By JESSA LEWIS
6 News Reporter
NEW TAZEWELL (WATE) - A New Tazewell man faces charges after abusing his sister's dog.
According a police report, Kenneth Mark Holt, 45, repeatedly picked up and slammed his sister's dog on the ground, then kicked it.
Now the dog is at the Claiborne Animal Shelter and has been renamed Sparky.
"The dog's leg was obviously broken and (the owner) didn't have the money to take him to a vet, so she signed the dog over to us. We called the police and they went out and spoke with the woman who pressed charges against her brother. The police actually charged him with animal cruelty," said Claiborne Animal Shelter Executive Director Liza Martz.
The Claiborne Animal Shelter runs solely on donations, and with an $800 vet bill to pay for Sparky's surgery and the pins in his leg, the shelter is looking for help.
That's why they started "The Sparky Fund." They've already gotten about $150 toward his medical bills.
Any money that's left over will be saved to help other dogs needing extensive medical treatment. "If people only send us a dollar, it would help," Martz said. "I think we're probably going to make it."
One shelter volunteer says it's great to see an animal abuse case prosecuted in Claiborne County. "People who are mean to their animals, often are mean to their children and injure other people as well," Sandra Arnold said.
Sparky will be up for adoption after his court date, which is scheduled for August 23. "He's got a big smile and a big heart and I think he'll make somebody a wonderful pet. He deserves to be in a home where people love him," Martz said.
The staff also says Sparky is house trained and he's doing well after his surgery.
If you'd like to donate or volunteer, go to the Claiborne Animal Shelter's Facebook page.
"He's got a big smile and a big heart and I think he'll make somebody a wonderful pet," said Claiborne Animal Shelter Executive Director Liza Martz.
Kenneth Mark Holt (source: Claiborne County Sheriff's Office)
