/lab mix, a 6-month- old tabby cat, and a 1-year-old cat,
Both Miller and Kiser did not provide sufficient veterinary care “when needed to prevent suffering” for two husky puppies, a male pitbull/lab cross dog and a female pitbull/lab cross dog, the summons says.
Authorities said one male pitbull died as a result of its owners not providing sufficient veterinary care.
Officials also said Kiser and Miller did not have enough water and safe food for a couple of his dogs, one of which died. The two also failed to restrain these animals, all of which were listed as non-vicious. Neither were issued a bond. The criminal summons requires Miller and Kiser to appear in court in November.
In July 2010, Miller was convicted of misdemeanor shoplifting and given probation. Kiser has been convicted of receiving stolen goods and larceny, both misdemeanor offenses. He was given probation.