A man is in custody after a break-in at the Leitchfield Animal Shelter.
Michael Baker of Falls of Rough faces multiple charges including second degree Animal Cruelty, third degree Burglary, and third degree Criminal Trespass, among other charges, following his arrest Tuesday.
The Leitchfield Police Department says officers responded to the animal shelter on February 27 for a reported break-in at the facility. Upon arrival, officers found that multiple dogs were released from their kennels with several injured, and one dog was found dead. The investigation eventually found that 16 dogs were released, four were reported injured with one being transferred for veterinary treatment.
One dog was reported to still be at large, and was later seen on surveillance footage near the Southgate Mall with the suspect, identified as Baker. The dog was recovered by police on Wednesday.
The police department says surveillance footage shows Baker enter the area of the dog kennels, after which several dogs are seen running from the kennel area. Baker is then seen exiting the kennel area and walking around the parking lot attempting to catch the dog he was later seen with. Surveillance footage shows some of the dogs fighting, which they believe resulted in the death of the dog found dead.
A warrant was issued for Baker’s arrest. He was taken into custody at his residence Tuesday.
