A Phil Campbell man has been charged with animal cruelty after an investigation found that he had abandoned four dogs inside his former residence, police said.
James Bass was charged with one count of Cruelty to Animals, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $3,000 fine upon conviction.
Phil Campbell Police Chief Jessica Clements said Bass will appear in Phil Campbell Municipal Court in December to answer allegations that he neglected the four dogs, which police found inside his former home. Clements said the dogs were underweight, appeared to be starving and at least one, a bulldog mix, had open sores and an infection around its mouth.
Clements said she believed the dog's injuries were worsened by repeated gnawing around a window in an attempt to get out of the house.
The investigation revealed that Bass moved to Russellville from his former residence in Phil Campbell, and in the process, he abandoned four dogs inside the duplex apartment.
Clements said a neighbor tried to feed the dogs since Bass did not return for them. Bass allegedly told police he was coming each morning to feed the dogs, but Clements said it was clear the animals were being neglected.
Cruelty to Animals can be a felony or misdemeanor in Alabama. Bass is charged with misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals, pursuant to Code of Alabama Sec. 13A-11-14, which reads: A person commits the crime of Cruelty to Animals if, except as otherwise authorized by law, he or she recklessly or with criminal negligence: (1) Subjects any animal to cruel mistreatment; or (2) Subjects any animal in his or her custody to cruel neglect; or (3) Kills or injures without good cause any animal belonging to another.
Clements contacted a representative from Save Our Strays Franklin County about picking up the dogs. That organization rescues stray or abused animals in Franklin County and works in conjunction with the Florence/Lauderdale Animal Shelter, where the dogs were temporarily placed.
Two of the four dogs were originally placed as foster dogs with Bass, according to a representative from the group. Those dogs are now back in that organization's custody where they are receiving necessary medical care.
In addition to Chief Clements, Phil Campbell Police Officer Brian Vickery also worked on the investigation.
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