Former jailer facing 45 counts of animal cruelty

Former jailer facing 45 counts of animal cruelty

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A former county jail employee remains in custody as he faces more than 45 charges related to the treatment of dozens of animals on his property off of North Old Canton Road.

The man, Wesley George Keyser, 53, of Madison, was arrested and charged with 42 counts of animal cruelty and four counts of confining creatures without food. Though it is a misdemeanor, the animal cruelty charge carries a penalty that includes fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. 

Keyser remains in the Madison County Detention Center on a $1,000 bond for each charge for a total of $46,000.

According to Sheriff Randy Tucker, Keyser was a detention center employee at the time of his arrest. He had worked at the jail for about nine months.

Tucker said he “was arrested and terminated from his job at the scene.”

“For those who hurt our animals,” Tucker said. “Beware that we will take every legal measure to make sure you pay the price for hurting the defenseless. This will never be tolerated in Madison County.”

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office was notified on Thursday, Oct. 24, about issues regarding animal cruelty and arrived at the location within minutes of receiving the call, Tucker said. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a property at 916 North Old Canton Road where Keyser lived, according to MCSO spokesman Heath Hall.

At this location, deputies found about 45 dogs and four horses suffering from malnutrition and were not being provided any cover from the weather.

“Keyser will be charged with animal cruelty for each animal that was removed from the premises,” Tucker said.

The animals have been taken to the Webster Animal Shelter in Madison and to several veterinarians for care with the goal of re-homing them, Tucker said.

“The dogs and horses were living in deplorable conditions, and it is our hope they will be matched with new owners,” Tucker said.






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