On Tuesday December 24th Kentucky State Police received a call about an abandoned house in Breathitt County.
Upon arrival, troopers found 23 abandoned and malnourished animals.
Trooper Smoot was led to obtain an arrest warrant for an individual with 15 counts of cruelty to animals, 2nd degree
The active arrest warrant is on Eddie Spicer. Once Spicer is located he will be held in a local facility until his court date.
Most of the animals found have either been adopted or are still in recovery. Police say within the past few years they have noticed a spike in animal abuse in the state, but they want to remind people it is a crime with consequences.
According to Jody Sims, Public Affairs Officer for Kentucky State Police Post 13, “There’s been a trend over recent years, that laws have been put in place to protect animals. And many times maybe people don’t realize it. Whether it’s through ignorance or lack of concern but they do need to know if that if they mistreat animals on purpose that there are ramifications.”