A local man is scheduled to appear for a Feb. 14 felony disposition docket in Sequoyah County District Court for a felony count of animal cruelty.

Jerold L. Risley, 32, was charged Dec. 29 and a warrant was issued for his arrest the same day. He received a $5,000 bond and will appear before District Judge Kyle Waters at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.

Sequoyah County Sheriff deputy Justin Deuley reported on the afternoon of Dec. 22, 2023, he was dispatched to an area of Steve Owens Road regarding animal neglect.

At the residence, the deputy spoke with Brittany Nance and informed her someone had called concerned for the dog’s wellness. The woman allowed the deputy to come inside where he reported finding the dog looking malnourished, and the dog’s empty food and water bowls in the sink.

The deputy reported the floor inside of the home was covered in dog feces, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case. Nance also reportedly told the deputy that Risley was supposed to have been watching her dog while she was incarcerated.

The deputy asked Nance to give the dog some water and food, and said the dog began drinking the water like it hadn’t had any in days. Nance also told the deputy the dog looked much worse than when she had left it about a month ago.

The reporting party said they went to the residence where they found dog feces all over the home. The reporting party also claimed that Risley had given the reporting party money to purchase dog food but didn’t pick it up for about two weeks. The reporting party said that’s when they found the dog eating its own feces and contacted authorities, according to the affidavit.

District Attorney Jack Thorp said if found guilty, the crime is punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, or both.