Woman Tapes Dog’s Mouth Shut

In that case, “the tape was so tight that Caityln’s tongue was caught between her teeth, stopping blood flow to her tongue”, the Charleston Animal Society wrote on its Facebook page. She was jailed on $3,000 bail and must appear in court November. 4.

When police checked out the dog, they didn’t see any visible signs of abuse, but the pictures alone were enough to charge Howell with misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Howell told investigators that she did it because her dog was barking, but WBTV obtained a screenshot of the original post with the photos. A magistrate found probable cause to charge Howell, and an investigator advised Howell that her actions were “unacceptable”, Rowan County deputies said. Officials said Howell said she thought it would be amusing to wrap duct tape around her dog’s mouth on Monday, and she took photos. Howell was allowed to keep the dog, with the understanding that a follow-up visit could take place at any time, the sheriff’s office said.

Howell said that she removed the tape immediately after posting the pictures.

Investigator said Howell was upset about the fact that people had made rude comments to her on Facebook, accusing her of abusing the dog.

“I could take a lie detector test and prove I meant her no harm and it was a joke”, Howell wrote.

‘Anyways guess I really didn’t think through but anyone who knows me knows when I got Leah she [was] skin and bones how (sic) that animal abusee (sic)’.

Howell continued to post online, posting a long message on her Facebook page Wednesday afternoon. “Leah herself would show the world I haven’t and never would harm her. If I abused any animal, I would be right there with everyone saying it, but I didn’t”.

“Lesson learned, another mistake to never make”, she added.

‘I’m just nearly at the point in tears that people are so mean.

“Someone will realize I wasn’t abusing my daughter”, she wrote in her long rant. She was left in her owner’s custody.

She was also charged with failing to appear for outstanding traffic charges, after missing a court appearance on Friday.

Barkely consulted with Animal Control, and concluded that because there were “no apparent injuries or signs of neglect or mistreatment”, the animal could remain with Howell, the statement said.