Charges come down in bloodhound investigation

Mason charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse

By TERESA RESSEL
Daily Journal Staff Writer

POTOSI — A Washington County Sheriff’s Department employee has been charged with two counts of animal abuse in connection with the bloodhound neglect and abuse investigation that began three months ago.

Lance E. Mason, 41, of Potosi, has been charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal abuse. Special Prosecuting Attorney Wendy Wexler Horn filed the charges in Washington County Associate Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon.

The charges allege Mason failed to provide adequate treatment for Mosley, by failing to provide the bloodhound with adequate food and water, and necessary medication as prescribed. If convicted, Mason could be sentenced up to a year in the county jail or fined $1,000 on each charge.

Horn said she spent many, many hours reviewing and thinking about the case. She said animal abuse by failing to provide adequate care is a misdemeanor. She said a felony charge by Missouri state law would need the element of torture.

At this time, she does not believe she will be filing any other charges against any other individuals. She said it seems clear the dog’s condition was diagnosed and deteriorated while under the care solely of Mason.

Mason was placed on paid administrative leave in late February after investigations into the dog’s care began.

On Wednesday morning, Washington County Sheriff Kevin Schroeder said he learned about the charges late Tuesday afternoon and he hadn’t had a chance to make a decision about Mason’s status with the department. He planned to make a decision by the end of business today.

He said a thorough investigation was done by his agency and a joint and independent investigation was done by the Humane Society. He believes they came to a truthful conclusion about the situation.

According to the probable cause statement signed by Missouri Humane Society Animal Cruelty Officers Kyle Held and Bonnie Dean, their investigation began on Feb. 28 at the request of Schroeder.

The dog was adopted from Midwest Bloodhound Rescue Inc. by Washington County Captain Charles Lalumondiere in January of 2007 with the purpose of using the dog for search and rescues.

The officers said in November of 2007, after the dog was seen by a veterinarian and treated for what was diagnosed as a skin allergy and “being in adequate body condition,” Lalumondiere turned over the dog to Mason for continued care and canine training.

In January, Mason told the captain and the sheriff that the dog was in “bad shape” and losing weight and hair. Mason took the dog to Lawson Veterinary Clinic on Jan. 17 where the dog showed a weight loss of 32 pounds and was diagnosed with demodectic mange.

The vet’s office recommended medications and food to help the dog in acquiring adequate caloric intake. They also recommended Mason change the dog’s bedding to place the dog in a more comfortable area due to the skin condition.

According to the vet, the medication and food were available at the vet clinic through a charge account, but those foods and medications were never acquired.

The officers said the condition of the dog deteriorated and no further vet care was provided.

Lalumondiere contacted Midwest Bloodhound Rescue, Inc. in late January to let them know the dog was unhealthy and the department wanted its money back or a new dog.

On Feb. 13, a volunteer went to pick up the dog. According to their Web site, the dog was found in a 4 by 4 dirt-floor pen outside a trailer. The dog had no food, water or bedding.

He was taken to an emergency vet where it was determined the dog suffered from frostbite, malnutrition and dehydration, severe hair loss (mange), ear and eye infections, seborrhea of the skin, cellulitis, and anemia.

The rescue group said before the adoption, the dog had a localized or small outbreak of mange but it had fully recovered.

Sandi Singer, executive director of Midwest Bloodhound Rescue, said last week that Mosley is still doing well.

“(He’s) pretty funny looking because his hair came back in a different color,” she said, adding that is common with hypothyroidism. “It should revert to normal color after the next yearly molt.

She said his foster family is adopting him. They have moved from Louisiana, Mo. to southern Missouri.

She said he is still very leery/frightened by new men. “It takes him awhile to be comfortable around them,” she said. “It will probably always be that way now.”

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.

Archives Web Site Marketplace Obits Babies Jobs