A McAlester man was arrested Friday on complaints of animal cruelty after officers said they found a severely malnourished dog and a decomposing dog carcass at a home in the 400 block of West Adams Avenue.
Nikkolasse Keith Smith, 34, was taken into custody Feb. 6 on complaints of cruelty to animals and leaving a carcass within one-quarter mile of a highway, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Pittsburg County District Court.
Police were dispatched after a report that a man had tried to sell a sick dog. A witness told officers the dog appeared to be in very poor health and was not eating because larger dogs in the home bullied it.
Officers later located what they described as the decomposing body of a small dog near the residence. Animal Control Officer Kody Hance reported the living dog was so malnourished that nearly every bone was visible.
According to the affidavit, Smith told officers the dogs lived at the home and that he fed and watered them but did not believe he was responsible for veterinary care. Three dogs were seized from the residence and taken to a local pound.
With this arrest also came a motion to revoke a suspended five year sentence from 2021 for the charge of assault and battery on a detention officer. With the motion to revoke, and the new cruelty to animals charge, Smith was given a $10,000 cumulative bond.