Graves County man faces animal cruelty charges for second time in five months

A Graves County man is facing animal cruelty charges for the second time in five months.

Graves County Sheriff deputies were called to a home on State Route 1124 near the Calloway County line after a neighbor filed a complaint about what was described as a pack of dogs coming onto their property. The neighbor stated the dogs acted aggressively toward some children and they believed the dogs belonged to a couple that had been arrested on animal cruelty charges in October. 

When deputies arrived at the property, around 10 allegedly aggressive and malnourished dogs approached them. They said no one would answer the door, so they obtained a court order to take the dogs inside and outside the home.

Deputies located 59-year-old Charles A. Rodgers allegedly hiding inside the home after speaking to him by phone. Rodgers had reportedly told them he was not home. Investigators also allegedly found dog remains in a burn barrel on the property. Rodgers told them the dog had died of Parvo.

Animal control officers from Graves and Calloway County spent part of the day Monday rounding up the dogs on the property to take to the Graves County Animal Shelter.

The Graves County Sheriff's Office said that the two people that reside there were out on bond from the October arrest where they were charged with 38 counts of animal cruelty.

Deputies arrested Rodgers and charged him with 12 additional counts of animal cruelty and for violating bond conditions.