Eyewitnesses Monday described a gut wrenching, heartbreaking scene at the Watonga dog pound.
A dog lay dead in its cage, its head decayed past recognition and some of its flesh consumed by scrawny puppies that entered and exited the cage at will through a mangled wire fence.
The situation came to light when a citizen who wished to remain anonymous contacted Neal Riley, the at-large Watonga City Council member. Riley went to the dog facility near the former dump and current wastewater treatment plant and discovered the situation as the citizen had described.
Riley called the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office. When an officer arrived, Riley was told he would be contacted later.
He was also text messaging with Sheriff Travis Daugherty who described a video Riley had sent as ‘blatant animal cruelty.’ In addition to the dead animal, another was described by other witnesses as sick and hungry, with no access to food or water. The cages were also full of filth from the animals.
Later Monday, Caymon Wieczorrek, the animal control officer for the city, was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals.
Riley said he feels bad about the arrest, since he has known Wieczorrek most of the officer’s life, as he grew up next door to Riley.
Riley also noted that no overtime is allowed for the animal control position, so he wondered who cares for animals in the pound on the weekends and holidays. Watonga City Manager Karrie Little had no comment on the events.
Wieczorrek remains in the Blaine County Detention Center. No bail amount has been set yet.