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Kingsport woman accused of abusing two pit bulls


Published February 16th, 2009 | 7 Comments


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UPDATE: Cindy Nelson, 29, 615 Gillespie Ave., turned herself in around 11:30 p.m. Monday.

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KINGSPORT — Police have charged a Kingsport woman with aggravated animal cruelty due to the condition of her two pit bull terriers.

On Feb. 5, a Kingsport Animal Control officer went to 615 Gillespie Ave. to check out a complaint of animal neglect.

The officer found one dog chained to a doghouse with no food or water in sight, and another chained to a pickup truck it was lying beneath — with no sign of food or water there either, according to Kingsport Police Department Detective Melanie Adkins.

The dog chained to the doghouse looked like it was starving, so the officer spoke with the owner, Cindy Nelson, 29, and told her he’d be back the next day to see if anything changed, Adkins said.

On Feb. 6, the officer found the dogs still chained and without access to food and water.

“Nothing had changed,” said Adkins.

The officer described the woman’s attitude toward the dogs’ plight as one of “total indifference,” Adkins said.

When Adkins contacted her Monday evening to let her know they’d taken out a warrant for her arrest, Nelson said she would turn herself in. Late Monday night, she still had not done so.

Adkins said when Nelson is arrested she would be held in lieu of $2,000 bond.

When someone from the animal shelter came out to rescue the dogs, the officer got the one dog out from under the truck where it was chained. It was a black male pit bull, and it couldn’t even walk, Adkins said.

“He had to carry the dog to the truck. He was so emaciated that his shoulders, ribs, backbone, pelvis were all protruding. You could see all of his bones. His abdomen was kind of tucked under, and he’s kind of bowed over. They bow over when they’re starved. His eyes are kind of sunken. He had severe frostbite. He had ulcerations to his ears, his feet and his rump area.”

“The ulcerations were infected. There was several inches of the tail that was completely eradicated, just completely gone from the frostbite. Now the veterinarian has said that somewhere down the road, they’re going to have to amputate. He also had swollen lymph nodes, which indicates a systematic infection,” she added.

The charge Nelson faces is due to the condition of that dog. Although both dogs were emaciated, Adkins said, no charges have yet been filed in connection with the other dog, a brown female.

The vet believes the dogs must have been suffering for at least several weeks, if not months, said Adkins. The woman’s neighbors have also said they’d seen the dogs in the same condition for quite some time.

Kingsport Animal Shelter Director Tracy Couch said that over the past 10 days, the dogs — which they’ve named Peaches and Bravo — have improved considerably. Because the dogs have shown no signs of aggression and seem to have a playful temperament, Couch said she is hopeful they’ll be able to adopt them out eventually.

Meanwhile, Peaches is believed to be about 1½ months pregnant.

For information on how to make a donation of money or supplies for these and the other animals at the shelter call 247-1671 for details.

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Yes, Mr. Williams, she does have children. Scary, isn't it? And, from the looks of her MySpace, which she has available for the public to view, she has been to Disney World, Epcot Center, Dollywood, Daytona Beach, the circus, and she goes to the Electric Cowboy (maybe someone can find her there and give her what she deserves), so obviously, there was plenty of money to provide these poor pups some food. From the looks of her pictures, she has had plenty to eat and should've shared some with them. "sugarmommasexy" and "tink69" are her identifiers. What does that tell you about this person?

CommentI*C*U*C*N* Me | 2/19/2009 - 5:46 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

That should have read: maybe she will be lucky enough to DIE sooner than these poor, helpless, innocent dogs. Better yet, after giving her that "taste of her own medicine," give her some antifreeze to drink.

CommentI*C*U*C*N* Me | 2/19/2009 - 5:00 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

Life in prison, without parole, would be too good for this sorry piece of garbage. There would be much less crime in this world if the punishment would be exactly what the crime was. Chain the woman up outdoors with the chain tightly around her neck, do not give her any food or water whatsoever, do not give her any blankets or shelter over her head, and LEAVE her there!!! That is what this woman deserves - nothing more!!! Give her a "taste of her own medicine" until she is so weak and emaciated that she cannot stand alone. Maybe she will be lucky enough to do sooner than these poor, helpless, innocent dogs.

CommentI*C*U*C*N* Me | 2/19/2009 - 4:57 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

I agree with the other commentors...I don't care what breed of dog, or what species of animal it is...they don't deserve abuse and neglect. They are innocent creatures put here for us to love and enjoy. People that harm animals really should either get the exact same treatment done to them, or get life without parole in prison...I think stricter penalties like that might just put an end to most of the animal cruelty. If a person would harm an innocent animal, they would probably do the same to children, or anyone. There is no place in a decent society for these miscreants. On another note about animals that are bred and trained (wrongfully) to fight and kill..that is abuse, too, in my opinion should be treated as such. Unfortunately, I think once an animal has been taught to kill or attack, and especially if they have ever attacked a person, they should be put down.

CommentDebra Young | 2/18/2009 - 1:01 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

One of the nicest dogs I've met in my lifetime was a rescued pit bull. The poor little guy was fairly small for the breed, due to being starved and malnourished as a pup. You'd think this dog, if any, would be aggressive due to its mistreatment as a pup, but it was so sweet and easy going, did really well with other dogs and with kids.
But on a more story-related note: this woman is a waste of carbon and air. Indifference? I've said it before and I've said it again - why bother yourself with a dog if you're not even going to give it a second glance after you tie it up??? She'll probably be one to complain about the conditions of her jail cell and food in jail...

CommentWho is reading? | 2/17/2009 - 4:44 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

While, I am an American Pit Bull Terrier owner, I would still like to say that no animal deserves to be treated this way. This is rediculous and needs to stop. Her state of 'total indifference' is pathetic. I spend my weekends transporting rescue animals that have been taken from 'people' like this. I've seen more than I want to. It's time to realize that animals deserve better.

CommentLeslie Raleigh | 2/17/2009 - 12:13 PM - (CommentSuggest Removal )

I wonder how this excuse for humanity would feel out in the freezing cold without food/water? It makes wonder what people like this would do to a child. Does she have children? Are they ok? Disgusting!!

CommentChuck Williams | 2/17/2009 - 9:37 AM - (CommentSuggest Removal )
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