A jury of eight women and four men deliberated less than two hours today before finding a Sale Creek man not guilty on 18 counts of animal cruelty.
Donald Ray Hagar was charged Nov. 22, 2006, after authorities discovered that he moved out of his 1505 McCallie-Ferry Road home when it was foreclosed upon and left at least nine dogs fenced in the yard.
David Hutton, an official with the Humane Society of Hamilton County, testified that at least one of the dogs had died, and the others had eaten it. The remaining dogs were malnourished, and many were too weak to stand, he said.
Mr. Hagar testified that he loved the dogs but could not take them with him when he was forced to move out. He said he thought a real estate agent working for the mortgage company during the foreclosure was going to take care of the animals.
According to testimony, Mr. Hagar took two dogs with him when he moved, but they were later placed in the custody of the Humane Society.
Criminal Court Judge Don Poole said he would rule soon what Mr. Hagar must do to get the dogs back.
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
