NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KMTV) – Two dogs have been rescued and a man has been charged with felony animal cruelty thanks to citizen reports.
The Nebraska State Patrol says they were alerted to a severely injured dog in Red Willow County on Wednesday. They say the dog had more than 15 stab wounds and it was brought to an animal clinic where it underwent emergency surgery for more than two hours. The dog was saved and a Christian donor from Colorado has since covered the dog’s medical costs.
Earlier in the week, troopers responded to a report of a transient man with blood on his clothes and hands. Witnesses said the man had two dogs with him in prior days but only one dog was found when troopers saw him. It was later determined the dog didn’t belong to him and it was taken to an animal shelter in North Platte.
After the discovery of the injured dog, 29-year-old James Wagner was sought on an animal cruelty charge. He was located on Thursday at the Lincoln County Jail, where he had been sent on a shoplifting charge.
The injured dog will remain at the Red Willow Animal Clinic and, if unclaimed, will be up for adoption after ten days. The other dog will also be up for adoption if it is not claimed. Both adoptions will be through the McCook Humane Society.
