Two teens arrested on animal torture charges

HARRISON COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Two 19-year-olds have been charged with animal torture following the discovery of an abused stray dog earlier this month, according to the Harrison County Animal Shelter in Cynthiana.

Officials say James Maggard and Madison Smith were arrested in connection with the alleged abuse of a dog found barely alive in a ditch on March 5. The shelter, which named the dog “Whisper,” reported that her condition was so severe that she had to be euthanized.

Maggard and Smith were booked into the Bourbon County Detention Center on Saturday but were later released on a $1,500 bond each, according to jail records.

Authorities have not released further details about the case, but the investigation is ongoing.