Early Chief of Police David Mercer reports that on Friday June 11th, Officer John Mills responded to a complainant of animal cruelty in the 200 block of McDonald Drive in Early.

Officer Mills made contact with the resident, Alvis Connell, and located a black poodle inside the residence in poor condition with hair matted with feces and dirt Mercer said.  Two German Shepherds in the back yard of the residence had no water, were very thin, and in poor condition. Connell surrendered the dogs to the Police Department to be taken to the animal shelter. Mercer said that Connell stated he filled the water for the dogs over a week ago.

Once at the animal shelter, the dogs were evaluated and seen by a veterinarian. The dogs were severely covered with fleas and ticks Mercer said, and the 2 German Shepherds were over 20 lbs under weight. One German Shepherd is going to have to be put down due to heart worms.

On Tuesday June 15, 2010, Officer Mills obtained an arrest warrant on Alvis Connell for Cruelty to Animals.  Connell was arrested and placed into the Brown Co Jail on $5000 bond.